China's hosting of the Olympic games in 2008 symbolises its global rise. openDemocracy writers around the world reflect on their own country's relationship with the new superpower.

China, the politics of corruption

Kerry Brown 15 March 2013

China's new leader Xi Jinping has gathered more power more quickly than any of his predecessors. The big test now facing him will be to translate his concern about corruption into decisive action - and the early signs are promising, says Kerry Brown.

The fable of the eagle, the dragon and the bear

Pavel Salin 23 January 2013

How will Russia react to China’s rapid ascent as a global power? Will it develop its eastern links to spite the West, or join a USA led attempt to freeze Beijing out? Pavel Salin argues that this is a simplistic view of things and that Moscow may choose a third way.   

Life on the Chinese border: Russia's Far East

Olesya Gerasimenko 21 January 2013

Primorsky Territory is seven time zones away from the capital and has the largest economy in the Russian Far East.  There is justifiable irritation at Moscow’s insistence on a one-size-fits-all model of government oriented towards Europe and levels of frustration are forcing people to leave, says Olesya Gerasimenko.

Bo Xilai's fall: echo and portent

Kerry Brown 12 October 2012

The disgrace of a powerful party boss is a familiar theme in Chinese communist history. But the awareness of a new Chinese public means that the elite can no longer manage the problem so easily, says Kerry Brown.

China and Japan: a conflict of logics

Kerry Brown 30 August 2012

The territorial dispute between regional powers has the potential to escalate. All the more reason for the Chinese elite to lead rather than follow public opinion, says Kerry Brown.

Chongqing and Bo Xilai: how China works

Kerry Brown 16 August 2012

The downfall of party boss Bo Xilai and his wife Gu Kailai is more than a tale of scandalous intrigue. Their fate reveals the prison of suspicion and mistrust that envelops China’s system of power, says Kerry Brown.

Gan Lulu and China: the human touch

Kerry Brown 12 July 2012

A young model notorious for her provocative dress, revealing videos, and bumptious mother has something to teach China's cynical political world, says Kerry Brown.

China: Xi Jinping's new generation

Li Datong 25 May 2012

The imminent transition of power in Beijing will see a new ruling group arrive in power. But does its background and formation prepare it for the scale of China's political and economic challenge, asks Li Datong.

Kashgar's old city: the endgame

Henryk Szadziewski 22 May 2012

China's plan to transform the heart of Uyghur culture, learning and urban settlement - Kashgar old city - is well underway. The fact that the Uyghurs themselves have no voice in this process gives the experience a wider significance, says Henryk Szadziewski.

China's party, Bo Xilai's legacy

Kerry Brown and David Goodman 5 May 2012

The efforts of China's ruling elite to cope with the scandal that consumed a leading comrade mark a political watershed for the country, say Kerry Brown & David Goodman.

Chinese companies under scrutiny in Zimbabwe

Andrew Mambondiyani 14 December 2011
Ten years into the Look East policy, Zimbabwe is showing itself to be a not-so-satisfied customer of Chinese investment.

The three laws of Chinese politics

Kerry Brown 4 October 2011
China is moving towards a major leadership transition in 2012. A process that looks opaque is governed by clear if unwritten rules, says Kerry Brown.

China’s great transition: the next party

Kerry Brown 29 July 2011
A month that began in China with official celebrations of the communist party’s ninetieth anniversary ends with furious public criticism over its reaction to a fatal train disaster. The contrast symbolises the epic political task the party is facing, says Kerry Brown.

The Uyghurs, China and central Asia

Henryk Szadziewski 26 July 2011
The growing bonds between central Asian states and China have a human-rights cost for Uyghurs across the region, says Henryk Szadziewski.

China: the next military rival

Paul Rogers 26 May 2011
The death of Osama bin Laden is a crucial military-political opportunity for Barack Obama. But the United States defence complex has Beijing and budgets on its mind.

This week's editor

Heather McRobie


Niki Seth-Smith is a freelance journalist and co-editor of OurKingdom.

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