A young girl of about 5 years old is seen in profile as she stands with her parents in a crowd of people waiting to pass through security to enter Tiananmen Square. Her face is seen in dappled sunlight, in contrast to the shaded background, where all the adults are obscured in shadow. Behind her, a man is holding two small Chinese flags in one hand and using his phone with the other.
A young girl of about 5 years old is seen in profile as she stands with her parents in a crowd of people waiting to pass through security to enter Tiananmen Square. Her face is seen in dappled sunlight, in contrast to the shaded background, where all the adults are obscured in shadow. Behind her, a man is holding two small Chinese flags in one hand and using his phone with the other.

Why Chinese Parents Don’t Want Two Kids

Beijing is pushing for bigger families, but the realities of childbirth and early parenting make it a hard sell.

U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. first lady Melania Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and his wife, Peng Liyuan, walk down the steps after a visit to the National Archives in Washington.
U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. first lady Melania Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and his wife, Peng Liyuan, walk down the steps after a visit to the National Archives in Washington.

Was Xi’s U.S. Visit a Bust?

In the U.S.-China relationship at present, nothing might be better than something.

About a dozen members of a U.S. military honor guard stand outside the White House, which looms at a slightly skewed angle in the background. The service members wear formal dress uniforms, including brimmed hats, and carry Chinese and U.S. flags.
About a dozen members of a U.S. military honor guard stand outside the White House, which looms at a slightly skewed angle in the background. The service members wear formal dress uniforms, including brimmed hats, and carry Chinese and U.S. flags.

Don’t Expect Fireworks From the Trump-Xi Summit

Trade, minerals, and AI are on the agenda, but breakthroughs are unlikely.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose for photos at Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose for photos at Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing.

Trump and Xi Won’t Find Common Ground on AI Safety

The leaders have fundamentally different ideas about the technology and how to regulate it.

An officer runs back to his position after correcting People’s Liberation Army soldiers during a practice for a military parade, in Beijing.
An officer runs back to his position after correcting People’s Liberation Army soldiers during a practice for a military parade, in Beijing.

Why Is China’s Officer Corps So Sprawling?

Not every People’s Liberation Army general commands troops.

Two men are seen walking toward the camera, barefoot on a muddy path still strewn with scattered puddles. Low-rise buildings are visible in a background, surrounded by lush green mountains.
Two men are seen walking toward the camera, barefoot on a muddy path still strewn with scattered puddles. Low-rise buildings are visible in a background, surrounded by lush green mountains.

Nepal’s Deadly Floods Put China and India on Edge

Geopolitical conflict will only get worse with climate change.

Humanoid robots are seen from slightly above as they compete in a 100-meter dash on a blue and white track. On the left, a silver and black robot is seen running toward the camera. On the right, a black and red robot has fallen to the ground, its limbs flailing.
Humanoid robots are seen from slightly above as they compete in a 100-meter dash on a blue and white track. On the left, a silver and black robot is seen running toward the camera. On the right, a black and red robot has fallen to the ground, its limbs flailing.

The U.S. Can’t Catch Up to China’s Robots by Banning Them

Rather than learn from its rival, Washington is trying to shut the door.

The beachside resort of Beidaihe is seen as China’s senior leaders gathered for their annual retreat.
The beachside resort of Beidaihe is seen as China’s senior leaders gathered for their annual retreat.

China’s Leaders Go on a Summer Retreat

Under Xi, the once-collective gathering has become something else.

A girl and a humanoid robot stand across from each other in mirrored positions with both arms raised overhead, like fifth position in ballet. The girl is seen from behind, and the robot is facing the camera.
A girl and a humanoid robot stand across from each other in mirrored positions with both arms raised overhead, like fifth position in ballet. The girl is seen from behind, and the robot is facing the camera.

Why Is AI So Popular in China?

The technology is far less divisive than in the United States.

A yellow-and-black excavator deposits a bucketful of sand into the bed of a truck parked at the shore of a river. The river water is cloudy and brown, and the beach is similarly brown and lacking vegetation. Two man stand at the shore in the distance, one of them casting a fishing pole.
A yellow-and-black excavator deposits a bucketful of sand into the bed of a truck parked at the shore of a river. The river water is cloudy and brown, and the beach is similarly brown and lacking vegetation. Two man stand at the shore in the distance, one of them casting a fishing pole.

China Launches New Crackdown on Organized Crime

From local gangs to sand mafias, Beijing keeps running into the same problems.

An exterior view of Xinhua Hospital is seen in Shanghai.
An exterior view of Xinhua Hospital is seen in Shanghai.

Scandal Exposes Limits of China’s Scientific Rise

The death of a child during an experimental gene-editing trial renews questions about biotech ethics and ambitions.

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the East Room of the White House in Washington.
U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the East Room of the White House in Washington.

Trump’s China Threats Don’t Match His China Policy

The president’s allegations about election interference are the latest case in point.

A user is seen chatting with her virtual boyfriend on her phone at a shopping mall in Beijing.
A user is seen chatting with her virtual boyfriend on her phone at a shopping mall in Beijing.

China Wants to Regulate AI Companions

With the latest rules, Beijing hopes to rein in a booming industry.

A baby looks up at the person pushing its stroller on a street in Beijing.
A baby looks up at the person pushing its stroller on a street in Beijing.

The Myth of Chinese Birth Tourism

The United States has recast a small industry as a national security threat.

People gather near the CITIC Tower in Beijing on June 26.
People gather near the CITIC Tower in Beijing on June 26.

Small-Plane Crash Tests China’s Security State

How did a private aircraft enter Beijing’s sensitive airspace?

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