Western lawmakers that assume a legal or operational firewall between Huawei and the Chinese party-state are deluding themselves.

Hong Kong’s quest for identity recognition, transparency, good governance, and rule-of-law is starting to resemble one of the darkest moments in China’s modern history.

As a path to economic success and a way to cement its rule, AI represents a lucrative frontier for the Chinese Communist Party. So although Made in China 2025 might be forced to change its branding, the core of the policy isn’t going anywhere.

Avoiding the Thucydides Trap and the middle-income trap will require compromise, domestic stability, and constructive relations with the US.

With ASEAN sidelined and all eyes on North Korea, Vietnam can only sit and watch as China consolidates its position in the South China Sea.