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Palmer-James-foreign-policy-staff-portraits-202226

James Palmer

Deputy Editor [email protected]

James Palmer is a deputy editor at Foreign Policy and writes FP’s weekly China Brief newsletter. Palmer is the author of The Bloody White Baron: The Extraordinary Story of the Russian Nobleman Who Became the Last Khan of Mongolia and The Death of Mao: The Tangshan Earthquake and the Birth of the New China. He won the Shiva Naipaul prize for travel writing in 2003.

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Articles by James Palmer
People walk in front of a residential area under lockdown due to COVID-19 restrictions in Beijing on June 23.
People walk in front of a residential area under lockdown due to COVID-19 restrictions in Beijing on June 23.

China’s COVID-19 Stagnation Has No End in Sight

China Brief
James Palmer
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi takes part in a press conference on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Aug. 5.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi takes part in a press conference on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Aug. 5.

Beijing’s Diplomacy Suffers in Europe

China Brief
James Palmer
A Taiwanese military outpost is seen beyond anti-landing spikes along the coast in Kinmen, Taiwan, on Aug. 10.
A Taiwanese military outpost is seen beyond anti-landing spikes along the coast in Kinmen, Taiwan, on Aug. 10.

Why Doesn’t China Invade Taiwan?

China Brief
James Palmer
Pelosi waves standing in a group of people, all wearing masks.
Pelosi waves standing in a group of people, all wearing masks.

China Responds to Pelosi’s Taiwan Trip

China Brief
James Palmer
U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi holds her weekly press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on July 21.
U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi holds her weekly press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on July 21.

Pelosi’s Taiwan Trip Causes a Ruckus in Washington

China Brief
James Palmer
Construction workers walk by signs advertising a development project as they leave work in Beijing on July 15.
Construction workers walk by signs advertising a development project as they leave work in Beijing on July 15.

Chinese Mortgage Boycott Gains Steam

China Brief
James Palmer
Chinese demonstrators hold banners during a protest over the freezing of deposits by rural-based banks outside a People’s Bank of China building in Zhengzhou, China, on July 10.
Chinese demonstrators hold banners during a protest over the freezing of deposits by rural-based banks outside a People’s Bank of China building in Zhengzhou, China, on July 10.

The Chinese Protesters Who Got What They Wanted—Sort of

China Brief
James Palmer
A view of the Four Seasons hotel in Hong Kong on Feb. 1, 2017. Billionaire Xiao Jianhua was abducted from the property days earlier.
A view of the Four Seasons hotel in Hong Kong on Feb. 1, 2017. Billionaire Xiao Jianhua was abducted from the property days earlier.

How Xiao Jianhua Angered President Xi

China Brief
James Palmer
Students walk in front of a television screen displaying footage of Chinese Xi Jinping at an exhibition ahead of the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover on June 23.
Students walk in front of a television screen displaying footage of Chinese Xi Jinping at an exhibition ahead of the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover on June 23.

How Does the Chinese Public Feel About Xi’s Third Term?

China Brief
James Palmer
A health worker helps people obtain a code to be able to be tested for COVID-19 in Shanghai on March 14.
A health worker helps people obtain a code to be able to be tested for COVID-19 in Shanghai on March 14.

Will China Use Health Apps to Crack Down on Dissent?

China Brief
James Palmer
Police officers patrol a night market in Laishan, China.
Police officers patrol a night market in Laishan, China.

A Brutal Attack Stirs Anger and Shame in China

China Brief
James Palmer
A pro-democracy activist holds an electric candle in Victoria Park, the traditional site of the annual Tiananmen Square massacre candlelight vigil, on June 5 in Hong Kong.
A pro-democracy activist holds an electric candle in Victoria Park, the traditional site of the annual Tiananmen Square massacre candlelight vigil, on June 5 in Hong Kong.

Why a Top Chinese Influencer Got Taken Offline

China Brief
James Palmer
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attends the closing session of the National People's Congress in Beijing on March 11.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attends the closing session of the National People's Congress in Beijing on March 11.

China’s Premier Steps Up to Issue Economic Warning

China Brief
James Palmer
Security personnel stand guard at the entrance to the Forbidden City near an image of Chinese President Xi Jinping as the closing session of the National People's Congress takes place in Beijing on March 11.
Security personnel stand guard at the entrance to the Forbidden City near an image of Chinese President Xi Jinping as the closing session of the National People's Congress takes place in Beijing on March 11.

Expanding State Power Still Tops Xi’s Agenda

China Brief
James Palmer
Workers wearing protective gear stack up boxes to deliver in the Jing'an district in Shanghai on May 7.
Workers wearing protective gear stack up boxes to deliver in the Jing'an district in Shanghai on May 7.

China’s COVID-19 Data Doesn’t Match Its Harsh Restrictions

China Brief
James Palmer
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