iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Chong Ja Ian

Thomas von Boguslawski @thomasvb.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

New, chilling Future Operating Environment Study 2040 from the Finnish Defence Research Agency, including several "what if"-scenarios. In one scenario, #China has seized control of #Taiwan and #Russia is attacking the Baltic states, #Finland and Poland: puolustusvoimat.fi/web/tutkimus...

puolustusvoimat.fi

Pitkän aikavälin muutokset haastavat puolustuksen ja turvallisuuden toimintamalleja

Suomen toimintaympäristö 2040 -tutkimus (Finnish Future Operating Environment Study 2040, FIN FOE 2040) on valmistunut.

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Thanks to @zaobao & @thinkchina for reaching out to me to write this piece. It remains curious to me how many people see the movie Dear You as a take-it-or-leave it proposition. People either have to unquestioningly endorse it or are seen to completely reject it. www.thinkchina.sg/society/how-...

thinkchina.sg

How Dear You ignited a debate over Chinese identity

The blockbuster Dear You has sparked a wider debate over Chinese identity, exposing competing ideas of culture, language and belonging across China and Southeast Asia. Academic Ja Ian Chong examines w...

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Glad to share my conversation w/ Lina Alexandra, Hunter Marston & Sam Rogevine on straits & chokepoints in East Asia @lowyinstitute.bsky.social #maritime #security #Asia open.spotify.com/episode/2IH0...

open.spotify.com

Dire straits: Strategic chokepoints in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait

Lowy Institute · Episode

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Hunter Marston @hmarston.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

For the latest episode of the @lowyinstitute.bsky.social Conversations podcast, I spoke to Lina Alexandra & @chongjaian.bsky.social about Southeast Asian responses to instability in the Middle East, US-China competition & the ongoing crisis in #Myanmar: www.lowyinstitute.org/podcast/sout...

lowyinstitute.org

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Penn Project on the Future of U.S.-China Relations @penn-us-china.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Our new Transpacific & Asian Dialogue on China just completed its first in-person workshop in Singapore, hosted by the NUS East Asian Institute. Here is the video of Thursday's public event, a timely and wide ranging discussion featuring 5 of the 22 Fellows participating in this initiative:

youtube.com

Regional Perspectives on Relations with China: Security, Infrastructure, Governance, Values

YouTube video by Penn Project on the Future of U.S.-China Relations

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Spoke w/ the SCMP about one of the recent information campaigns Singapore is facing. It seems that SCMP was unable to get an answer about why nothing was said officially about platforms such as WeChat, Weibo, RedNote (Little Red Book), Douyin, and TikTok. sc.mp/uoxlm

sc.mp

Singapore’s ban on anti-Indian posts exposes threat of race ‘weaponisation’

The posts from a China-based platform have sought to tap into unease on unemployment and ‘play on existing prejudices’, an analyst says.

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Hildur Knútsdóttir @hildur.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Throwback to when a TV station in Iceland accidentally aired an episode of Teletubbies with subtitles from the Sopranos 👌🏼

Picture of a TV screen with teletubbies going to bed with the subtitles: I know you were high during my mother-in-laws wake

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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 12/05/2026

The Guardian: Mayor of California city resigns over charges of being a foreign agent of China – ‘Wang and Yaoning “Mike” Sun, 65, of Chino Hills, worked with the Peoples’ Republic of China to promote the country’s interests through pro-PRC propaganda posted to a website they ran’

theguardian.com

Mayor of California city resigns over charges of being a foreign agent of China

Eileen Wang, 58, mayor of Arcadia, agreed to plead guilty over the felony count brought by the justice department

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Appreciate the invitation from @channelnewsasia.bsky.social for this short piece. Inspired by an event last week where some tech&corporate folks expressed surprise at🇨🇳blocking the Manus-Meta deal. I thought the writing had been on the wall for a while. www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/m...

channelnewsasia.com

Commentary: By blocking Manus sale, China sends a warning to tech companies

China’s move to undo Meta’s acquisition of Manus was not surprising, but the lack of public criticism was, says Chong Ja Ian from the National University of Singapore.

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

🇺🇸unpredictability has allowed🇨🇳to capitalize on its positioning as the “responsible great power”. Paradoxically, the more China🇨🇳wins the perception game, the more likely expectations will rise for Beijing to deliver not just words but to demonstrate w/ deeds. carnegieendowment.org/china/posts/...

carnegieendowment.org

China Sells Stability Amid American Volatility

The more China wins the perception game, the more likely expectations will rise for Beijing to deliver not just words but to demonstrate with its deeds.

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

感謝《958 城市頻道》的採訪！https://www.melisten.sg/podcast/playlist/capital-958-jujiaoguoji-175621/958jujiaoguojizhongguojiefangjungaocengjielianluomadailaidechongji-3136486?cid=internal_sharetool_melisten_mobileiphone_29012026

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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 27/01/2026

Xi’s purge of top Chinese generals has cost Western governments a key contact and deepened fears that the PLA is becoming even more walled-off – Bloomberg: ‘chief of the PLA’s Joint Staff Department [Liu] had been the most effective point of contact for managing risks and preventing miscalculation’

bloomberg.com

Diplomats Worry Xi’s Purge Will Curb Critical Contact With China

Xi Jinping’s purge of top Chinese generals has cost Western governments a key contact and deepened fears that the People’s Liberation Army is becoming even more walled-off from contact.

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Spoke w/ @channelnewsasia.bsky.social on the continuing 🇯🇵🇨🇳 differences in the light of the upcoming 🇯🇵 elections. youtu.be/B_jNcbcnt_U?...

youtu.be

Japan PM Takaichi dissolves Lower House for Feb 8 snap election | East Asia Tonight (Jan 23)

YouTube video by CNA

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Spoke with Daniel Martin @cna-poster.bsky.social CNA938 yesterday about the withdrawal of the Leader of the Opposition from Pritam Singh of the Worker's Party by Prime Minister and People's Action Party Secretary-General Lawrence Wong. www.channelnewsasia.com/listen/cna93...

channelnewsasia.com

CNA938 Rewind - WP not choosing next LO; does the position disappear?

The Workers’ Party has rejected Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s invitation to nominate another elected MP as Leader of the Opposition. The party’s Central Executive Committee says it is ‘unable to acce...

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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 15/01/2026

Chinese-linked hackers target US entities with Venezuelan-themed phishing emails – Reuters: ‘the latest example of a long-running Chinese cyberespionage group known as “Mustang Panda” using headlines or key issues in a given country as a means to steal data and establish footholds in U.S. …’

reuters.com

Chinese-linked hackers target US entities with Venezuelan-themed malware

A Chinese-linked cyberespionage group targeted U.S. government and policy-related officials with Venezuela-themed phishing emails in the days after the U.S. operation to topple Venezuelan President Ni...

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

AcademiaSG co-editor Linda Lim from @umich.edu discusses the strengths of & challenges facing🇸🇬's economic model+ideas for reform. Oft touted as an eg of success, 🇸🇬's model comes w/ real costs ＆risks, esp in a more uncertain global environment. #singapore #economy www.academia.sg/academic-vie...

academia.sg

Singapore must shift from state-led expansion to productivity-led growth - Academia | SG

The “Singapore model” of a market economy under heavy government direction has led to strong headline numbers that obscure signs of significant stress. High land and housing costs, extreme inequality,...

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Index on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 07/01/2026

After a long campaign, @zeldaperkins.bsky.social recently won a major victory against the misuse of NDAs in the UK. “You cannot use the law to hide harm,” she told Index. www.indexoncensorship.org/2026/01/end-...

indexoncensorship.org

End for the NDAs which protected Harvey Weinstein - Index on Censorship

New employment rules spell victory for Zelda Perkins, former assistant to the disgraced film producer and who was awarded a CBE at New Year

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

很高興有機會與《8頻道》「焦點」節目對話。有一點，或許時間不夠，被刪掉。我也有提到在弱肉強食的環境下，不選邊的作為，也可能被不滿的強權制裁，甚至被多方制裁。要維持中立，必須有足夠實力。後者可能變成兩次世界大戰前都維持中立的比利時，或在1954年日內瓦和談後的寮國（老撾）和柬埔寨，變成被侵略的頭號對象。中立不是喊喊就能自保。 www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVsA...

youtube.com

焦点 | 美国安全战略动真格会冲击我国与东南亚吗？

YouTube video by 8world

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Happy to join friends here to work on navigating US-PRC ties!

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

New chapter on 🇸🇬 in the Palgrave Handbook on Geopolitics. As a smaller actor in world affairs, Singapore will feel the ups & downs in major power relations more than most. Singapore historically benefited as a commercial conduit among major powers, even before its establishment as a nation-state.

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

Honored to have the opportunity to host Carnegie China‘s China in the World podcast. Here’s a wrap of all @carnegieendowment.org ‘s podcasts for 2025! carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...

carnegieendowment.org

Carnegie Podcast Hosts and Producers’ Favorite Episodes of 2025

They pick their best work of the year and the episodes from other shows that resonated most.

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CONNECTED on TaiwanPlus @connectedtwplus.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Malaysia and Singapore are rapidly expanding their AI infrastructure, racing to build regional data center hubs and satisfy the industry’s insatiable demand for electric power. 📺 youtu.be/CN1dKZbx6Rw 🎙️ Chong Ja Ian (@chongjaian.bsky.social), Chris Tseng and Evan Ng

youtu.be

Malaysia & Singapore’s AI Rise: Data Centers, Chinese Capital & Power | CONNECTED AI & Innovation

Malaysia and Singapore are rapidly expanding their AI infrastructure, racing to build regional data center hubs and satisfy the industry’s insatiable demand for electric power. We explore the…

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Matthew Brooker @mbrooker.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

The lesson of China’s broadening interference in the education systems of democratic countries is that if we want academic freedom, we will have to pay for it. www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

bloomberg.com

China Is Exposing the Fault Lines in British Universities

Principles are fine, if you can afford them. Britain is starting to appreciate the vulnerabilities of its higher-education funding model after learning how one of its universities halted a research pr...

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The Hindu @thehindu.com · 27/10/2025

A group of Chinese H-6K bombers recently flew near Taiwan to practice “confrontation drills”, Chinese state media reported late on Sunday (October 26, 2025), publicising the action just a few days before the U.S. and Chinese presidents are due to meet in South Korea. www.thehindu.com/news/interna...

thehindu.com

Ahead of Trump-Xi meeting, China says bombers flew near Taiwan

China's bombers conducted drills near Taiwan ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting, heightening regional tensions amid ongoing sovereignty disputes.

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William A. Callahan 柯嵐安 @billcallahan.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

Amazing news! "The Nose Knows: Foreignness and Fortune in China" was just selected by Little Venice Film Festival (London 22-28 October) via FilmFreeway.com!

"The Nose Knows" film poster shows a facial side-view with nose, on top of a collage about Chinese noses

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

A big thanks to @bglaser.bsky.social & the folks at @gmfus.bsky.social for reaching out & taking the time to talk about SEAsian relations with 🇨🇳, with all its various complications. #SoutheastAsia #ASEAN #China #PRC www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Mjk...

youtube.com

China Global Podcast - Episode #111 - Dr. Chong Ja Ian

YouTube video by The German Marshall Fund of the United States

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Myanmar Now (English Version) @myanmar-now.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

The casualties were caused by airstrikes and shelling used to provide cover for a flotilla returning to Mandalay from Bhamo in southern Kachin State Read more: myanmar-now.org/en/news/16-c...

myanmar-now.org

16 civilians killed as Myanmar junta fleet makes its way down the Ayeyarwady

The casualties were caused by airstrikes and shelling used to provide cover for a flotilla returning to Mandalay from Bhamo in southern Kachin State

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Women's Peace Network @womenspeacenetwork.org · 11/09/2025

📰 @waiwainu.bsky.social on #Myanmar junta's sham elections: "This is not an exit strategy, this is a trap. We need to understand that this will only prolong the violence & the conflict, and the junta's disastrous strategy in the country." #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...

abc.net.au

Myanmar's junta grabbed power in a coup. Now the country is going to the polls

Nearly five years ago, Myanmar's military seized power, plunging the country into a bloody civil war that left the junta internationally isolated. Now, with no end to the conflict in sight, Myanmar is...

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Lev Nachman @lnachman32.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

My book "Contested Taiwan: Sovereignty, Social Movements, and Party Formation" is out! I am incredibly grateful for such kind endorsements from @DafyddFell , @chongjaian.bsky.social and @josephwongut.bsky.social. Pre-orders are arriving now, and it is available in the link below!

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

For the final installment of this season of @carnegieendowment.org Carnegie China's China in the World podcast, looking at how different East Asian states approach relations w/🇨🇳, I am thrilled to have Natalie Sambhi & @yohanessulaiman.bsky.social join me. carnegieendowment.org/podcasts/chi...

carnegieendowment.org

China in the World

The China in the World podcast features discussions with leading scholars and former policymakers on China’s foreign policy, evolving global role, and relations with the world.

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Delighted @sungeunkim.bsky.social & Injoo Sohn took the time to speak about how🇰🇷manages ties w/🇨🇳on the latest episode of Carnegie China's China in the World podcast. Brought to you by @carnegieendowment.org carnegieendowment.org/podcasts/chi...

carnegieendowment.org

China in the World

The China in the World podcast features discussions with leading scholars and former policymakers on China’s foreign policy, evolving global role, and relations with the world.

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

Just in time for National Day! Shared my take on🇸🇬f’gn policy & strategy w/ Michael Green of CSIS. Struck by how large LKY still looms when people think abt🇸🇬’s external relations. That approach existed in a specific context which has now significantly changed. podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/t...

podcasts.apple.com

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I.B. Tauris (former imprint of Bloomsbury) @ibtauris.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

“An astonishing book that [reveals] the dismal implications for young Chinese women in light of the campaign to push them into marriage before the age of 26.” Read the full review of @letahongfincher.bsky.social's‬ ‘Leftover Women’ in the LA Review of Books. bit.ly/3GGutBM

bit.ly

Daughters Are Not Like Spilled Water | Los Angeles Review of Books

Susan Blumberg-Kason reviews recent books about the aftermath of China’s one-child policy and the experience of women in contemporary China.

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

In latest episode of the China in the World podcast from Carnegie China @carnegieendowment.org, I speak w/ Khoo Ying Hooi & Shahriman Lockman abt🇲🇾's efforts to juggle its ties w/🇨🇳, a situation complicated w/ the tariffs from the Trump admin. Do tune in! carnegieendowment.org/podcasts/chi...

carnegieendowment.org

Calibrating China Ties - Malaysia

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

Sharing the latest episode of the China in the World podcast from Carnegie China @carnegieendowment.org featuring Huong Le Thu & Nguyen Khac Giang, where we discuss 🇻🇳-🇨🇳 relations. It is part of our latest 5 episode season looking at how various states manage their economic and security ties w/ the🇨🇳.

china-in-the-world-6693cc67.simplecast.com

Calibrating China Ties - Vietnam | China in the World

Joining Ian Chong to discuss China's relationship with Vietnam are Huong Le Thu and Nguyễn Khác Giang.

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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 28/06/2025

154th Mekong River joint patrol concludes – Xinhua: ‘Law enforcement authorities from China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand’

english.news.cn

154th Mekong River joint patrol concludes

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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 28/06/2025

Chinese human rights delegation visits Greece, promotes exchanges – Xinhua

english.news.cn

Chinese human rights delegation visits Greece, promotes exchanges

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Thanks to @ProspectF for inviting me to reflect on🇸🇬’s external relations following its 2025 general elections. Terima kasih Yayasan Prospek untuk mengundang saya direnung tentang hubungan luar🇸🇬setelah pilihan raya tahun 2025. 感謝遠景基金會讓我對2025年大選後🇸🇬外交做些反思。 #Singapore #ForeignPolicy #GE2025

pf.org.tw

Past Performance to Guarantee Future Return? Navigating Singapore’s External Relations at Time of Transition

Prospects & Perspectives

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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 12/06/2025

Chinese government officials are going at great lengths to protect jobs even as worsening profitability across companies has reached the highest level in over two decades – Bloomberg: ‘Xi Jinping is trying to clean up his economy without triggering mass layoffs.’

bloomberg.com

China Forced to Keep Unprofitable Firms Alive to Save Jobs and Avoid Unrest

Saddled with the most loss-making industrial companies since 2001, Xi Jinping is trying to clean up his economy without triggering mass layoffs.

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

Glad to announce a new season of @carnegieendowment.org Carnegie China's China in the World podcast. In this season, I look at how countries juggle economic & security concerns in interactions w/🇨🇳. We start off w/🇯🇵. Joining me are Ayumi Teraoka & Akira Igata. carnegieendowment.org/podcasts/chi...

carnegieendowment.org

Calibrating China Ties – Japan

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

Thanks to MASSA & SSEAC for the invitation to speak about 🇸🇬’s GE2025 & for putting the conversation online! #Singapore #GE2025 #Elections youtu.be/lRvh7hdKxQ8

youtu.be

Singapore General Election 2025 webinar

YouTube video by Sydney Southeast Asia Centre

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Always happy to see a new publication. Thanks to He Kai & Liu Feng for putting the volume together. #ASEAN #China #IndoPacific

Book cover for China’s Bilateral Relations & Order Transition in the Indo-Pacific

Chapter heading for Herding Cats: Coordination Challenges in ASEAN’s approach to China

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Chong Ja Ian @chongjaian.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Thanks to Mynah Mag for reaching out. Always glad to speak and hang out with @kixes, Ruby, Jialiang & the rest of the Mynah Mag crew! Even better when we are chatting politics & elections in 🇸🇬! open.spotify.com/episode/4sJj...

open.spotify.com

GE2025: (political) party 4 u

The Mynah Podcast · Episode

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