33 h. ago China’s soft power, Cathay flight leaves dozens stranded: 5 weekend reads

We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. China warns countries not to sign US trade deals at its expense 2. Why China may be keeping a close eye as Trump gets drawn into the Middle East 3. Dozens left stranded by Hong Kong’s Cathay after flight from New York cancelled 4. Palace intrigue conquers global screens: has China cast its new...

Politics

63 h. ago Palace intrigue conquers global screens: has China cast its new soft power?

Over the past month, one of the biggest hit streaming shows globally has been a fictional drama about a young man who plots revenge after his family is murdered. The made-in-China historical fantasy is the latest major production to showcase the growing international influence of one of the country’s fastest growing cultural exports – storytelling. In the week after its May 18 debut, Legend of Zang Hai topped multiple overseas rankings in 15 regions, including the No 1 spot on Disney+ in Taiwan...

Politics

5 d. ago Top court sets up special office for lawyers' rights protection

Top court sets up special office for lawyers' rights protection  China.org.cn

Society

5 d. ago As China Courts the Caribbean, Some See Loss of US Soft Power

As China Courts the Caribbean, Some See Loss of US Soft Power  Nearshore Americas

Events

5 d. ago Before the US Realizes the Cost, China Is Rapidly Gaining Soft Power Ground

Before the US Realizes the Cost, China Is Rapidly Gaining Soft Power Ground  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine

Economics

6 d. ago Beijing court convicts 60 for drug smuggling over past decade

Beijing court convicts 60 for drug smuggling over past decade  China Daily

Events

8 d. ago Labubu plushies aren’t just toys. They’re a brand new frontier for Chinese soft power

Labubu plushies aren’t just toys. They’re a brand new frontier for Chinese soft power  The Conversation

Politics

1 week ago Pakistan’s strongman courts US while drawing closer to China

Pakistan’s strongman courts US while drawing closer to China  Financial Times

Events

2 w. ago China’s supreme court releases facial recognition violation cases in crackdown

China’s supreme court releases facial recognition violation cases in crackdown  Biometric Update

Events

2 w. ago Shanghai firm sues to liquidate Hozon amid EV maker’s financial struggles

The cutthroat competition in mainland China’s electric vehicle (EV) market threatens to sink Hozon New Energy Automobile, as the maker of Neta-branded cars faces a lawsuit from a Shanghai-based advertising agency that wants the debt-ridden company to be liquidated. According to a document recently published on the National Enterprise Bankruptcy Information Disclosure Platform, a court in Jiaxing, in eastern China’s Zhejiang province, is reviewing the bankruptcy case after Shanghai Yuxing...

Economics

2 w. ago Is China eyeing New Hampshire’s water as part of a ‘soft power invasion’?

Is China eyeing New Hampshire’s water as part of a ‘soft power invasion’?  NewsNation

Events

2 w. ago Trade Talks Latest: Trump Says China Deal Done, Court Says Tariffs Can Stay for Now

Trade Talks Latest: Trump Says China Deal Done, Court Says Tariffs Can Stay for Now  Barron's

Politics

2 w. ago From AI to chips: China courts private tech firms to help drive next 5

China has signalled growing support for the private sector, as the head of the government department that oversees economic reform sat down with representatives of the tech industry to gather input ahead of Beijing’s next five-year development blueprint, analysts said. Zheng Shanjie, chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), met leaders from five private enterprises to “gather opinions and suggestions for the scientific formulation of the ‘15th Five-Year Plan’, with a...

Economics

2 w. ago Trump tariffs live updates: US, China agree on plan to ease trade tensions as US appeals court allows tariffs to remain in effect

Trump tariffs live updates: US, China agree on plan to ease trade tensions as US appeals court allows tariffs to remain in effect  Yahoo Finance

Events

2 w. ago China's vice president visits Spain as mutual courtship blossoms

China's vice president visits Spain as mutual courtship blossoms  Reuters

Politics

3 w. ago Why China youth find special spots to cry away stress, like Forbidden City, courthouses

A growing number of young Chinese adults in search of emotional release are taking things to a new geographical level. They have turned to designated so-called City Cry spots such as courthouses, psychiatric hospitals, and even tourist landmarks like the Forbidden City, to freely weep in public. Young Chinese people are increasingly overwhelmed by work stress, rising unemployment, economic uncertainty, and a growing sense of urban fatigue, prompting many to seek emotional release. Experienced...

Events

3 w. ago Explainer | Why China youth find special spots to cry away stress, like Forbidden City, courthouses

Explainer | Why China youth find special spots to cry away stress, like Forbidden City, courthouses  South China Morning Post

Events

4 w. ago China’s courtroom espionage strategy demands a federal response

China’s courtroom espionage strategy demands a federal response  The Hill

Events