Patricia M. Thornton
@pm-thornton.bsky.social
Professor in the Politics of China at Dept of Politics & IR, Dickson Poon China Centre, University of Oxford and Merton College; British Association of Chinese Studies Council member.
Mostly posting about China, HK, Taiwan politics
Mostly posting about China, HK, Taiwan politics
Reposted by Patricia M. Thornton
For those in London next Fri, please join us for this fantastic event, organised by the Independent Chinese PEN Centre, in partnership with PEN International
May be of interest to your networks: @ppoon.bsky.social, @nicolamacbean.bsky.social, @taniabranigan.bsky.social,
@pm-thornton.bsky.social
May be of interest to your networks: @ppoon.bsky.social, @nicolamacbean.bsky.social, @taniabranigan.bsky.social,
@pm-thornton.bsky.social
Join the Independent Chinese PEN Centre with PEN International for “Chinese Prisons and International War: The 2025 ICPC Awards and Panel Discussions” on 14 November 2025, 1–5 PM.
Tickets available now ⬇️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chinese-pr...
#DayOfTheImprisonedWriter
Tickets available now ⬇️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chinese-pr...
#DayOfTheImprisonedWriter
November 6, 2025 at 3:43 PM
For those in London next Fri, please join us for this fantastic event, organised by the Independent Chinese PEN Centre, in partnership with PEN International
May be of interest to your networks: @ppoon.bsky.social, @nicolamacbean.bsky.social, @taniabranigan.bsky.social,
@pm-thornton.bsky.social
May be of interest to your networks: @ppoon.bsky.social, @nicolamacbean.bsky.social, @taniabranigan.bsky.social,
@pm-thornton.bsky.social
Newly released: " #Project2025: #China & the United States"
(revised from a talk I gave at the Verso Books Conference on China, convened in London on 2-4 October, 2025.)
positionspolitics.org/patricia-tho...
(revised from a talk I gave at the Verso Books Conference on China, convened in London on 2-4 October, 2025.)
positionspolitics.org/patricia-tho...
Patricia Thornton, Project 2025: China and the United States - positions politics
On October 2nd, 2025, Donald Trump dispelled any lingering doubts about his relationship to the überconservative policy positions laid out by the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025.” Rowing back on h...
positionspolitics.org
November 6, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Newly released: " #Project2025: #China & the United States"
(revised from a talk I gave at the Verso Books Conference on China, convened in London on 2-4 October, 2025.)
positionspolitics.org/patricia-tho...
(revised from a talk I gave at the Verso Books Conference on China, convened in London on 2-4 October, 2025.)
positionspolitics.org/patricia-tho...
Reposted by Patricia M. Thornton
My article about state resistance to transnational #disinformation is out now in
@ejir.bsky.social.
doi.org/10.1177/1354...
Taking #Taiwan's resistance to #China's disinformation as its empirical focus, the article offers 4 contributions to #InternationalRelations:
(1/5)
@ejir.bsky.social.
doi.org/10.1177/1354...
Taking #Taiwan's resistance to #China's disinformation as its empirical focus, the article offers 4 contributions to #InternationalRelations:
(1/5)
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
doi.org
November 4, 2025 at 3:04 PM
My article about state resistance to transnational #disinformation is out now in
@ejir.bsky.social.
doi.org/10.1177/1354...
Taking #Taiwan's resistance to #China's disinformation as its empirical focus, the article offers 4 contributions to #InternationalRelations:
(1/5)
@ejir.bsky.social.
doi.org/10.1177/1354...
Taking #Taiwan's resistance to #China's disinformation as its empirical focus, the article offers 4 contributions to #InternationalRelations:
(1/5)
RFI: The #KMT elects Cheng Li-wen #鄭麗文, the 2nd female chair in the party's history. Formerly a #DPP activist, Cheng is such an outspoken advocate for #Taiwan's reunification w/#China that the #NPP chair claims it is now just a branch of the #CCP #台灣 t.co/sSRXpwGoXj
要聞分析 - 高調親中的鄭麗文會把國民黨帶向哪裡？
台灣前立委鄭麗文擊敗前台北市長郝龍斌、國民黨立委羅智強等對手，在10月18日當選新任國民黨主席，這是國民黨繼前黨主席洪秀柱之後，黨員直選產生的第2位女性黨魁。但台灣執政黨民進黨和“時代力量”等都對高調親中的鄭麗文提出警告。
www.rfi.fr
October 19, 2025 at 5:13 PM
The Faculty of Asian & Middle Eastern Studies at Oxford is appointing an AP in Modern Chinese Studies working on contemporary #China in anthropology, sociology, political science, international relations or law w/a strong engagement with Chinese texts. For more details see: tinyurl.com/4teuh47w
Job Details
my.corehr.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:12 PM
The Faculty of Asian & Middle Eastern Studies at Oxford is appointing an AP in Modern Chinese Studies working on contemporary #China in anthropology, sociology, political science, international relations or law w/a strong engagement with Chinese texts. For more details see: tinyurl.com/4teuh47w
The Guardian: #China's Xi directs quashing of feminists even as he praises advances at global women’s summit in Beijing to mark the 30th anniversary of the historic UN’s world conference on women
Activists in China silenced for ‘promoting gender antagonism’ www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Activists in China silenced for ‘promoting gender antagonism’ www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Xi directs quashing of Chinese feminists even as he praises advances at women’s conference
Chinese president is behind patriarchal turn in politics with activists silenced for ‘promoting gender antagonism’
www.theguardian.com
October 16, 2025 at 8:13 AM
The Guardian: #China's Xi directs quashing of feminists even as he praises advances at global women’s summit in Beijing to mark the 30th anniversary of the historic UN’s world conference on women
Activists in China silenced for ‘promoting gender antagonism’ www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Activists in China silenced for ‘promoting gender antagonism’ www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Reposted by Patricia M. Thornton
🥳🎉👏Congratulations to @politicsoxford.bsky.social's @pm-thornton.bsky.social, who has had the title of full professor conferred on her in the University of Oxford's Recognition of Distinction Scheme 2025!: www.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/dpirs-p...
DPIR’S Patricia Thornton recognised in Recognition of Distinction Scheme 2025
www.politics.ox.ac.uk
September 16, 2025 at 3:54 PM
🥳🎉👏Congratulations to @politicsoxford.bsky.social's @pm-thornton.bsky.social, who has had the title of full professor conferred on her in the University of Oxford's Recognition of Distinction Scheme 2025!: www.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/dpirs-p...
The Guardian: In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to #China . "Zhu noted how prescient his departure now looks, given the scorched-earth politics of the second #Trump administration" www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
‘I have to do it’: Why one of the world’s most brilliant AI scientists left the US for China
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now he might hold the key to who wins the global AI race
www.theguardian.com
September 16, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The Guardian: In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to #China . "Zhu noted how prescient his departure now looks, given the scorched-earth politics of the second #Trump administration" www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
Reposted by Patricia M. Thornton
Congratulations to @pm-thornton.bsky.social (Director of #ContemporaryChinaStudies Programme and University Lecturer in the Politics of China @osgaoxford.bsky.social) who has received the title of ‘Professor in the Politics of China’.
Read more: www.area-studies.ox.ac.uk/article/patr...
Read more: www.area-studies.ox.ac.uk/article/patr...
Patricia Thornton receives title ‘Professor in the Politics of China’ in Oxford University’s Recognition of Distinction exercise 2025
www.area-studies.ox.ac.uk
September 2, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Congratulations to @pm-thornton.bsky.social (Director of #ContemporaryChinaStudies Programme and University Lecturer in the Politics of China @osgaoxford.bsky.social) who has received the title of ‘Professor in the Politics of China’.
Read more: www.area-studies.ox.ac.uk/article/patr...
Read more: www.area-studies.ox.ac.uk/article/patr...
CNN: Xi & #Putin stand shoulder to shoulder as #China casts itself an alternative global leader in contrast to US's “bullying practices”
Xi unveiled a brand new Global Governance Initiative in contrast to #Trump 's withdrawal from int'l engagement edition.cnn.com/2025/09/01/c...
Xi unveiled a brand new Global Governance Initiative in contrast to #Trump 's withdrawal from int'l engagement edition.cnn.com/2025/09/01/c...
Xi and Putin stand shoulder to shoulder as China casts itself as an alternative global leader | CNN
Chinese leader Xi Jinping made a veiled swipe at the United States on Monday as he criticized “bullying practices” and cast his country as a new leader of world governance, at a time when President Do...
edition.cnn.com
September 1, 2025 at 11:41 AM
CNN: Xi & #Putin stand shoulder to shoulder as #China casts itself an alternative global leader in contrast to US's “bullying practices”
Xi unveiled a brand new Global Governance Initiative in contrast to #Trump 's withdrawal from int'l engagement edition.cnn.com/2025/09/01/c...
Xi unveiled a brand new Global Governance Initiative in contrast to #Trump 's withdrawal from int'l engagement edition.cnn.com/2025/09/01/c...
RFI: #China 's state-run CCTV: Sino-Russian relations are at their "best period in history" & have become "the most stable, mature & strategically significant relationship between major powers" "building a more equitable multipolar world order" 普京抵达天津出席峰会，俄中两国结成“统一战线”抗衡西方 www.rfi.fr/cn/%E4%B8%AD...
普京抵达天津出席峰会，俄中两国结成“统一战线”抗衡西方
据路透社援引中俄官方媒体报道，俄罗斯总统普京周日抵达中国北方港口城市天津，出席一场旨在抗衡西方全球影响力的区域安全峰会。
www.rfi.fr
September 1, 2025 at 8:12 AM
RFI: #China 's state-run CCTV: Sino-Russian relations are at their "best period in history" & have become "the most stable, mature & strategically significant relationship between major powers" "building a more equitable multipolar world order" 普京抵达天津出席峰会，俄中两国结成“统一战线”抗衡西方 www.rfi.fr/cn/%E4%B8%AD...
China tests GFW: On Aug 20, 2025, the Great Firewall of #China (GFW) unconditionally injected forged TCP RST+ACK packets to disrupt all connections on TCP port 443. This incident caused massive disruption of the Internet connections between China & the rest of the world gfw.report/blog/gfw_unc...
Analysis of the GFW's Unconditional Port 443 Block on August 20, 2025
The Great Firewall of China (GFW) conducted a large-scale, unconditional block targeting TCP port 443 on August 20, 2025. This report documents the measurements and analysis we conducted of that event...
gfw.report
August 26, 2025 at 8:40 PM
China tests GFW: On Aug 20, 2025, the Great Firewall of #China (GFW) unconditionally injected forged TCP RST+ACK packets to disrupt all connections on TCP port 443. This incident caused massive disruption of the Internet connections between China & the rest of the world gfw.report/blog/gfw_unc...
SCMP: #Trump ’s overhaul of State Dept may play into Beijing’s hands for decades
US foreign service lost more than 3,000 employees & dozens of bureaus, leaving #China w/largest diplomatic corps
“We just gutted [development programmes] ourselves, a huge win for China.”
www.scmp.com/news/us/dipl...
US foreign service lost more than 3,000 employees & dozens of bureaus, leaving #China w/largest diplomatic corps
“We just gutted [development programmes] ourselves, a huge win for China.”
www.scmp.com/news/us/dipl...
Trump’s overhaul of State Department may play into Beijing’s hands for decades
US foreign service has lost more than 3,000 employees and dozens of bureaus, leaving China with largest diplomatic corps.
www.scmp.com
August 10, 2025 at 7:49 AM
SCMP: #Trump ’s overhaul of State Dept may play into Beijing’s hands for decades
US foreign service lost more than 3,000 employees & dozens of bureaus, leaving #China w/largest diplomatic corps
“We just gutted [development programmes] ourselves, a huge win for China.”
www.scmp.com/news/us/dipl...
US foreign service lost more than 3,000 employees & dozens of bureaus, leaving #China w/largest diplomatic corps
“We just gutted [development programmes] ourselves, a huge win for China.”
www.scmp.com/news/us/dipl...
SCMP: #China aired a documentary last week showing how the Qing dynasty took back #Xinjiang from foreign forces in the late 19th century – Beijing’s latest effort to counter Western narratives and strengthen Chinese national identity in ethnic minority border areas.
sc.mp/p0in0?utm_so...
sc.mp/p0in0?utm_so...
China airs Xinjiang history documentary to counter Western narratives
It tells the story of Qing dynasty general Zuo Zongtang, who led army to recover the western region from foreign forces in the 19th century.
sc.mp
August 10, 2025 at 6:03 AM
SCMP: #China aired a documentary last week showing how the Qing dynasty took back #Xinjiang from foreign forces in the late 19th century – Beijing’s latest effort to counter Western narratives and strengthen Chinese national identity in ethnic minority border areas.
sc.mp/p0in0?utm_so...
sc.mp/p0in0?utm_so...
SCMP: #China’s consumer prices flat in July, while producer deflation persists
CPI reading beats market expectations-- Wind had forecast a 0.12% decline for July-- but data suggests demand remains weak amid trade turbulence buff.ly/QQBdFOX
CPI reading beats market expectations-- Wind had forecast a 0.12% decline for July-- but data suggests demand remains weak amid trade turbulence buff.ly/QQBdFOX
August 9, 2025 at 8:26 AM
SCMP: #China’s consumer prices flat in July, while producer deflation persists
CPI reading beats market expectations-- Wind had forecast a 0.12% decline for July-- but data suggests demand remains weak amid trade turbulence buff.ly/QQBdFOX
CPI reading beats market expectations-- Wind had forecast a 0.12% decline for July-- but data suggests demand remains weak amid trade turbulence buff.ly/QQBdFOX
SCMP: Scientists in #China create meteorite diamond in laboratory breakthrough
Unusual variant has previously been confirmed only within the cosmic debris that hit Arizona’s Canyon Diablo 49,000 years ago
sc.mp/v54nf?utm_so...
Unusual variant has previously been confirmed only within the cosmic debris that hit Arizona’s Canyon Diablo 49,000 years ago
sc.mp/v54nf?utm_so...
Chinese scientists create meteorite diamond in laboratory breakthrough
Unusual variant has previously been confirmed only within the cosmic debris that hit Arizona’s Canyon Diablo 49,000 years ago.
sc.mp
August 9, 2025 at 7:19 AM
SCMP: Scientists in #China create meteorite diamond in laboratory breakthrough
Unusual variant has previously been confirmed only within the cosmic debris that hit Arizona’s Canyon Diablo 49,000 years ago
sc.mp/v54nf?utm_so...
Unusual variant has previously been confirmed only within the cosmic debris that hit Arizona’s Canyon Diablo 49,000 years ago
sc.mp/v54nf?utm_so...
CNN: #Taiwan detains three current & former employees of #TSMC for alleged theft of key technology trade secrets
TSMC produces more than 90% of the world’s advanced semiconductor chips needed smartphones & artificial intelligence ( #AI ) applications to weapons #台灣
edition.cnn.com/2025/08/06/a...
TSMC produces more than 90% of the world’s advanced semiconductor chips needed smartphones & artificial intelligence ( #AI ) applications to weapons #台灣
edition.cnn.com/2025/08/06/a...
Taiwan detains TSMC staff for alleged theft of key technology trade secrets | CNN
Taiwanese authorities have detained three current and former employees of the world’s largest chip manufacturer, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), for allegedly stealing trade secrets...
edition.cnn.com
August 8, 2025 at 9:44 AM
CNN: #Taiwan detains three current & former employees of #TSMC for alleged theft of key technology trade secrets
TSMC produces more than 90% of the world’s advanced semiconductor chips needed smartphones & artificial intelligence ( #AI ) applications to weapons #台灣
edition.cnn.com/2025/08/06/a...
TSMC produces more than 90% of the world’s advanced semiconductor chips needed smartphones & artificial intelligence ( #AI ) applications to weapons #台灣
edition.cnn.com/2025/08/06/a...
CNN: Joking about her abusive husband launched Fan Chunli to stardom. But authorities in #China are warning against "simplifying gender issues & repeatedly making a fuss about the ‘opposition between men & women," & that discussion of gender issues must be “rational.”
edition.cnn.com/2025/07/27/c...
edition.cnn.com/2025/07/27/c...
Joking about her abusive husband launched this Chinese comedian to stardom. The authorities aren’t laughing | CNN
With her short, permed hair and unshowy clothing, Fan Chunli looks every bit the middle-aged woman from rural China. Among a crowd of youngsters vying to become the next breakout star in one of China’...
edition.cnn.com
August 8, 2025 at 5:16 AM
CNN: Joking about her abusive husband launched Fan Chunli to stardom. But authorities in #China are warning against "simplifying gender issues & repeatedly making a fuss about the ‘opposition between men & women," & that discussion of gender issues must be “rational.”
edition.cnn.com/2025/07/27/c...
edition.cnn.com/2025/07/27/c...
BBC: Massive protests in #Sichuan' s #Jiangyou #江油 city after violent video capturing school bullying incident goes viral on social media in #China
More than 1,000 people gathered on the streets on 4 Aug & confronted local riot police in bloody clashes www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
More than 1,000 people gathered on the streets on 4 Aug & confronted local riot police in bloody clashes www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Protests in China over viral school bullying case
One protester in Sichuan province said “things got bloody” after police used batons and electric prods.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 6, 2025 at 12:27 PM
BBC: Massive protests in #Sichuan' s #Jiangyou #江油 city after violent video capturing school bullying incident goes viral on social media in #China
More than 1,000 people gathered on the streets on 4 Aug & confronted local riot police in bloody clashes www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
More than 1,000 people gathered on the streets on 4 Aug & confronted local riot police in bloody clashes www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
CNN: #Trump ’s tariffs drive African countries into #China ’s hands
Four African nations - #Libya, #SouthAfrica, #Algeria & #Tunisia - face charges on exports ranging from 25% to 30%. America’s failure to negotiate a deal with Africa is “an open goal for China.” edition.cnn.com/2025/08/02/a...
Four African nations - #Libya, #SouthAfrica, #Algeria & #Tunisia - face charges on exports ranging from 25% to 30%. America’s failure to negotiate a deal with Africa is “an open goal for China.” edition.cnn.com/2025/08/02/a...
Trump’s tariffs are sending African countries into China’s hands | CNN
Africa is adjusting to the new reality of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, with countries on the continent facing some of the highest export charges.
edition.cnn.com
August 2, 2025 at 10:59 AM
CNN: #Trump ’s tariffs drive African countries into #China ’s hands
Four African nations - #Libya, #SouthAfrica, #Algeria & #Tunisia - face charges on exports ranging from 25% to 30%. America’s failure to negotiate a deal with Africa is “an open goal for China.” edition.cnn.com/2025/08/02/a...
Four African nations - #Libya, #SouthAfrica, #Algeria & #Tunisia - face charges on exports ranging from 25% to 30%. America’s failure to negotiate a deal with Africa is “an open goal for China.” edition.cnn.com/2025/08/02/a...
FT: #China has unveiled a sweeping plan to expand its role in #AI governance, inc. the creation of a global co-operation organisation, as Beijing vies with Washington for technological leadership.
www.ft.com/content/de06...
www.ft.com/content/de06...
China proposes global body to govern artificial intelligence
Premier Li Qiang warns ‘bottlenecks’ in chip supplies are hindering innovation
www.ft.com
August 1, 2025 at 1:05 PM
FT: #China has unveiled a sweeping plan to expand its role in #AI governance, inc. the creation of a global co-operation organisation, as Beijing vies with Washington for technological leadership.
www.ft.com/content/de06...
www.ft.com/content/de06...
SCMP": #Trump’s order to end ‘de minimis’ tariff break expands from #China to rest of the world
Duty-free exemption on small packages worth $800 or less fuelled China’s dominance in the industry – but the model is now under threat
sc.mp/akxmu?utm_so...
Duty-free exemption on small packages worth $800 or less fuelled China’s dominance in the industry – but the model is now under threat
sc.mp/akxmu?utm_so...
Trump’s order to end ‘de minimis’ tariff break expands from China to the world
Duty-free exemption on small packages worth $800 or less fuelled China’s dominance in the industry – but the model is now under threat.
sc.mp
July 31, 2025 at 4:17 PM
SCMP": #Trump’s order to end ‘de minimis’ tariff break expands from #China to rest of the world
Duty-free exemption on small packages worth $800 or less fuelled China’s dominance in the industry – but the model is now under threat
sc.mp/akxmu?utm_so...
Duty-free exemption on small packages worth $800 or less fuelled China’s dominance in the industry – but the model is now under threat
sc.mp/akxmu?utm_so...
Great new must-read from The China Journal: Disappearing Research: Academic Control & Self- #Censorship in #China
Self-censorship restricts #academicfreedom w/in China & hinders Beijing's access to information, impacting effectiveness of its policymaking. www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
Self-censorship restricts #academicfreedom w/in China & hinders Beijing's access to information, impacting effectiveness of its policymaking. www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
University of Chicago Press Journals: Cookie absent
www.journals.uchicago.edu
July 30, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Great new must-read from The China Journal: Disappearing Research: Academic Control & Self- #Censorship in #China
Self-censorship restricts #academicfreedom w/in China & hinders Beijing's access to information, impacting effectiveness of its policymaking. www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
Self-censorship restricts #academicfreedom w/in China & hinders Beijing's access to information, impacting effectiveness of its policymaking. www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
FT: #Trump blocks Taiwan’s democratically elected President Lai Ching-te from New York stopover
Move comes as US & #China hold trade talks and seek to stabilise relations #台灣 www.ft.com/content/2157...
Move comes as US & #China hold trade talks and seek to stabilise relations #台灣 www.ft.com/content/2157...
Donald Trump blocks Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te from New York stopover
Move comes as US and China hold trade talks and seek to stabilise relations
www.ft.com
July 29, 2025 at 8:21 AM
FT: #Trump blocks Taiwan’s democratically elected President Lai Ching-te from New York stopover
Move comes as US & #China hold trade talks and seek to stabilise relations #台灣 www.ft.com/content/2157...
Move comes as US & #China hold trade talks and seek to stabilise relations #台灣 www.ft.com/content/2157...
CNN: An emboldened #China eyes more concessions from US at Stockholm trade talks. Beijing's grip on #rareearths has #Trump rolling back export curbs, inc. a stunning reversal of the ban on sales of key #Nvidia #AI chip. edition.cnn.com/2025/07/27/b...
An emboldened China eyes more concessions from US at Stockholm trade talks | CNN Business
For the third time in as many months, US and Chinese officials will meet in Europe for trade talks — and this time, Beijing is arriving at the negotiating table more emboldened than ever.
edition.cnn.com
July 27, 2025 at 7:09 AM
CNN: An emboldened #China eyes more concessions from US at Stockholm trade talks. Beijing's grip on #rareearths has #Trump rolling back export curbs, inc. a stunning reversal of the ban on sales of key #Nvidia #AI chip. edition.cnn.com/2025/07/27/b...