The relationship between Azerbaijan and China has evolved significantly over the past decade. This is evident in public statements by their respective heads of state, which frequently highlight the growing friendship and expanding trade between the two countries. The culmination came in July 2024, when the two countries signed a joint declaration on strategic partnership, underscoring their commitment to both political and economic cooperation. – by Konstantin Kladensky

Every winter Chinese authorities receive numerous online complaints related to heating. In the past, central policies ignored complex local conditions. The desire of local leaders to reach their performance targets has added fuel to the problem. How did this situation come about? How did local governments respond? And why are environmental and energy goals so difficult to integrate? – by Jenny Li Jie

The 1949 Soviet film “Cossacks of the Kuban” was an instant success both in the Soviet Union and in the newly founded People’s Republic of China. The film’s popularity was a result of Sino-Soviet cooperation and waned just when relations between the states deteriorated. Today, the film is largely forgotten in China, but its songs are still sung. – by Stefan Wackerlig