Economy
Why desperate local governments fund corporate fantasies
Driven by an insatiable hunger for economic performance, China’s local officials are plunging public funds into overhyped corporate ventures. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Lim Zhan Ting looks inside the desperate game of “fleecing the old geezers”, or beng laotou.
Lim Zhan Ting
Cartoon
ThinkCartoon (17 June 2026)
Heng Kim Song has been the freelance editorial cartoonist for Lianhe Zaobao since 1984. His cartoons are also featured in many major international publications including The New York Times, Asahi Shimbun, JoongAng Ilbo, South China Morning Post and Yazhou Zhoukan. His many awards include the Top Award in United Nations ESCAP’s Cartoon Competition and the Grafica Internazionale Award presented by Italian Museum of Political Satire and Caricature. Heng has also participated in many international exhibitions and events, including the World Economic Forum Annual Meetings held in Davos, Switzerland.
Heng Kim Song
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
[Big read] Why China’s viral cities rise fast and fade faster
As local governments in China bank on becoming the next viral sensation to revive local economies, experts warn that turning short-term internet hype into sustainable growth is a steep climb. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zeng Shi tells us more.
Zeng Shi
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
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
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
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
Politics
Why bombs don’t break Iran
The domestic issues and fragile regime in Iran would have led one to believe that an attack by the US would result in a quick defeat. Commentator Tao Ray offers a perspective on why Iran remains resilient: not because of its military strength or strategy, but the strong sense of “us versus them”.
Tao Ray
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
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Editor's pick
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.
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
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
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
Culture
[Video] Jereme Leung: From Nanyang to Jiangnan — where taste becomes memory
Renowned chef and pioneer of Chinese fine dining Jereme Leung sits with ThinkChina’s Josephine Hong to dive into what truly defines authentic Chinese cuisine, China’s contributions to the global fine dining scene, and how Nanyang influence shaped his culinary journey.
Josephine Hong
Politics
[Video] What the Iran war means for China
US‑Israel strikes on Iran could reverberate far beyond the Middle East, impacting China’s economy, energy security, regional influence and its ties with the US. While China maintains a cautious diplomatic approach, the unfolding Iran war could also create opportunities for it to gain leverage in its strategic rivalry with the US. ThinkChina’s Yi Jina and Lu Lingming speak with three experts to explore what the Iran war means for China.
Yi Jina, Lu Lingming
Latest Articles
Technology
Who rules space may shape the world below: The US-China battle for orbit
Space is no longer simply a frontier of exploration. It is the newest arena of US-China rivalry — and a contest spanning military power, technological leadership, economic influence and alliances that could shape the global order for decades to come, argues researcher Tahir Mahmood Azad.
Tahir Mahmood Azad
History
[Photos] What I saw at Tiananmen in 1989 before I was shot (Part 2)
In the second part of a two-part article, historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao recounts his rescue, treatment and recovery following his near-fatal gunshot wound to the neck as a young journalist during the 1989 Tiananmen incident.
Hsu Chung-mao
History
[Photos] What I saw at Tiananmen in 1989 before I was shot (Part 1)
Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao recounts a pivotal time in his life and world history, tracing back the events surrounding his near-fatal gunshot wound to the neck as a young journalist during the 1989 Tiananmen incident.
Hsu Chung-mao
Economy
What SpaceX’s IPO means for China
While the SpaceX IPO may spur greater Chinese investment in AI-related high technology, it could also lead to side effects like speculative bubbles. Meanwhile, with national security politics overriding commercial pragmatism, China may increasingly be at a disadvantage. EAI senior research fellow Bo Chen analyses the situation.
Bo Chen
Politics
How Japan’s FOIP is reinforcing ASEAN’s strategic autonomy
The concept of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) was first proposed in 2016 by then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and now it has been updated under the Sanae Takaichi administration. Japanese academic Sukegawa Seiya notes that the FOIP is a channel for promoting regional cooperation with ASEAN, while respecting its autonomy.
Sukegawa Seiya
Politics
China sidelines denuclearisation to strengthen ties with North Korea
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent Pyongyang visit signals a pragmatic shift in Beijing’s policy, tacitly accepting a nuclear-armed North Korea to counter shifting regional alliances. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong tells us more.
Han Yong Hong
Economy
China’s gig economy nears half the workforce but worker protections lag behind
Over 44% of China’s workforce is now engaged in flexible employment. While closing the white-collar income gap, this massive shift exposes major gaps in workers’ rights and social security stability. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Li Kang analyses the data.
Li Kang
Economy
Chinese carmakers push deeper into Europe despite rising EU trade barriers
EU tariffs have not stopped China’s auto advance. Carmakers are capitalising on the popularity of Chinese electric vehicles and deepening their European footprint through local production, partnerships and regulatory adaptation.
Caixin Global
Politics
‘Neo-militarism’: Why Beijing sees Japan reviving a prewar trajectory
China’s charge of Japan’s so-called “neo-militarism” is not about arsenal comparisons — it is a decades-old fear, now updated, that Japan is quietly restoring the prewar state that 1945 was supposed to dismantle, say Chinese academics Shao Jingkai and Wang Guangtao.
Shao Jingkai, Wang Guangtao
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
Politics
Xi in Pyongyang: Opening Asia’s frozen northeast frontier
The clearest signal delivered at Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Pyongyang visit was all in the map, says academic Hao Nan. A northern Northeast Asian corridor linking China’s northeast to the Tumen River, North Korea’s Rason, Russia’s Far East and the Sea of Japan, is now more possible than ever.
Hao Nan
Politics
Min Aung Hlaing in India: Hedging between giants, seeking legitimacy
India’s recent welcome of Myanmar’s leader Min Aung Hlaing was a combination of practical engagement and political hedging under “multi-alignment”. Deft or not, volatility in its backyard makes India’s moves uncertain and in constant need of adjustment. Academic Obja Borah Hazarika analyses the issue.
Obja Borah Hazarika
Economy
Built to impress: Why China’s tourism boom leaves white elephants behind
China’s tourism boom has produced a wave of ambitious megaprojects across the country, but many have stalled or failed to attract visitors, leaving behind costly white elephants. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Liu Liu reports.
Liu Liu
Politics
Is China giving up on denuclearising North Korea?
On his first visit to North Korea in seven years, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke of strategic cooperation, without mentioning denuclearisation, which used to be part of the conversation. Is the topic now off the table, or merely put aside for the time being? Journalist Kang Gwiyoung finds out more.
Kang Gwiyoung
Politics
The Middle Corridor: Where Turkey’s rise meets China’s ambitions
At a time of geopolitical uncertainty when Central Asian countries are hedging their bets and China’s Belt and Road Initiative itself is evolving, Turkey is rising as a power that can cultivate deeper relations with Central Asia and dominate Eurasian transit flows through the Middle Corridor. Academic Alessandro Arduino looks at the issue.
Alessandro Arduino