Chinese academic Han Heyuan takes a look at the prevalence of “political families” in China at the grassroots level. The disadvantages of such a system are obvious, including the obstruction of social mobility, corruption and abuse of power. Furthermore, if a specific family or group monopolises official positions and resources for a long time, it may lead to a decline in the quality of officials, thereby reducing administrative efficiency.

Strolling through the 8th Yokohama Triennale held mainly at the Yokohama Museum of Art, former director of the Singapore Art Museum Kwok Kian Chow reflects on the historical woodcut connections between Japan and China and in the wider Asian region.

While the mainstream view in the Philippines is that China is to blame for the flourishing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) industry, both countries have common cause in rooting out the ills of POGOs.

Chinese academic Zhang Tiankan notes that while China’s food safety has undergone changes and improvements, some problems still exist. For example, the lack of scientific standards for certain foods consumed by the people, putting nutrition and hygiene at risk. What can China do to improve this public health issue?

Given the gloomy economic and employment outlook, China’s youths are changing the way they spend. Lianhe Zaobao’s China Desk takes a look at the new trend of “poor man’s deals” whereby youths try to find the best value for money for their next meal, which could even come from high-end restaurants.

To reciprocate Chinese President Xi Jinping’s warm welcome of French President Emmanuel Macron to Beijing last year, Macron pulled out all the stops to accord Xi the royal treatment during the latter’s visit to France this week. However, notes Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu, playing up the “personal” card may not be enough when it comes to state-to-state interactions.

Looking at the recent spate of pro-Palestinian student activism on US campuses, US academic Wu Guo reflects on student movements in the US, and the drivers and complexities behind them. The decision to speak up may not always be about principles, democracy or freedom.

From steel and batteries to electric vehicles, the surplus Chinese products that cannot be absorbed by its domestic market are being boycotted by many countries, especially Europe and the US. Is China guilty of dumping? Who has the final say on what qualifies as “overcapacity”? Can China’s trade-in of consumer goods action plan help deal with its overcapacity? 

With the world’s largest democracy currently undergoing elections, Lianhe Zaobao foreign desk journalist Hai Kexian and associate foreign editor So Geok Lan take a look at the possibility of a third term as prime minister for India’s Narendra Modi and the challenges he faces.

US academic Dmitry Shlapentokh looks at the China-Russia and China-US relationships from a historical perspective, explaining why Russia and China are bound to each other in their common interests, despite centuries-old suspicions.

Japanese academic Atsuhito Isozaki explains why China and North Korea share less common ground than what is usually proclaimed in public statements. For that matter, North Korea’s plans of deepening relations with other socialist countries might be a tall order.

Although Asia is the world’s second-largest source of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), donations by Asia’s UHNWIs only account for 13% of the global share. This may be about to change, with the rise of family offices being set up in Singapore, and new modes of gifting that make it easier for donations of the wealthy to reach those in need here and in the region.