Articles by Chen Hongbin

The challenge of alleviating Yangtze River's shipping choke points

The Yangtze River is an important transportation route that has seen its freight volume exponentially grow over the years. Despite its importance in shipping key commodities such as coal and metal ores, challenges remain due to multiple factors. Academic Chen Hongbin notes that while the authorities have taken steps to rectify the issues around the coastlines, the structural limitations caused by bridges remain and will be hard to overcome.

Chen Hongbin

09 Nov 2023

Crested ibis diplomacy: How a nearly extinct bird brought China and Japan together

This year marks 20 years since the native-born Japanese crested ibis was declared extinct in Japan. Commentator Chen Hongbin looks at a dance item inspired by the crested ibis and examines a chapter of diplomacy between China and Japan, and how it brought them together in a common effort to preserve the rare bird.

Chen Hongbin

31 Oct 2023

Can Japan stay neutral in a war over Taiwan?

Academic Chen Hongbin looks at the different scenarios of mainland China engaging in military reunification with Taiwan, and argues that Japan would do well to remain neutral in order to protect its land and people, rather than suffer serious consequences.

Chen Hongbin

24 Aug 2023

The lack of public libraries in China is not a funding issue

Despite China's strong cultural history and traditions, its efforts towards promoting reading and building public libraries remain wanting. Researcher Chen Hongbin presents some surprising statistics on the severe shortage of libraries in China, and looks into the contributing factors and possible solutions.

Chen Hongbin

31 Aug 2022

Chinese farmers struggling with excessive anti-epidemic measures

With China seeing virus outbreaks in various areas, local governments have been ramping up anti-epidemic measures. The farming sector has been hit hard, especially considering the spring planting season that needs all hands on deck. But despite recent notices from the authorities calling for smooth movement of agricultural supplies and labour, the implementation on the ground may not be easy.

Chen Hongbin

29 Apr 2022

Would cross-strait reunification threaten Japan's maritime oil routes?

Researcher Chen Hongbin says that Japan's reason for opposing cross-strait reunification, that China could sever Japanese maritime oil routes by firing from eastern Taiwan, is unfounded. China already has the capability to attack Japan's oil tankers anyway, even without reunification; but most importantly, any maritime security issue in the vicinity would pose a greater threat to China.

Chen Hongbin

20 Apr 2022

China's mammoth task of upgrading its transport system

Chen Hongbin notes that roads, highways and expressways have mushroomed in China and the country's overall road connectivity has improved tremendously. What were once far-flung villages now enjoy relatively easy accessibility. That said, more can be done to improve the road systems so that every citizen can have a convenient means of transport. What has China done to improve connectivity in its counties, villages and cities?

Chen Hongbin

27 Oct 2021

Why China is bringing super skyscrapers down to earth

In the last few years, China has implemented policies to ban or impose strict restrictions on building supertall buildings. The government is acutely aware that provincial competition to outbuild each other may hurt the country's overall economy. Not only that, high investment costs aside, the finished buildings may end up as energy-guzzling white elephants.

Chen Hongbin

14 Oct 2021

China is far from being affluent

Despite slogans and sayings about how China has progressed and become "amazing" or "self-sufficient", making strides in eradicating absolute poverty does not equate to rising affluence on the whole. Looking at GDP per capita figures, China still has some way to go, says researcher Chen Hongbin. He notes that the Chinese people should not get caught up in their own rhetoric, but keep a clear head and be aware of the actual situation.

Chen Hongbin

10 Aug 2021

Chinese researcher: Is it appropriate to address Mao Zedong as 'the older generation' of leaders?

Researcher Chen Hongbin notes that the Chinese are very particular about generational hierarchy within the family, clan or society. How people address one another in China is a form of etiquette, and using the appropriate terms is a mark of respect, especially when it comes to major national events and honouring historical figures. He says it is no longer appropriate to address Mao Zedong and his generation of CCP revolutionaries as "the older generation" (老一辈), as they were born at least 60 years before the current generation of Chinese leaders.

Chen Hongbin

19 Jul 2021

Shanghai can learn from Tokyo's train service excellence

Shanghai and Tokyo both have train systems, but there is a big difference between them in terms of scale, convenience, and commuter behaviour. Researcher Chen Hongbin observes that Shanghai has much to learn from Tokyo, and by extension other cities.

Chen Hongbin

01 Jun 2021

China's changing diet: Should the world be alarmed?

Given China's huge population and limited agricultural land, the question "Who will feed China?" first gained prominence in the mid-1990s. Revisiting the issue today, Chinese academic Chen Hongbin notes that China has clear plans to maximise its comparative advantage in agricultural production and use a mix of measures to achieve overall self-sufficiency. However, some people outside of China are still alarmed. Chen examines the issue.

Chen Hongbin

19 May 2021