Economy
-
China’s Quiet Digital Expansion Is Anything but Subtle
China is quietly reshaping the digital landscape. From entertainment and e-commerce platforms including TikTok and Lazada, to breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and technological manufacturing, Chinese firms are extending influence across Asia, Europe, and beyond. Although, Western nations have imposed export controls, restrictions, and regulatory barriers, China adapts and innovates within…
-
China’s Nickel Empire: The Hidden Costs of Green Tech and AI Ambitions in Indonesia
China’s drive to dominate the green-tech and AI supply chains has turned Indonesia into one of the world’s leading producers of nickel. Industrial growth has brought jobs and improved local infrastructure, but it has also accelerated deforestation, excreted waste into rivers, and harmed the livelihood of traditional communities. The transformation…
-
Coercion by the Kilogram: Rare Earths and the Next Phase of US–China Competition
On April 4, 2025, China’s Ministry of Commerce imposed new licensing requirements on exports of seven rare earth elements (REEs) and their associated products, including permanent magnets. While not an outright ban, this move adds regulatory friction to the global supply of critical materials such as samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium,…
-
Reassessing Market Commitments: Foreign Firms Exit China Amid Mounting Political and Economic Uncertainty
Foreign direct investment (FDI) was a cornerstone of China’s rapid economic ascent over the past five decades, but recent years have seen a sharp decline. While sluggish post-COVID recovery is often cited as the primary cause, equally important are the Chinese government’s assertive domestic and foreign policies. Artificially subsidized local…
Sino-Southeast Initiative 