The year that passed. Another year without Mom and Dad.
In China, millions of children are separated from their parents in order to attend boarding schools. The practice is particularly widespread in Tibet and the western region of Xinjiang, but it is also becoming more common in other parts of the country. The aim is to shape the children into true patriots, good socialists, and resolute supporters of Party leader Xi Jinping. “Uncle Xi, you are our friend and guide,” they sing in the schoolyard every morning.
In Tibet and the neighboring provinces with large Tibetan populations, around 800,000 children attended such schools in 2021, according to a report. An additional 100,000 children between the ages of four and six had been torn away from their parents to live in kindergartens. Today’s figures may be even higher.
The boarding schools and kindergartens are located in cities and densely populated areas, often several days’ travel from the children’s homes. Both teaching and play take place in Mandarin Chinese.
As time passes, parents and children gradually become strangers to one another. When the children are rarely allowed to visit their parents, they struggle to express themselves in their own mother tongue. The Tibetan sociologist Gyal Lo says of the children that they feel disoriented and uncertain about where they truly belong: “It is both tragic and painful to witness what is happening.”
fredag 30. januar 2026
Why China’s Young Urbanites Are Ditching Cities for Villages
After graduating with a degree in art design from Beijing Jiaotong University, most would have expected Li Zezhou to set his sights on a career in a big city. Instead, he returned to the forests and fields he’d known as a child.
In early 2024, he and a friend set up a design studio in a rented two-story building in Bishan, an ancient village in China’s eastern Anhui province. They called it Slime Club, seeing slime molds’ ability to stretch outward and link with other organisms as a metaphor for the kind of collaboration they hoped to achieve among young graduates.
Since then, the collective has transformed its mission to help the local community, swelling from four permanent staff to 11, along with a host of contributors. Most arrive in the village intending on just a brief stay, but few ever leave.
In early 2024, he and a friend set up a design studio in a rented two-story building in Bishan, an ancient village in China’s eastern Anhui province. They called it Slime Club, seeing slime molds’ ability to stretch outward and link with other organisms as a metaphor for the kind of collaboration they hoped to achieve among young graduates.
Since then, the collective has transformed its mission to help the local community, swelling from four permanent staff to 11, along with a host of contributors. Most arrive in the village intending on just a brief stay, but few ever leave.
Unmentioned but present, Trump is a common denominator in efforts to strengthen Asia-Europe ties
Stability. Consistency. Ever-changing complexity.
With language like that, deployed in separate meetings in three Asian capitals this week, government leaders forged closer ties driven in part by a figure halfway around the world: the president of the United States. And much of the time, they didn’t even mention Donald Trump’s name.
The U.K. and Chinese leaders called Thursday for a “long-term, stable, and comprehensive strategic partnership” between their two countries. The important words are long-term and stable. The two countries committed a decade ago to building a comprehensive strategic partnership but progress has been halting at best.
With language like that, deployed in separate meetings in three Asian capitals this week, government leaders forged closer ties driven in part by a figure halfway around the world: the president of the United States. And much of the time, they didn’t even mention Donald Trump’s name.
The U.K. and Chinese leaders called Thursday for a “long-term, stable, and comprehensive strategic partnership” between their two countries. The important words are long-term and stable. The two countries committed a decade ago to building a comprehensive strategic partnership but progress has been halting at best.
Starmer says UK ‘can’t stick its head in the sand’ over China after Trump issues warning
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in the Chinese financial center of Shanghai on Friday in his bid to boost business opportunities for British firms in the world’s second-largest economy, just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a possible opposition to any deal between Beijing and London.
Starmer, the center-left Labour leader, has brought more than 50 business leaders on his trip to China, the first by a U.K. prime minister in eight years.
Starmer suggested Trump’s criticism was aimed more at Canada than Britain. He added that Washington was aware in advance of his trip and its objectives and pointed out that Trump has said he plans to visit China this spring.
Starmer, the center-left Labour leader, has brought more than 50 business leaders on his trip to China, the first by a U.K. prime minister in eight years.
Starmer suggested Trump’s criticism was aimed more at Canada than Britain. He added that Washington was aware in advance of his trip and its objectives and pointed out that Trump has said he plans to visit China this spring.
Pushed by Trump, US allies are resetting relations with China
Chinese President Xi Jinping has had a busy few weeks receiving Western allies seeking warmer ties with the world’s second-largest economy. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney struck a trade deal slashing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and Canadian canola oil.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer landed in Beijing this week to repair ties that have been strained for years, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected there next month. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo also was among the latest leaders from Europe to shake hands with Xi.
In a major shift to the world order since President Donald Trump took office again, America’s closest partners are exploring opportunities with China following clashes with Trump over tariffs and his demands to take over Greenland from NATO ally Denmark. Despite the risk of irking Trump, they are resetting relations with a country long seen as a top adversary to many Western allies and the top economic rival to the U.S.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer landed in Beijing this week to repair ties that have been strained for years, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected there next month. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo also was among the latest leaders from Europe to shake hands with Xi.
In a major shift to the world order since President Donald Trump took office again, America’s closest partners are exploring opportunities with China following clashes with Trump over tariffs and his demands to take over Greenland from NATO ally Denmark. Despite the risk of irking Trump, they are resetting relations with a country long seen as a top adversary to many Western allies and the top economic rival to the U.S.
EU-India pact shows free trade still has a future
The EU–India trade deal, formally known as the EU–India Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement, stands out as one of the longest, most intricate and politically revealing trade negotiations in the European Union’s contemporary history.
Its roots lie in the early 2000s, when India and the EU — already significant commercial partners — began exploring ways to move beyond sectoral cooperation toward a more structured and strategic economic relationship.This aspiration took institutional form in 2004, when both sides elevated their engagement to a “strategic partnership,” signaling shared interests in trade, technology and global governance.
The formal launch of negotiations in 2007 reflected this ambition, with the agreement envisioned as a comprehensive framework covering trade in goods and services, investment protection, public procurement, intellectual property rights and regulatory cooperation.
Its roots lie in the early 2000s, when India and the EU — already significant commercial partners — began exploring ways to move beyond sectoral cooperation toward a more structured and strategic economic relationship.This aspiration took institutional form in 2004, when both sides elevated their engagement to a “strategic partnership,” signaling shared interests in trade, technology and global governance.
The formal launch of negotiations in 2007 reflected this ambition, with the agreement envisioned as a comprehensive framework covering trade in goods and services, investment protection, public procurement, intellectual property rights and regulatory cooperation.
Scam center scourge not just a Cambodia problem
Cambodia is frequently portrayed internationally as a hub for online scams. This perception oversimplifies a complex reality: Cambodia is also a vulnerable target of transnational networks that exploit regulatory gaps, digital platforms and cross-border financial systems.
Online scams operate globally, and no single country controls—or fully sees—the entire chain. Assigning blame to a single country misleads the public and undermines coordinated efforts to dismantle these criminal networks.
As a Cambodian lawyer familiar with the country’s legal and enforcement frameworks, I can attest that Cambodia has made progress in investigating and apprehending scammers, often in close cooperation with international partners.
Yet the broader truth is that these networks thrive because of gaps in global oversight, delayed enforcement and selective accountability across multiple jurisdictions. Understanding this distinction is critical for effective policy, enforcement and public perception.
Online scams operate globally, and no single country controls—or fully sees—the entire chain. Assigning blame to a single country misleads the public and undermines coordinated efforts to dismantle these criminal networks.
As a Cambodian lawyer familiar with the country’s legal and enforcement frameworks, I can attest that Cambodia has made progress in investigating and apprehending scammers, often in close cooperation with international partners.
Yet the broader truth is that these networks thrive because of gaps in global oversight, delayed enforcement and selective accountability across multiple jurisdictions. Understanding this distinction is critical for effective policy, enforcement and public perception.
Chinese-language crime networks now drive 20% of crypto laundering
The illicit on-chain money laundering ecosystem has grown dramatically in recent years, increasing from US$10 billion in 2020 to over $82 billion in 2025. [1] This substantial topline growth reflects the growing accessibility and liquidity of cryptocurrencies, as well as a fundamental shift in how this laundering activity occurs and by whom.
As shown in the chart below, Chinese-language money laundering networks (CMLNs) have increased their share of known illicit laundering activity to approximately 20% in 2025. This regional connection is further evidenced by the off-ramping patterns we observe.
As shown in the chart below, Chinese-language money laundering networks (CMLNs) have increased their share of known illicit laundering activity to approximately 20% in 2025. This regional connection is further evidenced by the off-ramping patterns we observe.
Reading the tea leaves on Xi’s latest military purge
Last weekend, China’s Ministry of National Defense announced that the country’s two most senior generals – Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli – would be removed from office and placed under investigation for serious disciplinary violations.
Zhang had been the People’s Liberation Army’s most senior general since October 2022. He was the highest ranking military member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China (CCP), the party-state’s 24-member executive policy-making body. Zhang was also the senior vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, which controls the armed forces.
Liu was the former commander of the PLA’s Ground Force and had most recently been in charge of the Central Military Commission’s Joint Staff Department.
Zhang had been the People’s Liberation Army’s most senior general since October 2022. He was the highest ranking military member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China (CCP), the party-state’s 24-member executive policy-making body. Zhang was also the senior vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, which controls the armed forces.
Liu was the former commander of the PLA’s Ground Force and had most recently been in charge of the Central Military Commission’s Joint Staff Department.
China's Mongolian Minority Facing Increased Pressure to Assimilate
There are 24 million people living in the Chinese autonomous region of Inner Mongolia, including more than 4 million ethnic Mongols. As such, this region of China is home to more Mongols than the independent country next door, which has a population of just 3.5 million. Mongolia – labeled as "Outer Mongolia” in old Chinese maps – was able to gain independence from the Qing Dynasty in 1911. Inner Mongolia, by contrast, remained part of China and became one of five autonomous regions.
torsdag 29. januar 2026
China Deploys Warships Against US Presence in South China Sea
China deployed naval forces for patrols in the South China Sea earlier this week, while the United States conducted a maritime exercise with its treaty ally the Philippines.
The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet said in a news release that it and the Armed Forces of the Philippines held a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Southeast Asian country's waters from Sunday to Monday in support of "a free and open Indo-Pacific."
While blaming the Philippines for "disrupting peace and stability" in the South China Sea through joint patrols with non-regional countries, the Chinese military warned it would safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet said in a news release that it and the Armed Forces of the Philippines held a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Southeast Asian country's waters from Sunday to Monday in support of "a free and open Indo-Pacific."
While blaming the Philippines for "disrupting peace and stability" in the South China Sea through joint patrols with non-regional countries, the Chinese military warned it would safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
Taiwan in hot and heavy fight over $40 billion US arms deal
While the United States and China spar over the future of Taiwan, political antagonists on the self-ruling island are deploying strategies in parliament to persuade one of the two superpowers to take their side.
President Lai Ching-te and his Democratic Progressive Party want to ensure a permanent separation from mainland China. To accomplish that, Lai believes Taiwan needs to persuade the US to back the policy with both diplomatic and, especially, military help to deter a possible Chinese invasion.
Because current US President Donald Trump demands economic benefits for the US in return, along with signs that Taiwan wants to defend itself, Lai is offering the US trade and the largest-ever purchases of US weapons in Taiwan’s history.
President Lai Ching-te and his Democratic Progressive Party want to ensure a permanent separation from mainland China. To accomplish that, Lai believes Taiwan needs to persuade the US to back the policy with both diplomatic and, especially, military help to deter a possible Chinese invasion.
Because current US President Donald Trump demands economic benefits for the US in return, along with signs that Taiwan wants to defend itself, Lai is offering the US trade and the largest-ever purchases of US weapons in Taiwan’s history.
Noah Smith: Time for the US to let Chinese EVs roll in
It might come as a surprise that I’m writing a post advocating that the United States allow Chinese cars to be sold here. First of all, it’s well known that I view China as both an economic and a geopolitical threat to the US; I’ve repeatedly praised the US export controls that stop China from buying American chips and chipmaking equipment.
I’ve urged Europe to use trade barriers to make sure that sudden waves of subsidized Chinese goods don’t forcibly deindustrialize its economy. And when it comes to tariffs, I’ve argued that targeted tariffs on final consumption goods (e.g. cars) are less economically harmful and more effective than other kinds of tariffs.
Given all of that, you wouldn’t think I’d write a post saying “America should buy Chinese cars after all.” Yet here we are.
Read more
I’ve urged Europe to use trade barriers to make sure that sudden waves of subsidized Chinese goods don’t forcibly deindustrialize its economy. And when it comes to tariffs, I’ve argued that targeted tariffs on final consumption goods (e.g. cars) are less economically harmful and more effective than other kinds of tariffs.
Given all of that, you wouldn’t think I’d write a post saying “America should buy Chinese cars after all.” Yet here we are.
Read more
Xi Jinping's trust in China's top generals appears to wane
Over the weekend, it emerged that authorities in China have opened investigations into two senior figures at the top of the People's Liberation Army for "serious disciplinary violations" — a phrase commonly used in Chinese official communications to refer to corruption.
Those affected include top general Zhang Youxia, who is one of President Xi Jinping's closest allies in the military and one of the two deputy chairmen of the powerful Central Military Commission. Another senior general, Liu Zhenli, is also being investigated. Both have been removed from their posts.
The Central Military Commission is the collective command body overseeing all of China's armed forces — the army, navy, air force and nuclear-armed rocket forces — as well as the armed police and the militia. Its chairman is Xi, who, in addition to being the country's president, also serves as the ruling Communist Party's general secretary.
Among the three top posts Xi holds, the chairmanship of the military commission is widely considered the most powerful. According to Article 93 of China's constitution, it is the chairman of the commission — not the president, as is often assumed — who commands the armed forces.
Those affected include top general Zhang Youxia, who is one of President Xi Jinping's closest allies in the military and one of the two deputy chairmen of the powerful Central Military Commission. Another senior general, Liu Zhenli, is also being investigated. Both have been removed from their posts.
The Central Military Commission is the collective command body overseeing all of China's armed forces — the army, navy, air force and nuclear-armed rocket forces — as well as the armed police and the militia. Its chairman is Xi, who, in addition to being the country's president, also serves as the ruling Communist Party's general secretary.
Among the three top posts Xi holds, the chairmanship of the military commission is widely considered the most powerful. According to Article 93 of China's constitution, it is the chairman of the commission — not the president, as is often assumed — who commands the armed forces.
Vietnam and the EU upgrade ties as US tariffs reshape global trade
Vietnam and the European Union on Thursday upgraded ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, Vietnam’s highest diplomatic level, as both recalibrate trade amid disruptions to global finance driven by U.S. tariff pressure. The upgrade places the EU on the same diplomatic footing as the United States, China and Russia and was announced during a visit to Hanoi by European Council President António Costa.
“At a moment when the international rules-based order is under threat from multiple sides, we need to stand side by side as reliable and predictable partners,” Costa said, adding that the partnership is about “developing spheres of shared prosperity.”
Costa arrived in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi after India and the European Union reached a free trade agreement on Tuesday after nearly two decades of negotiation.
“At a moment when the international rules-based order is under threat from multiple sides, we need to stand side by side as reliable and predictable partners,” Costa said, adding that the partnership is about “developing spheres of shared prosperity.”
Costa arrived in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi after India and the European Union reached a free trade agreement on Tuesday after nearly two decades of negotiation.
China executes 11 members of gang who ran billion-dollar criminal empire in Myanmar
China has executed 11 members of the notorious Ming family criminal gang, who ran mafia-like scam centers in Myanmar and killed workers who tried to escape, Chinese state media reported on Thursday.
The Ming family was one of the so-called four families of northern Myanmar — crime syndicates accused of running hundreds of compounds dealing in internet fraud, prostitution and drug production, and whose members held prominent positions in the local government and militia aligned with Myanmar’s ruling junta. The 11 people executed were sentenced to death in September after being found guilty of crimes including homicide, illegal detention, and fraud, Xinhua news agency reported.
The Ming family was one of the so-called four families of northern Myanmar — crime syndicates accused of running hundreds of compounds dealing in internet fraud, prostitution and drug production, and whose members held prominent positions in the local government and militia aligned with Myanmar’s ruling junta. The 11 people executed were sentenced to death in September after being found guilty of crimes including homicide, illegal detention, and fraud, Xinhua news agency reported.
As Trump upends alliances, Britain says it needs a ‘more sophisticated’ relationship with China
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said it was “vital” to build a “more sophisticated relationship” with China as he made the first visit of a British leader to the country in eight years. Starmer’s four-day trip comes as he looks to mend strained ties with the world’s second biggest economy in the face of global frictions unleashed by Britain’s closest ally the United States.
“China is a vital player on the global stage, and it’s vital that we build a more sophisticated relationship,” Starmer told Chinese leader Xi Jinping in a meeting at Beijing’s ornate Great Hall of the People on Thursday.“Our international partnerships help us deliver the security and prosperity the British people deserve, and that is why I’ve long been clear that the UK and China need a long term, consistent, and comprehensive strategic partnership,” he said.
China-made humanoid robots set sights on Middle East and U.S. markets
Chinese humanoid robots are on the verge of coming to the U.S. — before Elon Musk is ready to sell his Optimus machines. During my visits to China’s “Silicon Valley,” Shenzhen, over the last two years, I saw humanoid startup LimX Dynamics move from a bare-bones facility to a modern office tower with sweeping views — and bolder ambitions.
Now, the company is exploring business collaborations in the U.S., founder Will Zhang told me in an exclusive interview last week. Just days earlier, the startup showed off its humanoid robot at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It’s all part of LimX’s push to go global through local partners, including investors.
Now, the company is exploring business collaborations in the U.S., founder Will Zhang told me in an exclusive interview last week. Just days earlier, the startup showed off its humanoid robot at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It’s all part of LimX’s push to go global through local partners, including investors.
Abonner på:
Kommentarer (Atom)