Trump is mistaken: China is a wind power giant
Contrary to US President Trump’s Davos comments on Chinese wind farms, China’s wind power is a central pillar of its energy transition, with wind farms dotted around the country’s northern and northwestern regions, and in recent times, along its southeastern coastlines too. But these efforts are not without its challenges, such as an entrenched top-down approach and the difficulty of turning wind capacity into efficiently used, reliably transmitted clean power. EAI deputy director Chen Gang shares his insights.
![[Big read]: From Kowloon to Shenzhen: The bullet trains redefining Hong Kong life](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/thinkchina/6e946df023b8ddba111d1088fa2dcb5180348ee0cd5eef59595e676d7ca7e2e0?w=800)
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As the Year of the Horse approaches, two horse-themed toys, one born of a factory error and the other inspired by museum art, have become unlikely favourites ahead of the Chinese New Year.
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After Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong’s safeguards tighten
A white paper on safeguarding China’s national security released a day after the sentencing of media mogul Jimmy Lai sends a clear signal: the government will not relent in its efforts to uphold national security in Hong Kong. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Tai Hing Shing speaks with academics to find out the implications.
The Board of Peace: A pay-to-play world order?
Boardroom politics may replace global diplomacy with US President Trump’s new Board of Peace. In this architecture, peace is only a privilege for those who can pay for a seat at the chairman’s table. Commentator Imran Khalid shares his views.
big read![[Big read] Why Singapore’s Malay travellers are falling for China](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/thinkchina/e769c4690dfe0e153408a4add13af4aa12aaecdbff5fce8186409bbd07b5fce2?w=800)
[Big read] Why Singapore’s Malay travellers are falling for China
From halal hotpot in subzero winters to TikTok-fuelled city breaks, Malay Singaporeans are finding a China that upends long-held assumptions — warmer, cheaper and far more welcoming than imagined. Lianhe Zaobao senior writer Wang Hwee Wen finds out more.
Built for chaos: Why China’s robotaxis are streets ahead
Chinese robotaxis — Apollo Go, Pony.ai and WeRide — lead globally by mastering chaotic traffic and keeping costs low, outpacing US rivals Waymo and Tesla as autonomous services expand worldwide. Hedge fund CEO Taylor Lynch Ogan and US academic Chen Xiangming survey the field.
The Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship comes at a perilous time
As the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship kicks off, all eyes are on its approach to three major issues: the South China Sea dispute, the situation in Myanmar and the volatile peace along the Thailand-Cambodia border. Manila-based analyst Don McLain Gill gives his assessment.
How Takaichi’s landslide win will shape Japan’s China and ASEAN ties
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) landslide victory gives Takaichi political stability and a strong mandate, enabling her to press Beijing, mend ties and strengthen engagement with ASEAN while balancing US alliance priorities. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Tan Jet Min reports.
Can India move beyond faltering US ties?
Amid a US-China detente, India finds itself in a serious pursuit of “multipolarity” in the international system. But this still needs to be underpinned by strong defence relations with the US. Indian analyst Rahul Jaybhay explores the issue.
From canteens to guesthouses: China unlocks idle state property
Across China, local government canteens, state guesthouses and more state-run facilities are opening up to the general public. Not only are these places well received by the people, the move also helps generate revenue for local governments and makes use of spaces that would otherwise be idle. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Meng Dandan finds out more.
Trump’s bluster, Xi’s subtlety: Reading the G2 call
The Xi-Trump call highlighted the stark contrast between US President Donald Trump’s brash style and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s measured diplomacy, with Taiwan and G2 dynamics taking centre stage as the world watched closely. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong gives her take.
big read![[Big read] When the Arctic opens, what happens to Singapore?](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/thinkchina/da65edebca34645c711c55e83e9877109b3c53847ebb1305573974651df1d13a?w=800)
[Big read] When the Arctic opens, what happens to Singapore?
A thawing Northern Sea Route (NSR) is forcing a rethink of global shipping, promising shorter voyages and lower costs. What this means for Singapore’s role as a maritime hub is now under scrutiny, as Lianhe Zaobao senior business correspondent Lewis Ong Yong Huat speaks to industry insiders and academics to find out more.
![[Video] The real danger behind China’s military purge](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/thinkchina/517650786da25af6d961bd35a0e71298c0a954704cefd475d4925e5b89f91c90?w=800)
[Video] The real danger behind China’s military purge
China has purged nearly its entire top military leadership. While debate centres on whether this accelerates or delays a Taiwan conflict, the more consequential question may be how risk is structured, assessed and misread. ThinkChina’s Yi Jina finds out more.
How gutter oil became a prized fuel for international airlines
Once scorned as a public health hazard, China’s notorious “gutter oil” or used cooking oil (UCO) has been recast as one of the world’s most sought‑after feedstocks for sustainable aviation fuel — fetching prices higher than conventional jet fuel as airlines rush to cut carbon and meet global mandates.
Takaichi’s gamble: Can charisma carry Japan?
Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi has called a surprise election, betting her personal appeal and high approval ratings can rally voters, check the opposition and secure a mandate to steer Japan through uncertainty. Academic Zhang Yun gives his analysis.
China bans ‘sexual mentor’ for women — but more are popping up
A viral clip of Zhou Yuan, a Chinese “sexual mentor” for women, has shed light on a booming industry that empowers women to use their sexuality to attract men. Lianhe Zaobao’s China Desk takes a look at society’s and authority’s reactions to these grey-zone content.
Shadow banking under fire: AVIC Trust’s collapse
Trust companies in China have become a major source of financing outside the banking system. AVIC Trust’s failure shows how weak oversight, high-risk lending and a slumping property market can bring even state-owned institutions down. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Li Kang tells us more.
The side war against a not-yet-ready China
Avoiding a direct clash with Beijing, US President Donald Trump is exploiting China’s unfinished rise — pressuring its energy suppliers, trade partners and allies to constrain its growth before it can defend its global interests, says Italian commentator Emanuele Scimia.
Japan’s entertainment dilemma: Navigating China’s cultural clampdown
The strained political relations between China and Japan have a far-reaching impact, not least the entertainment industry. Japanese academic Seio Nakajima takes a look at the recent difficulties in Japan-China cultural exchanges and how Japanese businesses should move forward.