Politics

This file photo taken on 13 March 2023 shows China's President Xi Jinping speaking during the closing session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Noel Celis/AFP)

Xi's top men: Is there a power struggle between Li Qiang and Cai Qi?

Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong notes that while international media and observers are suggesting a power struggle between the Chinese Communist Party’s top ranking officials Li Qiang and Cai Qi, they are both in fact in just a “sharing the workload but not the power” relationship with General Secretary Xi Jinping.
A participant wearing a hat with a national flag waits before the Beijing Marathon, at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, on 29 October 2023. (Tingshu Wang/Reuters)

Can Silicon Valley offer Chinese socialism a window into the future?

EAI senior research fellow Lance Gore believes that a new wave of socialist realism is surfacing from the capitalists of Silicon Valley, the bastion of capitalism. This form of socialist realism is characterised by a complete rejection of the old socialism and a belief in efficiency as the source of common prosperity. China can learn from Silicon Valley socialism; it is high time for China to shift into new socialism based on China’s realities under the guidance of “first principles”.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Nauru's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Lionel Aingimea speak after signing a joint communiqué on the resumption of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Nauru at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on 24 January 2024. China and Nauru formally re-established diplomatic relations on 24 January, after the tiny South Pacific nation cut ties with Taiwan. (Andrea Verdelli/AFP)

Will Taiwan face further diplomatic isolation amid Beijing’s use of UN Resolution 2758?

The recent diplomatic shift of Nauru from Taiwan to mainland China has brought focus to United Nations Resolution 2758, whereby China is accused of manipulating the interpretation of the resolution to fit its needs. Lianhe Zaobao associate foreign news editor Sim Tze Wei takes a look at the different interpretations of the resolution and its impact on Taiwan’s international standing.
Supporters at an election night rally outside the Democratic Progressive Party's headquarters during the presidential election in Taipei, Taiwan, on 13 January 2024. (An Rong Xu/Bloomberg)

Do the Chinese need democracy?

Commentator Wei Da notes that democracy seems to be the best system to ensure distribution of power, with the people in charge rather than an individual with total authority. Furthermore, suppressing the rule of law with political motives can end up backfiring.
A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment on 22 January 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (AFP)

Chinese academic: The Middle East today is not in a worse state

Academic Fan Hongda argues that viewed against its modern history filled with contradictions and struggles, the Middle East is not in a worse state today, despite the recent rise in military operations in a short span of time.
Supporters of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) take a selfie, as they celebrate during a rally, following the victory of Lai Ching-te in the presidential elections, in Taipei, Taiwan, on 13 January 2024. (Ann Wang/Reuters)

How the Sunflower Movement legacy lives on in Taiwan’s 2024 elections

Taiwanese academic Ho Min-sho examines the legacy of the Sunflower Movement as shown through the recent 2024 Taiwan elections. Have the youth activists and youthful enthusiasm borne out of the movement in 2014 found an outlet in politics in 2024?
Taiwan's President-elect William Lai Ching-te during a campaign event in Taipei, Taiwan, on 11 January 2024. (Chan Long Hei/Bloomberg)

Beijing’s dilemma: What to do with President-elect William Lai

Now that the Democratic Progressive Party's William Lai has been elected as Taiwan's next president, cross-strait relationship has entered a period of uncertainty, says US academic Zhu Zhiqun. Beijing is stuck in a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation with regard to how it could handle its future relationship with Lai. The US elections in November will also have a key bearing on US-China relations and the prospects for stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto (left) speaks during a televised debate with his opponents Ganjar Pranowo (centre) and Anies Baswedan (right) at the Istora Senayan stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 7 January 2024. (Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana/Reuters)

Will the 'China factor' become an election issue in Indonesia?

Indonesia’s economic relationship with China is occasionally marred by deadly accidents at Chinese-built and owned industrial sites in the archipelago. Nevertheless, economic cooperation with China is not going to slow down, no matter who wins the election next month.
Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je reacts to a giant inflatable balloon resembling him at a TPP event ahead of Taiwan’s presidential elections in Taipei on 11 January 2024. (I-Hwa Cheng/AFP)

Ko Wen-je's TPP and Taiwanese youths could redefine Taiwan's future

Despite its loss in the Taiwan presidential election and being the youngest of the three running parties, the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) has been garnering even more attention since the election results came to light. Taiwan academic Chin Kenpa takes a look at the impact of the TPP on the Legislative Yuan and the future of Taiwan’s presidential election.