James Palmer

Though most recruits to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) are formally conscripts, it has always effectively been a volunteer force. Enlistment is not coercive, and the military has rarely struggled to meet its targets. All university students un... See more

What the Venezuela Attack Means for China Beijing’s response will test its “all-weather” partnership with Caracas. Welcome to Foreign Policy’s China Brief. The highlights this week: China reacts to the U.S. attack on Venezuela, Chinese President Xi Jinpin... See more

4 Predictions for China in 2026 What we’re watching in the new year, from women’s rights to AI dangers. Welcome to the final edition of Foreign Policy’s China Brief for 2025. Compared with what lies further ahead, next year may be relatively quiet for Chi... See more

China’s Year of Patience The trends that defined Beijing’s 2025, from the trade war with Trump to challenges on the home front. Welcome to Foreign Policy’s China Brief. It’s been a year of patience for China, as the country struggles to shake off the long... See more

What’s It Like to Be a Chinese Soldier? Behind the parades, recruits face long deployments, strict rules, and limited opportunities. Welcome to Foreign Policy’s China Brief. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army looms large in U.S. military strategy, often... See more