Chinese President Xi Jinping walks with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi prior to their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Chinese President Xi Jinping walks with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi prior to their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Beijing Walks a Fine Line in the Middle East

Iran’s attack on Israel has undermined some of China’s diplomatic credibility in the region.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen shakes hands with Pan Gongsheng, the governor of the People’s Bank of China, during her visit to the central bank’s headquarters in Beijing.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen shakes hands with Pan Gongsheng, the governor of the People’s Bank of China, during her visit to the central bank’s headquarters in Beijing.

China Won’t Change Tack on Economic Policy

Beijing’s political leadership isn’t likely to listen to friendly advice from foreign investors or criticism from foreign officials.

Philippine Coast Guard personnel are seen aboard an inflatable boat speeding past a Chinese Coast Guard ship after conducting a survey at the Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea.
Philippine Coast Guard personnel are seen aboard an inflatable boat speeding past a Chinese Coast Guard ship after conducting a survey at the Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea.

China-Philippines Tensions Heat Up

Saber-rattling in the South China Sea comes as Manila builds alliances in Washington and beyond.

British members of Parliament Tim Loughton, Iain Duncan Smith And Stewart McDonald, hold a press conference after allegations that China is responsible for cyberattacks on the U.K. Electoral Commission in London on March 25.
British members of Parliament Tim Loughton, Iain Duncan Smith And Stewart McDonald, hold a press conference after allegations that China is responsible for cyberattacks on the U.K. Electoral Commission in London on March 25.

U.S. and U.K. Sanction Chinese Hacking Group

The censure isn’t likely to rein in Beijing’s cyberespionage campaigns.

A woman tests a VR product during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on July 7, 2023.
A woman tests a VR product during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai on July 7, 2023.

Beijing Pushes for AI Regulation

A campaign to control generative AI raises questions about the future of the industry in China.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testifies before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington on Jan. 31.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testifies before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington on Jan. 31.

U.S. House Moves Toward TikTok Crackdown

The bill coming to a vote this week would force the app’s Chinese parent company to divest—or risk a U.S. ban.

A general view of the opening session of the National People’s Congress in the Great Hall of People in Beijing on March 5.
A general view of the opening session of the National People’s Congress in the Great Hall of People in Beijing on March 5.

Beijing Holds Annual Two Sessions Amid Economic Crisis

Chinese Premier Li Qiang will not take questions from the press, underscoring the fraught moment.

A high-up view shows the tops of skyscrapers in the city of Nanjing, China, beneath a blue sky. The closest building is part of a China Evergrande Group housing project.
A high-up view shows the tops of skyscrapers in the city of Nanjing, China, beneath a blue sky. The closest building is part of a China Evergrande Group housing project.

Can Beijing Contain the Property Crisis?

As firms default on debt, China hopes to boost household spending—but it lacks consumer confidence.

Visitors walk past a dragon installation at a Lunar New Year fair in Chengdu, China, on Feb. 17.
Visitors walk past a dragon installation at a Lunar New Year fair in Chengdu, China, on Feb. 17.

The Dragon Won’t Bring China a Baby Boom

In the Chinese zodiac cycle, children born in the year of the dragon are considered lucky—but it’s unlikely to cause a bump in 2024.

Seen from above, a worker arranges red lanterns for upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations in Huaian, China.
Seen from above, a worker arranges red lanterns for upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations in Huaian, China.

China’s Stock Market Falters as Holiday Season Begins

Government action may not be able to stop slipping public confidence in the economy.

A delivery worker uses an escalator at a partially operating Evergrande commercial complex in Beijing.
A delivery worker uses an escalator at a partially operating Evergrande commercial complex in Beijing.

It’s Almost the End for China’s Evergrande

A Hong Kong judge ordered the property giant to liquidate, but courts in mainland China will set the timeline.

Investors look at screens showing stock market movements at a securities company in Fuyang, China, on Jan. 17.
Investors look at screens showing stock market movements at a securities company in Fuyang, China, on Jan. 17.

China’s Economy Is Off to a Bad Start in 2024

Chinese stock markets are in sharp decline, reflecting the gap between official optimism and investor pessimism.

Confetti falls as Taiwanese President-elect Lai Ching-te speaks to supporters at a victory rally in Taipei.
Confetti falls as Taiwanese President-elect Lai Ching-te speaks to supporters at a victory rally in Taipei.

Taiwan’s New President Won’t Placate China

Still, Beijing’s reaction to Lai Ching-te’s victory has been surprisingly muted—for now.

A missile is fired from a military base in Lashio, Myanmar, on Oct. 28, 2023.
A missile is fired from a military base in Lashio, Myanmar, on Oct. 28, 2023.

Is China Playing Both Sides in Myanmar?

Anti-government forces’ campaign against cyberscams has benefited Beijing, even as it keeps up ties with the ruling junta.

People eat at a restaurant as a screen broadcasts Chinese President Xi Jinping's New Year's speech in Beijing.
People eat at a restaurant as a screen broadcasts Chinese President Xi Jinping's New Year's speech in Beijing.

China Closed 2023 With a Military Purge

Nine top generals were removed from Beijing’s rubber-stamp parliament last Friday.

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