The article discusses the Chinese government's fear and control tactics, exemplified by the surveillance of Ding Zilin, a mother of a Tiananmen massacre victim and founder of 'Tiananmen Mothers'. It explores the internal insecurities of China's regime despite its outward appearance of strength, and the cynicism and materialism prevalent among its citizens. The article reviews two books that call for an honest examination of China's past, particularly the Great Famine and the Communist rule. It also covers the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, where Liu Xiaobo, a Chinese scholar and dissident, was awarded in absentia due to his imprisonment in China. The article reflects on the Chinese government's expenditure on 'stability maintenance' and the suppression of dissent, as well as the hope and fear among Chinese human rights advocates regarding the future of democracy and human rights in China.

The article discusses the intricacies of U.S.-Taiwan relations in the context of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the U.S., which is officially referred to as a 'transit' due to the complex diplomatic protocols established by the 1972 Sino-U.S. Joint Communiqué. The piece suggests that the U.S. should consider a more definitive stance on Taiwan's government legality, proposing recognition under the concept of 'one country, two governments.' This would not endorse full Taiwanese independence but would deviate from Beijing's 'one China' principle. The article also notes that Beijing's own rhetoric has subtly shifted since the mid-1990s, with certain oppositions to Taiwan's government structure no longer being explicitly mentioned, indicating a potential softening of stance that could be significant given the sensitivity of the issue.

The article discusses the delicate nature of U.S.-Taiwan relations in the context of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the U.S., which is not being termed as a state visit due to the complex diplomatic protocols. The piece reflects on the historical context of the 1972 Sino-U.S. Joint Communiqué negotiated by Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger, highlighting the strategic ambiguity that has characterized the U.S. stance on Taiwan since establishing formal relations with Beijing and severing official ties with Taipei in 1979.

The article discusses the debate over the origins of COVID-19, with some lawmakers pushing for sanctions to determine if the virus leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. The author, a student of Chinese Communist political language, expresses skepticism about the virus originating from bats or a wet market, citing linguistic evidence that suggests Chinese leaders believe the lab was the source. The author references a technique explained by the Chinese writer Wu Zuxiang, which involves reading official Party statements 'upside down' to discern the truth, implying that the official narrative often conceals reality.

The article discusses Ha Jin's novel 'The Woman Back from Moscow,' which is based on the life of Sun Weishi, the adopted daughter of Chinese premier Zhou Enlai. The novel portrays the dark side of China's political elite during the Mao era, including the abuse and manipulation of individuals like Sun Weishi. Ha Jin, a Chinese-American author, uses historical facts and his imagination to bring to life the personal and political dramas of the time. The article also explores the broader context of how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) maintains its legitimacy through a sanitized version of history and how this novel represents a challenge to that narrative. It delves into the culture of the Communist superelite, the political use of sexual misconduct as a weapon, and the suppression of artistic and intellectual freedom. The article suggests that while the novel will likely be banned in China, its truths about the CCP's history and the personal lives of its leaders could resonate with many, especially given the widespread use of virtual private networks to bypass censorship.

Ha Jin's novel 'The Woman Back from Moscow' explores the life of Sun Weishi, an adopted daughter of Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai, who rose to prominence in China's theatrical world during Mao's era. The novel delves into the political and personal intrigues of the Communist elite, highlighting the manipulation of historical narratives and the repression of artistic freedom. It portrays the tragic fate of Sun Weishi, who was ultimately betrayed by Zhou Enlai and suffered under Mao's regime. The text critiques the Chinese Communist Party's control over historical truth and its impact on individual lives, drawing parallels with contemporary issues of political repression in China.

The article reviews a biography of Liu Xiaobo, a Nobel Prize-winning Chinese dissident who passed away while in prison. The biography details Liu's life of courage and sacrifice, highlighting his role in the Tiananmen Square protests and his leadership in the Citizen Rights Defense movement. Despite personal contradictions and challenges, including a stutter and a failed marriage, Liu's commitment to social protest and moral self-examination is emphasized. The review notes Liu's humility and his repeated decisions to face the consequences of his activism rather than choosing exile. The book's portrayal of Liu's quest for love, tolerance, and compassion is seen as a significant part of his legacy.

The article by Perry Link reflects on the evolution of Western perceptions of China from the 1960s to the present. Initially, China was seen as a mysterious, almost mythical place, with limited information available to the outside world. Early Western writers who visited China, like Han Suyin and Felix Greene, presented an uplifting but incomplete picture, often missing the harsh realities of life under Mao Zedong. As China opened up, more nuanced and critical reporting emerged, with journalists and scholars gaining better access and understanding. The author discusses his own experiences in China, noting the changes in society and the role of dissident writers. The article also covers the shift in Chinese views of the West, with a growing sense of national pride and rivalry. The author concludes that despite improvements, Western writing on China is still flawed but better than it was six decades ago.

The U.S. Supreme Court has increasingly taken on a role that impacts foreign policy, making decisions that affect immigration, security cooperation, financial risk regulation, and climate change. This shift comes as Congress has largely withdrawn from foreign policy, and the country's polarization has made it difficult to approve new international agreements. The Court's actions, such as blocking President Biden from ending the Title 42 immigration program and limiting the EPA's power to regulate carbon emissions, demonstrate a departure from its traditional deference to the executive branch in foreign affairs. The Court's assertiveness in domestic policy, coupled with an emboldened majority intent on limiting federal government power, suggests a judiciary with a significant global influence. This development poses challenges for U.S. leadership on international issues and could lead to geopolitical inertia due to a combination of congressional paralysis and judicial activism.

The article discusses the diplomatic intricacies of Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the U.S., which is officially referred to as a 'transit' due to the complex U.S.-Taiwan relations established by the 1972 Sino-U.S. Joint Communiqué. The piece suggests that the U.S. should adopt a clearer stance on Taiwan's government legality, proposing recognition under the concept of 'one country, two governments.' This would not endorse Taiwan's independence but would align with the evolving stance of Beijing, which has subtly shifted from its original opposition to such a notion. The article notes that Beijing's rhetoric has omitted opposition to 'one China, two governments' since the mid-1990s, indicating a significant, albeit understated, policy change.