China

What are China’s objectives in Africa, how valid is the concept of ‘debt trap’ diplomacy, and what are China’s military ambitions in the region?

Explaining the likely reasons behind India’s abstention from various procedural votes relating to the Ukraine conflict.

Explaining China’s motives for the BRI, perception of the initiative internationally, and how the Belt and Road may evolve in the future.

James Nixey and Annette Bohr explain why the belief that the Western countries should normalize their relations with Russia in order to counter the rise of China is wrong.

Digital cryptocurrencies are rising up the financial policy agenda as tech innovators seek to capitalize on their technological expertise and data from billions of users.

Widespread protests have erupted in Hong Kong over the last few weeks.

The pretence of cooperation is over as Beijing prepares for America’s next president.

Chinese engagement with Africa is on an uptick after a period of decline.

The informal group of emerging markets may lack coherence, but ending the dollar’s dominance has become a theme – and digital currency innovations offer interesting possibilities, writes David Lubin.

The synthetic opioid fentanyl has become one of America’s biggest killers. Now even stronger ‘nitazenes’ have begun to emerge from China’s huge chemical industry, prompting fears of a global health crisis. Danny Vincent talks to those on either side of the front line.

The Pulitzer-Prize winning author tells Ben Horton how super-rich autocrats cooperate in organized networks to subvert the liberal democratic order – and what the world must do to stop them.

Anne Applebaum joins the podcast to discuss the threat posed to democracy by a network of authoritarian governments around the world.

A violent clash between China’s coastguard and the Philippine Navy near an isolated reef has sparked fears of escalation. Will this tiny shoal bring US-China tensions to a head?

Although the next UK government will have to make many trade-offs, boosting ties with both the Indo-Pacific and Europe would be mutually reinforcing.

Whoever wins the UK’s general election, an incoming government needs better terms and conditions for its dealings with Beijing.

By following the United States and applying significant tariffs on EVs from China, the EU is risking its ambitious decarbonization goals.

China, Japan and South Korea have held their first trilateral summit in nearly five years. But amid the positive noises, distrust remains.

Russia makes a growing contribution to China’s economy. And the war in Ukraine helps Beijing undermine US diplomacy.

Whichever party wins the general election, limited resources will prevent an expansive foreign agenda. ‘Realistic ambition’ should be the guiding principle, with a focus on adapting to risks around the US and China, improving relations with the EU, and strengthening the UK’s role in international governance and development.

During his trip to Europe Xi could find it hard to address the damage wrought by COVID-19 and Beijing’s stance on Ukraine. But he may exploit existing tensions with Washington.

Are we seeing a resurgence of the threat posed by nuclear weapons, given recent events in the Middle East and rhetoric from world leaders?

The nuclear threat is resurgent – more must be done to avert the havoc of escalation.

Beijing’s diplomatic activism shows it is worried Iran–Israel tit-for-tat may undermine Saudi–Iran reconciliation.

With a UN Security Council increasingly stymied by great power politics, the US and its regional allies must lead efforts to constrain an increasingly dangerous North Korea.

Xi Jinping has further consolidated his power in Beijing. What does this mean for China’s economy and its close neighbour Japan?

Weakening the currency should be relatively straightforward. But the adverse reaction of China’s trading partners, past experience, and Xi Jinping’s ambitions for the renminbi could combine to prevent it.

Paper argues US and Europe need to think about the ‘endgame’ for their respective China policies.

Reports that China pushed for a complete end to Houthi attacks are inaccurate: Beijing will not use its limited influence to support the US agenda.

Beijing has bought influence by exporting its high-speed rail technology to Kenya, Indonesia and other countries. But trouble is on the line, writes Yu Jie.

Growth looks set to weaken this year, but authorities remain unable to deliver a large monetary stimulus and unwilling to deliver a large fiscal one.

The latest episode of our weekly podcast discusses Taiwan’s presidential election.

While the elections will demonstrate the vibrancy and resilience of Taiwan’s political system, no presidential candidate has a clear-cut answer for how to sustain its democracy and self-government long term.

Capital is leaving the country, but some net FDI outflows to other manufacturing destinations allow Chinese firms to avoid trade friction with the US.

The latest episode of our weekly podcast looks ahead to the flashpoints and elections next year.

The 13 January presidential vote is likely to determine whether Taiwan maintains its defiant independence regarding China, writes James Orr.

After images reveal new Chinese building on its territory, Bhutan is closing on a border agreement with China that may alarm India, write John Pollock and Damien Symon.