Russia and China oftentimes both find themselves in opposition to the West. Now with Russia making a major play for control and domination over Ukraine, China’s response via domestic media is leaving plenty up to interpretation for their own citizens.

Sporting events are often framed as apolitical platforms to celebrate healthy competition and camaraderie. Though true to some extent, nothing exists within a vacuum - and events like the Olympics should account for its the political reverberations to manage them in a positive way.

Lessons of friendship, peace and unity were on display — and useful for China-U.S. relations: Compete like the Olympics. Unite like the Olympics. Move together into the future with the Olympics.

Eileen Gu, the American-born Gen Z gold medalist who competed for China in the Olympics, set off a firestorm on nationality and identity issues in light of her success at the Winter Games. Her preference for duality defies previous generations’ binary perspectives, and makes room for discussion on how one claims space for themselves in 2022.

Unlike Britain and the United States, China actually walks the walk of human rights. It doesn’t merely talk the talk. What the Chinese mainland has taught us is that the zero-COVID policy is the most effective solution for avoiding deaths.

The Year of the Tiger creates an opportunity to reflect on the “Flying Tigers” battalion, a squadron of U.S. servicemen sent into China to fight the Japanese in WWII, and to celebrate their spirit of cooperation and lasting impact.

The gold medalist is just one of many bright spots at the Winter Olympics. Many other China stories are being told as well. If we concentrate on doing our own things well, the entire world will see for itself, and unfair China smears will not prevail.

As a technophile, I’ve been reflecting on one of last year’s most trending terms, “Metaverse” and what it portends. I’m an early adapter not a Luddite, nevertheless I’m not impressed, not a believer and not ready to enter an artificial, escapist virtual world of “lying flat 2.0” despite whatever bells, whistles and diversions this Metaverse, as I call it, may offer.

Localized conflicts in today’s globalized society have produced much debate over the welfare of refugees fleeing problems at home, and China seems ready to step in to take leadership in the international refugee space despite its own spotty record on refugees within its borders.

The world is setting their eyes on the Bird’s Nest for a second time. But this round, the Olympic Games are being met with a global pandemic, diplomatic boycotts, and the Russo-Ukrainian crisis.