-
Sept. 3, 2025The Mother, the Son and the War
On Xi Jinping's mother, Qi Xin, and the Japanese invasion that shaped her — and, later, her son's telling of history.
-
Foreign PolicyJune 6, 2025Xi Jinping's Father, Xi Zhongxun, Was a Party Man First
On the myth-making around Xi Zhongxun and what it does — and doesn't — explain about his son.
-
May 29, 2025The Life of Saint Xi
A review essay on the Party's ten-volume “oral history” series on Xi Jinping's career — hagiography dressed as history.
-
May 8, 2024Who Tells the Stories of Chinese Leaders? On Two New Biographies
A review of biographies of Zhou Enlai and Hua Guofeng, and what factional narrative-making in Chinese politics reveals about how Xi Jinping has shaped his own story.
-
Foreign PolicyNov. 15, 2023Paywall
Taiwan's Room to Maneuver Shrinks as Xi and Biden Meet
As the latest crisis in the straits wraps up, Taipei is on the back foot.
-
Financial TimesSept. 21, 2019PaywallWhy Taiwan Is Unfinished Business for Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping looks at Taiwan through the lens of the Communist Revolution.
-
Financial TimesMay 26, 2019Paywall
Beijing's Relentless March to Eliminate Poverty
An inside look at China's campaign to conquer poverty.
-
Financial TimesOct. 25, 2017Free to read
Inside China's Secret ‘Magic Weapon’ for Worldwide Influence
Xi Jinping quietly ramps up a Communist Party department to expand Beijing's soft power.
-
Financial TimesOct. 9, 2017Free to read
The Dr Seuss Theory of China Industrial Policy
Beijing's ‘Made in China 2025’ plan risks global damage on the industries it targets.
-
Financial TimesSept. 13, 2017Paywall
Opaque Chinese Oil Group Makes Clear Gains in Former Soviet Bloc
Investigation into CEFC, an oil company with state security ties.
-
Financial TimesJune 2, 2017Free to read
Who Owns HNA, China's Most Aggressive Dealmaker?
The mysterious ownership of airline-to-finance conglomerate HNA.
-
Financial TimesMarch 27, 2017Free to read
A Bigger Catch: China's Fishing Fleet Hunts New Ocean Targets
As fish stocks collapse, Beijing's subsidies send vessels far and wide for squid.
-
Financial TimesMarch 12, 2017Paywall
Fake China Data: Was It Just One Province?
An alternative GDP index shows slowing growth in China's inland provinces.
-
Financial TimesDec. 2, 2015Free to read
China's Missing Children
Thousands are trafficked each year. But parents are working together to fight organised kidnapping.
-
Financial TimesOct. 12, 2015Free to read
China's Great Game: Road to a New Empire
A modern Silk Road is Beijing's signature foreign policy.
-
Financial TimesSept. 1, 2015Free to read
Chinese Environment: Ground Operation
Soil pollution is a $1tn problem that causes serious illnesses and contaminates crops. But can Beijing afford to clean it up?
-
Financial TimesAug. 30, 2015Paywall
China's Communists Embrace an Old Enemy
Ahead of the anniversary of the end of World War II, the PRC begins to acknowledge the KMT's contribution to the war.
-
Financial TimesAug. 6, 2015Paywall
China Migration: Dying for Land
Urbanisation is leading to violent clashes between developers and farmers amid a fight for control of the land.
-
Financial TimesMarch 20, 2015Free to read
China's ‘Comfort Women’
Thousands of Chinese women were forced into sex slavery during the Second World War. Here is one survivor's story.
-
Financial TimesJan. 27, 2015Free to read
Breakneck Growth of Hanergy Raises Questions
The Chinese company that promised to revolutionise the way solar power is used comes under financial scrutiny.
-
Financial TimesSept. 1, 2014Free to read
The Fight for ‘China's Sorrow’
Can Beijing prevent the Yellow River running dry?
