Alina Wang
A native of New York, Alina has a Bachelors degree in Corporate Communications from Baruch College and writes about human rights, politics, tech, and society.
USTR Begins Review of Four-Year China Tariffs, Hints at Potential Lifting of Restrictions
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced Tuesday, May 3, that it will begin a statutory review of American tariffs imposed on Chinese products ahead of their expiration in July. The review comes...
Citizen Journalist Jailed in Shanghai for Speaking Out Against ‘Zero-COVID’ Policy
Chinese authorities recently arrested another activist for speaking out against abuses committed by health and police authorities as the country continues adhering to its unbending “Zero-COVID” protocols. Shanghai-based Ji Xiaolong was arrested on April 30...
India Seizes $726 Million From Chinese Mobile Maker Xiaomi for Violation of Foreign Exchange Laws
Authorities in India have accused Chinese phone maker Xiaomi Corp. of breaching the country’s foreign-exchange laws, seizing over 55.51 billion rupees (approximately US$726 million) from the company’s local branch.The incident marks India's latest clash with...
Russian Gas Exports Soar Even as Kremlin Requests Payment in Rubles
As the invasion of Ukraine continues into its third month, Russia has continued to supply a large amount of gas to many European countries. However, the aftermath of sweeping financial sections from Western powers has...
China Hints at Respite in Regulatory Crackdown on Tech Firms
Leading Chinese officials are scheduled to have a conference with the country’s big tech companies in May The meeting has renewed hopes that Beijing will end or ease its sweeping regulatory crackdown on the country’s...
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Bill Creating Election Fraud Police Force
On April 26, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that would create a police force dedicated to pursuing voter fraud and other election crimes, establishing the nation’s first “Office of Election Crimes and Security.” ...
The Understated, Yet Massive Power of Asset Management Firms BlackRock and Vanguard
Commentary Until recently, economic competition was the driving force for small and large companies across the United States and throughout the world. Since the mid-1970s, however, two corporations — Vanguard and BlackRock — have gobbled...
Chinese State-linked Newspaper Brands Hong Kong Journalist Association as ‘Anti-China,’ Calls for Its Disbandment
A newspaper backed by the Chinese regime has called on a prominent journalists' association in Hong Kong to disband, criticizing the organization for its “anti-China” reporting on issues such as human rights and press freedom. ...
Beijing Accuses Japan of Diplomatic Hostility and a ‘Narrow Geopolitical Vision’
While addressing Japanese entrepreneurs on April 26, Chinese ambassador Kong Xuanyou warned Tokyo over a so-called “Cold War mentality” Kong expressed frustration over the administration of current Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for his country’s...
China Deploys Censorship, Police Threats to Maintain Control Over ‘Zero-COVID’ Narrative
Authorities across China have resorted to increasingly harsher measures in the face of public backlash to the Communist Party’s draconian “Zero-COVID” restrictions, which currently are impacting life and work for hundreds of millions of Chinese. ...
Beijing Starts Lockdowns, Mass Testing as COVID Cases Spike
As Shanghai remains under heavy restriction, Omicron has spread to Beijing, prompting authorities to mass-test millions and begin lockdowns in China’s capital Beijing has kicked off mass testing for 3.5 million residents in the bustling...
Japan Joins Australia and New Zealand in Protest Over China-Solomon Islands’ Security Pact
Following the Solomon Islands’ confirmation that they had signed a security agreement with China, Japan announced the dispatch of a foreign vice-minister to the South Pacific island on April 25 The meeting comes amid concerns...