US tariffs and Chinese competition: Can South Korea thrive?
South Korea’s recent support package for the semiconductor industry exposes its vulnerability to the escalating uncertainty in its economic ties with the US and China, its two largest trading partners. Academic Hao Nan explains.
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[Comic] The other side of the coral reef
Translated by ThinkChina
I recently watched Oppenheimer and it reminded me of a quote attributed to Albert Einstein: "The state was made for man, not man for the state." This was possibly the difference between Einstein and J. Robert Oppenheimer. The meaning of "state" is abstract, fluid and changing, and the idea that "I will always love my country" has long been shaken. Just as Einstein must have loved Germany but had to leave, there was a lot of helplessness and conflict - between people and government, politics and science, domination and egalitarianism. While the scientific spirit of "facts over authorities and books; always exchanging, comparing and reassessing opinions" is somewhat idealistic, like the law, it is worth holding on to. If academics do not stand with the people, who then will fight "evil"? Between scholars and the wise ones, there is just a little more justice, conscience and sense of humanity. - Bai Yi
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Bulk snack stores sprout across China, reaching third- and fourth-tier cities
In recent years, bulk snack stores have surfaced and proliferated across China. Offering a wide variety at extremely low prices, such stores have proven popular with consumers. But how are these businesses surviving with such low profit margins, and what is driving the rise of bulk snack stores? Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Daryl Lim tells us more.
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[Vox pop] Dating in China: Is splitting the bill the new norm?
In China, the topic of who should pay for a date often sparks debates among young people. Should the man cover all the expenses, or should both parties split the bill? ThinkChina’s Lu Lingming and Yi Jina took to the streets to hear some Chinese individuals’ views on this.
Lee Hsien Loong: Can China’s ‘old friend’ help navigate US-China relations?
Singapore’s former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s recent visit to China has shown the significant role he had in promoting China-Singapore relations. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong notes that Lee could continue to play a significant role in the region, especially in China-US relations, even in his current capacity as senior minister.
Can Trump 2.0 govern? A divided nation holds its breath
US President-elect Donald Trump’s picks for his cabinet have raised concerns as they are seemingly made up of a ragtag group of inexperienced individuals. Former journalist Goh Choon Kang takes a look at what Trump’s cabinet could look like a second time around.
photo story![[Photos] Forgotten allies: The untold stories of China-America cooperation in WWII](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/thinkchina/8ee908f4b2da7fe2946acb13b253305f1f54f4a09f3ea58ab908afd3872b543b?w=800)
[Photos] Forgotten allies: The untold stories of China-America cooperation in WWII
US-China relations may be frosty at the moment, but there were times when both countries were on better terms. The China-America alliance at the China-Burma-India Theatre during World War II was one such period. Here, historical photo collector Zou Dehuai has curated many photos — which were also displayed at the Beijing American Center in September — that depict unique visual perspectives of this alliance.
Why BMW, Audi and Mercedes are losing their shine in China
While BMW, Mercedes and Audi have long owned the luxury car market in China, they have not been able to boost sales this year despite reducing prices. Why are these brands no longer carrying as much weight as they used to in the country?
Bailing out its banks: China’s hidden debt problem
China’s recent announcement of a 10 trillion RMB stimulus package addressing local government debt has attracted attention, while its parallel trillion RMB initiative to recapitalise its state banks has gone under the radar. INSEAD academic Ben Charoenwong looks at China’s hidden state bank debt issues and evaluates its recapitalisation policies.
Chongqing: At the heart of China’s logistics ambitions
The New Land-Sea Corridor has elevated the logistical importance and influence of Chongqing as China’s key western city shipping node between China and Europe and, increasingly, between China and Southeast Asia. US academic Chen Xiangming takes a closer look.
What Justin Sun’s US$6.2 million banana says about crypto
A banana duct-taped to a wall as a piece of art has been auctioned at US$6.2 million to cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun, prompting speculation about his motives in buying the work. Lianhe Zaobao’s China Desk looks into the issue.
Middle East conflicts will impact security in Asia
Washington’s involvement in wars in the Middle East will intensify anti-US sentiment in Southeast Asia and divert US bandwidth and military resources from the Indo-Pacific.
Rubio and the China hawks: Setting the stage for a confrontational 2025
The incoming Trump administration, seemingly full of China hawks, will be a challenge for China. However, commentator Jin Jian Guo contends that China is prepared for this eventuality, anticipating a continuation of the current US China policy direction despite the change in administration.
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[Big read] ‘America First’ returns: How Trump will reshape the world
Trump’s “America First” policies — from tariffs and immigration restrictions to reduced global engagement — promise to reshape the world, says Lianhe Zaobao associate foreign editor Poh Hwee Hoon. Radical change is coming, for better or worse.
Trump’s return: Can China offer an alternative to US unpredictability?
By deepening its economic and political alignment with the global south, China can present itself as a reliable partner to nations disillusioned by Washington’s erratic behaviour, says academic Hao Nan.
Trump’s pro-crypto stance could be another thorn in US-China relations
INSEAD academic Ben Charoenwong explains how contrasting stances on crypto may worsen US-China relations if evolving US policies and institutional adoption create new pressures on Beijing’s control over capital flows.
Michelin stars lose their lustre in China’s slowing economy
They may be celebrated for exemplifying culinary excellence, but Michelin-starred establishments in China are facing sluggish domestic demand as consumers tighten their belts in a tough economy. Lianhe Zaobao senior China news journalist Chen Jing takes a look at how restaurants are coping.
No job, no problem? The rise of China’s resignation bloggers
There has recently been a rise in the number of “resignation bloggers” — content creators who document their resignation and subsequent unemployment — on social media. Lianhe Zaobao’s Zhang Guanghui discusses the phenomenon and its implications.
Investing in Afghan stability: Will China’s pragmatic approach work?
As part of its long-term focus on fostering economic and strategic cooperation, China’s decision to remove tariffs on Afghan goods brings promising opportunities for Afghanistan’s economy, says researcher Imran Zakeria.
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[Big read] Tariff wars: Can Chinese traders outsmart US hawks?
With Donald Trump set to come back as US president, his approach to the ongoing US-China trade war is likely to be the same as his first term, with tariffs and prohibitive trade laws. How will manufacturers in China respond? Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Sim Tze Wei speaks to academics and business owners to find out more.