New PRC South China Sea Bases No Cause to ‘Relax’

In an April 11 article in The Diplomat, University of Macau Assistant Professor Dingding Chen asserts five main reasons why the rest of the world should “relax” about China reclaiming land in the South China Sea. Each of his arguments, which I summarize and critique below, is questionable, and he […]

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

Banks are designated drivers at China market party

If China’s stocks are partying at the punch bowl, then its banks are nervously jangling the car keys in the kitchen. Share prices of the big lenders have lagged the wider market during its recent run-up. Based on their performance in the first three months of 2015, investors’ sober view […]

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

An Israeli Lobby in China?

Earlier this year, StandWithUs (SWU), a pro-Israeli American advocacy group that coordinates its activities closely with the Israeli government, finally unveiled an SWU-China division for its organization in an event that marked a joint celebration of the Chinese New Year and Jewish Tu B’Shvat in Jerusalem (involving, interestingly enough, talks […]

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Changing Values Reflected in the Word Use of Chinese Authors

The system-wide social and economic transformations experienced by China have profoundly affected social and psychological relations. Rong Zeng and Patricia Greenfield studied the words used in 277,189 Chinese language books published in the few decades, finding evidence rising individualism and materialism in concert with growing urbanism, increasing wealth and higher levels of formal education.

Mandy Peng via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1JaL72M

Is “Chimerica” in Decline?

The term “Chimerica,” is liberal theorizing that assumes the more economically interdependent the U.S. and China become, the more peaceful the hegemonic transition of power will be. Realists theorize that there is ongoing comprehensive balancing, from trade to militarization, and free trade alone will not solve deep ideological and system differences. Improved relations require increased participation and less inequality on both sides of the Pacific.

Vasilis Trigkas Vsiting Research Fellow, Tsinghua University via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1Es0Klj

U.S.-Japan Alliance Enters a Historic Phase

The U.S. state visit by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be remembered not only because few foreign leaders have been privileged to address a joint session of Congress, but for the strengthening of the U.S.-Japan alliance. Neither Washington nor Tokyo should explicitly link a more robust U.S.-Japan relationship with deterrence against China’s rise.

Minxin Pei, Professor, Claremont McKenna College via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1OGA88b

China’s Middle Class Can Finally Afford Iphones

The most obvious way to read Apple’s latest quarterly earnings report — which revealed that iPhone sales in China had surpassed those in the U.S. for the first time — is as a compilation of great news about the company’s bottom line. But it’s also a sign that China’s consumer […]

Bloomberg via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1dtScl3

How China’s Ministry of Public Security Controls Cyber Policy

Part II: The Ministry of Public Security as Driver of Cyber Policy The first post in this series highlighted shortcomings in the national citizens’ database in China’s quest for maximized internal security surveillance. Those shortcomings should not conceal the massive influence of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) on all […]

The Diplomat via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1dtSc4J

‘Rent-a-Foreigner in China’

In China, it’s hard to find a city that has not built ambitious new districts on its rural periphery. But overbuilding has led to ghost towns: Towering rows of luxury apartments sit completely empty, especially in smaller cities in China’s hinterlands. The lifeless streets seem to contradict official claims that […]

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

Beijing’s Disaster Politics

Governments around the world are rushing humanitarian supplies to Nepal after Saturday’s 7.8-magnitude earthquake killed at least 4,400 people and left tens of thousands homeless. With one prominent exception: Taiwan. That’s not because the Taiwanese are stingy. The island’s leaders offered help, but Kathmandu refused. Nepalese officials cited the distance, […]

Wall Street Journal via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1bV6DOL

Obama on the Beijing-Led AIIB: All Just a Misunderstanding

No, America isn’t opposed to the Chinese-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. News reports and editorials to that effect – which have been legion in recent weeks — are the result of a misunderstanding based on a single story quoting unnamed sources, U.S. President Barack Obama said Tuesday in his Rose […]

Wall Street Journal via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1bV6Bqf

China ‘Gravely Concerned’ by ASEAN Statment on South China Sea

It’s been a rough week for China’s diplomats. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is visiting the United States, leading to a litany of overt or implied criticisms of China’s ‘assertive’ behavior in disputed maritime regions. And even as Abe began his U.S. travels, the ASEAN Summit, held in Malaysia, inevitably […]

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China’s South China Sea Strategy Is Asia’s Worst Nightmare

In a remarkable public speech at ASPI’s Future Surface Fleet conference last month, the Commander of the US Pacific Fleet—Admiral Harry B. Harris—criticized China for engaging in an “unprecedented land reclamation” effort, creating a “great wall of sand” in the South China Sea (SCS). He went on to point out: […]

The National Interest via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1Kut8Fu

China Offers $2 Billion to Oil-Rich Equatorial Guinea

As of Tuesday, Equatorial Guinea is the recipient of $2 billion in infrastructure funding from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBS). Equatorial Guinea is a small state in west Africa, about the size of the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It’s also one of the largest oil producers in […]

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Why Are China’s Leftists Embracing Confucius?

When Jennifer Pan and Yiqing Xu posted their new paper, “China’s Ideological Spectrum,” recently, it marked the first time that anyone has provided large-scale empirical data on the ideological shifts and trends within the Chinese population. China scholars have, of course, lavished attention on these issues for years — one […]

Mandy Peng via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1GGKBw7

Why the U.S. Must Support Constitutional Reform in Japan

Japan’s Constitution hasn’t been changed in 68 years, and prevents its military from staging rescue missions and other overseas operations. Brahma Chellaney encourages Japanese constitutional reform, with U.S. support, to act as a military balance in East Asia.

Brahma Chellaney, Professor, Center for Policy Research via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1Ilng24

Ambivalence about A More Assertive Japan

A key component of Washington’s military rebalancing strategy is improving its relationship with Japan. However, actions by Abe and some close associates reinforce suspicions of the attempt to legitimize imperialism through revised textbooks, visits by the PM to the Yasukuni Shrine, and reluctance to accept the history of “comfort women.”

Ted Carpenter, Senior Fellow, Cato Institute via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1ElTxU2

After Devasating Earthquake, China Rushes Aid to Nepal

Saturday’s earthquake in Nepal, registered at magnitude 7.8 by the U.S. Geological Survey, has devastated the country, leaving at least 3,617 dead. The death toll is expected to continue to rise as rescue teams make their way to remote villages where damage is feared to be extensive. Survivors, meanwhile, must […]

The Diplomat via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1DxPgc5

China’s monetary policy: The flawed analogy of Chinese QE

WITH China’s central bank injecting cash in the financial system to support growth, commentators have been quick to dub it the start of Chinese-style quantitative easing. Analogies can be useful for explaining complex financial matters, but in this instance the comparison is more misleading than helpful. “QE” is a poor […]

The Economist via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1za535E

China’s and India’s charity in Nepal has a hidden political agenda

Perched atop the Himalayas, and wedged between the world’s most populous nations, Nepal has always been of strategic importance that belies its small size. Home to one-third of the Himalayan mountains, also known as Asia’s water tower thanks to the rivers that flow down both sides of the range, Nepal […]

Quartz via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1za50GT

Choking China

China’s most vexing problem isn’t the slowing economy, corruption or social harmony. It’s dirty air. China is home to some of the world’s most polluted cities, and when its thick blanket of smog blows into urban areas, frantic citizens pick up their mobile phones to check air-quality levels. Pollution is […]

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

The Rule of Law Is China’s Challenge in the South China Sea

News that the People’s Republic of China is claiming ownership of and enlarging the size of some disputed islands in the South China Sea, and building air strips to enhance its ability to project its air power in the region, has been met with predictable alarm by a variety of […]

Huffington Post via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1DTvDvx

The Rise of a New Tsinghua Clique in Chinese Politics

Since Xi Jinping took power in November 2012, a new Tsinghua Clique has risen in Chinese politics. In contrast to members of the old Tsinghua Clique, who just happened to be graduates of the same university (such as Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Huang Ju, and Wu Guanzheng), members of the […]

The Diplomat via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1AbFXi3

China frothy markets churn up funding opportunity

China’s debts worry the world, so a recent rush towards more equity-raising by Chinese companies sounds like a good thing. If investors were more discerning, it would be. When shares run up as rapidly as they have in Shanghai, Shenzhen and lately Hong Kong, skimming off the froth is the […]

Reuters via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1AbFY5o

Lengthening Chinese Airstrips May Pave Way for South China Sea ADIZ

Never underestimate Chinese engineering. First the Great Wall, then the Grand Canal, and now the Great Wall of Sand. China is rapidly augmenting features in the South China Sea (SCS) on industrial scale—hundreds of acres (more than 4 square km)—that even its neighbors combined cannot match. “Features,” is the key […]

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

China’s cyber crackdown: A guide for the perplexed

China is cracking down on cyber security. Demanding new banking regulations and draft counter-terrorism legislation could make it harder for foreign companies to compete in the People’s Republic. But even though domestic players should benefit, they are far from happy. Breakingviews attempts to crack the code. What do the new […]

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

China and Russia vs. America: Great-Power Revisionism Is Back

Growing tensions between the West and Russia and between the United States and China go well beyond competing interests in a rustbelt in eastern Ukraine or over uninhabited rocks in the South China Sea. Fundamentally, they are about whether Russia and China will acquire sphere of influences in their neighborhood. […]

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How China Uses its Cyber Power for Internal Security

Part I: The National Database as a Security Tool In new guidelines on internal security issued on April 13, 2015, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the State Council reiterated a measure announced last year to put the national citizens’ database to better use in internal security. For a country […]

The Diplomat via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1GsQbN8

The AIIB and Global Governance

Despite official American and Japanese opposition, 57 countries have opted to be among the founding members of the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Regardless of what naysayers believe, this remarkable turn of events can only benefit global economic governance.

Andrew Sheng & Xiao Geng, from Fung Global Institute via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1GAbyi6

Lengthening Chinese Airstrips May Pave Way for South China Sea ADIZ

Never underestimate Chinese engineering. First the Great Wall, then the Grand Canal, and now the Great Wall of Sand. China is rapidly augmenting features in the South China Sea (SCS) on industrial scale—hundreds of acres (more than 4 square km)—that even its neighbors combined cannot match. “Features,” is the key […]

The National Interest via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1EwNe12

The Rise of a New Tsinghua Clique in Chinese Politics

Since Xi Jinping took power in November 2012, a new Tsinghua Clique has risen in Chinese politics. In contrast to members of the old Tsinghua Clique, who just happened to be graduates of the same university (such as Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Huang Ju, and Wu Guanzheng), members of the […]

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

China frothy markets churn up funding opportunity

China’s debts worry the world, so a recent rush towards more equity-raising by Chinese companies sounds like a good thing. If investors were more discerning, it would be. When shares run up as rapidly as they have in Shanghai, Shenzhen and lately Hong Kong, skimming off the froth is the […]

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

China’s cyber crackdown: A guide for the perplexed

China is cracking down on cyber security. Demanding new banking regulations and draft counter-terrorism legislation could make it harder for foreign companies to compete in the People’s Republic. But even though domestic players should benefit, they are far from happy. Breakingviews attempts to crack the code. What do the new […]

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

How China Uses its Cyber Power for Internal Security

Part I: The National Database as a Security Tool In new guidelines on internal security issued on April 13, 2015, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the State Council reiterated a measure announced last year to put the national citizens’ database to better use in internal security. For a country […]

The Diplomat via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1HKBGZ2

What Would A Clinton Presidency Mean for U.S.-China Relations?

Hilary Clinton’s established perspective on U.S.-China relations as the face of the “Pivot to Asia,” does not bod well for the bilateral relationship, writes Ben Reynolds. The existing Clinton ties with the Center for New America Security (CNAS), a hawkish, pro-interventionist think tank, further the claim that U.S. militaristic hegemony will continue to be the foreign policy toward China.

Ben Reynolds Writer and Foreign Policy Analyst in New York via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1DsnhdK

Bandung Spirit Spurs Asia and Africa in Joint Development

The Asian African Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia opened on April 22nd carrying the “Bandung Spirit” of solidarity and common will to fight against colonialism, strive for national independence, safeguard world peace, and promote friendly relations among themselves – all of which challenge existing international relations norms and apply to the developing world today.

Chen Xiangyang, Deputy Director, CICIR via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1b3aBUb

Philippines, China and AIIB: Opportunities amidst Challenges

The Philippines is seeing a year of impressive economic growth (at 6.3%) despite the lacking foreign direct investment due to woeful infrastructure constraints. The AIIB can be an additional source of funding for local infrastructure projects. Political disputes surrounding the China Sea disputes were not enough to trump the economic importance of this cooperation.

Lucio Blanco Pitlo III Member, Philippine Association for China Studies via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1JAPunH

China-led AIIB Has the Opportunity to Prove Skeptics Wrong

A more dynamic and flexible AIIB has the chance to develop and showcase strong, new and effective accountability mechanisms supported by all shareholders. Here though, China too must learn from and improve upon its own past practices if it is to prove the skeptics wrong.

Curtis S. Chin Former US Ambassador to Asian Development Bank via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1zTGXqN

Hong Kong’s Election Reform Plan Sparks Debate, Protests

Hong Kong’s government officially unveiled its plan for electoral reform yesterday. As expected, the proposal — which will be put to a vote this summer — is in essence a rehash of the controversial blueprint approved by Beijing’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee last August. With the last slim hope […]

The Diplomat via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1QpqXr7

China takes steps to control South China Sea

Beijing’s new land-reclamation strategy in the South China Sea has been ringing alarm bells in the region and has prompted the U.S. to accuse China of attempting to force its way to de facto control of disputed waters. Several high-definition satellite images surfaced this month of China’s land reclamation and […]

Aljazeera via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1Pqyzbq

Xi-Abe Meeting In Jakarta No Thaw; As Abe Travels To Washington China-Japan Relations Are Worsening

For weeks it was a topic of anxious speculation, nervousness, indeed, geopolitical suspense. Would Chinese president Xi Jinping meet Japanese prime minister Abe Shinzo in Jakarta? Publicly unconfirmed until hours before it occurred on the sidelines of the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, the Xi-Abe meeting, lasting some 30 […]

Forbes via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1Pqyzbe

Should the US Help India Defeat China’s Navy?

A new paper by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace argues that India and the United States should collaborate on building New Delhi’s next Vikrant-class aircraft carrier, the 65,000 tons nuclear-powered INS Vishal, expected to enter service in the 2020s. “Working in concert to develop this vessel would not only […]

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

China’s Big Plunge in Pakistan

President Xi Jinping of China showed up in Pakistan this week with one of his government’s most powerful weapons — money, and lots of it. He signed agreements worth more than $28 billion as part of a total promised investment of some $46 billion in a new “Silk Road,” an […]

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

China Knowledge – The 21st Golden Mountain

Many programs for studying abroad in China have seen a significant drop in recent years, which is worrisome since the U.S-China relationship hinges on cultural exchange. Fortunately, new programs like the Schwarzman Scholars and 10,000 Strong Initiative are leading the push in building young leaders with a better understanding of China in the U.S.

Tom Watkins, Advisor, University of Michigan Confucius Institute via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1Dl6Scx

China’s Think Tanks Need to Reach Out and Connect

China has grown rapidly in influence and ability to act in the international arena. That means it faces bigger, tougher and ever more urgent challenges. Therefore, there is a growing need for more high quality think tanks which can offer solutions to these challenges by mining the wisdom in the broader society.

Fu Ying, NPC Spokeswoman via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1Dl6Scq

Beijing’s Fait Accompli in the South China Sea

Unprecedented? Or perhaps even refreshing? For the first time, Beijing has offered a more elaborate clarification about its recent activities in the South China Sea. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Hua Chunying, in response to a question posed during the ministry press conference on April 9 about Chinese land […]

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

Has Washington ‘Lost It’ Toward China? Clearly and Ominously, Yes

Has the American foreign policy establishment and the Obama administration “lost it,” becoming completely irrational if not delusional when it comes to China? Hard as this is to imagine, the signs all point to yes. In recent months, actions and words from Obama administration officials, from prestigious U.S. foreign policy […]

Forbes via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1yQRTKw

Defaults Are Just What China Needs

So far this week, China has witnessed a default by a major property developer and another by a state-owned company. Dubious firsts, to be sure, but they couldn’t have come at a better time. They provide a dose of market discipline that China sorely needs. The country’s 7 percent growth […]

Bloomberg via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1yQRV5k

Is What’s Good for China Also Good for Southeast Asia?

China may be at odds with several Southeast Asian nations over territorial claims in the South China Sea, yet when it comes to economic policy, what’s good for China is also good for its neighbors. Here’s how China’s intensifying efforts to stimulate Asia’s No. 1 economy could help Southeast Asian […]

Bloomberg via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1bjFS5A

Refires the Stimulus Bazooka

China’s stock frenzy has calmed at least momentarily, with the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets roughly even in the two trading days since regulators this weekend made it harder to buy shares with borrowed money and easier to bet against stocks by selling short. The more significant regulatory move, however, was […]

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