Tom Clifford

Tom Clifford is an Irish journalist, currently based in Beijing.

Britain’s Gunboat Diplomacy in the South China Sea

Sending its new aircraft carrier to the South China Sea is another desperate attempt by the former power to punch above its weight class.

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China’s “Interesting Times”

As China rings in the New Year, a brief look at some of the problems the country is facing.

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China’s Interesting Future, in 2019

If China has a problem, so does the global economy.

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How the UK Always Plays Ireland

The Brexit episode is but the latest historical episode proving that the UK’s political rhetoric is just self-serving when it comes to Irish matters.

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Japan’s Looming Imperial Abdication

Japan’s succession will provide the country with symbols of its past, though some will try to hijack them as markers for the future.

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China’s Biggest Political Summit

For all of China’s active global summitry, the most complex diplomatic exercise is entirely domestic – the CCP’s Party Congress, held every five years.

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Troubles in Washington, Troubles in Beijing

The U.S. and China may seem completely out of step – but face many of the same challenges.

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China and WWII’s “Sarajevo” Moment

Is a bridge in Beijing where the first shots of WWII were fired – back in July 1937?

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The Handover of Hong Kong Revisited

July 1, 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of Britain handing Hong Kong to China.

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Japan Loves Hitler

In its shameless pursuit of Japanese suprematism, the Abe government declares Hitler’s racist diatribe as apt literature for schoolchildren.

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