Skip to main content

China

News and analysis about China, a country with the world’s second-largest economy, a terrible record on human rights, and global ambitions.

The latest in China

With Biden out of the election, can US foreign policy be Trump-proofed?With Biden out of the election, can US foreign policy be Trump-proofed?
World Politics

The trickiest country for American foreign policy right now is ... America.

By Joshua Keating
It’s time to stop arguing over the population slowdown and start adapting to itIt’s time to stop arguing over the population slowdown and start adapting to it
Future Perfect

The world population could peak in your lifetime.

By Bryan Walsh
The world is running out of soldiersThe world is running out of soldiers
World Politics

Wars are getting more common and militaries are building up. There’s just one thing missing.

By Joshua Keating
Why China is winning the EV warWhy China is winning the EV war
Video

And what it means for US climate goals.

By Laura Bult
The Chinese backlash over Netflix’s 3 Body Problem, explainedThe Chinese backlash over Netflix’s 3 Body Problem, explained
Culture

It says more about Netflix than it does about China.

By Aja Romano
Taiwan’s earthquake preparedness saved a lot of lives — and prevented a catastrophe for the global tech economyTaiwan’s earthquake preparedness saved a lot of lives — and prevented a catastrophe for the global tech economy
Technology

From Taiwan to South Korea to Silicon Valley, some of the most important nodes in the global tech economy are in disaster-prone places.

By Bryan Walsh
Why the Pentagon wants to build thousands of easily replaceable, AI-enabled drones
World Politics

Ukraine’s drone innovations have changed how the US is planning for a war with China.

By Joshua Keating
With new national security legislation, China shows it will never loosen its grip on Hong KongWith new national security legislation, China shows it will never loosen its grip on Hong Kong
Today, Explained newsletter

21 years ago, half a million Hong Kongers took to the streets to stop Article 23. This month, Beijing finally won.

By Bryan Walsh
TikTok could avoid a ban with a sale. Finding a buyer won’t be easy.TikTok could avoid a ban with a sale. Finding a buyer won’t be easy.
Technology

Former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin is among those lining up to buy TikTok if Congress enacts a law that forces its Chinese owner to sell.

By Nicole Narea
China’s new economic growth plan isn’t really a plan at allChina’s new economic growth plan isn’t really a plan at all
World Politics

Xi Jinping is ignoring the country’s biggest economic problems.

By Nicole Narea
A war has never been fought in orbit. That may be about to change.
Future Perfect

How the US is preparing to fight — and win — a war in space

By Tim Fernholz
Welcome to the “neomedieval era”
World Politics

Nations like the US have more firepower than ever before — but they also appear weaker than ever. The upshot is a world that feels out of control.

By Joshua Keating
Would the US intervene to defend Taiwan? Ask Japan.
World Politics

If China were to invade Taiwan, the American response could depend on its key ally.

By Jen Kirby
How cyberscams are drawing China into Myanmar’s civil war
World Politics

The surprising connection among cybercrime, human trafficking, and a raging guerrilla war.

By Joshua Keating
What China wants out of Myanmar’s civil warWhat China wants out of Myanmar’s civil war
World Politics

Despite China’s attempts to negotiate a regional ceasefire, Myanmar’s civil war won’t end soon.

By Ellen Ioanes
In Taiwan’s high-stakes elections, China is the loserIn Taiwan’s high-stakes elections, China is the loser
World Politics

Beijing has branded incoming president Lai Ching-te a “troublemaker” for his pro-sovereignty stance.

By Ellen Ioanes
Taiwan elects Lai Ching-te, denying China’s hopes for reunificationTaiwan elects Lai Ching-te, denying China’s hopes for reunification
World Politics

The results of the tight, three-way presidential election will resonate far beyond the region.

By Joshua Keating
Qubit by qubit, the quantum computers of tomorrow are coming into beingQubit by qubit, the quantum computers of tomorrow are coming into being
Future Perfect

The quantum computing industry has a road map to the future — but can it reach its destination?

By Bryan Walsh
The militarized AI risk that’s bigger than “killer robots”The militarized AI risk that’s bigger than “killer robots”
Future Perfect

The nuclear stakes of putting too much trust in AI.

By Jeffrey Lewis
The rise of Xi Jinping, explainedThe rise of Xi Jinping, explained
Video

How Xi Jinping became China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong.

By Coleman Lowndes
How Myanmar’s resistance could topple its military government — for goodHow Myanmar’s resistance could topple its military government — for good
World Politics

A surprise offensive on October 27 stunned the junta. A revolution could build a new Myanmar.

By Ellen Ioanes
The achievement of this year’s Biden-Xi summit is, simply, the meeting itselfThe achievement of this year’s Biden-Xi summit is, simply, the meeting itself
World Politics

What to expect from Biden and Xi’s San Francisco meetup.

By Jonathan Guyer
There’s a sliver of good US-China news — and it involves nukesThere’s a sliver of good US-China news — and it involves nukes
World Politics

Rare arms control talks come ahead of an anticipated summit this month between Biden and Xi.

By Jen Kirby
US-China tensions are every country’s problem nowUS-China tensions are every country’s problem now
China

Between Washington and Beijing: Which side are you on?

By Jonathan Guyer
What’s up with China’s disappearing senior military officers?What’s up with China’s disappearing senior military officers?
China

Li Shangfu is the latest officer to fall victim to Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption drive.

By Ellen Ioanes
China’s economy is slowing down. What gives?China’s economy is slowing down. What gives?
World Politics

An expert helps explain China’s economic woes.

By Jen Kirby
Why so many countries want to join BRICSWhy so many countries want to join BRICS
World Politics

Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa: Could they change the way the global economy works?

By Jonathan Guyer
It’s time for a new atomic altruismIt’s time for a new atomic altruism
Future Perfect

Philanthropies are pulling back from programs meant to address the risk of nuclear war — at precisely the wrong moment.

By Matthew Gentzel and Christian Ruhl
The saga of China’s missing-then-fired foreign ministerThe saga of China’s missing-then-fired foreign minister
World Politics

We still don’t really know what happened to Qin Gang.

By Ellen Ioanes
Here’s what’s at stake in Blinken’s trip to ChinaHere’s what’s at stake in Blinken’s trip to China
China

The secretary of state’s China trip opens the door for dialogue, but Taiwan is still a major sticking point.

By Ellen Ioanes
The US’s multiple Indo-Pacific strategies, explainedThe US’s multiple Indo-Pacific strategies, explained
World Politics

A Papua New Guinea pact reveals the complexity of creating partnerships in the region.

By Ellen Ioanes
The nationalist dark side of Joe Biden’s climate policiesThe nationalist dark side of Joe Biden’s climate policies
Future Perfect

Why an ex-Biden official is “deeply disappointed” in his Buy American policies.

By Dylan Matthews
Will having the world’s biggest population make this the “Indian Century”?Will having the world’s biggest population make this the “Indian Century”?
Future Perfect

Why numbers can only go so far for the world’s new most populous nation.

By Bryan Walsh
Can a 50-year-old treaty still keep the world safe from the changing threat of bioweapons?
Future Perfect

How geopolitics and technological advances are making this a riskier world for bioweapons.

By Jen Kirby
Taiwan’s president is in the Americas — and China’s not happyTaiwan’s president is in the Americas — and China’s not happy
World Politics

President Tsai Ing-wen is shoring up allies, but a meeting with Speaker Kevin McCarthy is drawing threats from Beijing.

By Ellen Ioanes
Why China’s population is shrinkingWhy China’s population is shrinking
Video

And why that’s a big deal.

By Christina Thornell
America’s hypersonic arms race with China, explainedAmerica’s hypersonic arms race with China, explained
World Politics

Without treaties to rein in their use, a dangerous escalation between countries becomes much more likely.

By Ellen Ioanes
Is TikTok too big to ban?Is TikTok too big to ban?
Technology

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will testify before Congress as the future of his app is in doubt. Or maybe it’s all just a lot of posturing.

By Sara Morrison
The case for slowing down AI
The rise of artificial intelligence, explained

Pumping the brakes on artificial intelligence could be the best thing we ever do for humanity.

By Sigal Samuel
The key to Covid’s origin lies in Beijing, not WuhanThe key to Covid’s origin lies in Beijing, not Wuhan
Future Perfect

A new analysis on Covid-19 origins has promise, but only the Chinese government can end the debate.

By Bryan Walsh