Transition under constraint: China’s energy strategy in an era of geopolitical risk
China reaffirmed that it would increase the share of non-fossil fuels in its energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions per unit of GDP under its 15th Five-Year Plan. Achieving this would require a carefully managed transition. Australian researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May assesses how China is striking a delicate balance between decarbonisation, economic growth and energy security.
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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.
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As jobs dry up, personal trainers are going door-to-door
In China’s cities, trainers are bringing the gym to people’s doorstep — turning courtyards into classrooms and fitness into a booming “on-demand” service. But as doubts over income, trust and longevity grow, is this just a fleeting trend?
Nepal’s new guard: How Gen Z fuelled a political sea change
In an unforeseen political upheaval for Nepal that saw the Rashtriya Swatantra Party win the largest political mandate in modern history, academic Rishi Gupta explores why Balen Shah and his party struck a chord across age groups, and how the new government plans to do a balancing act between India and China.
Manus plight: Should AI companies start in China or overseas?
Recent developments after Meta announced its acquisition of China-founded Manus has put Chinese tech companies on edge. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei notes that the labels attached to people and assets, whether tangible or intangible, are no longer neutral, but sharply defined.
The rise of Pakistan in the emerging diplomacy over Iran
Pakistan, the only Muslim-majority nuclear-armed state, is now a key conduit of the Iran war. Its security ties with Saudi Arabia boost its regional clout, while its links to both the US and China show that in crises, the most important states are not the strongest, but those that other actors can still use.
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[Big read] The dangers of unchecked AI on the battlefield
As AI is increasingly used in military action, how far do we go in letting AI decide who and what to strike? Is human accountability no longer applicable? Lianhe Zaobao associate foreign editor Poh Hwee Hoon tells us more.
There’s no city like Singkawang: Where Hakka is the lingua franca and Cap Go Meh dazzles
In Singkawang, West Kalimantan, writer Teo Han Wue found kindred spirits, a vibrant Chinese community and a chance to witness the colourful culmination of Chinese New Year celebrations there — a spirit-medium parade, known to the locals as Cap Go Meh or Pawai Tatung.
Xinjiang’s rising job market: A blessing and a burden?
In some sectors, Xinjiang has generally outpaced the national average, but such positive indicators may not align with the actual employment experiences for some groups, especially the minority groups. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Li Kang speaks with youths from Xinjiang to find out more.
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[Video] Eye on Fujian series
Our fifth regional series, Eye on Fujian, explores Fujian merchants’ adventurous mercantile spirit, UNESCO-listed Gulangyu, Fujian cuisine’s influence in Southeast Asia, and much more!
Hormuz chokes: China’s ‘world supermarket’ Yiwu feels the pain
One month on, the war in Iran rages on and the Strait of Hormuz remains a chokepoint for trades around the world. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Meng Dandan hones in on the impact on merchants from Yiwu, Zhejiang province — often dubbed the “world’s supermarket”.
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Hokkien roots, Brunei soil: My father’s journey across borders and spiritual planes [Eye on Fujian series]
From wandering between homes in Malaysia to setting roots in Brunei, one would never have thought that a young rebel with just a toy car to his name would live a life in service of the gods. ThinkChina’s Josephine Hong shares snippets of the life of her father, Richard Hong Kuan Yin.
China visit before Trump: Can Cheng Li-wun rescue the Kuomintang?
Ahead of Trump’s visit to Beijing, Kuomintang chair Cheng Li-wun has accepted Chinese President Xi Jinping’s invitation to visit the mainland next month, raising questions about whether her peace-politics gambit can unify a divided KMT, navigate internal rivalries and election pressures, and advance cross-strait peace. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Chuang Hui Liang dives into the issue.
Taiwan in the shadow of a Trump-China deal
While Trump 2.0 has shown that the US may not sway towards Taiwan as readily as before, Trump’s actions in Venezuela and Iran may be good for Taiwan, by tempering China’s ambitions. Taiwanese academic Ho Ming-sho weights the pros and cons.
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When birthdays, funerals and feasts share a dish: A Fujian food story [Eye on Fujian series]
Oyster pancake, all forms of pastries called ge (guo 粿), go (gao 糕) and bnia (bing 饼), one-of-a-kind braised noodles, red rice wine chicken and even pork double-boiled in urine — from his findings in Yongchun county and other studies, anthropology professor Tan Chee-Beng shares his knowledge about the wonders of eastern and southern Fujian cuisines.
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[Big read] China’s ‘fur kids’ fuel a billion-dollar pet boom
China’s growing love for pets has created a billion-dollar industry, with smart devices, AI services and full life-cycle care. Local governments are also backing the trend to boost domestic consumption. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zeng Shi speaks to industry players to find out more about the shift in social attitudes and policies that have led to this growth.
Is Trump a disrupter or a stabiliser in US-China relations?
In US-China relations, US President Trump in his second term is an asset. Whether the May visit to China yields concrete objectives, the process of ongoing plans for meetings and summitry helps to stabilise the relationship, says US academic Zhiqun Zhu.
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[Photos] A tale of two homelands: Fujian and Taiwan [Eye on Fujian series]
Fujian, a historic maritime gateway and strategic frontier in China, has played a defining role in China’s past. Taiwanese historic photo collector Hsu Chung-mao takes us on a pictorial journey that explores the rich history and culture of his ancestral homeland, while reflecting on his personal ties to the region.
The West’s moment ends, a multi-civilisational world rises
Two centuries of Western dominance are giving way to a world shaped by multiple civilisations. China, India and others assert distinct models, signalling a future of coexistence, negotiation and multipolar competition. Professor Tan Kong Yam assesses the future world order.