As pressure from the United States intensifies, Iran’s leadership is increasingly seeking closer ties with China. For Beijing, the strategic partnership offers leverage in a shifting world order. For the mullah regime, however, China’s protection has clear limits.
By Fabian Peltsch and Angela Köckritz
Muted reactions to Venezuela, unyielding rhetoric on Taiwan: China is laying bare its foreign policy priorities. In the year ahead, Beijing is likely to continue relying primarily on economic pressure and military strength to project power abroad.
By Leonardo Pape
The ranking of the world’s largest automakers by market capitalization is shifting. While Tesla, Toyota, Xiaomi and BYD are holding on to the top four spots, Porsche has dropped out of the global top 10.
By Julia Fiedler
Chinese cyberattacks on hospitals, banks and energy providers in Taiwan increased significantly in 2025. Taipei sees the surge as a key element of Beijing’s strategy of “hybrid warfare”.
By Yi Ling Pan
Vietnam’s economy grew by eight percent in 2025, according to preliminary government data. In the fourth quarter, year-on-year growth accelerated to 8.46 percent. By comparison, economic growth had stood at around seven percent the previous year.
By Julia Fiedler
Chen Xukai’s blend of US rap and southern Chinese aesthetics shows just how compatible Chinese pop culture has become with Western audiences.
By Fabian Peltsch
Following the renewed conviction of former Prime Minister Najib Razak, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has announced institutional reforms to combat corruption. Among other measures, the prime minister’s term is to be limited to ten years.
By Yi Ling Pan
During his state visit to Beijing, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is seeking to usher in a new phase in relations with China. His meeting with Xi Jinping underscores Beijing’s interest in closer economic cooperation, but also in greater alignment on security issues.
By Julia Fiedler
With the new year, the power struggle within China’s political elite over the planned generational transition in party leadership begins in earnest. A successor to Xi Jinping is nowhere in sight – by design.
By Andreas Landwehr
