Economy
‘We’re not that wealthy’: Beijing’s answer to China Shock 2.0
As trade tensions flare, China’s leadership is fiercely defending Chinese enterprises and rejecting the Western narrative of China as a threat. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong takes a look at the key takeaways of Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s speech during the Summer Davos forum.
Han Yong Hong
Economy
High-tech farming cannot rescue China’s smallholders
China has grand plans for innovation-driven productivity in the agricultural sector, but how will these initiatives trickle down to the regions and the large proportion of smallholder farmers? Researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May discusses the issue.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
Culture
Dear You: China’s Nanyang dream and Singapore’s lived reality
Chinese film Dear You about Nanyang migrants moves audiences in China, but for Jean Lee, a second-generation Nanyang migrant, the romanticised onscreen nostalgia clashes deeply with the gritty reality of her family’s history.
Jean Lee
Culture
Salt-baked chicken and tea-smoked ham: Songyang’s unforgettable flavours
A literary trip to southern Zhejiang unlocks the sensory soul of Songyang — a paradise where ancient mountain villages blend rich cultural history with unforgettable delicacies. Writer Shen Jialu uncovers the rare, centuries-old art of tea-smoked ham and more.
Shen Jialu
Popular This Month
Society
How a Chinese film sparked cognitive warfare on Singapore
A heartfelt film about a Teochew grandmother unexpectedly triggered heated debate about culture and politics. Han Yong May, deputy editor-in-chief of SPH’s Chinese Media Group, takes a look at the cognitive warfare campaign targeting Singapore’s multiracial identity.
Han Yong May
Society
Is ‘Dear You’ China’s perfect propaganda film?
Stripping away the tears, Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei examines how a 1.69 billion RMB blockbuster subtly targets the global Chinese diaspora, reflecting on the complex tug-of-war between ancestry and allegiance.
Sim Tze Wei
Society
[Video] Dear You: How grassroots authenticity wins over Chinese filmgoers
A small Chaoshan dialect film, made on a tight budget with no celebrities and minimal marketing, went on to gross over 1.6 billion RMB at the box office, outperforming a wave of expensive, star-studded blockbusters. Chinese audiences shared positive word-of-mouth on social media, describing it as a “slow-cooked” film that offers a sincere and understated portrayal of ordinary lives. ThinkChina’s Yi Jina explores the factors behind Dear You’s strong resonance with viewers.
Yi Jina
Society
China is everywhere at the World Cup except on the field
Despite the ambitions of Chinese President Xi Jinping for China to be in the World Cup, China has only qualified for the finals once before, and will not feature in this year’s edition — except in supporting roles. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei notes that football is a grassroots activity and can only thrive if allowed to grow organically.
Sim Tze Wei
Culture
[Video] Hsu Chung-mao: Why I am both Taiwanese and Chinese
Taiwanese historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao had a front-row seat to history as a war journalist, and became part of it himself when he was injured during the 1989 Tiananmen incident. Decades spent collecting and colourising rare photographs have shaped how he sees the past — and why he sees himself as both Taiwanese and Chinese. In a conversation with ThinkChina’s Charlene Chow, he reflects on history, identity and the twists of fate that have shaped his journey.
Charlene Chow
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Editor's pick
Culture
[Video] Hsu Chung-mao: Why I am both Taiwanese and Chinese
Taiwanese historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao had a front-row seat to history as a war journalist, and became part of it himself when he was injured during the 1989 Tiananmen incident. Decades spent collecting and colourising rare photographs have shaped how he sees the past — and why he sees himself as both Taiwanese and Chinese. In a conversation with ThinkChina’s Charlene Chow, he reflects on history, identity and the twists of fate that have shaped his journey.
Culture
[Video] Living in the moment: Two Singaporean artists finding home in Jingdezhen
In Jingdezhen, China’s porcelain capital, Singaporean ceramists Ken Lu and Nelson Lim have each found their own mecca — a place for Ken to put down roots, and for Nelson to continually return to. Living in the Moment, produced by Lu Lingming and Yi Jina, is ThinkChina’s first documentary film. It explores how the city reshapes Ken and Nelson’s identities as Chinese Singaporeans, while tracing their lifelong pursuit of art and craft.
Lu Lingming, Yi Jina
Culture
[Video] Hsu Chung-mao: Why I am both Taiwanese and Chinese
Taiwanese historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao had a front-row seat to history as a war journalist, and became part of it himself when he was injured during the 1989 Tiananmen incident. Decades spent collecting and colourising rare photographs have shaped how he sees the past — and why he sees himself as both Taiwanese and Chinese. In a conversation with ThinkChina’s Charlene Chow, he reflects on history, identity and the twists of fate that have shaped his journey.
Charlene Chow
Society
[Video] Dear You: How grassroots authenticity wins over Chinese filmgoers
A small Chaoshan dialect film, made on a tight budget with no celebrities and minimal marketing, went on to gross over 1.6 billion RMB at the box office, outperforming a wave of expensive, star-studded blockbusters. Chinese audiences shared positive word-of-mouth on social media, describing it as a “slow-cooked” film that offers a sincere and understated portrayal of ordinary lives. ThinkChina’s Yi Jina explores the factors behind Dear You’s strong resonance with viewers.
Yi Jina
Economy
[Video] China tightens rules on money, data and talent going overseas
China’s new outbound investment rules place tighter oversight on money, technology, data and talent going overseas, formalising a series of cross-border controls introduced this year. ThinkChina’s Lu Lingming discusses why some Chinese fear the country is closing itself off from the world and how the changes might impact society.
Lu Lingming
Society
[Vox pop] Views of China and President Xi Jinping may be turning more positive
Based on soundings from our street interviews with people from different countries, perceptions of China seem rather positive, not only in terms of China’s economic power and high-tech manufacturing leap, but its leadership. ThinkChina’s Yi Jina speaks to the public to understand how views on China, its leadership and its global role are evolving — and what reservations remain.
Yi Jina
Technology
[Video] US–China tech ties revealed at Xi’s power banquet
A carefully curated guest list at the high-profile state banquet during the Trump-Xi summit placed American and Chinese tech titans side by side, revealing not just diplomatic optics, but a supply chain that remains deeply intertwined despite rising geopolitical tension. ThinkChina’s Yi Jina finds out more.
Yi Jina
Society
[Vox pop] How do Chinese people see AI?
In recent years, China has become one of the fastest-moving players in the global AI race. AI is now becoming part of everyday life for many Chinese people. And now, amid the sweeping changes triggered by this technological wave, ThinkChina’s Lu Lingming and Yi Jina speak with some Chinese to hear what they really think about AI today.
Lu Lingming, Yi Jina
Society
[Video] Lim Siong Guan: Can Singapore survive?
Singapore’s rise from “unwanted independence” to a trusted global brand was no accident. Former head of the civil service Lim Siong Guan reflects on working with Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Keng Swee in an interview with ThinkChina’s James Loo, and explains why small states must think long term in a world of unknown unknowns, as well as how culture, trust and a stellar civil service matter more than ever as Singapore navigates great power rivalry and rapid technological change.
James Loo
Politics
[Video] Is the world entering a more dangerous nuclear era?
The collapse of the last US-Russia nuclear constraints under New START leaves the world’s nuclear guardrails in tatters, raising fears of great power friction and a renewed arms race. As limits fall away, states from Iran to North Korea are reassessing their options. With extended deterrence under strain, ThinkChina’s Lu Lingming and Yi Jina examine how this unravelling nuclear order is reshaping global and regional security.
Lu Lingming, Yi Jina
Latest Articles
Economy
From SpaceX to Meta: The geopolitics of who gets to invest
While SpaceX underwriters barred orders from investors in mainland China and Hong Kong leading up to its IPO, the Chinese government blocked Meta’s acquisition of Manus. Law experts Tan Chong Huat and Amanda Chen analyse the implications of such moves.
Tan Chong Huat, Amanda Chen
Politics
Why the Pacific is filling with warships: China, RIMPAC and a new military contest
As the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise kicks off and China’s Liaoning wraps up its drills, the Western Pacific is witnessing a strategic shift from simple carrier standoffs to a complex battle of military systems. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Miao Zong-Han speaks with analysts to find out more.
Miao Zong-Han
Economy
How Taiwan overtook China as Singapore’s top trading partner
Fuelled by the global AI boom and a complementary chip ecosystem, total trade between Singapore and Taiwan surged in 2025, unseating mainland China from the top spot. Lianhe Zaobao senior business correspondent Lewis Ong Yong Huat speaks with economists to find out more.
Lewis Ong Yong Huat
Economy
Beyond Elon Musk: Who benefits from the trillionaire era?
As SpaceX propels Elon Musk into the history books as the first trillionaire, academic Ruay-Shiung Chang posits that the ultimate test for the modern economy is whether tech prosperity can be shared, or if inequality will skyrocket.
Ruay-Shiung Chang
Technology
Undersea cables: The new US-China frontline
From trade wars to the seabed, Washington and Beijing are locked in a high-stakes struggle for control over global undersea cables and leadership of the future digital order. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei looks into the matter.
Sim Tze Wei
Politics
Are China-Philippines tensions sinking the South China Sea Code of Conduct?
Recent remarks by the Philippines suggesting that China may be a stumbling block to the conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) drew a harsh response from the latter. Why are these tensions resurfacing now, and what real impact does it have on the negotiations on the COC? Researcher Chau Do gives her take.
Chau Do
Society
[Big read] Inside China’s arts exam shadow market
Behind China’s arts entrance exams lies a costly world of influence and opaque deals, where talent alone rarely secures a place. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Qi Lu speaks to those who have lived through such experiences, and to academics who explain how the system works.
Qi Lu
Economy
Why Chinese banks now act like local governments
China’s banks are increasingly shaped by state-directed targets, whitelists and performance indicators, pushing them to prioritise policy goals over market logic and resemble local governments in their behaviour. Economist Chen Kang warns of the systemic risks in trading market pricing for rigid policy-driven lists.
Chen Kang
Politics
High quality, high anxiety: Southeast Asia’s BRI paradox
An online survey by ISEAS on perceptions of Chinese-built infrastructure in Southeast Asia reflects both the tangible benefits of these projects and broader considerations shaping regional views of China as an infrastructure development partner. ISEAS academics Eugene RL Tan and Hoang Thi Ha explain.
Eugene RL Tan, Hoang Thi Ha
Politics
A tungsten mine exposes Myanmar’s China-Russia balancing act
Russia’s recent entry into tungsten mining in Myanmar reveals a three-way resource-security triangle: China controls much of the flow, Russia seeks a stake, while Myanmar’s military government is using access to resources as leverage. Academic Hao Nan gives his assessment.
Hao Nan
Society
Sold by the kilo: China’s pet protection blind spot
Celebrity dog Chutou was stolen and sold to a dog meat restaurant in China, with the thieves and the slaughterer nonchalantly and unapologetically offering compensation. Will this start a new awareness of animal rights? Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Li Kang gives her views.
Li Kang
Politics
Did Japan and the Philippines expand Beijing’s reach in Taiwan’s eastern waters?
Taiwan seems to be the biggest loser, whatever the outcome of Japan-Philippines maritime delimitation talks, since this gives Beijing greater cause to regularise patrols in Taiwan’s eastern waters. Commentator Deng Yuwen shares his views.
Deng Yuwen
Politics
G7 unity: Europe yields as Trump declares ‘I’m the boss’
At the G7 summit, European leaders went to great lengths to flatter Donald Trump. Yet behind the smiles lies deep anxiety over an unpredictable US and a looming trade war with China. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong tells us more.
Han Yong Hong
Society
Why more Hong Kong youths are opting out of work
Some young people in Hong Kong are becoming disengaged and content to drift along aimlessly, living with their parents who indulge them amid a more accepting society. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Tai Hing Shing examines the rise of the NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training).
Tai Hing Shing
Economy
From HK department store heir to outback cattleman: Inside Bruce Cheung’s US$130m wagyu gamble
When he was nearing 60, Bruce Cheung stepped away from China International Duty Free Group, the company he had co-founded and built up for more than 20 years, starting a journey of self-discovery that took him along half of Australia’s coast. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Li Yaning speaks to the founder of agriculture company Pardoo Wagyu.
Li Yaning
Politics
How Trump’s Iran war boosted Beijing
China’s diplomacy in the Middle East has seen highs and lows, most recently garnering some success in the Iran war, after troughs during the post-7 October 2023 period and initial highs when the US withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021. Chinese academic Fan Hongda explains.
Fan Hongda