Recent articles
May 8, 2026
China Sees a ‘Giant With a Limp’ as U.S. Drains Weapons on Iran War
America’s ability to deter China in a war over Taiwan is weakened, Chinese analysts say, giving Beijing leverage in an upcoming summit with President Trump.
www.nytimes.com
April 16, 2026
Why China Won’t Lean Hard on Iran
Despite the economic risks from the war, Beijing will likely stick to a hands-off approach. It is wary of being entangled in a conflict it opposed and has little sway over.
www.nytimes.com
April 16, 2026
Xi Courts Vietnam With His Authoritarian Vision of Security
China used a visit by the Vietnamese leader to show a deepening of security ties that analysts say far outpaces U.S. defense ties in the region.
www.nytimes.com
April 15, 2026
How China’s Weapons Transfers to Iran Have Evolved Over Decades
China has denied claims this month by U.S. intelligence that it might have shipped arms to Iran. In recent years, China has supported Iran with dual-use parts.
www.nytimes.com
March 11, 2026
A Trump-Xi Summit Nears, but China Doesn’t Know What Trump Wants
Trump’s agenda for the high-stakes meeting remains unclear to Beijing, Chinese analysts say, while American executives say they haven’t been invited along.
www.nytimes.com
March 7, 2026
For Xi, Trump’s Embrace of War Proves China Needs More Power
China is learning lessons from the war in Iran. Chief among them, the United States may pose an even greater threat than Beijing thought.
www.nytimes.com
February 26, 2026
China Wants Germany in Its Corner. It’s Not That Easy.
China’s play for U.S. allies has a problem: As Germany’s leader showed, Europe’s grievances with Beijing may run deeper than its frustration with Trump.
www.nytimes.com
February 25, 2026
Germany’s Leader Merz Delivers a Blunt Warning to China on Trade
Chancellor Friedrich Merz laid out his complaints in a frank message to his hosts on a trip to Beijing that China had designed to showcase their relationship.
www.nytimes.com
February 24, 2026
Germany’s Leader Heads to China and Walks a Tightrope Between Xi and Trump
Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s trip will test his ability to address tensions between the countries, at a time of strain between Europe and Washington.
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026
Hong Kong Activist Anna Kwok’s Father Convicted of National Security Crime
In her first interview about her father, the exiled Hong Kong activist Anna Kwok said the authorities were targeting her family to try to silence her.
www.nytimes.com