At a time when U.S.-China relations seemingly plunge to new successive lows every day, with Washington and Beijing exchanging tit-for-tat responses in shuttering consulates and with President Donald Trump pursuing an all-out assault on Chinese tech, the European theater in the emerging Cold War is reaching an equally escalatory albeit quieter inflection point.In recent weeks, the United Kingdom has made substantial moves to shift its China policy, first by inviting Hong Kong British Overseas passport holders to apply for permanent residency, and second by excluding Huawei from its 5G...…At a time when U.S.-China relations seemingly plunge to new successive lows every day, with Washington and Beijing exchanging tit-for-tat responses in shuttering consulates and with President Donald Trump pursuing an all-out assault on Chinese tech, the European theater in the emerging Cold War is reaching an equally escalatory albeit quieter inflection point.In recent weeks, the United Kingdom has made substantial moves to shift its China policy, first by inviting Hong Kong British Overseas passport holders to apply for permanent residency, and second by excluding Huawei from its 5G...WW…

With successful containment of COVID-19, Chinese politicians and media have hailed the Chinese system and praised Xi Jinping’s leadership. The people of China, in line with the government’s rhetoric, have also along with mocking other nations’ performance. Nationalistic self-congratulations and boasts are not exclusive to any nation, nor is it a modern phenomenon. As explained by , it was common for the feudal Chinese court to salute the greatness of the emperor and glorify the middle kingdom. He regards this “blandishment culture” (颂圣文化) as a “defect within Chinese history.”Yet, with the...…With successful containment of COVID-19, Chinese politicians and media have hailed the Chinese system and praised Xi Jinping’s leadership. The people of China, in line with the government’s rhetoric, have also along with mocking other nations’ performance. Nationalistic self-congratulations and boasts are not exclusive to any nation, nor is it a modern phenomenon. As explained by , it was common for the feudal Chinese court to salute the greatness of the emperor and glorify the middle kingdom. He regards this “blandishment culture” (颂圣文化) as a “defect within Chinese history.”Yet, with the...WW…

We often ascribe a basic level of humanity to even the cruelest leaders, but People’s Republic of China leader Xi Jinping’s actions have forced us to rethink this assumption. Although the emergence of the novel coronavirus now known as SARS-CoV-2 was , the emphasis that its authoritarian system places on likely gave the disease a sizable head start . But most ominously, China’s obsession with image and Machtpolitik raises serious questions about its lack of moral limits.At some point the Chinese Communist Party learned of the epidemic and made a decision to hide its existence, hoping it...…We often ascribe a basic level of humanity to even the cruelest leaders, but People’s Republic of China leader Xi Jinping’s actions have forced us to rethink this assumption. Although the emergence of the novel coronavirus now known as SARS-CoV-2 was , the emphasis that its authoritarian system places on likely gave the disease a sizable head start . But most ominously, China’s obsession with image and Machtpolitik raises serious questions about its lack of moral limits.At some point the Chinese Communist Party learned of the epidemic and made a decision to hide its existence, hoping it...WW…

In May, the United States’ senior diplomat for South and Central Asia, Alice Wells, repeated her criticism of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its flagship project, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). In response, offering reassurances about CPEC’s transparency and its perspective contribution toward national development.But on the ground, fears and concerns continue to grow in Gwadar, more than 2,000 kilometers away from the national capital, Islamabad and hundreds of kilometers away from Quetta, the provincial capital.This remote fishing town gained a deep-sea...…In May, the United States’ senior diplomat for South and Central Asia, Alice Wells, repeated her criticism of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its flagship project, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). In response, offering reassurances about CPEC’s transparency and its perspective contribution toward national development.But on the ground, fears and concerns continue to grow in Gwadar, more than 2,000 kilometers away from the national capital, Islamabad and hundreds of kilometers away from Quetta, the provincial capital.This remote fishing town gained a deep-sea...WW…

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a two-day visit to Mongolia on September 15 and 16, holding meetings with Mongolian President , Prime Minister , and Foreign Minister . What would have been a fairly straight forward diplomatic exchange between neighbors, however, took on added significance amid Mongolian anger over a new language policy unveiled earlier this month in the Chinese region of Inner Mongolia.The policy, announced just ahead of the start of the new school year on September 1, , replacing Mongolian language books. That sparked outrage among ethnic Mongolians in China, who...…China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a two-day visit to Mongolia on September 15 and 16, holding meetings with Mongolian President , Prime Minister , and Foreign Minister . What would have been a fairly straight forward diplomatic exchange between neighbors, however, took on added significance amid Mongolian anger over a new language policy unveiled earlier this month in the Chinese region of Inner Mongolia.The policy, announced just ahead of the start of the new school year on September 1, , replacing Mongolian language books. That sparked outrage among ethnic Mongolians in China, who...WW…

Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the World Health Assembly (WHA) on Monday, May 18. Decoding that speech shines a powerful light on China’s lines of defense as well as weaknesses and priorities for the future. This is the discourse the world will be confronted with in the next months.Beijing’s priority is to transform the perception of the COVID-19 pandemic from “China made” to a global health emergency a “catching the world by surprise,” where “races or nationalities are irrelevant.” The Chinese people are assured that the leadership did everything to save and protect them, and...…Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the World Health Assembly (WHA) on Monday, May 18. Decoding that speech shines a powerful light on China’s lines of defense as well as weaknesses and priorities for the future. This is the discourse the world will be confronted with in the next months.Beijing’s priority is to transform the perception of the COVID-19 pandemic from “China made” to a global health emergency a “catching the world by surprise,” where “races or nationalities are irrelevant.” The Chinese people are assured that the leadership did everything to save and protect them, and...WW…

Get briefed on the story of the week, and developing stories to watch across the Asia-Pacific.…Get briefed on the story of the week, and developing stories to watch across the Asia-Pacific.WW…

Understanding the Boat Arson Attack Get briefed on the story of the week, and developing stories to watch across the Asia-Pacific.ISIS and Violent Extremism in the MaldivesExtremism During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond…Understanding the Boat Arson Attack Get briefed on the story of the week, and developing stories to watch across the Asia-Pacific.ISIS and Violent Extremism in the MaldivesExtremism During the COVID-19 Pandemic and BeyondWW…

On Tuesday the Russian Navy successfully tested its Zircon hypersonic cruise missile against a maritime target in the Barents Sea.Russia’s state-owned TASS news agency that the missile was by the North Sea Fleet frigate Admiral Gorshkov, striking a maritime target 450 kilometers away and reaching a maximum speed of Mach 8. The Zircon was first tested from the Admiral Gorshkov against a land target in January and again in July.The Zircon is a scramjet-propelled anti-ship cruise missile that has been under development since 2011. Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed in 2019 that the...…On Tuesday the Russian Navy successfully tested its Zircon hypersonic cruise missile against a maritime target in the Barents Sea.Russia’s state-owned TASS news agency that the missile was by the North Sea Fleet frigate Admiral Gorshkov, striking a maritime target 450 kilometers away and reaching a maximum speed of Mach 8. The Zircon was first tested from the Admiral Gorshkov against a land target in January and again in July.The Zircon is a scramjet-propelled anti-ship cruise missile that has been under development since 2011. Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed in 2019 that the...WW…

Get briefed on the story of the week, and developing stories to watch across the Asia-Pacific.…Get briefed on the story of the week, and developing stories to watch across the Asia-Pacific.WW…