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Articles by Charles Sun
When the world's at stake, go beyond the headlines.
For all the warnings about an increasingly capable Chinese military, this may very well be an awkward moment for Beijing to have that military tested. General Secretary Xi Jinping has hollowed out much of the People’s Liberation Army’s senior command through purges and is now trying to rebuild it while preserving the appearance of uninterrupted strength. Several factors have allowed Xi to purge and rebuild on this scale, among them a temporary easing of external pressure.
Beijing ships harmful products it restricts at home
(Elsa Olofsson / Unsplash) By Christopher Nye and Charles Sun • Aug 17, 2026 The People’s Republic of China (PRC) enforces many product rules domestically without extending them to goods that leave the country. These cases span distinct ministerial jurisdictions, encompassing fentanyl precursors, flavored e-cigarettes, toxic children’s products, and large language models (LLMs). These trades share a similar factual structure.
China Has Chosen to Disappoint Its Consumers
A person is standing a supermarket while holding a bag of chips and pushing a cart. A consumer selects a product at a supermarket in Zaozhuang, China, on August 9. CN-STR/AFP via Getty Images When China’s Politburo met on July 30 to set economic policy for the second half of 2026, the numbers in front of it were not good. In the first half of the year, retail sales grew just 1.3 percent from a year earlier, while the economy grew 4.7 percent.
Beijing tightens control over outbound investment
(Max van den Oetelaar / Unsplash) By Chrisopher Nye and Charles Sun • Jul 13, 2026 A new State Council administrative regulation is the first in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to govern outbound investment as a whole. It defines “resident individuals” as outbound investors for the first time, subjecting private overseas investment to the approval, reporting, security-review, and penalty framework that previously only encompassed enterprises.
Why Is Alibaba on a Pentagon Blacklist?
On the Pentagon’s recently updated list of “Chinese military companies,” several entries seem strangely out of place. A few lines above the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the state-owned conglomerate that builds the country’s fighter jets, now sits the e-commerce giant Alibaba, for instance. AVIC has appeared on every version of the list since the first was published in June 2021. Its placement is irrefutable. It is “directly owned and controlled” by China’s state asset regulator.
The Incentive Architecture Export Controls Cannot Reach
The U.S. debate over how to respond to China’s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities contains a structural blind spot that neither side has engaged. The most commonly proposed response, tighter export controls, does not merely fail to disrupt the Chinese incentive system that drives AI capability acquisition. It strengthens that system, by deepening the resource dependence that motivates firms to align with the Chinese government’s priorities in the first place.
The World's #1 Website Still Runs TLS 1.0 — Why?
© 2026 Charles Sun. All rights reserved. For decades, the industry has defended keeping obsolete protocols alive with one excuse: “Compatibility.” But when half of the top 10 global websites still allow TLS 1.0 and 1.1 — protocols deprecated years ago — the issue is not compatibility. It is a failure of basic protocol hygiene. Independent scans confirm that even the highest‑ranked domains still negotiate TLS 1.0 when probed — a measurable security regression.
The Deeper Pattern Behind China’s Military Purges
Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Shengmin salutes Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 4. Kevin Frayer/Getty Images On April 8, China’s Central Military Commission (CMC) convened a “rectification” training session for the remaining senior officers in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Chairman Xi Jinping delivered the opening speech.
The Deeper Pattern Behind China’s Military Purges
On April 8, China’s Central Military Commission (CMC) convened a “rectification” training session for the remaining senior officers in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Chairman Xi Jinping delivered the opening speech. On the dais beside him at the National Defense University in Beijing sat a single colleague: Zhang Shengmin.
The Pattern Behind Xi Jinping’s Military Purges
By Christopher Nye , a nonresident fellow at the Jamestown Foundation, and Charles Sun , a Sinovation fellow at Yale School of Management.
tovima.com - Breaking News, Analysis and Opinion from To Vima’s International Edition
China’s higher education system is often described in increasingly polarized terms: either as becoming more closed and strategically controlled, or as continuing a familiar trajectory of gradual “maturation” within global norms of internationalization. Both interpretations contain elements of truth. Yet neither is sufficient on its own.
The hidden system turning Chinese tech companies into military suppliers
Skip to content SPECIAL THREATS TO CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN IRAN CONFLICT | READ MORE → Powered by the McCrary Institute at Auburn University Get your cyber briefing Straight from our experts to your inbox
When the world's at stake, go beyond the headlines.
In October 2022, Unitree Robotics joined Boston Dynamics, Agility Robotics, and three other firms in signing an open letter pledging not to weaponize their machines and to review customers’ intended applications. This Chinese startup based in Hangzhou had earned its place in that group. Founded in 2016 by a 26-year-old engineer named Wang Xingxing, who quit his job at the drone maker DJI during his probationary period, Unitree set out to build affordable quadruped robots. It worked.
The Private Firms Powering China’s Military AI Push
China’s private firms are winning its military AI bids – and Washington doesn’t seem to grasp the implications. Credit: Depositphotos Subscribe for ads-free reading In February 2026, a notice on the People’s Liberation Army’s procurement platform revealed that Shanxi 100 Trust Information Technology, a 266-person IT firm headquartered in China’s coal belt, had been banned from military procurement for one year for submitting falsified bidding materials.
The Private Firms Powering China’s Military AI Push
In February 2026, a notice on the People’s Liberation Army’s procurement platform revealed that Shanxi 100 Trust Information Technology, a 266-person IT firm headquartered in China’s coal belt, had been banned from military procurement for one year for submitting falsified bidding materials. What made the penalty remarkable was not the violation itself, which is common enough in PLA procurement. It was the company.
China’s Higher Education Path Towards Modern Globalisation
The evolution of China’s higher education system reflects a constant negotiation between external influence and domestic priorities. Historically, China has selectively borrowed from foreign models—first from the West in the late 19th century, then from the Soviet Union in the early years of the People’s Republic. Reforms have played a decisive role in shaping this trajectory.
Olson blasts 2 HRs, Acuña has 4 hits as Strider, Braves overpower Phillies 11-4
Ronald Acuña Jr. drove in three runs with four hits, including a two-run single in Atlanta’s seven-run first inning, and the Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 11-4 on Sunday night to split the four-game series. Matt Olson hit a pair of two-run homers for Atlanta, and Spencer Strider became the fastest pitcher in modern history to reach 100 strikeouts in a season. Acuña hit a run-scoring triple in the fifth before Olson’s second homer to center.
Olson blasts 2 HRs, Acuña has 4 hits as Strider, Braves overpower Phillies 11-4
ATLANTA (AP) — Given a seven-run lead in the first inning, Atlanta right-hander Spencer Strider could relax and keep adding to his majors leading strikeout total. “That game felt like it was over pretty quick,” Strider said. Ronald Acuña Jr. drove in three runs with four hits, including a two-run single in Atlanta’s seven-run first inning, and the Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 11-4 on Sunday night to split the four-game series.
Atlanta rookie Shuster allows only 1 hit as Braves edge Mariners 3-2 for series win
ATLANTA (AP) — Jared Shuster allowed one hit in six innings to earn his first career win and the Atlanta Braves took their first series victory over Seattle in 12 years by beating the Mariners 3-2 on Sunday. Shuster (1-2) had seven strikeouts with only one walk in his fourth major league start. After beginning the day with a 7.24 ERA, the rookie left-hander made a strong case for getting a longer look in a rotation that has lost Max Fried and Kyle Wright to injuries.
Trae Young lifts Hawks past Mavericks in OT, 132-130
ATLANTA (AP) — Trae Young made two free throws with 1.8 seconds remaining in overtime to give Atlanta the lead and the Hawks beat the Dallas Mavericks 132-130 on Sunday night to keep pace in the Eastern Conference play-in race. Young was fouled by Kyrie Irving, who scored 41 points, with the game tied at 130. Following Young’s free throws, Luke Doncic, who scored 22 points, missed a last-second 3-pointer. The Hawks (39-39) moved back into eighth place in the play-in race.
Trae Young lifts Hawks past Mavericks in OT, 132-130
ATLANTA (AP) — Trae Young made two free throws with 1.8 seconds remaining in overtime to give Atlanta the lead and the Hawks beat the Dallas Mavericks 132-130 on Sunday night to keep pace in the Eastern Conference play-in race. Young was fouled by Kyrie Irving, who scored 41 points, with the game tied at 130. Following Young’s free throws, Luke Doncic, who scored 22 points, missed a last-second 3-pointer. The Hawks (39-39) moved back into eighth place in the play-in race.
Morant’s 27 points help streaking Grizzlies hold off Hawks
ATLANTA (AP) — Ja Morant scored 27 points in his return to the Memphis starting lineup and the Grizzlies held off the Atlanta Hawks 123-119 on Sunday night for their sixth consecutive win. Desmond Bane added 25 points for Memphis, twice delivering fourth-quarter baskets after Atlanta pulled within one. Memphis is second in the Western Conference despite a 15-22 road record. But the six-game winning streak, the NBA’s longest active streak, includes two victories away from home.
Logano passes Keselowski on last lap, gives Ford Atlanta win
HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) — Joey Logano dominated early and then passed Brad Keselowski on the final lap to win NASCAR’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway and end the early season domination of Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports on Sunday. Logano won the pole and led a strong showing of three straight Team Penske drivers in qualifying, but Keselowski looked like the Ford driver to beat late in the race.
Young’s buzzer-beating jumper lifts Hawks past Nets 129-127
ATLANTA (AP) — Trae Young sank a buzzer-beating jumper over Spencer Dinwiddie to lift the Atlanta Hawks to a 129-127 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Young finished with 34 points for the Hawks, who recovered after blowing an 18-point lead to overcome four Nets scorers with at least 20 points. Cam Johnson had 27 points for Brooklyn, including a 3-pointer from the corner to tie the game at 127 with 7.8 seconds remaining. Mikal Bridges scored 24 for the Nets, who have lost four of five.
Hawks hire Snyder as coach to replace fired McMillan
ATLANTA (AP) — Quin Snyder has been hired as coach of the Atlanta Hawks to replace the fired Nate McMillan, the team announced Sunday. The Hawks reached an agreement with Snyder on a five-year deal only five days after firing McMillan on Tuesday. The announcement from the team Sunday came shortly after the Hawks’ second straight win under interim coach Joe Brunty, a last-second, 129-127 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
Fully autonomous real-world reinforcement learning with applications to mobile manipulation - Robohub
By Jędrzej Orbik, Charles Sun, Coline Devin, Glen Berseth Reinforcement learning provides a conceptual framework for autonomous agents to learn from experience, analogously to how one might train a pet with treats. But practical applications of reinforcement learning are often far from natural: instead of using RL to learn through trial and error by actually attempting the desired task, typical RL applications use a separate (usually simulated) training phase.
Fully autonomous real-world reinforcement learning with applications to mobile manipulation - ΑΙhub
By Jędrzej Orbik, Charles Sun, Coline Devin, Glen Berseth Reinforcement learning provides a conceptual framework for autonomous agents to learn from experience, analogously to how one might train a pet with treats. But practical applications of reinforcement learning are often far from natural: instead of using RL to learn through trial and error by actually attempting the desired task, typical RL applications use a separate (usually simulated) training phase.
Opinion | Older physicians can help in the health-care crisis
Health care will be the subject of the First Ministers’ meeting in Ottawa Feb. 7. A recent Leger poll found that 86 per cent were worried about the state of health care. The premiers will be pushing for an increase in federal health transfer funding but a more important issue is the severe national shortage of health professionals. Some 1.8 million persons in Ontario have no family physician; another 1.7 million have one age 65 or greater. Over 6 million Canadians lack a FP.
Bucs’ Brady breaks own NFL mark for completions in a season
ATLANTA (AP) — Tom Brady broke his own NFL record for most completions in a season, quickly gaining the needed nine connections in Tampa Bay’s game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Brady had a record 485 completions with the Buccaneers in 2021. The 45-year-old Brady entered Sunday’s game against the Falcons with 477 completions, leaving him only nine away from a new record. Brady set the mark on a 5-yard completion to Russell Gage, the former Falcons receiver, early in the second quarter.
Ridder throws first 2 TD passes as Falcons top Brady, Bucs
ATLANTA (AP) — Rookie Desmond Ridder’s first two career touchdown passes powered the Atlanta Falcons to a 30-17 win over the playoff-bound Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday after Tom Brady added to his imposing list of records. Brady broke his own NFL record for most completions in a season before leaving the game late in the first half. Brady left with the score tied at 10 in the second quarter but had to watch the remainder of his first career loss to the Falcons from the sideline.
No. 1 Georgia rallies to beat No. 4 Ohio State 42-41 in semi
ATLANTA (AP) — Kirby Smart will ask his Georgia players to execute better when the Bulldogs play for second straight national championship next week, but the coach knows he can’t ask his players to be more resilient. Georgia remains undefeated because the Bulldogs never gave up while rallying from two-touchdown deficits in each half for a thrilling College Football Playoff semifinal 42-41 victory over Ohio State that ended early Sunday.
No. 1 Georgia rallies to beat No. 4 Ohio State 42-41 in semi
ATLANTA (AP) — Kirby Smart will ask his Georgia players to execute better when the Bulldogs play for second straight national championship next week, but the coach knows he can’t ask his players to be more resilient. Georgia remains undefeated because the Bulldogs never gave up while rallying from two-touchdown deficits in each half for a thrilling College Football Playoff semifinal 42-41 victory over Ohio State that ended early Sunday.
No. 1 Georgia rallies to beat No. 4 Ohio State 42-41 in semi
ATLANTA (AP) — Kirby Smart will ask his Georgia players to execute better when the Bulldogs play for second straight national championship next week, but the coach knows he can’t ask his players to be more resilient. Georgia remains undefeated because the Bulldogs never gave up while rallying from two-touchdown deficits in each half for a thrilling College Football Playoff semifinal 42-41 victory over Ohio State that ended early Sunday.
No. 1 Georgia still hungry as defending national champions
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Kearis Jackson insists he and his Georgia teammates are not content even after adding this year’s Southeastern Conference championship to last season’s drought-breaking national title. The Bulldogs are motivated to keep winning. In fact, Jackson, a senior wide receiver, insists No. 1 Georgia is working harder than at this time last year as they seek a new goal — back-to-back national championships. The Bulldogs won their first national title since 1980 last season.
Bears QB Fields has X-rays on left shoulder following loss
ATLANTA (AP) — Quarterback Justin Fields hurt his left shoulder on the final series in Chicago’s 27-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, leaving his status uncertain for the Bears’ next game. Fields had X-rays on the shoulder before opening his postgame news conference by saying “I’m hurting a little bit.” He was awaiting results and said he couldn’t speculate on his status for Chicago’s game at the New York Jets next week.
Koo’s late 53-yard FG lifts Falcons past Fields, Bears 27-24
ATLANTA (AP) — Younghoe Koo’s 53-yard field goal gave Atlanta the lead with less than two minutes to play and the Falcons overcame another impressive game from Chicago’s Justin Fields to beat the Bears 27-24 on Sunday. Fields ran for 85 yards with a touchdown, but the Bears suffered their fourth consecutive loss. Chicago (3-8) has lost six of seven. Fields’ pass for running back David Montgomery was intercepted by Falcons safety Jaylinn Hawkins with 1:07 remaining.
No. 1 Georgia boasts more balance thanks to offensive surge
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Kirby Smart was obviously in a hurry to get through his postgame news conference and join his recruits after Saturday’s win over Tennessee. At one point, the Georgia coach asked longtime sports information director Claude Felton if he was trying “to set some kind of record” for the longest news conference after a game.
Dicker’s FG on final play lifts Chargers past Falcons 20-17
ATLANTA (AP) — Cameron Dicker kicked a game-ending field goal three days after being signed as a free agent, hitting a 37-yarder that lifted the Los Angeles Chargers over the Atlanta Falcons 20-17 on Sunday. Dicker also made a 31-yard field goal with 5:27 left, tying the game at 17. The rookie from Texas was signed to the practice squad Thursday and activated Sunday in place of injured Dustin Hopkins.
Alford’s late pickoff saves Falcons’ 23-20 win over Browns
ATLANTA (AP) — Dee Alford intercepted Jacoby Brissett’s pass with less than a minute remaining and the Atlanta Falcons held on to beat the Cleveland Browns 23-20 on Sunday. The Falcons (2-2) spoiled the Georgia homecoming of Cleveland’s Nick Chubb, who ran for 118 yards and a touchdown with his high school team watching. Younghoe Koo’s 45-yard field goal, his third of the game, with 2:28 remaining gave the Falcons the lead.
Depleted defense may have influenced Browns’ 4th-down call
ATLANTA (AP) — A three-point loss led many observers to second-guess Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski’s ill-fated decision not to kick a field goal on the Browns’ opening drive against Atlanta. It’s possible the Browns’ depleted defense played a role in Stefanski’s call to go for it. The Browns were missing three starters on their defensive line, including All-Pro end Myles Garrett, in Sunday’s 23-20 loss to the Falcons.
Crucial red-zone fumble mars Mariota’s debut as Falcons QB
ATLANTA (AP) — A crucial red-zone fumble by Marcus Mariota spoiled his debut as Atlanta’s starter on Sunday and set up another blown big lead for the Falcons. The loss provided a painful reminder of Atlanta’s past as it tries to launch a new era with Mariota at quarterback. The Falcons led 23-10 when Mariota lost a fumble at the Saints 5 in the third quarter.
Taylor drives in go-ahead run, Dodgers top Braves 5-3 in 11
ATLANTA (AP) — Chris Taylor was certain his line drive was hooking foul. A deflection by Atlanta third baseman Austin Riley changed the path of the ball — and the outcome of a dramatic showdown between the last two World Series champions. Taylor had three hits, including the go-ahead double in the 11th inning, lifting the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-3 win over the Braves on Sunday night. Taylor’s double off Darren O’Day (1-2) glanced off Riley’s glove as Cody Bellinger scored from third base.
Tools of the trade: Elements IC
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes by Dr Charles Sun, Forrest Avenue Dental Centre, Bunbury, WA This is the latest of what have been many generations of the Elements obturation system. When you open the box, there’s a downpacker and a backfiller, both of which work very effectively. What’s good about it This cordless obturation system is reliable and consistent. The handpieces are beautifully ergonomic and the results are excellent. The downpacker heats up very quickly and cuts things cleanly.
Pitt’s reward for ACC title is Peach matchup vs Michigan St
By Charles OdumThe Associated Press Sun., Dec. 5, 2021timer3 min. read ATLANTA (AP) — A milestone season for Pittsburgh and quarterback Kenny Pickett is continuing with a Peach Bowl matchup against Michigan State. No. 13 Pitt’s reward for its first Atlantic Coast Conference championship is the Panthers’ first New Year’s Six bowl since 2004 in the Dec. 30 game in Atlanta against No. 11 Michigan State.
Max Fried beats Bauer 4-2, Braves take 2 of 3 from Dodgers
By Charles OdumThe Associated Press Sun., June 6, 2021timer2 min. read ATLANTA (AP) — Max Fried outpitched Trevor Bauer, and the Atlanta Braves beat Los Angeles 4-2 on Sunday to take two of three in the first meeting of the teams since the Dodgers rallied to win last year’s NL Championship Series. Albert Pujols hit his 671st home run and had two hits and two RBIs for the Dodgers. He homered leading off the ninth against closer Will Smith, who regrouped to get his 11th save in 11 chances.
Lou Williams’ hot shooting helps Hawks beat Bucks 111-104
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) scores past Atlanta Hawks forward Solomon Hill (18) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday, April 25, 2021, in Atlanta. By Charles OdumThe Associated Press Sun., April 25, 2021timer3 min.
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