Spying
Politics
Taiwan’s expanding spy web: China’s post-reunification strategy
Beijing’s espionage operations in Taiwan are expanding beyond the military to journalists and civilians, using intermediaries and digital tools to map networks and prepare for governance after potential reunification. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Miao Zong-Han tells us more about what these developments mean for Taiwan.
Miao Zong-Han
02 Feb 2026
Society
Beijing’s spy drama set in Taiwan isn’t winning hearts across the strait
China’s latest television drama Silent Honour (《沉默的荣耀》), based on real events and people, premiered with a bang. Its premise of an undercover communist agent in Taiwan around the time of the founding of the Republic of China has sparked unification discussions. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Sim Tze Wei takes a look at the drama’s reception on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Sim Tze Wei
17 Oct 2025
Society
Studying in the US or staying home? Chinese students face a hard choice
Chinese students studying — and hoping to study — in the US are among the many victims caught in the crossfire between China and the US. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Meng Dandan tells us more about how the recent wave of immigration restrictions is affecting these students and their plans for the future.
Meng Dandan
07 Jul 2025
Society
[Video] RedNote: Bringing Americans and Chinese together
When TikTok was possibly going to be banned, Americans turned to RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu, as a form of political protest. What followed was a rapid transformation by RedNote and a historic wave of genuine interactions between Western and Chinese users. But now that TikTok is back, will RedNote fade from Americans’ view? ThinkChina’s Yi Jina explores the shifting dynamics of this digital moment.
Yi Jina
24 Jan 2025
Politics
Will TikTok survive the latest attack from the US?
Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan notes that the US's latest moves against TikTok are getting a response from TikTok as well as its users. Will TikTok survive the latest onslaught and will the Chinese government back the company?
Yu Zeyuan
11 Mar 2024
Politics
Mutual mistrust: People-to-people exchanges between China and the West seriously impacted
Mutual mistrust and fear between China and foreign countries is mounting, especially amid the self-imposed travel restrictions on both sides for high-level executives. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Han Yong Hong assesses that such developments are accelerating the decoupling between China and foreign countries, with little hope for reversal.
Han Yong Hong
09 Oct 2023
Politics
Putin's dilemma: 'Two-faced people' in the authoritarian regime
Wei Da points out that the Wagner rebellion could only have happened because of the "two-faced people" in Putin's inner circle. Such people often emerge from the woodwork at critical moments, taking risks and rebelling. China and other countries may sit up and take notice: whether or not these rebellions work, they are usually fatal blows to authoritarian regimes.
Wei Da
18 Jul 2023
Technology
China-based hacking groups: Keeping critical infrastructure cyber-safe
With recent reports of a China-based state-sponsored hacking group targeting US critical infrastructure, RSIS academic Eugene Tan examines some common modes of cyberattacks around the world and the latest furore around alleged China-based hacking groups such as Volt Typhoon and Storm-0558.
Eugene EG Tan
17 Jul 2023
Politics
Could Beijing's anti-spy campaign dampen its reopening efforts?
A recent raid by Chinese authorities on a Chinese consultancy firm relating to national security sends a signal to the entire industry to be more aware of national security issues, and to take necessary measures to prevent possible espionage. But could the revised anti-espionage law and focus on national security issues become a convenient excuse for serving Beijing's needs, such as its diplomatic needs and so on?
Yang Danxu
10 May 2023
Politics
Mass hysteria over spy balloons: The pot calling the kettle black?
Former Zaobao editor Lim Jim Koon believes that the balloon saga between China and the US in February gives much food for thought around the role of political leaders and mass media in sensationalising the trivial incidents.
Lim Jim Koon
15 Mar 2023
