Will US-China tensions bring China and Japan closer together?

This Thursday, Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe traveled to Beijing to discuss cooperation on issues such as joint infrastructure investments and panda loans, signaling a potential thaw in bilateral relations. Business representatives participated in the visit, with Japanese and Chinese companies signing deals worth $18 billion. However, Abe also announced the end of Japan’s developmental aid to China and raised concerns about human rights and security, indicating that there is still much to discuss before China-Japan relations can truly thaw.

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge: economic integration or political assimilation?

This Wednesday, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge was opened to the public, reducing travel time between Zhuhai and Hong Kong from four hours to thirty minutes. It is a key component of the “Greater Bay Area” project, China’s plan to transform the region into its own Silicon Valley. However, some Hong Kong residents are concerned that the bridge is a political symbol of Hong Kong’s integration with China rather than a useful infrastructure investment.

Why is Chinese propaganda so inconsistent in its effectiveness?

Chinese journalist Kong Linlin was charged with common assault after allegedly slapping Enoch Lieu at an event organized by London-based NGO Hong Kong Watch. This marks just one of many incidents in which Chinese propaganda workers have damaged China’s global image instead of bolstering it. This can be attributed in part to the broken incentive system associated with outlets such as CGTN and CCTV. Domestic propaganda can sometimes be more successful and in touch with the audience, as viral memes may be used to carry socialist messages.

Subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter and monthly pitches.

[mc4wp_form id=”2249″]