Wang Zheng is a Visiting Fellow with ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. He is a Ph.D. candidate in political science at the University at Albany, State University of New York.
CONTRIBUTORS
Wang Zheng
Articles by Wang Zheng (6)
RedNote’s Success and Beijing’s Soft Power in Southeast Asia
Wang Zheng
The Chinese social media app RedNote has expanded its presence in Southeast Asia, making the region its second-largest market outside mainland China. RedNote, which only has a single global version for both domestic and foreign users, is subject to greater content regulation from the Chinese government than platforms like TikTok and WeChat. Ultimately, RedNote’s ability to grow its regional influence depends on its ability to address regional concerns over whether the app will be exploited by Beijing to propagate its political narratives and influence Southeast Asian netizens.
China’s Digital Silk Road (DSR) in Southeast Asia: Progress and Challenges
Wang Zheng
China’s Digital Silk Road (DSR) initiative has made significant strides in Southeast Asia. All countries in the region have received DSR investments, with Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia taking the lion’s share. However, China faces multiple challenges in pushing the DSR forward, including the growing tensions between the state and private tech companies domestically as well as intensifying US-China technological rivalry and risks of tech bifurcation.
China’s Think-Tank Diplomacy in Southeast Asia: Idea Exchange or Echo Chamber?
Wang Zheng
China’s intensified efforts to engage with regional think-tanks have not produced the results it has hoped for, mainly because Beijing seems to care more about imposing its own views than a true meeting of the minds.
China’s Pragmatic Party Diplomacy in Southeast Asia
Wang Zheng
The Chinese Communist Party’s outreach to political parties in Southeast Asia, regardless of ideology, underscores the pragmatism in President Xi Jinping’s plan for regional influence.
Assessing the Belt and Road Initiative in Southeast Asia amid the COVID-19 Pandemic (2021-2022)
Wang Zheng
Data analysis from an original dataset tracking major China-financed projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Southeast Asia since January 2021 shows that China remains committed to boosting BRI projects’ progress.