The United States has a long history of interference in Taiwan’s internal politics. Now that the ruling party has fewer seats than the opposition, Washington is likely to ramp up its influence on Ko Wen-je and his minority Taiwan People’s Party, which has suddenly become a crucial swing vote.

The recent Taiwan election will pose challenges for relations between China and the United States because Taiwan’s new leaders have been strong agitators for independence. But it’s unlikely that they will pursue any brazen acts, as that would complicate the U.S. presidential election and otherwise work against America’s interests.

It is essential that China and the United States avoid a nuclear arms race. The recent stabilization of relations is a prerequisite for bilateral nuclear dialogue. Such a dialogue, in turn, will help maintain not only strategic stability but also healthy overall ties.

In 2024 and beyond, the two nations must strive to understand the other’s mindset. Concerted efforts will be needed to mitigate risks and enhance stability. Both should refrain from taking unilateral actions against the other worldwide based on perceptions of maritime security.

The upcoming presidential election in Taiwan is shaped by both domestic concerns and the U.S.-China struggle over the self-governing island. Key local issues like the economy, energy independence, healthcare, and corruption are dominating the electoral discourse, and whoever wins will play a key role in shaping cross-strait relations—and U.S.-China relations—in 2024 and the years to come.

Artificial intelligence is in its early stage, so it’s hard to accurately predict all its risks and benefits. But a new wave of AI is rapidly approaching. No one can afford to ignore the huge potential benefits of this technology and no one can afford to fall behind in international competition.

The U.S. technology embargo has only energized Chinese scientists and engineers to create domestic alternatives. But it also hampers global innovation and will breed a variety of different — likely incompatible — technological systems and standards. This is a nightmare.

Different goals will determine how China and the United States will engage. Both sides want peace in the Taiwan Strait — which is the first point of consensus and one that should be expanded. The trouble is that the voices for peace are not in the mainstream in the United States.

The compromise reached by U.S. Congress on the military spending bill, allowing the sale of nuclear submarines to Australia as part of AUKUS, signals a significant shift in defense dynamics in the Asia-Pacific. While intended to bolster regional security, the pact faces criticism both within Australia and among neighboring nations, raising concerns about arms races and the sidelining of economic cooperation in the region.

The latest round of the Israel-Hamas conflict has dragged the Israeli-Palestinian issue back to center stage in the Middle East. While China played a positive role in getting Iran and Saudi Arabia to the negotiating table, the violence in Gaza could influence the election prospects of U.S. President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party.