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Society
China’s local tourism chiefs have been dressing up in elaborate costumes and starring in high-quality promotional videos to find online fame to drive tourism in their respective regions. However, netizens observe that not all of them are doing it right, or for the right reasons, and the state media has also spoken against the trend.
Economy
Since the pandemic has subsided, local Chinese governments have been sending trade delegations out in full force to attract investments in a bid to revive the economy. However, this strategy is now deemed as flawed and short-sighted, as the local governments are not seeing the gains they are hoping for. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Liu Yang looks into how going all-out to attract investments is doing more harm than good.
Culture
While on an intangible cultural heritage expedition in Changzhou with a group of global experts, cultural historian Cheng Pei-kai tries Changzhou’s famed sesame cake. This large local snack is a little like the common shaobing, but also very different in terms of its richness of flavour. This is the third article of a four-part series on Changzhou food and drink.
Culture
Even those familiar with Nanyang artists may be hard-pressed to name other women artists aside from Georgette Chen. Actually, Sun Yee was a renowned artist in her own right, and in Singapore where she eventually settled down, she spent close to three decades heading an art academy. Low Sze Wee, CEO of the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, tells us more.
Incense and mirth
Economy
Although Chinese fast fashion platforms such as Shein and Temu are gaining pace in the US, they could be the target of stringent US regulations over a variety of concerns such as personal data risks and trade loopholes.
Technology
With China barring domestic operators of critical information infrastructure from procuring products from US chipmaker Micron as the latest move in the China-US chip war, there are concerns about whether moving too strongly might lead to China hurting itself instead. Zaobao correspondent Chen Jing takes a look at how the chip war might play out.
Society
A Chinese stand-up comedian has landed himself in trouble after cracking a joke seeming to compare the People’s Liberation Army with dogs. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Wong Siew Fong finds out why people are up in arms, and if the authorities’ slew of punishment is justified.
Economy
Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Peter Ong assesses that the world is moving away from globalisation as friction between countries have led to the need for self-sufficiency and “friendshoring”. Modern history has shown the ills of such moves, but then again, isn’t the worst human failing that of forgetting history?
Politics
China and the US probably both know that they need each other, which is why over the past few months, amid the hostilities, they have been testing each other’s limits and adjusting their strategies, and maintaining the tussling without cracking.
Politics
There have been recent signs of thaw in Japan-South Korea relations, not least with Japanese President Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol visiting the monument dedicated to the Koreans who died in the Hiroshima atomic bombing at the sidelines of the G7 summit. What are the larger motivations for the rapprochement and how will this affect the regional dynamics?
Politics
With about eight months to go to the next Taiwan presidential election, commentator Gu Er De explains why Hou You-yi won the nomination as KMT presidential candidate, while Terry Gou failed despite his best efforts.
Politics
China is known for its “panda diplomacy”, where its giant pandas were first gifted and later leased overseas as a sign of important bilateral relations and goodwill. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Wong Siew Fong looks into how the system has evolved since the 1950s, and whether panda diplomacy still works today.
Economy
Somewhat paradoxically, the trade decoupling of China and the US has forced Chinese manufacturers to independently develop their core technology, which is a boon to their long-term development and competitiveness. But it may be some time to go before China catches up with the West.
Economy
With an increasing number of countries and groupings being open to making trade settlements in currencies other than the US dollar, de-dollarisation has gained some momentum and this may also aid China’s efforts for RMB internationalisation. But China may have no intention of letting the RMB replace the US dollar. In that context, would a new “BRICS currency” be better fit for purpose?
Politics
The China-Central Asia Summit may have ended last week, but it seems that it is just the beginning for China’s re-consolidated relations with Central Asia and also Russia, with an exchange of visits between Chinese and Russian officials coming up. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan notes that China’s influence in Central Asia is strengthening, not least the result of Russia’s embroilment in the war in Ukraine.
Economy
Chinese platform firms that have expanded beyond the Chinese market to the US and West have had to adjust their business models, first to gain a sizeable market share, and now to handle the criticisms and pitfalls that come with a measure of success. How can Chinese e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu survive and thrive in overseas markets?