Yu Zeyuan says it would be quite wrong to think that China stands on the losing end of the recently concluded phase one Economic and Trade Agreement between the US and China. The picture may be quite the opposite.

Putting a political veteran in charge of the central government’s representative office in Hong Kong heralds a new approach in China’s dealings with Hong Kong.

Despite China’s anti-corruption efforts, one grey area that has been very difficult to clean up is the common practice of patients giving doctors hongbaos (monetary gifts in red packets), to ensure better care and treatment. Yu Zeyuan comments on the phenomenon.

Public anger over the wrongful 251-days detention of Huawei ex-employee Li Hongyuan may be subsiding, but Huawei’s damaged reputation may not be easily salvaged in the short term. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan observes that public opinion is a double-edged sword. Companies have to be extremely sensitive when it comes to managing their public relations.

In the unfolding academic fraud furore in China, Rao Yi, former dean of Peking University’s School of Life Sciences and president of Capital Medical University, fires a salvo of new accusations against three contemporaries.

Riding on a record voter turnout of 71%, the pro-democracy camp in Hong Kong has won 17 out of 18 district councils. This is despite mainland China media calling on Hong Kong people to use their votes in the district council elections on 24 November, to end the violence and restore order in Hong Kong. Yu Zeyuan examines the Mainland China media's tactics and what an opposition victory would mean for the future of Hong Kong, on the election day.

Labelled a “criminal and lie-fabricator” by Chinese officials, detained Causeway Bay bookseller Gui Minhai was awarded Svenska PEN’s Tucholsky Prize last week. The prize presentation renews controversy over freedom and democracy in China and casts a pall on China-Sweden relations.

With 200,000 RMB (approximately S$40,000) at stake, two academics wager on the prospect of China’s economy surpassing the US’ in 20 years.

On the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, we present a series of interviews with five ordinary people of China as they reveal their extraordinary lives. As an opener, we begin by taking a look at developments in China under its five leaders.