![[Video] Is the world entering a more dangerous nuclear era?](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/thinkchina/8f4c40589b69f91b358586831b587af0d4e5f1c09bd00752c859999314442d5b?w=800)
[Video] Is the world entering a more dangerous nuclear era?
The collapse of the last US-Russia nuclear constraints under New START leaves the world’s nuclear guardrails in tatters, raising fears of great power friction and a renewed arms race. As limits fall away, states from Iran to North Korea are reassessing their options. With extended deterrence under strain, ThinkChina’s Lu Lingming and Yi Jina examine how this unravelling nuclear order is reshaping global and regional security.
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Oyster pancake, all forms of pastries called ge (guo 粿), go (gao 糕) and bnia (bing 饼), one-of-a-kind braised noodles, red rice wine chicken and even pork double-boiled in urine — from his findings in Yongchun county and other studies, anthropology professor Tan Chee-Beng shares his knowledge about the wonders of eastern and southern Fujian cuisines.
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China holds the cards: Fertiliser, fuel and the Middle East crisis
As the war in the Middle East continues, China finds itself at an advantage in terms of fertilisers and fuels, and it is up to China to decide what to do with these trump cards. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei looks at the factors at play.
Fighting cigarettes hits the state’s wallet: Can China crack down on smoking?
Chinese netizens are waging an online war against secondhand smoke, but with tobacco contributing billions to state coffers, can authorities truly crack down on smoking? Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Li Kang looks into the issue.
China’s quiet brokerage: Can Beijing make the US-Iran truce stick?
After the two-week ceasefire in the Iran war ends, even if there is a negotiated agreement, the war may not be be over. Lasting peace in the region would mean stabilising Israel-Iran relations and letting countries like China play a bigger role. Chinese academic Fan Hongda shares his assessment.
Control the oil, shape the world: Trump’s disruptive diplomacy and the risks for Taiwan
More than a year into his presidency, US President Donald Trump has played a disruptor role, leaving his mark on every aspect of diplomacy, from military strategy to economic tariffs. A lot of this has to do with Trump’s personality and style. What impact does this have on the Taiwan Strait issues? Academic Ying-yu Lin gives an analysis.
Why the Iran war won’t shake China’s Middle East strategy
China’s economy has remained largely unaffected by the US-Israel war against Iran, despite China’s strong oil dependence on Iran and its extensive economic ties with the Middle East. US academic Chen Xiangming explains why.
Ceasefire or not, Asia can’t go back to business as usual
A fragile ceasefire offers little relief as the Hormuz crisis exposes Asia’s deep energy vulnerabilities, pushing China and regional economies to rethink security, supply chains and the rules of integration. Academic Gu Qingyang shares his views.
Cheng Li-wun’s China visit: A test of the KMT itself
Observers are carefully watching the potential meeting between the leaders of the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party not only for its impact on cross-strait relations, but also the implications for the KMT’s internal power structure. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Miao Zong-Han takes a look at the significance of this meeting.
State of Southeast Asia Survey 2026: A harder balance to keep in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia has traditionally preferred not to take sides in the longstanding Sino-US rivalry. A fall in confidence in the US makes this a harder choice to make.
Transition under constraint: China’s energy strategy in an era of geopolitical risk
China reaffirmed that it would increase the share of non-fossil fuels in its energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions per unit of GDP under its 15th Five-Year Plan. Achieving this would require a carefully managed transition. Australian researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May assesses how China is striking a delicate balance between decarbonisation, economic growth and energy security.
When cost and practical application takes priority: China surpasses US in AI adoption
Chinese AI models have surpassed US’s in global call volume recently, marking a turning point in the global AI development landscape. Chinese technology expert Yin Ruizhi breaks down why Chinese AI companies have been able to leap ahead in such a short time.
The US-China stability wildcard
American economist Stephen Roach looks at the obsession with stability in both China and the US, and how this can lead to myopic policy decisions that may merely delay consequences rather than address them.
As jobs dry up, personal trainers are going door-to-door
In China’s cities, trainers are bringing the gym to people’s doorstep — turning courtyards into classrooms and fitness into a booming “on-demand” service. But as doubts over income, trust and longevity grow, is this just a fleeting trend?
Nepal’s new guard: How Gen Z fuelled a political sea change
In an unforeseen political upheaval for Nepal that saw the Rashtriya Swatantra Party win the largest political mandate in modern history, academic Rishi Gupta explores why Balen Shah and his party struck a chord across age groups, and how the new government plans to do a balancing act between India and China.
Manus plight: Should AI companies start in China or overseas?
Recent developments after Meta announced its acquisition of China-founded Manus has put Chinese tech companies on edge. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei notes that the labels attached to people and assets, whether tangible or intangible, are no longer neutral, but sharply defined.
The rise of Pakistan in the emerging diplomacy over Iran
Pakistan, the only Muslim-majority nuclear-armed state, is now a key conduit of the Iran war. Its security ties with Saudi Arabia boost its regional clout, while its links to both the US and China show that in crises, the most important states are not the strongest, but those that other actors can still use.
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[Big read] The dangers of unchecked AI on the battlefield
As AI is increasingly used in military action, how far do we go in letting AI decide who and what to strike? Is human accountability no longer applicable? Lianhe Zaobao associate foreign editor Poh Hwee Hoon tells us more.
There’s no city like Singkawang: Where Hakka is the lingua franca and Cap Go Meh dazzles
In Singkawang, West Kalimantan, writer Teo Han Wue found kindred spirits, a vibrant Chinese community and a chance to witness the colourful culmination of Chinese New Year celebrations there — a spirit-medium parade, known to the locals as Cap Go Meh or Pawai Tatung.
Xinjiang’s rising job market: A blessing and a burden?
In some sectors, Xinjiang has generally outpaced the national average, but such positive indicators may not align with the actual employment experiences for some groups, especially the minority groups. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Li Kang speaks with youths from Xinjiang to find out more.