A Case for Globally Competitive Chinese Brands

While many of China’s largest brands – Haier, Huawei and Xiaomi – have not yet become household names, Joel Backaler describes how China’s domestic market is changing and the companies that are focusing on developing their brand internationally.



Joel Backaler Associate Vice President, Frontier Strategy Group via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1zBJjuw

Post-APEC Xi-Obama Meetings Bolster China-U.S. Relations

Xi-Obama meetings following the APEC summit helped spur new topics and commitments to bilateral cooperation, most notably with the creation of an impactful new climate treaty. Yu Xiang discusses new international issues – responding to Ebola, IS, and a military reporting mechanism – for extending Sino-U.S. cooperation.



Yu Xiang, Research Fellow, CICIR via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1zBJkPi

Overcoming Obstacles to Sustainability Education in China

To create more sustainable supply chains, change needs to happen in China’s manufacturing industry. Dr. Guo Dong specifically analyzes the educational shifts necessary to build middle-manager environmental leadership and capacity.



Da Wei, Director, CICIR via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1y00Srb

The APEC Effect: From ‘Talk Shop’ to Action

The initiatives and enormous investments turned the APEC meeting in Beijing from a “talk shop” to one of action. Han Liqun stresses that all APEC member economies should be fully confident in building an open and liberal economic and trade environment in the Asia-Pacific.



Han Liqun Researcher, China Institutes of Contemporary Int'l Relations via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/15uiFuS

China’s offshore empires go from help to headache

When is a Chinese company not Chinese? When it’s a complex web of offshore vehicles rooted in anonymous tax havens. That description includes some of the People’s Republic’s most successful and innovative companies. It will make the country’s apparent new push on tax evasion hard to enforce. Authorities have extracted […]



Bloomberg via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/11VFxkG

Slow Train to Shanghai

Chinese President Xi Jinping owes his central bank governor a debt of gratitude. Last week looked to be ending on a downbeat note as the much-heralded launch of the Shanghai-Hong Kong stock exchange link seemed to have fizzled. Rather than rush to bet directly on China's growth story for the […]



Bloomberg via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1ycZjEM

Chinese Nationalism: The CCP’s ‘Double-Edged Sword’

It’s a commonly held belief that Chinese nationalism is simply a tool of the Chinese Communist Party, to be picked up or discarded at will. As with much of our common “wisdom” about China, that’s an oversimplification of a far more complicated situation. The Diplomat talks with Jessica Chen Weiss, […]



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Would huge Nicaragua canal be win for China?

When plans were announced to build a giant new transoceanic canal across Nicaragua, the young Hong Kong businessman leading the project acknowledged the widespread skepticism. "We don't want it to become an international joke," said Wang Jing, a 40-year-old with no significant engineering experience and a background he described as […]



CNN via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/11thcmg

Can China Put a Cap on Coal?

A cap on Chinese coal use will determine the success or failure of the Chinese government’s recent pledge to cap all emissions by 2030. On a larger scale, a Chinese cap on coal could be the single most important factor in whether or not the world is able to prevent […]



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TPP or FTAAP: What It Means for US and the Asia-Pacific Region

China is the leading advocate for progress in the form of a “feasibility study” on an inclusive new regional trade agreement, the FTAAP. Concerned that this will detract from U.S. regional interests, the FTAAP ironically has provided impetus for the completion of the U.S.-led TPP proposal.



Hugh Stephens Senior Fellow, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1phj8t5

How to Build A New Model of Major Power Relations with Concrete Actions

Tao Wenzhou explains how the Xi-Obama Summit achieved four major bilateral goals: increased commitment to create a new bilateral trade agreement, shared reduction of CO2 emissions, more liberal visa regulations for people-to-people exchanges, and new mil-to-mil protocols.



Tao Wenzhao, Researcher, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1C816zf

Win-Win at the Xi-Obama Summit

When evaluating the meeting between Presidents Xi and Obama, the two countries should transcend the mentality of a zero-sum game, and place their main focus on cooperation.



Yang Jiemian, President, Shanghai Institute for Int'l Studies via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1yP6stA

Troubled Skies Above the East China Sea

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (the “Commission” or “USCC”) recently issued its 2014 Annual Report to Congress. The Commission’s mandate is ‘‘to monitor, investigate, and report to Congress on the national security implications of the bilateral trade and economic relationship between the United States and the People’s Republic […]



The Diplomat via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/11Qaqa2

China monetary policy enters difficult adolescence

China’s economy is in the throes of financial adolescence. One consequence is that, when faced with surprises like the cut in interest rates on Nov. 21, it doesn’t always do what it is told. If all credit in China still came from banks, as it mostly did a decade ago, […]



Reuters via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1vGlGUm

Outside Forces Drive China’s Big Flip-Flop

For all its political intrigue over the years, China has had a relatively clear economic strategy, at least until recently. In the last few weeks, however, its approach to managing its exchange rate has puzzled those who closely follow it. The move by China’s central bank on Friday to cut […]



Bloomberg via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1vGlGDY

Good News on Energy

WHEN the world’s two largest polluters join in establishing new goals for reducing emissions of climate-disrupting gases, criticism and skepticism are predictable. And there was plenty following the recent agreement between the United States and China to do just that. Critics warned of a “war on coal,” regulatory overreach and […]



New York Times via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/11QalTQ

Climate realities in light of the U.S.-China agreement

The United States-China agreement on climate change is a huge political triumph, possibly “historic,” as its supporters say. Whether it much alters the world’s climate is a more open question. Recall the agreement’s outlines. By 2030, China pledges to reach peak emissions of global greenhouse gases and also to increase […]



Washington Post via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/11QapmA

Public Trust in Government: The Role of the Internet in China

Polls indicate Chinese citizens have more trust in the central government than local government, a reverse of the United States, which largely distrusts the federal government. Han-Teng Liao argues that China’s Internet guiding and monitoring might be the beginning of a trust-building mechanism.



Mandy Peng via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1penb9m

Positive Progress Made in Sino-US Military Ties

Zhang Junshe describes how the establishment of mutual trust mechanisms between China and the U.S.– through military leader exchanges and joint military exercises – can help both sides to know each other’s strategic intentions and reduce the possibilities of misunderstanding and misjudgment and thus lower the risks of military friction.



Zhang Junshe Researcher, PLA Naval Military Academic Research Institute via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1Fiy79Y

China-US Relations: Greater Promise Demands Greater Efforts

The much anticipated Xi-Obama meeting after the APEC Summit achieved many positive bilateral policy goals; from the increased liberalization of visa and trade tariffs to mutual military cooperation. However, as Jia Qingguo explains, the offensive realist perspectives of individuals in both countries and the fractured U.S. Congress interests will hinder progress.



Jia Qingguo, Professor, Peking University via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1Fb1NnL

India’s Obligation on Climate

The breakthrough announcement last week by the United States and China of a deal setting limits on greenhouse gases has offered new hope for a global agreement on climate change. The U.S.-China deal follows the European Union’s ambitious pledge to reduce emissions by 40 percent of 1990 levels by 2030. […]



New York Times via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1z4NvTs

Is China Building a Mortgage Bomb?

The first Chinese interest-rate cut in more than two years is a stark recognition that the world's second-biggest economy is in trouble. After years of piling ever more public debt onto the national balance sheet, it makes sense to have the People's Bank of China take the lead in propping […]



Bloomberg via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1z4Nuiq

Could Capitol Hill Derail US-China Relations?

On Thursday, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission released its annual report to Congress. The Commission was created in 2000 to monitor and report to Congress about the “national security implications of the bilateral trade and economic relationship” between the U.S. and China. Each year, the Commission submits a […]



The Diplomat via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1z4Nv5W

The Art of Xi Jinping

Last month, President Xi Jinping of China addressed a forum of prominent artists and writers in Beijing to enlighten us with his views on the arts. In a talk liberally seasoned with cultural allusions, Mr. Xi made a show of his literary knowledge and explained how he sees the role […]



New York Times via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1z4NtuN

The climate pact swindle

Historic. Such is the ubiquitous description of the climate agreement recently announced in Beijing between Barack Obama and Xi Jinping in which China promised for the first time to cap carbon emissions. If this were a real breakthrough, I’d be an enthusiastic supporter. I have long advocated for a tangible […]



Washington Post via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1vxk6nI

Bring China and Its Neighbors Under the INF Missile Treaty

Doug Bandow explains how expanding the INF Treaty to Asia would benefit U.S. – Russian cooperation and dampen geopolitical and military tension over territorial issues. While China might initially be wary of joining such an effort due to concerns with Taiwanese independence, a new arms control regime would ultimately offer Beijing significant benefits as well.



Doug Bandow Senior Fellow, Cato Institute via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1uHR3dB

What to Make of Deepening China-Russia Relations?

Yu Sui discusses China-Russia power relations built on “the five principles of peaceful coexistence,” which has yielded beneficial economic, security, and diplomatic cooperation between the two nations. Also discussed is the differentiation between Russia and China’s Central Asian ambitions through the respective Eurasian Alliance and Shanghai Cooperation Organization.



Yu Sui, Professor, China Center for Contemporary World Studies via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1v16oHA

The Invisible Candidate in Taiwan’s Elections

Almost 80 percent of Taiwan, an island of 23 million off the coast of China, is expected to head to the polls Nov. 29 to vote in local elections with more than 11,000 seats up for grabs. Voters will choose candidates ranging from mayors in Taiwan's six biggest cities to […]



Foreign Policy via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1F5PNnm

Western Competition for Asian Markets Is Heating Up

President Obama used his recent trip to Asia to push through the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a massive trade agreement that includes twelve nations total, but excludes China. The TPP is the economic centerpiece of the U.S. rebalance to Asia, and China is responding to it by promoting the Regional Comprehensive […]



The National Interest via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1F5PN6R

China great wall of content could be more than fad

China’s tech giants are racing to build a great wall of content. Smartphone maker Xiaomi and e-commerce group Alibaba have channeled billions of dollars into programming for internet TV. It could be more than a fad. If viewers pay up, content can bring in revenue streams more stable and lucrative […]



Reuters via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1qChTWq

Why China Still Needs Deng Xiaoping

There’s no doubt that China needs to develop and surpass “Deng Xiaoping Theory.” In truth, when it comes to reform of the political system, thought liberation, and even the economy, in the post-Deng era China has still basically been stuck on the thoughts put forward during Deng’s southern tour and […]



The Diplomat via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1qChSlo

In New Plan, China Eyes 2020 Energy Cap

China’s State Council unveiled its Energy Development Strategy Action Plan on Wednesday, creating a road-map for China’s energy use and development from 2014 to 2020. The complete Chinese-language document can be found here, with an English summary also available courtesy of Xinhua. According to the plan, China will cap its […]



The Diplomat via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1qChROj

Crisis Management Needed between China and Japan

Zhou Bo posits that an essential component to improving frosty Japan-China relations is an equal commitment to develop shared maritime procedures, such as the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES). But first, the two sides need to agree upon a common Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).



Editorial Board via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1F5wV9V

China and US Should Strengthen Cooperation on Fighting Ebola

China and the U.S. could set an example for international cooperation in fighting epidemics and call on developed and developing countries alike to cooperate in combating Ebola so as to avoid panic in Africa and the world at large.



Editorial Board via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1F5wUTy

China’s Free Trade Bonanza

It’s been a busy month so far for Chinese diplomats, with Beijing working hard to display its global leadership bona fides at three major meetings: the APEC summit in Beijing, ASEAN-related meetings (including the East Asia Summit) in Myanmar, and finally the G20 summit in Australia. A good portion of […]



The Diplomat via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1uKhTmW

China, Russia Seek Expanded Defense Cooperation

As Ankit noted on our Flashpoints blog today, the U.S., Japan, and Australia took advantage of the G20 summit in Brisbane to hold a trilateral meeting where their top leaders promised increased military cooperation. While the three allies were getting cozy, two countries were on the outside looking in: China […]



The Diplomat via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1uRLDOE

After APEC, Whither the Trans-Pacific Partnership?

Last week, U.S. President Barack Obama traveled to Beijing for a series of bilateral meetings and to participate in the annual APEC Summit – his first since 2011. One of the many newsworthy items to come out of that forum was a leaders’ meeting of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a […]



The Diplomat via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1uRLDOv

China’s Environmental Whitewash

A week after President Obama and other world leaders enjoyed unusually blue skies over the APEC summit in Beijing, factories have restarted and smog has returned. So it’s a good time to consider an overlooked aspect of last week’s celebrated U.S.-China climate deal: Can an authoritarian government clean up its […]



Wall Street Journal via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1ubT3Y3

Did ‘Liberals Studies’ Enable Hong Kong’s Youth Awakening

Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests would not have been possible without the deep involvement of thousands of students, who have shown a resolve that has belied the once-prevailing view of their city as apolitical — and prompted the political elite there to search for explanations. The protests began on Sept. 22 […]



Foreign Policy via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1ubT2Dk

Far-Reaching Significance of Xi-Obama Meeting in Beijing

The shortest state visit in the history of the China-U.S. diplomatic relationship yielded important accomplishments in forming a new bilateral relationship, establishing complementary goals, and creating an impactful Joint Declaration on Climate Change.



Cui Liru, Former President, CICIR via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1AfZPEu

Kerry’s SAIS Speech Augurs Deadlock in U.S.-China Relations

A reset is needed in the US-China relationship. By much objective analysis, the bilateral relationship has deteriorated during most of the six years of Obama administration and is now the worst it has been in decades, writes Stephen Harner.



Stephen Harner, Former US State Department Official via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1wVuFMe

APEC 2014: All Quiet on the Cyber Front?

Despite being one of the most pressing Sino-US issues, cybersecurity has received scarce attention during meetings between China and the United States at this year’s APEC Summit. Franz-Stefan Gady questions the effectiveness a U.S. “name and shame” strategy, amid efforts to expand ASEAN member states’ cyber defense capabilities.



Franz-Stefan Gady Senior Fellow， EastWest Institute via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1uNZxRX

China’s Prescription for Troubled Xinjiang: The New Silk Road

Last week’s APEC summit in Beijing served as a major coming-out party for President Xi Jinping’s “one belt, one road” plan: the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road. Kerry Brown ably explored the historical and diplomatic meaning of the initiative in a piece for China Power. However, […]



The Diplomat via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/11hoGsk

Metaphor meets reality: U.S. and China are clearing the air

History has no on-off buttons. Change is never instantaneous. But President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent accord on greenhouse gases may allow the world to start dialing down dangerous carbon emissions. Past experience shows this can be true. Similar trial-and-error diplomacy in the 1880s helped avert another […]



Reuters via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/11zIGaD

Is China climate deal the best we can get?

The agreement between President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping of China to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is the most important advance in the several decades-long history of international climate negotiations. It has been greeted with rage by those in Congress whose positions on the science are denialist or evasive […]



CNN via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1vmRCx9

Beginning of the End in Hong Kong

Tuesday morning saw the beginning of the end of the pro-democracy protests that have wracked Hong Kong for nearly two months. Armed with a court order to clear part of the main protest site in the city's Admiralty district, bailiffs dismantled and removed barricades with little opposition. Several protesters vowed […]



Bloomberg via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1qTb39y

A Mystifying Obama Climate Slap at a U.S. Ally

President Obama over the weekend made a bizarre decision to attack and damage his closest ally in Asia, and one of the most committed supporters of U.S. foreign policy. The president was in Australia for the G-20 Summit in Brisbane. Unlike Britain’s David Cameron , China’s Xi Jinping and India’s […]



Wall Street Journal via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1qTb50Y

How the FTAAP Incorporates the TPP

He Weiwen dislodges the notion that the FTAAP is inherently in opposition to the TPP by discussing APEC plans to phase out regional free trade agreements in favor of creating a singular FTAAP; this more inclusive agreement which would serve as the “greatest common denominator” for standards and investment treaties in the Asian Pacific.



He Weiwen, Co-director, China-US/EU Study Center, CAIT via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1t7GpJi

Operationalizing A New Model of Sino-US Relations Is Possible

While controversial issues like cyber-security, military containment, and U.S. arms sales to Taiwan were not touched upon during the latest Xi-Obama meeting, Da Wei argues that the agreements reached were not hollow, and instead set the tone for operationalizing a new style of “U.S.-China major-country relations.”



Da Wei, Director, CICIR via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1yhbCOH

How Much is the US-China Climate Deal Worth?

Since the failure of the 2009 climate summit in Copenhagen, both the United States and China have largely retreated from big international agreements, each waiting for the other to move first. This week's bilateral accord sets the stage for future international discussions. That would seem to be a big deal. […]



Foreign Policy via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1xJulDg