to bridge the Pacific Ocean

To bridge the Pacific Ocean. The social, political, and economic contexts shaping U.S.–China relations; how China and other countries are carefully recalculating their national interests; and the misunderstandings between China and the United States—particularly how deep-rooted cultural, historical, social, economic, and governance differences shape each country’s worldview.

Understanding Anti-Chinese Discrimination Overseas

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The experience of discrimination against Chinese people abroad is a complex, multi-dimensional issue. It is shaped by historical migration trends, cultural norms, social perceptions, structural inequalities, and personal reactions. This analysis brings together viewpoints from Chinese individuals, outside observers, and researchers, drawing on lived experiences, social practices, and wider systemic influences. 1. Historical and Cultural … Read more

Why Math Olympiads Miss Research Talent in Education Systems

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I. Mathematical Competitions vs. Mathematical Research 1. The Nature of the IMO and Competitive Mathematics The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is designed to evaluate a very specific set of skills, emphasizing speed, precision, and mastery of elementary topics such as combinatorics, geometry, number theory, and algebra. Participants are trained to recognize patterns quickly, apply technical … Read more

Chinese Americans Reassess Identity Against China’s Rise

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I. The Provocation: Generational Tensions in the Immigrant Experience The provocation at the heart of this generational conflict between first- and second-generation Chinese Americans is not a rejection of immigration itself, but a pointed critique of the assumptions that have underpinned the immigrant journey. Second-generation Chinese Americans, often referred to as ABCs (American-born Chinese), argue … Read more

Why Europe Escaped Overwork While U.S. and East Asia Didn’t

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Level 1: How Institutional Design Governs Work Behavior Before Culture Does At the most fundamental level, patterns of work and competition are determined less by cultural values than by the institutional environments in which individuals operate. When incentives, constraints, and protections are structured in specific ways, behavior adjusts accordingly. Europe offers a clear illustration of … Read more

From Short-Term Gains to Global Power: Cold War Beneficiaries

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The Cold War, lasting roughly from 1947 to 1991, shaped global geopolitics, economics, and technology. Its consequences were uneven: some nations were immediate short-term beneficiaries, while others gained in the long term. This analysis categorizes the effects on major countries and regions and explores China’s unique position. I. The United States: The Ultimate Winner? 1. … Read more

Why China Resists Containment Unlike the Soviet Union

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1. Civilizational and Cultural Foundations 1.1 Ethnic Continuity and Civilizational Resilience in Comparative Perspective China and the Soviet Union were both multi-ethnic polities, yet their internal cohesion and long-term resilience differed in fundamental ways. China has historically been anchored by a dominant and enduring cultural core, shaped by a civilization with several millennia of continuity. … Read more

What If China Is Cut Off from SWIFT?

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SWIFT Explained: Its Function and Real Significance in Global Finance SWIFT, the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, plays a central role in the modern global financial system by enabling secure and standardized communication between banks and financial institutions. Its core function is to transmit payment instructions and other financial messages across borders with speed … Read more

U.S.-China Global Dynamic: How Rivalry Drives Mutual Gain

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I. The De Facto “G2” Economic Loop A. Mutual Benefit Through Asymmetric Global Roles For decades, the United States and China have functioned as a de facto “G2,” quietly orchestrating a global economic system that primarily serves their own interests. Their roles are complementary and asymmetric: the United States issues the world’s reserve currency, consumes … Read more

China’s Military-Industrial Rise and U.S.–China Tech Race

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Unlike the U.S. defense industry’s evolution toward privatization, consolidation, and an emphasis on high-margin experimental systems, China has pursued a state-directed, integrated, and gradual modernization strategy. Beginning in the 1950s, China prioritized centralized coordination, built a comprehensive military-industrial foundation, and systematically adapted civilian technologies for military use. This long-term approach has enabled China to steadily … Read more

TikTok Hearing Exposes Identity Crisis in U.S.–China Rivalry

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I. Trigger Event: The Tom Cotton–Shou Zi Chew Hearing 1. What Happened During a congressional hearing in February 2024, U.S. Senator Tom Cotton repeatedly pressed TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew with questions centered on Chew’s personal background rather than the company’s operations. Cotton fixated on Chew’s nationality, asking whether he had ever applied for Chinese … Read more