Moving away from the Chinese-language market: The renaissance of 'new Taiwan dramas'

Academic Fang-chih Yang charts the development of Taiwan dramas from the 1990s to the present. She observes that the industry has gone through various shifts, from making idol dramas to China dramas to "new Taiwan dramas" (新台剧). Till today, the experiment continues with the challenge of fitting local stories into global popular genres.

The countdown begins: TikTok navigates uncertain future amid US ban bill

A legislation passed on 13 March by the US House of Representatives which is currently pending in the Senate would force TikTok's parent company to sell it within 180 days or face a nationwide ban. Is there still room for manoeuvre and can TikTok turn the situation around?
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Chinese Minister Liu Jianchao: Asia’s choice matters

Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Liu Jianchao made a keynote speech at the FutureChina Dialogue 2024 on 27 March co-organised by Business China Singapore, Lianhe Zaobao and ThinkChina. He spoke about Asia’s role amid turbulence and the realignments of relationships among major countries of the world, and China’s role in engaging with the region and working together to build better lives for their peoples. This is an edited transcript of his speech.

[Video] Redefining daily wear: China's hanfu and neo-Chinese fashion

With over 4,000 years of history, hanfu declined during the Qing dynasty amid Manchu rule and the rising influence of Western fashion trends. While hanfu regained some popularity among youths in the 2000s, it wasn't until the mid-2010s, with increased visibility on social media, in period dramas and through cultural heritage promotion programmes, that it truly thrived.

From Kinmen to the South China Sea: Weaponising narratives

In cases like the Kinmen capsizing incident and in its dealings with the Philippines, China uses its own interpretation of history and international law to launch a narrative where it is the aggrieved party, says Philippine academic Charmaine Misalucha-Willoughby. She cautions that crafting a narrative requires anchoring it in strategy instead of being knee-jerk reactions that can lead nations down paths best avoided.
 
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China’s AI race is not about expanding users

Technology expert Yin Ruizhi notes that unlike traditional network-based technology, OpenAI-style AI is not as reliant on networks. Thus, compared with the US, China’s development of AI focuses more on technology rather than expanding user base.

[Big read] As the use of Mandarin becomes more common, Hong Kong faces identity crisis

Under British colonial rule, Hong Kong developed its own flavour and culture, a unique blend of East and West. However, since its handover to Beijing, some would say Hong Kong has gradually become more and more like mainland China, not least in terms of how Mandarin seems to be more widely used in everyday life, especially with the influx of mainland Chinese in Hong Kong. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Tai Hing Shing reports.

China’s status in the global economy is stable, for now

Chinese academic Chu Zhaogen notes that while China is well poised to make its mark on the global economy, it needs to keep its eyes open and wits about it, so that it can seize on opportunities, not least in the field of technological innovation.

Japan’s perception of China continues to deteriorate

Japanese academic Shin Kawashima notes that public opinion in Japan towards China is getting worse, with "unfriendly" sentiments at a record high. However, the younger generation views China more positively, and tends to see China-Japan relations as "important". What impact will these sentiments have on Japan's foreign policy towards China?

China’s reform and opening up needs a breakthrough

Commentator Wei Da says that the rise and fall of civilisations across history have demonstrated that the management of the government’s power, the protection of individual property rights and the independent judicial system are the indispensable trinity of modern civilisation. Will China be able to learn these lessons amid its reform and opening up?

Philippines-Australia strategic partnership in an era of geopolitical realignment

The recent visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to Australia demonstrates the resolve of the Philippines to solidify its strategic partnerships with like-minded states in the Indo-Pacific region.

[Video] China’s youths are saying no to marriage and having kids

Like young people in large cities elsewhere, many Chinese youths are forgoing the traditional milestones of marriage and parenthood. Besides focusing more on personal well-being and individual needs, they are also becoming more pessimistic about the future. Here's what they have to say.

This ordinary, extraordinary life: A Taiwanese woman called Ching-ti [Part 2]

Every star in the sky follows its own orbital path — whether big or small, bright or gloomy. What is the last story we vividly remember? What is the last story that we would tell those around us, if there is still someone around? In this second of a two-part series, Taiwanese art historian Chiang Hsun mourns the passing of his dear friend Ching-ti, recalling her charitable heart in the final years as well as the struggle in her final days.

China’s marriage rate rebound could be a fluke

Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Chen Jing notes that even though the number of marriages in China rebounded last year, couples could be making up for avoiding getting married this year for various reasons. Will the marriage rate fall back down this year, despite calls from the authorities encouraging young people to get married and have families?

China targets payments problem to win over foreigners

Despite China waiving visa requirements for citizens from over a dozen more countries and making local digital payment services more international-user friendly, flights and the flow of visitors from countries such as the US are still nowhere near 2019 levels.

Will better 'Made in China' products solve China's economic problems?

China looks set to drive its economy by focusing on boosting production, industrial upgrade and promoting “new quality productive forces”. However, there are concerns that a move in this direction could lead to overproduction, impacting global markets. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu looks into the matter.

PLA upgrades armaments in race against US military

Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan notes that to catch up to the US in terms of military might, China has been investing heavily in modernising its armaments, particularly in the areas of aircraft carriers and stealth aircraft technology. Not only that, the PLA also wants to develop its own unique “trump card”.
 
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