China Up Close is rated Left with Mixed factual reporting by Media Bias Fact Check.
LEFT BIAS
These media sources are moderate to strongly biased toward liberal/progressive causes through story selection and/or political affiliation. They may utilize strong loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appealing to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports, and omit information that may damage liberal/progressive causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Left Bias sources.
- Overall, we rate China Up Close Pro-China and Left Biased based on consistently favorable coverage of China, criticism of Western governments and capitalism, and support for multipolar Global South political narratives. We rate the publication Mixed for factual reporting due to highly biased ideological framing, speculative geopolitical analysis, and the blending of factual reporting with advocacy and opinion, though many articles utilize reasonably credible sourcing and verifiable information.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT (-8.8)
Factual Reporting: MIXED (5.0)
Country: China
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: TOTAL OPPRESSION
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
China Up Close is an independent Substack publication operated by Li Jingjing, a Chinese journalist and commentator focused on presenting China and Global South perspectives. According to the publication’s about page, the outlet was created to counter what Li describes as Western media “misrepresentation” of China and to provide alternative geopolitical analysis outside mainstream Western narratives. The publication emphasizes multipolar geopolitics, criticizes U.S. foreign policy, and offers favorable perspectives on China’s governance and development model. Content includes commentary, interviews, op-eds, and geopolitical analysis from contributors based in China and other Global South nations.
Read our profile on the Chinese media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
China Up Close is independently owned and operated by Li Jingjing through the Substack platform. Revenue is generated through paid Substack subscriptions, YouTube channels, and related media projects, including Talk It Out and On the Road.
Analysis / Bias
Coverage consistently favors the Chinese government’s perspective while strongly criticizing U.S. foreign policy, NATO, Western liberal democracies, and Western media narratives. Articles frequently frame China as a more effective and stable governance model while portraying Western democracies as declining, imperialistic or dysfunctional.
For example, The Governance Gap: Why China Builds the Future While the West Can’t Fix the Past argues that Western democracies are incapable of long-term infrastructure planning while presenting China as the “gold standard” for infrastructure development. Although reasonably sourced and containing factual infrastructure examples, the article clearly promotes the superiority of China’s governance system over Anglo-American democracies.
Similarly, How Europe Lost the US-Iran War describes the United States as an “Empire” engaged in “American predation” and argues that Europe has become subordinate to U.S. control. The article contains strongly anti-American framing and speculative geopolitical analysis while relying partly on credible outlets such as Politico, CNN, and CBC.
Coverage of Israel and Western alliances also demonstrates ideological bias. In US’s unwavering support of Israel is tainted by far-right ideology, the publication characterizes Israeli actions in Gaza as genocide and repeatedly links U.S. support for Israel to Christian nationalism and far-right extremism. While the article cites real political developments and international criticism of Israel, the framing is highly one-sided and ideological.
The publication generally uses factual information, international reporting, and identifiable sourcing; however, articles frequently blend fact with ideological interpretation, anti-Western rhetoric, and geopolitical advocacy. Editorial tone often reflects Chinese state-aligned narratives regarding multipolarity, U.S. decline, and Western hypocrisy. Contributors and editors routinely include disclaimers stating opinions are those of authors rather than the outlet itself, though editorial selection consistently favors anti-Western and pro-China viewpoints.
Failed Fact Checks
- No major failed fact checks were found from IFCN-approved fact-checkers specifically targeting Li Jingjing or China Up Close. However, critics frequently accuse Li Jingjing of amplifying Chinese government narratives and state-aligned geopolitical messaging.
Overall, we rate China Up Close Pro-China and Left Biased based on consistently favorable coverage of China, criticism of Western governments and capitalism, and support for multipolar Global South political narratives. We rate the publication Mixed for factual reporting due to highly biased ideological framing, speculative geopolitical analysis, and the blending of factual reporting with advocacy and opinion, though many articles utilize reasonably credible sourcing and verifiable information. (D. Van Zandt 05/23/2026)
Source: https://lijingjing.substack.com/
Last Updated on May 23, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check
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