Ben
@benjaminqiu.bsky.social
Lawyer, author; co-chair, Asian Affairs Comm, NYC Bar; former board member, Shanghai Foreign Correspondents Club; youth basketball and track coach
Meanwhile, the local citizen journalists’ posts are again more incisive — the Chinese economy is so bad that more than before folks opt for the slow green-colored trains because they are cheaper.
February 18, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Meanwhile, the local citizen journalists’ posts are again more incisive — the Chinese economy is so bad that more than before folks opt for the slow green-colored trains because they are cheaper.
If Paris were Los Angeles, the war in Ukraine would be near Memphis
February 8, 2026 at 5:28 PM
If Paris were Los Angeles, the war in Ukraine would be near Memphis
Exit poll in Japan today suggests a decisive win for Takaichi. Beijing’s saber rattling backfired spectacularly.
We will know the results around JP midnight.
Most bills require majority (233 seats)
Constitutional reforms require surpassing the threshold of 2/3 of seats (311).
We will know the results around JP midnight.
Most bills require majority (233 seats)
Constitutional reforms require surpassing the threshold of 2/3 of seats (311).
February 8, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Exit poll in Japan today suggests a decisive win for Takaichi. Beijing’s saber rattling backfired spectacularly.
We will know the results around JP midnight.
Most bills require majority (233 seats)
Constitutional reforms require surpassing the threshold of 2/3 of seats (311).
We will know the results around JP midnight.
Most bills require majority (233 seats)
Constitutional reforms require surpassing the threshold of 2/3 of seats (311).
With little barrier of entry to the Japanese car market for Chinese manufacturers, their complete failure to crack that market is quite a contrast to their success in the EU, Middle East, etc. Meanwhile, there’s a niche/hobbyist market for muscular American cars, as see here at beautiful Kamakura.
February 3, 2026 at 4:24 PM
With little barrier of entry to the Japanese car market for Chinese manufacturers, their complete failure to crack that market is quite a contrast to their success in the EU, Middle East, etc. Meanwhile, there’s a niche/hobbyist market for muscular American cars, as see here at beautiful Kamakura.
I always wondered how the vast majority of Americans, who for generations never experienced fascism/Leninism, would act in the face of tyranny.
January 29, 2026 at 8:44 PM
I always wondered how the vast majority of Americans, who for generations never experienced fascism/Leninism, would act in the face of tyranny.
SPRC state media tried to make it sound like Starmer came over to kowtow, by using an honorific when he addressed Xi but not the other way round.
January 29, 2026 at 6:57 PM
SPRC state media tried to make it sound like Starmer came over to kowtow, by using an honorific when he addressed Xi but not the other way round.
Could be the best Nike ad ever.
January 11, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Could be the best Nike ad ever.
He feared that Renee Good was about to seriously injure or kill him at this moment. Of course.
January 10, 2026 at 11:40 PM
He feared that Renee Good was about to seriously injure or kill him at this moment. Of course.
MAGA surely voted for this.
January 10, 2026 at 5:25 AM
MAGA surely voted for this.
A difference between al-Qaeda terrorists and russians is that the U.S. actually wants to negotiate with russian terrorists.
January 8, 2026 at 5:35 PM
A difference between al-Qaeda terrorists and russians is that the U.S. actually wants to negotiate with russian terrorists.
Interesting map showing which part of China is over or underrepresented in CCP leadership relative to its population. Shandong is known for its disproportional supply of PLA enlisted personnel and meager educational resources.
January 7, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Interesting map showing which part of China is over or underrepresented in CCP leadership relative to its population. Shandong is known for its disproportional supply of PLA enlisted personnel and meager educational resources.
Japan’s Statue of Liberty/Spirituality in Kamakura. It appears the SE Asian and South Asian tourists have completely replaced those from China.
January 2, 2026 at 5:18 AM
Japan’s Statue of Liberty/Spirituality in Kamakura. It appears the SE Asian and South Asian tourists have completely replaced those from China.
Nikkō Tōshō-gū and the solemn tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu (undisturbed since 1617), Japan’s Mount Vernon + FDR library. 2.5 hours north of Tokyo. Very few tourists.
December 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Nikkō Tōshō-gū and the solemn tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu (undisturbed since 1617), Japan’s Mount Vernon + FDR library. 2.5 hours north of Tokyo. Very few tourists.
Christmas tipple is a 🇯🇵 parlimentary sake from Fukushima.
December 24, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Christmas tipple is a 🇯🇵 parlimentary sake from Fukushima.
Trump Class, Golden Fleet
December 24, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Trump Class, Golden Fleet
China shows a possible direction of the future of humanity.
December 20, 2025 at 2:13 AM
China shows a possible direction of the future of humanity.
Fav sandwich shop in town hitting the spot again.
December 18, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Fav sandwich shop in town hitting the spot again.
Music to the ear and a shot in the arm for Beijing.
December 8, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Music to the ear and a shot in the arm for Beijing.
When it comes to this, the Americans will surely sue for peace, right?
December 3, 2025 at 4:44 PM
When it comes to this, the Americans will surely sue for peace, right?
Guess which of these two is threatening to recall the other to active Navy duty, and to be prosecuted under military law for urging troops to disobey illegal orders.
November 26, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Guess which of these two is threatening to recall the other to active Navy duty, and to be prosecuted under military law for urging troops to disobey illegal orders.