Category: China

Exporting Beijing’s surveillance state: sharp power in action

     

If China gains dominance over digital technology, it would be dangerous for freedom world-wide, says Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations (2007-09) and head of policy planning in… Read more »

A ‘new global battle’ of ideas? Chinese ‘connectivity politics’ as sharp power

     

Under President Xi Jinping, China has established a distinct and global form of connectivity politics, say analysts Paul Kohlenberg and Nadine Godehardt: This includes investment in infrastructure and international lending,… Read more »

Autocracy with Chinese characteristics?

     

Most Western observers have long believed that democracy and capitalism go hand in hand, that economic liberalization both requires and propels political liberalization, notes Yuen Yuen Ang, Associate Professor of… Read more »

China ‘regressing on reform’: Beijing’s sharp power underscores need to promote liberalization

     

India and China are jostling for influence in Iran and Central Asia, Nikkei reports, as New Delhi’s 7,000km transport corridor cuts across Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. Prime Minister Narendra… Read more »

China’s sharp power: bullying its way into Europe

     

China has bought or invested in assets in Europe amounting to at least $318 billion over the past 10 years, Bloomberg reports, in the most comprehensive audit to date of… Read more »

Is democracy dying?

     

“Some say that global democracy is experiencing its worst setback since the 1930s and that it will continue to retreat unless rich countries find ways to reduce inequality and manage… Read more »