Politics

ChatGPT logo is seen in this illustration taken, 3 February 2023. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo/Reuters)

Why ChatGPT has no future in China

Commentator William He explains why while China appears to be at the forefront of AI development, it is almost impossible for it to create a true ChatGPT of its own. At best, it might come up with “ChatGPT with Chinese characteristics”, with perhaps just enough caveats and exceptions to defeat its purpose.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (right) conclude their joint press remarks after their talks at prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, 9 February 2023. Kimimasa Mayama/Pool via Reuters)

The US-Japan-Philippines triad: Part of the US's trilateral security networks around China

Philippine academic Renato Cruz De Castro discusses the prospect of a trilateral Japan-US-Philippines defence pact and the US's building of informal trilateral networks in the Asia Pacific to safeguard its interests against China. However, he notes that there are practical issues to be resolved before a formal agreement can materialise.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III (right) meets Philippines President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (left) at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines, 2 February 2023. (Jam Sta Rosa/Pool via Reuters)

Chinese academic: The Philippines' closer ties with US could cross China's bottom line

Chinese academic Peng Nian looks at the US expanding its access to new military bases in the Philippines, which China is particularly concerned with. He says that while the Philippines want to find a sweet spot in navigating China-US competition, it must be extra vigilant in dealing with security cooperation with the US in the South China Sea so as not to aggravate China-Philippines relations.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (right) shakes hands with China's Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Wang Yi at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, southern Germany, on 17 February 2023. (Thomas Kienzle/AFP)

China’s strategy to resist the US but bring Europe close

Over the past few days, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi has been on a tour of Europe, where he met some European leaders and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan takes a look at Wang’s goodwill diplomacy towards European countries and harsh criticism of the US. What do they indicate of future China-US and China-Europe relations?
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (right) listen to their national anthems at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo on 9 February 2023. (Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP)

Closer trilateral US-Japan-Philippines ties to protect security interests against China

Closer Japan-Philippines security cooperation announced during Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos’ visit to Japan this month augurs closer trilateral US-Japan-Philippines cooperation in defending each of their interests against China, says Japanese academic Masafumi Iida.
Ukrainian service members prepare a mortar to fire toward Russian troops in the frontline town of Bakhmut, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine, in this handout picture released 13 February 2023. (Iryna Rybakova/Press Service of the 93rd Independent Kholodnyi Yar Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces/Handout via Reuters)

Bipolar world: Two main changes from the war in Ukraine

As the world marks one year of the war in Ukraine this month, commentator Jin Jian Guo looks at how the global situation has changed in that time, within the European continent and in the world at large. It is clear that in various aspects, Russia is not in a promising position, and China, as a pole that challenges the American order, will face significant obstacles.
US Navy sailors assigned to Assault Craft Unit 4 prepare material recovered in the Atlantic Ocean from a high-altitude Chinese balloon shot down by the US Air Force off the coast of South Carolina after docking in Virginia Beach, Virginia for transport to federal agents at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek on 10 February 2023 in this image released by the US Navy in Washington, US, 13 February 2023. (Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan Seelbach/US Navy/Handout via Reuters)

Can the US and China get past the balloon saga?

Even as China and the US continue to bicker over the Chinese balloon that was shot down after entering US airspace, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi’s visit to Europe is on track, including his attendance at the Munich Security Conference in Germany and a possible meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Zaobao’s correspondent Yang Danxu looks at whether this trip could finally turn the page on the matter and refocus US-China priorities.
Taiwanese soldiers demonstrate their combat skills during a visit by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen at a military base in Chiayi, Taiwan, on 6 January 2023. (Sam Yeh/AFP)

Taiwan Strait issue: Taking lessons from history

Tensions in China-US relations are increasing, with the Taiwan Strait issue central to the antagonism between the two major powers. Chinese academic Guo Bingyun assesses four models from history that the US may adopt in the event of an armed reunification, and why these approaches may or may not be effective.
A jet flies by a suspected Chinese spy balloon as it floats off the coast in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, US, 4 February 2023. (Randall Hill/Reuters)

China’s military-civil fusion promotes militarisation of meteorological balloons

Japanese academic Masaaki Yatsuzuka finds China’s explanations and criticism of the US in the aftermath of the balloon incident unpersuasive, more so in light of its military-civilian fusion strategy.