Articles by Claudia Liao

Planes, missiles, submarines: Southeast Asia’s quiet arms race?

A slew of arms procurement deals in Southeast Asia has raised eyebrows on whether the region is engaged in an arms race. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Claudia Liao finds out from academics that these military upgrades may have more to do with prestige than capability.

Claudia Liao

25 Mar 2026

[Big read] When the American dream of birthright citizenship fades for Chinese parents

Chinese parents once flocked to the US for birthright citizenship, but new immigration policies have cast doubt on that path. Facing uncertainty, many are now turning to countries like Chile for affordable, stable alternatives — signalling a major shift in the global birth tourism landscape. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Claudia Liao explores the impact of the shift in policy.

Claudia Liao

02 Oct 2025

Mixue, ChaGee, Luckin: F&B brands boosting China's soft power in Southeast Asia?

As China tries to sell its soft power, one channel it is tapping into is its food and beverage industry, with brands like Mixue and Luckin Coffee moving into overseas markets. Alongside its tech exports like smartphones, can China convince others of its products and improve its image?

Claudia Liao, Zhou Yifei

29 Nov 2023

Chinese tourists return to Thailand on 'zero-fare tours', and locals aren't happy

With China resuming outbound travel, Chinese tourists are on the move again. And with the wave of people, comes the resurgence of "zero-fare" tour groups - particularly in Thailand - that promise low-budget options. However, tourists are only brought to specific spots to spend money, which eventually goes back to Chinese operators without benefiting the local economy.

Claudia Liao

15 Jun 2023