Industrial Policy
Economy
Can China and the EU avert a trade war?
Europe has hardened its stance on China and its “overcapacity”, threatening swift measures on trade restrictions. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong explains why both sides need to examine the root causes to prevent a lose-lose outcome.
Han Yong Hong
12 Oct 2026
Economy
[Big read] Can ASEAN continue to reap economic benefits from the US-China rivalry?
Southeast Asia once benefited from China-US rivalry as companies shifted supply chains into the region. Now, tighter US rules are forcing countries to account for their Chinese links — and putting their strategic neutrality to the test. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zhou Yifei finds out.
Zhou Yifei
06 Oct 2026
Technology
How US curbs could split the robot world
US restrictions on foreign-made advanced robotic devices are unlikely to hurt China in the long term, but a greater concern is the fragmentation of the global robotics industry into competing technological ecosystems, say researcher Songruowen Ma and analyst Tony Zhao.
Songruowen Ma, Tony Zhao
22 Sep 2026
Economy
Why Luckin Coffee struggles to cross the Taiwan Strait
Mainland Chinese brand Luckin Coffee’s attempted entry into Taiwan has become entangled in questions over mainland investment, its proposed local agency arrangement and even national security. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Lai Oi Lai finds out more.
Lai Oi Lai
21 Sep 2026
Technology
Time to ‘pace’ AI development?
Even as US tech leaders warn of losing control over AI, China makes the point that AI risks should not slow development down. This is an example of other factors that could decide the US-China AI race, more than technology alone, says commentator Deng Yuwen.
Deng Yuwen
15 Sep 2026
Technology
How ZTE changed Xi Jinping’s vision for China’s tech future
The 2018 ZTE crisis exposed China’s vulnerability to US technology controls. For Xi Jinping, it became a defining lesson in why technological self-reliance, strategic resilience and control over critical technologies matter. Professor Tan Kong Yam analyses its lasting impact.
Tan Kong Yam
10 Sep 2026
Economy
[Big read] Is Singapore the ultimate ‘China+1’ biopharma hub?
China’s biotech industry is becoming a formidable force in drug R&D and manufacturing. For Singapore, its rise brings new competition — but also an opportunity to strengthen its role as a trusted China+1 hub for global pharma. Lianhe Zaobao senior business correspondent Lewis Ong Yong Huat speaks with industry players and government officials to find out more.
Lewis Ong Yong Huat
09 Sep 2026
Politics
How Switzerland turned China’s Europe problem into leverage
Switzerland’s upgraded free trade deal with China shows how middle powers can turn economic interdependence into leverage — preserving access to major markets while negotiating better terms amid intensifying China-EU tensions, says researcher Hao Nan.
Hao Nan
07 Sep 2026
Technology
How did Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou become the world’s number one tech hub?
The Global Innovation Index published by the World Intellectual Property Office puts the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster in first place. The tech hub’s unique combination of strengths has allowed it to surpass the usual suspects in Silicon Valley, observes academic Erik Baark in ThinkChina’s Eye on Guangdong series.
Erik Baark
25 Aug 2026
Economy
China needs a new strategy to rebalance its industrial might
China’s industrial capacity accounts for nearly 30% of global output, but it is facing increasing global risk of trade protectionism. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong says that amid escalating tariff wars and economic rivalry, China cannot avoid structural economic adjustments.
Han Yong Hong
21 Aug 2026
Politics
What Beijing really means by a ‘strategic partnership’ with Iran
Iran pegs China a certain way in its foreign policy, making it hard for Beijing to meet Tehran’s expectations. China will always proceed with caution, so long as it sees Iran mired by sanctions, economic weakness and regional confrontation, says Chinese academic Fan Hongda.
Fan Hongda
19 Aug 2026