Oct 31, 2025

Shenzhou 13: Blue Planet Outside the Window stands out amid China’s wave of war films as a visually stunning space documentary centered on astronaut Wang Yaping, the first Chinese woman to conduct a spacewalk. While national pride runs through the film, its breathtaking imagery and human focus elevate it beyond propaganda, offering a universal message about shared humanity and life on Earth.

Oct 24, 2025

Chinese tourists dominate temple-centered travel in Asia, with Thailand seeing a sharp drop due to safety and infrastructure issues, while Japan faces overcrowded destinations like Kyoto and Nara. Visitor patterns reveal regional tourism, commerce, and cultural trends, leading into Part Two’s focus on China’s domestic travel.

Aug 27, 2025

Nanjing Photo Studio (also known as Dead to Rights), China’s 2025 summer box office hit, uses photography as a metaphor for history, memory, and justice during the Nanjing Massacre, with its most powerful scenes set in a portrait studio that embodies both personal dreams and collective trauma.

Jun 27, 2025

The U.S. has effectively banned Chinese electric vehicles from its market but has yet to overly pressure allies to do the same, allowing countries like Thailand to openly adopt Chinese EVs. Despite political tensions and trade barriers, Chinese electric cars are rapidly gaining ground in Southeast Asia, offering a clean and affordable alternative in cities long plagued by pollution and traffic — and it would benefit the world for it to stay that way.

May 30, 2025

The Trump administration's threat to revoke foreign student visas exemplifies a broader assault on intellectual openness and U.S. higher education's global appeal, risking long-term damage to its reputation as a welcoming, world-class academic destination.

May 14, 2025

Joseph Nye's contributions have played a pivotal role in shaping the U.S.-China relationship, influencing critical discussions on global power dynamics. His insights will leave a lasting impact for years to come.

Mar 27, 2025

The debate over DeepSeek puts on clear display how political nationalism risks stifling technological progress. While some push for strict AI decoupling, experts warn that restricting collaboration could undermine innovation. We must find a way to balance national security with the open exchange of ideas that drives scientific advancement.

Mar 14, 2025

Talks are underway for a U.S.-China summit this spring, with the choice of venue crucial to balancing Trump’s unpredictability and Xi’s preference for control. Hawaii and Hainan stand out as potential neutral sites, offering luxury, security, and a level playing field for both leaders.

Mar 07, 2025

Trump’s Oval Office ambush of Ukrainian President Zelensky highlights the unpredictability and volatility of U.S. diplomacy under his second term—an unsettling prospect for China as it prepares for a potential Trump-Xi summit. With Trump emboldened and increasingly unpredictable, China may face new challenges in navigating an engagement with a leader who thrives on disruption.

Jan 31, 2025

The TikTok ban has driven disaffected American youth to the Chinese app, Xiaohongshu. While TikTok’s corporate lobbying backfired, Xiaohongshu’s mix of irony and subversion offers a new outlet—whether lasting or fleeting remains to be seen.