The China Intelligence

China ‘Colonizes’ Space with Its First Rice Harvest

The cultivation of food in orbit is part of a larger push by the Chinese space program toward a lunar base.

How the West May Have Helped Build China’s Spy Balloons

Beijing has long pursued aerostat technology, even enlisting French and American firms to help.

China Gears Up To Shoot Down US Drones

Its military-industrial complex is already working on a list of technologies needed to fight off swarms of UAS.

The PLA’s People Problem

China’s military has long struggled to field quality personnel.

How China Is Trying to Turn the US CHIPS Act to Its Favor

A strategic messaging campaign portrays the new law as a counterproductive and lawless act.

The Balance of Power Is Shifting Among Nuclear-Energy Titans

Russia and China have overtaken the United States as the world’s premier nuclear-power exporters. But are they comrades or competitors?

Putin’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week Looks Even Worse Through a China Lens

A series of meetings reveal how Beijing is stealing Russia’s influence even in its own backyard.

How Putin’s Ukraine War Has Made Russia More Reliant on China

Despite Putin’s imperial dreams, in the last six months China has increasingly dictated the direction of the partnership and squeezed more concessions from the Russians.

China’s Roadblocks to Becoming A Science Superpower

Historical and structural problems complicate Beijing’s vision of tech leadership.

China’s ‘Particle Beam Cannon’ Is a Nuclear-Power Breakthrough

It promises to recycle spent nuclear fuel, making it cheaper and less dangerous—and moving Beijing toward energy independence.

Four Ways China Is Growing Its Media Influence in Southeast Asia

Beijing is trying to burnish its image in the region. What if it took aim at America’s instead?

China May Have Just Taken the Lead in the Quantum Computing Race

China’s record-shattering processor is 1 million times faster than what Google achieved three years ago–but we are years from the finish line.

What Is China Learning from the Ukraine War?

From battlefield concepts to geopolitics, Beijing is sure to be watching with avid interest—and some chagrin.

What China Is Actually Saying About Russia and Ukraine

Bits of pro-Russian rhetoric are a far cry from substantive support—or preparations for an invasion of Taiwan.

As Climate Change Threatens China, PLA Is Missing in Action

China’s military will have to reckon with a new security environment. When will it start?

Don't Buy China's Hypersonic Head-Fake. Its Spaceplanes Are Racing Ahead.

In the past five years, China’s spaceplane development has accelerated, adding breakthroughs, tests, and new industry players.