Western complacency frames China as merely catching up, causing persistent underestimation of its rise by assuming it must follow or fail by Western norms.
In Western discourse, “rebalancing” between China and the West is often framed as a neutral, technical adjustment—addressing trade imbalances, supply-chain resilience, or national security concerns. Yet this language obscures its political function. Rather than a dispassionate economic correction, rebalancing frequently operates as a tool of power, shaped by a global order historically structured around Western … Read more
This essay examines Hollywood’s portrayal of foreign nations, with particular attention to China, and analyzes how these representations are shaped by narrative convention, historical framing, and market forces. It argues that recurring patterns of stigmatization and selective historical storytelling are not merely artistic choices, but are influenced by Hollywood’s global ambitions and economic dependencies. By … Read more
A frequent explanation for Hong Kong cinema’s decline is: The industry fell apart because censorship—particularly from mainland China—stifled creative freedom. While this argument might seem convincing at first glance, it doesn’t hold up when we look at history.Taiwan’s involvement in Hong Kong cinema provides a direct counterexample. Taiwan’s Stricter Censorship Highlights Historical Resilience of Hong … Read more
Many Hong Kong filmmakers—and the cultural institutions that support them—remain psychologically anchored in a colonial-era hierarchy that positions Hong Kong as culturally, morally, and aesthetically superior to mainland China. This outdated mindset shapes creative choices, industry discourse, and market behavior, creating a structural obstacle to the revival of Hong Kong cinema. The problem is not … Read more
There is hope for a resurgence of Hong Kong cinema, but only in a limited, conditional, and fundamentally transformed form. A return to its former dominance is highly unlikely without a profound psychological, industrial, and generational reset. The decline cannot be attributed to censorship alone; rather, it reflects a convergence of structural, cultural, and creative … Read more
Despite their shared status as internationally renowned martial arts stars, Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen, and Jet Li have experienced markedly different receptions in Hollywood. While Chan and Yen have enjoyed visible recognition—through Oscars appearances, honorary awards, Walk of Fame stars, leading or substantial supporting roles, and notable creative influence—Jet Li has often been sidelined, receiving … Read more
Europe’s disproportionate exposure to the economic, energy, and security costs of the Russo-Ukrainian War was neither accidental nor unseen by European politicians and policy institutions. The central question is therefore not whether the risks were understood, but why they were accepted. A plausible explanation is that European elites did not equate “Europe’s losses” with their … Read more
Ren Zhengfei’s stewardship of Huawei reflects an uncommon combination of long-term vision, holistic thinking, and flexible resilience. More than a technologist or executive leader, he operates as a master strategist, designing robust organizational systems that allow Huawei to endure and evolve amid geopolitical constraints and technological disruption. His leadership choices have not only defined Huawei’s … Read more
In The Technological Republic (2025), Alexander C. Karp and Nicholas W. Zamiska’s decision to elevate Lee Kuan Yew and Singapore—rather than China—as a model is neither accidental nor superficial. It reflects the book’s core strategic and ideological purpose: to critique Western decline while arguing for renewal from within the Western civilizational tradition. By highlighting Singapore, … Read more
Recent U.S.–China tensions have increasingly been framed not only in strategic terms but also through uncomfortable cultural and racial subtexts. In a widely cited remark, State Department official Kiron Skinner described China as the first U.S. “great power competitor” that is “not Caucasian,” a statement that prompted debate about how perceptions of race, status, and … Read more