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Culture
While on an intangible cultural heritage expedition in Changzhou with a group of global experts, cultural historian Cheng Pei-kai tucks into Changzhou’s local delights. Trying more than 20 snacks all at once, he was full but could not resist having a taste of thin egg noodles that was a perfect marriage of Suzhou and Shanxi noodles. This is the last article of a four-part series on Changzhou food and drink.
Politics
China’s special envoy for Eurasian affairs Li Hui's trip to Europe and Russia to discuss the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis could be a historic milestone for China, says academic Yuan Hang. The country has far played a marginal role in the shaping of European security affairs in the past century, but this could all change if recent approaches are sustained.
Economy
Nearly 20 senior executives and officials from the government-controlled China National Tobacco Corporation (China Tobacco) and the regulator, State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, have been caught up in the anti-graft investigation since 2021. Huge profits and the vertical management structure have made the tobacco industry a breeding ground for corruption.
Technology
The tech sector has seen a massive shift since the introduction of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November last year. The AI wave has brought much trepidation for its potential in advancing education, innovation and more; but along with it comes new challenges, especially those that raise copyright infringement issues or break the law. Lianhe Zaobao’s China Desk looks into how AI has been misused in China and the responses.
Politics
Following a residential building collapse in Hunan last year, several officials have been investigated, including Chongqing mayor Hu Henghua, who left Hunan 18 months ago. Does this mean that officials are now held accountable for incidents from their previous posts, and also for life? What does this say about China's current political climate?
Incense and mirth
Economy
Hong Kong youths are getting a lot of support from the HK government as well as local governments from the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to develop their entrepreneurial potential in the GBA. While it means more opportunities for HK youths to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, starting a business in an unfamiliar turf is no child's play. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Tai Hing Shing reports from the GBA.
Economy
The Greater Bay Area remains China’s manufacturing vanguard with great potential, despite the hard knocks weathered by the tech and fintech firms in the area. Be that as it may, greater centralised technological leadership is a double-edged sword, say Hong Kong analysts Naubahar Sharif and Wendy Weng.
Politics
Voices discussing the expansion of the BRICS are getting louder, leading up to the meeting of BRICS foreign ministers to be held this week in Cape Town. While China sees possible expansion of the BRICS as a useful development in growing its influence, other members of BRICS like India may view it with mixed feelings. ISAS academic Amitendu Palit explains.
Society
China’s local tourism chiefs have been dressing up in elaborate costumes and starring in high-quality promotional videos to find online fame to drive tourism in their respective regions. However, netizens observe that not all of them are doing it right, or for the right reasons, and the state media has also spoken against the trend.
Economy
Since the pandemic has subsided, local Chinese governments have been sending trade delegations out in full force to attract investments in a bid to revive the economy. However, this strategy is now deemed as flawed and short-sighted, as the local governments are not seeing the gains they are hoping for. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Liu Yang looks into how going all-out to attract investments is doing more harm than good.
Culture
While on an intangible cultural heritage expedition in Changzhou with a group of global experts, cultural historian Cheng Pei-kai tries Changzhou’s famed sesame cake. This large local snack is a little like the common shaobing, but also very different in terms of its richness of flavour. This is the third article of a four-part series on Changzhou food and drink.
Culture
Even those familiar with Nanyang artists may be hard-pressed to name other women artists aside from Georgette Chen. Actually, Sun Yee was a renowned artist in her own right, and in Singapore where she eventually settled down, she spent close to three decades heading an art academy. Low Sze Wee, CEO of the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, tells us more.
Economy
Although Chinese fast fashion platforms such as Shein and Temu are gaining pace in the US, they could be the target of stringent US regulations over a variety of concerns such as personal data risks and trade loopholes.
Technology
With China barring domestic operators of critical information infrastructure from procuring products from US chipmaker Micron as the latest move in the China-US chip war, there are concerns about whether moving too strongly might lead to China hurting itself instead. Zaobao correspondent Chen Jing takes a look at how the chip war might play out.
Society
A Chinese stand-up comedian has landed himself in trouble after cracking a joke seeming to compare the People’s Liberation Army with dogs. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Wong Siew Fong finds out why people are up in arms, and if the authorities’ slew of punishment is justified.
Economy
Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Peter Ong assesses that the world is moving away from globalisation as friction between countries have led to the need for self-sufficiency and “friendshoring”. Modern history has shown the ills of such moves, but then again, isn’t the worst human failing that of forgetting history?