TikTok’s office in Culver City, California, is seen on March 13. The app has become for many a symbol of concern about China in the US. Photo: Reuters

On Balance | US TikTok hysteria pushes key questions about the app to the margins

US presidential candidates lack consistent attitude towards TikTok as legislation that would ban the app passes the House of Representatives. Amid widening technology gap, US must reflect on why an algorithm developed in China gained prominence within the American market.

4 hours ago

Opinion | Middle powers’ global clout is growing but not in power politics

The growing influence of middle powers – those too small to be superpowers but still seen as ranking above developing countries – can shape global events. But, as long as great powers can ignore them with unilateral action or by using their veto, this influence is unlikely to shake the core of power politics.

The growing influence of middle powers – those too small to be superpowers but still seen as ranking above developing countries – can shape global events. But, as long as great powers can ignore them with unilateral action or by using their veto, this influence is unlikely to shake the core of power politics.

15 Mar 2024 - 9:09PM

Opinion | The real reason for US, EU gripes about Chinese overcapacity

They are defensive because China threatens their dominance in advanced manufacturing, but fail to see how Chinese manufacturing helps the global energy transition and benefits Global South consumers.

They are defensive because China threatens their dominance in advanced manufacturing, but fail to see how Chinese manufacturing helps the global energy transition and benefits Global South consumers.

15 Mar 2024 - 5:30AM

My Take | Taiwan is undermining its own ‘silicon shield’

For an economy that relies so much on microchips from the low end to the most advanced, its worsening relationship with Beijing is forcing others to diversify critical supply chains and production facilities.

For an economy that relies so much on microchips from the low end to the most advanced, its worsening relationship with Beijing is forcing others to diversify critical supply chains and production facilities.

14 Mar 2024 - 9:00PM

Opinion | Another victory for Biden is possible if he’s willing to take risks

US President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address was received positively and shows he has what it takes to beat Donald Trump. Biden must address tangible issues such as the economy to win over rural Americans but can run on restoring abortion rights.

US President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address was received positively and shows he has what it takes to beat Donald Trump. Biden must address tangible issues such as the economy to win over rural Americans but can run on restoring abortion rights.

14 Mar 2024 - 8:32PM

Opinion

US presidential candidates lack consistent attitude towards TikTok as legislation that would ban the app passes the House of Representatives. Amid widening technology gap, US must reflect on why an algorithm developed in China gained prominence within the American market.

4 hours ago
15 Mar 2024 - 9:09PM
15 Mar 2024 - 5:30AM

MORE STORIES

President Xi Jinping (front row, left) and Premier Li Qiang (front row, right) arrive for the closing session of the 14th National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 11. Photo: AFP

The View | Why isn’t China doing more to lift its economy, and Asia’s?

Beijing has shown no urgency at its NPC meeting to reboot or stimulate its economy in a way that would support its target, dashing the hopes of its neighbours worried about the drag from an economic giant fighting decline.

13 Mar 2024 - 4:30PM

The View | However innovative, China needs a network to become chip self-sufficient

The Western semiconductor landscape is an intertwined global network, fostered by decades of collaborative research and intellectual property sharing. Beijing must learn to marshal its domestic and international resources in a similar way to realise its ambitions.

The Western semiconductor landscape is an intertwined global network, fostered by decades of collaborative research and intellectual property sharing. Beijing must learn to marshal its domestic and international resources in a similar way to realise its ambitions.

12 Mar 2024 - 9:12PM

Macroscope | China’s rise as world’s green factory has put West on the back foot

China’s growing dominance in solar panels, electric cars and batteries is putting US and European manufacturers at a disadvantage and is attracting defensive hostility.

China’s growing dominance in solar panels, electric cars and batteries is putting US and European manufacturers at a disadvantage and is attracting defensive hostility.

9 Mar 2024 - 5:30PM

Opinion | Second Trump term would worsen Palestinian cause

The former US president has a track record of helping Israel at the Palestinians’ expense. If he wins a second term, Donald Trump’s foreign policy could lead to increased warfare in the region.

The former US president has a track record of helping Israel at the Palestinians’ expense. If he wins a second term, Donald Trump’s foreign policy could lead to increased warfare in the region.

9 Mar 2024 - 7:59AM

Opinion | Focus on industrial policy holds promise, and risk, for China’s economy

As China pursues its economic goals, it must pay attention to the delicate balance between ambitious growth and the sustainable management of resources. Pursuing economic growth via domestic industrial policy without due caution risks making inequality worse and exacerbating trade frictions with other countries.

As China pursues its economic goals, it must pay attention to the delicate balance between ambitious growth and the sustainable management of resources. Pursuing economic growth via domestic industrial policy without due caution risks making inequality worse and exacerbating trade frictions with other countries.

8 Mar 2024 - 4:30PM

Opinion | As Trump 2.0 looms, China and EU must overcome their differences

Trump is likely to escalate hostilities against China and the EU, with higher tariffs and a possible US exit from Nato. To prepare, Beijing and Brussels must start tackling their geopolitical, security and trade differences.

Trump is likely to escalate hostilities against China and the EU, with higher tariffs and a possible US exit from Nato. To prepare, Beijing and Brussels must start tackling their geopolitical, security and trade differences.

6 Mar 2024 - 9:36PM

Opinion | Young people will support healthy US-China ties if we support them

Enrolment numbers of Americans in Chinese universities are historically low amid strained bilateral relations. China should get creative with policies to attract students and young professionals from the US and around the world.

Enrolment numbers of Americans in Chinese universities are historically low amid strained bilateral relations. China should get creative with policies to attract students and young professionals from the US and around the world.

6 Mar 2024 - 5:40PM

Opinion | When US politicians succumb to China bashing, America pays the price

China bashing, which has intensified ahead of the US presidential election, is shortsighted, undermines justified criticism of China and, critically, distracts from America’s real challenges.

China bashing, which has intensified ahead of the US presidential election, is shortsighted, undermines justified criticism of China and, critically, distracts from America’s real challenges.

6 Mar 2024 - 6:14AM

Opinion | What the China-North Korea ‘friendship year’ means for the region

The 75th anniversary of Beijing-Pyongyang diplomatic relations comes as Seoul is fears being left out in the cold by Tokyo’s overtures to North Korea. Given that it doesn’t make sense for Beijing to abandon Pyongyang or Seoul, China is more likely to play the role of mediator.

The 75th anniversary of Beijing-Pyongyang diplomatic relations comes as Seoul is fears being left out in the cold by Tokyo’s overtures to North Korea. Given that it doesn’t make sense for Beijing to abandon Pyongyang or Seoul, China is more likely to play the role of mediator.

5 Mar 2024 - 10:13AM

On Balance | Culture war being waged by Republicans is not winning over all Americans

As the Republican Party undergoes an ideological shift, some of its more prominent members are seeking to roll back rights and limit free expression. However, pop culture trends show that many still reject far-right explanations of inequality and political alienation.

As the Republican Party undergoes an ideological shift, some of its more prominent members are seeking to roll back rights and limit free expression. However, pop culture trends show that many still reject far-right explanations of inequality and political alienation.

4 Mar 2024 - 8:30PM

Opinion | Why 2024 just might be the year for alternative candidates in the US

Americans have expressed a lack of enthusiasm for the two major presidential candidates. Increased polarisation and democratic backsliding could push voters to consider third-party or independent challengers.

Americans have expressed a lack of enthusiasm for the two major presidential candidates. Increased polarisation and democratic backsliding could push voters to consider third-party or independent challengers.

1 Mar 2024 - 8:30PM

Opinion | Why Trump’s return wouldn’t concern China much

Donald Trump’s intentions towards China are clear, Beijing has seen him off before and this time, the US has less economic leverage, ironically, thanks to its decoupling efforts. If anything, Trump 2.0 will alienate the world.

Donald Trump’s intentions towards China are clear, Beijing has seen him off before and this time, the US has less economic leverage, ironically, thanks to its decoupling efforts. If anything, Trump 2.0 will alienate the world.

29 Feb 2024 - 6:09AM

Opinion | Gaza war gives Global South powers a chance to provide moral leadership

Political deadlock at the UN Security Council and divisions in major democracies are stonewalling a ceasefire in Gaza as the death toll is expected to reach 30,000. China and other major powers must step up to provide relief and manage contradictions in the world system.

Political deadlock at the UN Security Council and divisions in major democracies are stonewalling a ceasefire in Gaza as the death toll is expected to reach 30,000. China and other major powers must step up to provide relief and manage contradictions in the world system.

29 Feb 2024 - 7:59AM

Opinion | Why I am making ‘good trouble’ for Hong Kong, the city I love

Even with the city’s famed Phoenix-like ability to rise from setbacks, it may be beyond Hong Kong to overcome the triple whammy of a loss of its high degree of political autonomy, the protracted malaise of the mainland economy, and the US-China power struggle. This sobering view should serve as a wake-up call.

Even with the city’s famed Phoenix-like ability to rise from setbacks, it may be beyond Hong Kong to overcome the triple whammy of a loss of its high degree of political autonomy, the protracted malaise of the mainland economy, and the US-China power struggle. This sobering view should serve as a wake-up call.

27 Feb 2024 - 10:13AM

Inside Out | Is an AI revolution truly under way? Not so fast

While generative AI holds transformative promise for some, for others it heralds large-scale job losses and widespread ethical and security challenges. Even if this technological revolution lives up to its potential, it is clear its benefits will take years to reach consumers and firms in poorer countries.

While generative AI holds transformative promise for some, for others it heralds large-scale job losses and widespread ethical and security challenges. Even if this technological revolution lives up to its potential, it is clear its benefits will take years to reach consumers and firms in poorer countries.

25 Feb 2024 - 9:16PM