China-US Competition
Politics
No US carriers in sight, yet Beijing waits
US diversion to Iran left a carrier-sized gap — but China did not move to invade. Instead, Beijing is using the Taiwan Strait window to expand grey zone coercion and test drive a future quarantine, argues researcher Tahir Mahmood Azad.
Tahir Mahmood Azad
30 Oct 2026
Politics
Why Brazil cannot afford to choose between China and the US
Brazil’s deep economic ties with China and strategic relationship with the US limit its room for manoeuvre. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s re-election leaves Brasília facing the challenge of balancing both powers without choosing sides. Lianhe Zaobao’s associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei examines the issue.
Sim Tze Wei
29 Oct 2026
Economy
China wants US soybeans. Its buyers prefer Brazil
In China’s soybean trade, state-owned enterprises tend to help fulfil bilateral commitments while private processors weigh up the costs and benefits. This means that the recovery of US exports depends less on bilateral agreements and more on commercial justifications, says researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
28 Oct 2026
Economy
China’s beef tariffs reveal the limits of trade diplomacy
China’s beef tariff safeguard reflects domestic pressure to protect China’s cattle producers, but its country-specific quotas distribute the costs unevenly as seen by the Brazilian case, says researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
22 Oct 2026
Politics
Why a Trump-Xi-Putin summit could be a double-edged sword for China
A possible meeting of the US, Chinese and Russian leaders on the sidelines of APEC could deliver a diplomatic coup for Beijing. But it also risks drawing China into great power politics that undermine its vision of a multipolar world, notes Lianhe Zaobao China news editor Yang Danxu.
Yang Danxu
21 Oct 2026
Technology
China’s AI battle moves from chatbots to agents
China’s tech giants Tencent, Alibaba and ByteDance are racing to turn AI agents into the next essential workplace tool, moving beyond chatbots to software that can independently carry out complex tasks. But as they vie to reshape how businesses operate, questions remain over adoption, profitability and whether these agents can deliver measurable value.
Caixin Global
16 Oct 2026
Politics
George Yeo: APEC was built to unite the Pacific. Can it do so again?
APEC was founded to keep both sides of the Pacific connected, but growing geopolitical divisions threaten that vision. In a CGTN programme on APEC recorded at Renmin University of China, former Singapore foreign minister George Yeo argues that the upcoming Shenzhen summit could help restore the spirit of cooperation that brought the forum into being. This is an edited version of his speech.
George Yeo
14 Oct 2026
Technology
Southeast Asia’s mixed AI stacks: Pragmatic but not risk-free
Regional initiatives such as Singapore’s SEA-LION and Indonesia’s Sahabat-AI show that Southeast Asia can combine technologies from American, Chinese and regional sources. But mixed AI stacks do not automatically reduce dependence. ISEAS academic Zenobia Chan tells us more.
Zenobia Chan
08 Oct 2026
Politics
Shifting tides: Why global approval is swinging from US to China
China is surging past the US in global approval ratings from Latin America to Southeast Asia. Lianhe Zaobao China news editor Yang Danxu explains why Beijing’s popularity stems less from shared ideological values and more from growing dissatisfaction with US foreign policy.
Yang Danxu
07 Oct 2026
Politics
Trump-Xi summit: India need not fear a G2 — yet
The Trump-Xi summit produced neither a US-China G2 nor major deals at India’s expense. But regular engagement between Washington and Beijing could reshape the strategic triangle — and leave New Delhi wondering where it fits. ISAS academic Ivan Lidarev gives his analysis.
Ivan Lidarev
07 Oct 2026
