Trust
Politics
Chan Chun Sing: Not pro- or anti-China or the US, ‘We are pro-ASEAN’
At his remarks in the panel discussion at Shangri-La Dialogue 2026 and after-event media interviews, Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing stressed “action and communication” as key to building defence trust, urged ASEAN unity and vigilance, gave his views on Chinese representation and reaffirmed a “pro-ASEAN” stance amid China-US rivalry. Lianhe Zaobao’s Tan Ke-Yang and Daryl Lim report.
Tan Ke-Yang, Daryl Lim
02 Jun 2026
Society
Xiamen: The city that gives residents a score and rewards good behaviour [Eye on Fujian series]
The familiar Minnan saying that harmony brings prosperity, is given a distinctly modern take in Xiamen’s Bailu Score (白鹭分), or “White Egret Score”. This is a personal credit score developed under the Xiamen municipal government which turns trust into usable currency in daily urban life. Economics professor Cai Xiqian explains.
Cai Xiqian
25 Mar 2026
Politics
[Big read] US-China push-pull over Taiwan strengthens Beijing’s hand
US-China tensions over Taiwan are deepening, but Washington’s reluctance to make firm commitments may be giving Beijing room to tighten its grip, even as trust in the US declines and regional risks grow. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Miao Zong-Han speaks to experts about the Taiwan Strait issue.
Miao Zong-Han
20 Mar 2026
Politics
[Video] The real danger behind China’s military purge
China has purged nearly its entire top military leadership. While debate centres on whether this accelerates or delays a Taiwan conflict, the more consequential question may be how risk is structured, assessed and misread. ThinkChina’s Yi Jina finds out more.
Yi Jina
06 Feb 2026
Politics
Zhang Youxia purged: Is Taiwan closer to conflict?
China’s latest military purge spills outwards and will reshape the structure and tempo of risk in the Taiwan Strait, says commentator Deng Yuwen. The major factor is not about the “removal of doves”, but the downgrading of professional judgment within decision-making.
Deng Yuwen
30 Jan 2026
Politics
Fruitful summit a sign of improving US-China relations?
Both China and the US needed a successful summit to take place for their own domestic reasons, and the San Francisco meeting achieved that, says EAI senior research fellow Lance Gore. However, the real question is whether the US is actually going for a win-win cooperation with China, or a lose-lose situation hoping that China will lose more?
Lance Gore
28 Nov 2023
Economy
Crisis of trust underlies Chinese private sector's unwillingness to invest
Erratic and unreasonable governance of local governments and a shift in public opinion towards left-wing ideology are just some of the causes for the private sector's lack of confidence in China, says academic Han Heyuan. Even with the latest measures to boost the sector, government efforts seem to fall short of expectations.
Han Heyuan
17 Aug 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
Society
Are the Chinese facing a crisis of confidence in the government?
As the Chinese authorities ease Covid-19 controls and infections increase, hearsays about symptoms, treatments and folk remedies are widespread. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Chen Jing looks at why people fall for these baseless rumours and remain wary of the government's responses.
Chen Jing
05 Jan 2023
Politics
Grey skies: Outlook for US-China relations in 2023
While smiles at the recent Xi-Biden in-person meeting in Bali might have painted a rosy picture of US-China relations, the reality is that domestic politics, especially in the US, may stir and stoke tensions in bilateral relations in the new year.
Zhiqun Zhu
21 Dec 2022
