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Zhou Bo

(周波)

Zhou Bo

周波

The latest news and top stories on Zhou Bo. A retired senior colonel in the People’s Liberation Army, he is a senior fellow at the Centre for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University. His military career included roles in the Ministry of National Defense’s Foreign Affairs Office and as a defence attaché. He contributes to major international publications and speaks at global security forums, offering insights on geopolitics and China’s strategic posture.

Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping pictured at their most recent meeting in South Korea last year. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Are US and China seeking ‘minimum stability’ after a ‘rough patch’ in relations?

Even though Donald Trump has postponed his trip to China, an academic forum heard that both sides still hoped to keep things on an even keel.

25 Mar 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

China trade

Japan taps oil reserves as Iran war spreads. Could it give China leverage?

13 Mar 2026 - 6:00PM

2026 Trump-Xi summit

How foreign students can amplify China’s narrative in its push for soft power

12 Mar 2026 - 6:51PMvideocam

China-Middle East relations

Why China is staying on the sidelines of the US-Iran conflict

Decision based on consideration of Beijing’s own interests as well as its ties with Washington and others, analysts say.

4 Mar 2026 - 8:23PMvideocam

Since the large-scale attacks by the US and Israel against Iran began over the weekend, Beijing has limited its response to diplomatic statements. Photo: AFP

Munich Security Conference

As transatlantic divorce plays out in Munich, China enjoys the silence

For long, China was a magnet for America’s rhetorical aggression. Now, it is the Europeans who are under fire.

15 Feb 2026 - 9:30PMvideocam

US-China relations

Why the collapse of the last US-Russia nuclear treaty matters for China

Analysts warn expiry of New Start could trigger vicious circle and three-way arms race between Beijing, Washington and Moscow.

4 Feb 2026 - 1:38AMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

Open Questions | How Trump ‘stunned’ China; ‘Western hegemony is over’: 12 interviews from 2025

From acclaimed academics and writers to influential economists and policymakers, here are some of our best Open Questions interviews of the year.

27 Dec 2025 - 3:00PM

US-China relations

Will Trump’s battleship plan deter China or is it just a pipe dream?

Donald Trump unveils new class of ship meant to ‘inspire fear in America’s enemies’, but analysts say the initiative faces huge hurdles.

26 Dec 2025 - 5:50PMvideocam

China-Russia relations

Missile defence in focus as China, Russia generals pledge deeper cooperation

Zhang Youxia and Russian counterpart discuss collaboration ‘blueprint’ in Moscow as US pushes Golden Dome, nuclear weapons testing.

21 Nov 2025 - 7:32PMvideocam

Japan

Japanese yen weakens to 9‑month low, hits 155 to US dollar amid uncertainties

Stocks and bond market slump as investors fret over expansionary fiscal plans, fading US rate-cut bets, and a China-Japan diplomatic row.

18 Nov 2025 - 5:43PM

The Japanese yen’s exchange rate briefly weakened beyond 155.3 to the US dollar on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

China's military weapons

Will China’s new aircraft carrier tilt the power balance in the western Pacific?

The Fujian is the PLA Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier and it is expected to be used to project global power.

10 Nov 2025 - 10:00PMvideocam

China’s third and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, was commissioned on Wednesday at a port in Sanya, Hainan province. Photo: Xinhua

China's military weapons

China’s next 5-year plan aims to narrow nuclear gap with US and Russia: analysts

Beijing’s proposed national blueprint links strategic forces with the global balance for the first time.

30 Oct 2025 - 12:11AMvideocam

US-China trade war

A ‘fantastic deal’ or more tariffs? Why US-China trade talks face uncertainty

President Trump’s mostly optimistic remarks seen signalling desire for a deal, but some analysts still question whether one will manifest in the near term.

21 Oct 2025 - 8:04PMvideocam

US-China relations

Will China be a lower US defence priority? A new strategy report will soon tell

The Pentagon is preparing a National Defence Strategy that might point to a change in American tack.

14 Oct 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

The US Navy has embarked on a large-scale modernisation of the Joint Base Pearl Harbour-Hickam. Photo: US Navy

US-China relations

Why homeward shift by Pentagon may signal US decline in ‘bad news’ for Taiwan

US Defence Department officials have reportedly called for prioritising domestic and regional threats over countering China.

14 Oct 2025 - 6:45PMvideocam

Members of the South Carolina National Guard patrol along the National Mall, in Washington last week. Photo: AP

China's military weapons

Could China’s hi-tech military display help it surpass Russia in arms sales?

China is poised to gain bigger share of global weapons exports, but entering markets with US ties is a challenge, analysts say.

4 Sep 2025 - 8:36PMvideocam

China's military weapons

China flexes deterrence muscle with new missile line-up in military parade

The PLA appears to have a nuclear triad, with land, sea and air arsenal.

4 Sep 2025 - 6:34AMvideocam

China's military weapons

China parades statecraft and hardware as world faces ‘critical’ choices

From the rostrum overlooking Tiananmen Square, Beijing makes a diplomatic stand for a multipolar world.

3 Sep 2025 - 10:01PMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses attendees during the Victory Day parade in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

US-China relations

US debuts hypersonic missile in Australia. Is it a deterrent against China?

Chinese analysts say Washington is showing the importance of US-Australia relationship, but missile system unlikely to affect China.

7 Aug 2025 - 11:35AMvideocam

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Zhou Bo

(周波)

Are US and China seeking ‘minimum stability’ after a ‘rough patch’ in relations?

Even though Donald Trump has postponed his trip to China, an academic forum heard that both sides still hoped to keep things on an even keel.

Japan taps oil reserves as Iran war spreads. Could it give China leverage?

How foreign students can amplify China’s narrative in its push for soft power

Why China is staying on the sidelines of the US-Iran conflict

Decision based on consideration of Beijing’s own interests as well as its ties with Washington and others, analysts say.

As transatlantic divorce plays out in Munich, China enjoys the silence

For long, China was a magnet for America’s rhetorical aggression. Now, it is the Europeans who are under fire.

Why the collapse of the last US-Russia nuclear treaty matters for China

Analysts warn expiry of New Start could trigger vicious circle and three-way arms race between Beijing, Washington and Moscow.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Open Questions | How Trump ‘stunned’ China; ‘Western hegemony is over’: 12 interviews from 2025

From acclaimed academics and writers to influential economists and policymakers, here are some of our best Open Questions interviews of the year.

Will Trump’s battleship plan deter China or is it just a pipe dream?

Donald Trump unveils new class of ship meant to ‘inspire fear in America’s enemies’, but analysts say the initiative faces huge hurdles.

Missile defence in focus as China, Russia generals pledge deeper cooperation

Zhang Youxia and Russian counterpart discuss collaboration ‘blueprint’ in Moscow as US pushes Golden Dome, nuclear weapons testing.

Japanese yen weakens to 9‑month low, hits 155 to US dollar amid uncertainties

Stocks and bond market slump as investors fret over expansionary fiscal plans, fading US rate-cut bets, and a China-Japan diplomatic row.

Will China’s new aircraft carrier tilt the power balance in the western Pacific?

The Fujian is the PLA Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier and it is expected to be used to project global power.

China’s next 5-year plan aims to narrow nuclear gap with US and Russia: analysts

Beijing’s proposed national blueprint links strategic forces with the global balance for the first time.

A ‘fantastic deal’ or more tariffs? Why US-China trade talks face uncertainty

President Trump’s mostly optimistic remarks seen signalling desire for a deal, but some analysts still question whether one will manifest in the near term.

Will China be a lower US defence priority? A new strategy report will soon tell

The Pentagon is preparing a National Defence Strategy that might point to a change in American tack.

Why homeward shift by Pentagon may signal US decline in ‘bad news’ for Taiwan

US Defence Department officials have reportedly called for prioritising domestic and regional threats over countering China.

Could China’s hi-tech military display help it surpass Russia in arms sales?

China is poised to gain bigger share of global weapons exports, but entering markets with US ties is a challenge, analysts say.

China flexes deterrence muscle with new missile line-up in military parade

The PLA appears to have a nuclear triad, with land, sea and air arsenal.

China parades statecraft and hardware as world faces ‘critical’ choices

From the rostrum overlooking Tiananmen Square, Beijing makes a diplomatic stand for a multipolar world.

US debuts hypersonic missile in Australia. Is it a deterrent against China?

Chinese analysts say Washington is showing the importance of US-Australia relationship, but missile system unlikely to affect China.

Open Questions | How Trump ‘stunned’ China; ‘Western hegemony is over’: 12 interviews from 2025