Articles by Ghulam Ali

Can India-Taiwan ties withstand backlash over Indian migrant workers?

While Taiwan looks for ways to diversify its labour pool with Indian workers high on that list, civil society and the opposition have come in with scaremongering tactics that may jeopardise Taiwan’s steady relations with India. Academic Ghulam Ali weighs in on the issue. 

Ghulam Ali

06 May 2026

Why China’s firepower fails to translate into sales

Is China poised to capture a greater share of the rapidly expanding global arms market? Academic Ghulam Ali looks into China’s arms export policy, the quantity and quality of its previously exported arms, and the challenges associated with expanding arms trade to evaluate this.

Ghulam Ali

13 Apr 2026

How China risks losing Honduras after winning it

While Honduras switched its allegiance from Taiwan to China under President Xiomara Castro in 2023, it could favour Taiwan again under Trump-endorsed President-elect Nasry Asfura. Did China do enough while it could to secure Honduras’s continued support? Academic Ghulam Ali examines the issue.  

Ghulam Ali

08 Jan 2026

Taiwan’s US$40 billion gamble: Defence buildup amid China-Japan-US tensions

Taiwan recently announced a US$40 billion special defence budget, in addition to its regular annual defence budget. This and other ramped-up measures show Taiwan’s sense of urgency in building up its defence to deal with possible emergency situations. Academic Ghulam Ali explains.

Ghulam Ali

04 Dec 2025

Beijing’s quiet advance: How China and Saudi Arabia are deepening defence ties

As US–Saudi relations face growing uncertainty, Beijing is quietly expanding its footprint in the Kingdom’s defence and security sphere — through military drills, high-level diplomacy and an assertive presence at defence fairs. Academic Ghulam Ali analyses the deepening ties.

Ghulam Ali

28 Oct 2025

China’s K visa: A talent magnet in a jobless storm?

China’s announcement of a K visa to attract foreign talents in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields has gotten Chinese youths worried about greater competition for limited jobs. But the impact of the K visia may be overhyped, says academic Ghulam Ali.

Ghulam Ali

08 Oct 2025

China’s Pacific push isn’t a clean sweep

The 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in the Solomon Islands highlights the region as a geopolitical battleground, with Pacific nations increasingly aligning with China amid the China-Taiwan rivalry, while traditional powers lose ground. Yet defiant holdouts like Palau resist, urging a stronger US presence. Academic Ghulam Ali analyses the situation.

Ghulam Ali

30 Sep 2025

America’s Pacific retreat: China’s advance?

The Trump administration’s global tariffs, withdrawal of USAID activities and review of AUKUS are prompting Oceanian countries to reconsider their policies and look to China as an alternative partner, says academic Ghulam Ali. 

Ghulam Ali

05 Aug 2025

How Taiwan is bracing for war: A whole-of-society strategy

As Taiwan focused on taking a whole-of-society approach to prepare the military and civilian domains for any contingencies, academic Ghulam Ali deciphers what the recently concluded military exercises can tell us about the island’s defence capabilities.

Ghulam Ali

23 Jul 2025

Xi builds his sphere of stability in Central Asia

At this year’s China-Central Asia Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping made sure to solidify China’s geopolitical position by reinforcing ties with each of the Central Asia countries — a move aimed at maintaining stability despite global tensions and uncertainty. Academic Ghulam Ali explains.

Ghulam Ali

26 Jun 2025

IOMed: Another China-led global organisation?

China and a group of like-minded countries signed the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) in Hong Kong recently, signalling China’s growing diplomatic efforts. But the devil is in the details, says academic Ghulam Ali. 

Ghulam Ali

17 Jun 2025

Rafale downed: A turning point for Chinese weapons on the global stage?

Quality concerns limited China’s arms appeal in the past, but with the recent India-Pakistan clash and arms used by Pakistan, it seems this concern is getting laid to rest. Academic Ghulam Ali explains.

Ghulam Ali

16 May 2025