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Rana Mitter

The latest news and top stories on Rana Mitter. A distinguished historian and political scientist, he holds the ST Lee Chair in US-Asia Relations at the Harvard Kennedy School, having previously been Professor of the History and Politics of Modern China at Oxford University. His expertise lies in 20th-century Chinese history, contemporary Chinese politics and the emergence of nationalism. Mitter is an accomplished author, notably of "China’s War with Japan" and "China’s Good War", receiving the Medlicott Medal for Service to History. He is also a Fellow of the British Academy and a frequent media commentator on China.

US-China relations

Why young Chinese are turning away from the American dream

Unlike older generations, who saw the US as the ultimate destination, China’s Gen Z views the superpower through a more pragmatic lens.

3 Jul 2026 - 7:20AMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump heads to China weakened as Xi gains leverage ahead of summit

9 May 2026 - 10:03PMvideocam

Mainland China

China’s looted heritage campaign: assertive, ambitious – and complicated

29 Mar 2026 - 6:17AM

US-China relations

Why China’s Iran war strategy is working – and may even be an opportunity

Beijing happy to watch, wait and safeguard core interests – oil flows, Taiwan and trade – as its geopolitical rival spends resources on war.

26 Mar 2026 - 8:09AMvideocam

US-Venezuela conflict

Counting China’s ‘swing nation’ wins and losses in new era of power rivalry

As US-China race for hi-tech resources heats up across Global South, countries caught in the middle are under pressure to strike a balance.

17 Jan 2026 - 7:43AMvideocam

Accidents and disasters in China

How will Jimmy Lai’s conviction affect China-UK ties, Starmer’s planned visit?

Outcome of ex-media tycoon’s Hong Kong trial poses stern test for Labour government’s balancing act with Beijing, observers say.

17 Dec 2025 - 11:17PMvideocam

US-China relations

Why China studies scholars in the West have been left in ‘crisis’ mode

US-China tensions, restricted access and Western-centric thinking seen as key obstacles to gaining ‘full picture of modern China’.

15 Nov 2025 - 7:04AMvideocam

US-China relations

As the US retreats, can Xi’s new initiative shape the future world order?

Analysts say the GGI reflects China’s ambitions to shape a multipolar world, but it needs more substance to avoid becoming an ‘empty shell’.

17 Sep 2025 - 12:20AMvideocam

My Take

My Take | Yes, China and Russia really did win in WWII, as allies of Britain and America

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas’ pointless jabs at China during the SCO summit in Tianjin and events in Beijing to mark victory over Japan betray wilful ignorance and diplomatic incompetence.

14 Sep 2025 - 9:50PM

US-China relations

After The War | Once a forgotten WWII ally, China to reassert role as defender of world order

Experts say the country’s wartime sacrifice makes it a steward, not a disruptor, of the international system.

28 Aug 2025 - 12:52PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Will China be Ukraine’s security guarantor? Unlikely, despite Russia’s wishes

Analysts say China might offer political or diplomatic support to end the war but lacks incentive and resources for security guarantees.

22 Aug 2025 - 12:33AMvideocam

Ukrainian soldiers practise military skills at a training ground in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region on August 19. Photo: EPA/Press service of the 127th Separate Brigade

SCMP Highlights

Trump mulls new tariffs, China builds space debris device: SCMP daily highlights

From China’s nationwide childcare subsidy to Chinese miners putting gold over own lives in Africa, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

11 Aug 2025 - 9:15PM

US-China relations

Open Questions | 80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

The Harvard expert says that if trends continue, the region could be a bigger driver of the global economy than it is now.

11 Aug 2025 - 9:13AMvideocam

US-China relations

Open Questions | China diplomats know country has `PR problem’, Mitter says

Harvard’s Rana Mitter says China needs to do more than just hope that people seek out the country after being alienated by the US.

7 Aug 2025 - 2:47PM

Rana Mitter

Why young Chinese are turning away from the American dream

Unlike older generations, who saw the US as the ultimate destination, China’s Gen Z views the superpower through a more pragmatic lens.

Trump heads to China weakened as Xi gains leverage ahead of summit

China’s looted heritage campaign: assertive, ambitious – and complicated

Why China’s Iran war strategy is working – and may even be an opportunity

Beijing happy to watch, wait and safeguard core interests – oil flows, Taiwan and trade – as its geopolitical rival spends resources on war.

Counting China’s ‘swing nation’ wins and losses in new era of power rivalry

As US-China race for hi-tech resources heats up across Global South, countries caught in the middle are under pressure to strike a balance.

How will Jimmy Lai’s conviction affect China-UK ties, Starmer’s planned visit?

Outcome of ex-media tycoon’s Hong Kong trial poses stern test for Labour government’s balancing act with Beijing, observers say.

Why China studies scholars in the West have been left in ‘crisis’ mode

US-China tensions, restricted access and Western-centric thinking seen as key obstacles to gaining ‘full picture of modern China’.

As the US retreats, can Xi’s new initiative shape the future world order?

Analysts say the GGI reflects China’s ambitions to shape a multipolar world, but it needs more substance to avoid becoming an ‘empty shell’.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | Yes, China and Russia really did win in WWII, as allies of Britain and America

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas’ pointless jabs at China during the SCO summit in Tianjin and events in Beijing to mark victory over Japan betray wilful ignorance and diplomatic incompetence.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}After The War | Once a forgotten WWII ally, China to reassert role as defender of world order

Experts say the country’s wartime sacrifice makes it a steward, not a disruptor, of the international system.

Will China be Ukraine’s security guarantor? Unlikely, despite Russia’s wishes

Analysts say China might offer political or diplomatic support to end the war but lacks incentive and resources for security guarantees.

Trump mulls new tariffs, China builds space debris device: SCMP daily highlights

From China’s nationwide childcare subsidy to Chinese miners putting gold over own lives in Africa, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Open Questions | 80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

The Harvard expert says that if trends continue, the region could be a bigger driver of the global economy than it is now.

Open Questions | China diplomats know country has `PR problem’, Mitter says

Harvard’s Rana Mitter says China needs to do more than just hope that people seek out the country after being alienated by the US.

My Take | Yes, China and Russia really did win in WWII, as allies of Britain and America

After The War | Once a forgotten WWII ally, China to reassert role as defender of world order