From Paper Engines to Winning Engines
Zhang Xue’s ZXMOTO brand captured both WorldSSP races at the Portugal round of the 2026 Superbike World Championship, delivering a 3.685‑second winning margin. The triumph marks the first victory for a Chinese‑made motorcycle in a premier international series, beating established brands such as Yamaha and Honda. The win ignited a national conversation about China’s innovation model, contrasting Zhang’s hands‑on, self‑taught approach with university researchers who excel in papers but rarely produce marketable engines. Venture capital stepped in, with Zhejiang Venture Capital leading a 90 million yuan ($12.5 M) Series A to scale the startup.
Zhou Yongmei: The World Bank Remains Central to Reconstruction Finance—But in Gaza, It No Longer Sets the Rules.
Former World Bank official Zhou Yongmei argues the institution’s role in post‑conflict reconstruction is shifting from a governance gatekeeper to a mere financial conduit. In Afghanistan and Iraq, the Bank oversaw project design, procurement and audits, but in Gaza it...
Henry Huiyao Wang: Middle Powers Are Taking up the Mantle of Multilateral Leadership
Henry Huiyao Wang argues that as the United States steps back from global stewardship, middle powers are assuming the mantle of multilateral leadership. He points to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans‑Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as a flagship of this...
Yao Yang: The Post-2018 Evolution in China's Political Economy
At a Long U.S.–China Institute distinguished lecture on Feb. 23, 2026, Professor Yao Yang argued that China’s reform‑and‑opening period effectively concluded in 2018, ushering a new era focused on manufacturing expansion and technological self‑reliance. He outlined domestic policy shifts—including anti‑corruption drives,...
Viral Satellite Imagery of U.S. Military Assets Around Iran NOT Taken by Chinese Satellites: Hu Bo
Chinese firm MizarVision posted high‑resolution satellite images showing U.S. F‑22 fighters at an Israeli base, sparking speculation that the pictures came from Chinese satellites. Analysts from the South China Sea Probing Initiative, led by Hu Bo, used satellite ephemeris and resolution...
Lawrence Wong’s Words, Heard in Stereo
The episode examines Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s remarks on Japan’s growing regional role and the backlash they provoked in China, set against escalating China‑Japan tensions and a recent diplomatic spat at the Munich Security Conference. It highlights how surveys...