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How horrible is nuclear war: lessons from a 1957 novel

According to the Website, Geodata and Rankings, the US and Israel rank within the top five most disliked countries, worldwide, keeping company with China, Russia and North Korea (link). This is despite America and Israel maintaining by far the strongest marketing-propaganda presence globally, insisting to the world that they are beacons of democratic righteousness. Much more…

3 days ago0Comments ByRichard Cullen

China news Culture Features

A lawyer’s journey: from 1980s China to a top spot at the United Nations

SOME POSITIVE NEWS! While the news is full of war, a nice story of international bridge-building just emerged, unnoticed. A girl called Lingling was born to the Zhang family in Beijing in 1981. She grew up and went into the law. In 2011, she went to study in Hong Kong, which has a reputation as…

March 16, 20260Comments ByNury Vittachi

Features News

China has opposed the idea of killer robots but others are pressing ahead

BREAKING NEWS: A BATTLE is running right now between the US Department of War and defenders of top AI firm Anthropic on a terrifying plan to create an army of autonomous killer robots. Two hours ago, Secretary for War Pete Hegseth issued a statement blasting the company and ordering all government-linked departments to cancel contracts…

March 10, 20260Comments ByNury Vittachi

Features News Opinion

Saving what’s left of Western liberalism

The geopolitical editor at the Economist, David Rennie, recently interviewed Alexander Stubb, the President of Finland, where they discussed Mr Stubb’s “plan to save the liberal world order” (link). Richard Cullen pens a brief report card highlighting some of the challenges facing this worthy rescue mission. WE KNOW THAT the enduring heartland of liberalism is…

March 2, 20260Comments ByRichard Cullen

Features News Opinion

Truth trumps fiction, as Donald trumps expectations

Evelyn Waugh was an exceptional English novelist. His best political satires were very good. Truth, though, can still outwit the best fiction, says Richard Cullen A LIVELY SHORT STORY published by Evelyn Waugh in late 1932, entitled “Incident in Azania” discussed events that unfolded on an imaginary, colonial island off the East Coast of Africa. …

February 3, 20260Comments ByRichard Cullen

Features News Opinion

War and peace

The surge in China’s military capacity, especially over the last decade, has been the focus of increasing Western commentary, some of it measured, much of it alarmist. Many alarmists believe it is a truth universally acknowledged that any large nation possessed of a significantly upgraded stockpile of advanced martial equipment will want to use it…

December 31, 20250Comments ByRichard Cullen

Culture Features Hong Kong News Opinion

Being open-minded about China cost me friendships

Long-term Hong Kong resident Richard Cullen reflects on politics, friendships and the Tai Po fire. I first arrived to live and work in Hong Kong over 30 years ago. More recently I began to reflect on the way expressing my own political views on Hong Kong and China has reshaped some long-standing friendships. The recent…

December 10, 20250Comments ByRichard Cullen

China news Culture Features

The hidden message in the names of China’s new military weapons

IF AN ENEMY ATTACKS, the Chinese will defend their nation with the East Wind, a hurricane of power that will destroy his ship. Then from the waters will rise a Giant Wave. And from the skies will fall a Sudden Thunderbolt. If any enemies survive to continue their assault, a Cloud Arrow and a fire…

September 5, 20250Comments ByNury Vittachi

Features News Opinion

America unhinged: it has become a danger to the world and itself

MORE THAN 15 MONTHS AGO, I explained how “America, itself, has verified that it is no longer a normal country” (see this link). Since I wrote that article, America’s grave political deformity has been stunningly ratified. NORMAL VS ABNORMAL Some Americans relish the idea of the US not being normal because they view it as…

April 3, 20250Comments ByRichard Cullen

Features Hong Kong News

Caring neighbors add holiday magic to a program that feeds the needy

A penniless man asked a small restaurateur if there were leftovers he could have. Yes, the owner said. Word spread about this generous act, and the needy began lining up for free meals. Then the local Rotary Club saw what was happening, and stepped in to make a spontaneous act of generosity into a model…

March 18, 20250Comments ByGillian Kew