NUS academic Lu Xi assesses that the victory of the non-Green camp in the “nine-in-one” local elections shows that the Taiwanese people are aligning their views towards the Taiwan Strait issue regardless of political parties and camps. “Resist China, protect Taiwan” is becoming a consensus, and parties will need to compete on some other parameters such as a wholesome party image and promising political stars.
Politics
Politics
Academic Lu Xi notes that the traditional notions of factional politics of the Chinese Communist Party has changed following the 20th Party Congress. With a greater centralisation of power, jousting among any remaining factions or subfactions will likely prove less relevant.
Economy
The Chinese government has recently announced plans to establish a unified national market that is highly efficient, standardised, open and competitive. It would break down walls, raise the standards of the business environment within China and act as a buffer against external pressures. While the intention is good, NUS academic Lu Xi points to possible drawbacks and challenges.
Politics
NUS academic Lu Xi notes that following the Russia-Ukraine war, the world will possibly be divided by political ethics, specifically between the idealists and realists who respectively believe in the rule of law and the law of the jungle. In this hypothetical scenario, will small states be able to stay neutral without taking sides? How will they navigate between the big powers and maintain their own national interests?
Society
With its dogged implementation of the zero-Covid policy, China has painted itself into a corner and is now saddled with four shackles that prevent it from changing course. Lu Xi explains the factors involved and suggests how China may slowly begin to extricate itself from its predicament.
Politics
Taiwan’s four-question referendum ended without any “yes” votes being passed. The KMT, who initiated the referendum, failed to gain broad-based support for its positions despite an all-out campaign. Rather than the cosmetic reasons, Lu Xi sees the core cause of the KMT’s poor showing to be its outdated approach of pandering to the traditionalist “deep Blue” camp in the party. It has to move with the times and get a better pulse on the electorate if it is to make any headway.
Society
After a month of tough restrictions following a Delta variant outbreak, China reported this week zero new locally transmitted Covid-19 cases. Since the pandemic started, it has stuck with a zero-Covid strategy. In fact, even contemplating living with the virus is often seen as submitting to the ways of the West. LKYSPP academic Lu Xi asks: As some local officials take zero-Covid policies to extremes to submit good report cards, will ordinary folk suffer the most?
Society
LKYSPP academic Lu Xi notes the recent actions of the Chinese government in regulating the private tutoring industry, and how it has damaged market confidence, leading to an exodus of funds in China concept stocks. He asks if this seemingly ill-considered policy is again the result of extreme rigidity in the Chinese bureaucratic system, allowing no communication between those above and those on the ground. Is the government prepared for its consequences?