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Yew Lun Tian
For Yew Lun Tian's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing in October last year.
WORLD / Politics
Mar 19, 2024
Putin to travel to China in May for talks with Xi, sources say
The visit could be the Kremlin chief's first overseas trip of his new presidential term.
Guards raise Taiwan's national flag on the Democracy Boulevard at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei on Sunday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Jan 16, 2024
China plays waiting game in run-up to Taiwan inauguration
China's muted response to the weekend victory by Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te may be the start of an uneasy four months before he takes office.
China has cast Taiwan's Jan. 13 presidential and parliamentary elections as a choice between war and peace, warning that an attempt to push for the island's formal independence means conflict.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 3, 2024
'Hawkish' China likely to squeeze Taiwan militarily after poll
With both the DPP and KMT pledging to bolster the island's defenses, Beijing is expected to continue its saber-rattling regardless who emerges victorious in the polls.
Chinese President Xi Jinping during a military parade in October 2019
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 31, 2023
Sweeping Chinese military purge exposes weakness and could widen
China's top lawmakers ousted nine senior military officers from the national legislative body on Friday, state media reported.
People wait to board trains at the Hongqiao railway station in Shanghai ahead of the National Day holiday on Sept. 28.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Dec 7, 2023
China holds back from easing of Mao-era rules, in blow to economy
An internal passport system has largely tethered people's destinies to their place of origin since the 1950s.
A member of the Chinese military holds a microphone emblazoned with the symbol of the Beijing Xiangshan Forum in Beijing on Sunday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 29, 2023
China kick-starts Xiangshan Forum in absence of defense minister
China's biggest annual show of military diplomacy started Sunday, as Beijing looks to draw developing countries closer in its rivalry with the U.S.
Pedestrians pass stores in Guangzhou. Economists say China needs measures to boost consumption and business confidence, but add that unlike previous slowdowns, there is no quick fix.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 18, 2023
Why is China not rushing to fix its ailing economy?
Even in a country known for opaque decision-making, analysts are pointing to signs that Beijing seems hesitant to deliver the bold policies needed.
Then-Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang attends a news conference in Beijing on May 23.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Aug 1, 2023
China's ex-foreign minister is gone but wait for explanation goes on
A Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Thursday said Beijing will release information in a timely matter regarding Qin Gang and opposes "malicious hype."
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 13, 2023
China's security hits embassy activities and LGBTQ events, some diplomats say
The challenges facing diplomats, mostly from Western nations, come as Chinese President Xi Jinping continues to wage his national security campaign.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
May 21, 2023
No joke: China's backlash against stand-up stirs fear of comedy clampdown
A Beijing-based comedian said a number of their shows had been canceled in the wake of a joke about the military.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
May 9, 2023
China's return to global stage checked by national security focus
Beijing's emphasis on security threatens to turn its re-engagement with the world after years of COVID curbs into a new era of isolation from the West, analysts say.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 11, 2023
A punch in the face for Xi caricature: Taiwan air force badge goes viral
Chinese censors have long targeted representations of Winnie the Pooh over internet memes that compare the fictional bear to China's president.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Mar 7, 2023
'Xi Jinping's guy': Longtime acolyte Li Qiang set to be China's next premier
Leadership watchers say Li Qiang's closeness to Xi is both a strength and a vulnerability: While he has Xi's trust, he is beholden to his longtime patron.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech / FOCUS
Nov 29, 2022
Behind Foxconn’s China woes: Mistrust, miscommunication and COVID curbs
Tens of thousands of workers fled the company's plant in central China and violent protests erupted over a COVID-19 lockdown and confusion over hiring bonuses.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 11, 2022
What to look for in China's Communist Party leadership reshuffle
It's difficult to predict the makeup of Xi Jinping's next Politburo Standing Committee, including who replaces No. 2 leader Li Keqiang as premier when he retires from the post in March.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 13, 2022
Xi to meet Putin in first trip outside China since start of pandemic
The trip shows Xi is confident about both his grip on power at home and about his role as a world leader at a time of renewed great power friction.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Aug 13, 2022
China's sharper focus on military option for Taiwan raises risks with U.S.
Security analysts expect Chinese forces, particularly the navy, to maintain extensive patrols around Taiwan, pushing over the median line.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Aug 8, 2022
With military drills near Taiwan, Xi tries to salvage Pelosi crisis
Chinese leader Xi Jinping may not have been able to stop Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, but he has ordered his country's military to rehearse for a much more aggressive step.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jul 31, 2022
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi begins Asia tour with no mention of Taiwan
Pelosi will lead a congressional delegation to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, according to a statement on Sunday.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 23, 2022
U.N. Human Rights chief due to arrive in China for historic visit
The May 23 to 28 trip has been long in the making after the commissioner said in 2018 she wanted unfettered access to Xinjiang.

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