Cooling Off the South China Sea

On Oct. 27 the simmering waters of the South China Sea came to a slow boil. A U.S. Navy destroyer, the USS Lassen, conducted a freedom-of-navigation cruise within 12 nautical miles of a Chinese-built artificial island in the Spratly archipelago. The Chinese government vowed to “firmly react to this deliberate provocation.” Bloomberg Business Week economics editor Peter Coy argues that conflicting claims over the sea don’t have to degenerate into open hostility.

Peter Coy Bloomberg Business Week Economics Editor via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/20eKHmf

U.S. Provocative Act in South China Sea

The US has started a new series of games with China by sending its guided missile destroyer USS Lassen within 12 nautical miles of China's isles in the South China Sea.

Shen Dingli Associate Dean, Fudan University via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1RfIbpF

Cooperating on the First (and Last) Line of Cyber Defense

It may be too premature to argue that the China-U.S. cyber-agreement has failed. The vagueness of the agreement needs to be followed up with specific cooperation, like a cooperative agreement between both nations’ Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), which are the first (and last line) of defense in protecting a country’s critical information infrastructure from cyberattacks.

Franz-Stefan Gady Senior Fellow, EastWest Institute via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1jTtBK8

China-U.S. Competition for Strategic Partners

By re-engaging with its neighbors, especially American allies, in a formal alliance system, China would set up the function of preventative cooperation. That would help to maintain regional peace and security.

Yan Xuetong Dean, Institute of Modern Int'l Relations, Tsinghua University via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1jTtBtE

Calmer Waters: From Security to the South China Sea, Greater China-ASEAN Cooperation is in Everyone’s Best Interest

Since the first China-Asean official dialogue in July 1991, when then foreign minister Qian Qichen attended the 24th Asean Post-Ministerial Conference as a consultative partner, the relationship between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has grown into a multilayered web of ties. Those ties cover the entire spectrum […]

Zha Daojiong, Professor, Peking University via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1LBwrwb

“New Model” Redefines U.S.-China Ties

Beijing and Washington need to do is think of ways to translate the important agreements reached at the top level into reality. Beyond grand declarations, the “new model” needs to utilize a broad-based policy-making network that involves cyber and climate experts.

Zhao Minghao, Research Fellow, China Center for Contemporary World Studies via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1PTX2aZ

China-U.S. Relations Thrive in the Big Picture

Their economies have never been more interdependent, and many global and regional key issues hinge on their collaboration. Simply put, the two powers just cannot afford to head into a zero-sum game due to their increasing convergence of interests.

Li Zhenyu Business Editor, People's Daily Online via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1Rq5wES

Toward Asia-Pacific Free Trade

While the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership has potential to split Asia Pacific, it could be used as a foundation for truly free trade, along with other free trade plans in the region.

Dan Steinbock, Research Director, India China and America Institute via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1LO9FCC

China, U.K. Herald a “Golden Decade” in Ties

Looking back, the last ten years has been a transformational decade not just for China and Britain, but also for their bilateral relations. As the commercial ties grow more robust, cultural interflows getting more impressive, and collaboration on the international issues intensifies, the two countries are set to usher in a "Golden Decade" in their relations.

Yi Fan Analyst, Foreign Ministry of China via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1PToDsO

China’s Surprising Strengths in Innovation

A recent McKinsey Global Institute report titled "The China Effect on Global Innovation" finds that China has the potential to evolve from an innovation sponge - absorbing and adapting global technologies and knowledge - to an innovation leader. As a matter of fact, China is far better at innovation than is generally known and, in some kinds of innovation, is already emerging as a global leader.

Jonathan Woetzel and Jeongmin Seong McKinsey Glabal Insititute via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1N4aVSW

China’s Economy at the Fifth Plenum

Beginning this week, the Party must agree on the direction of China’s 13th Five-Year Plan, which is to be launched in 2016 and is supposed to enable the country to graduate from middle-income status by 2020 by reforming the quality of market competition, government accountability, and the provision of public goods and services

Andrew Sheng & Xiao Geng From Asia Global Institute via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1H4b2HS

Toward Asia-Pacific Free Trade (Despite the TPP )

While the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership has potential to split Asia Pacific, it could be used as a foundation for truly free trade, along with other free trade plans in the region.

Dan Steinbock, Research Director, India China and America Institute via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1LO9FCC

China-U.S. Relations Thrive in the Big Picture

Their economies have never been more interdependent, and many global and regional key issues hinge on their collaboration. Simply put, the two powers just cannot afford to head into a zero-sum game due to their increasing convergence of interests.

Li Zhenyu Business Editor, People's Daily Online via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1Rq5wES

What the Budding China-UK Romance Means for the Global Economy

All eyes are now focused on China’s current state visit: on October 20, Xi arrived in London at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth. His visit included the usual symbolic perks—a stay at Buckingham Palace, a ride in a royal carriage, and an address to the British Parliament—but his stay has also featured important trade and economic announcements, and has emphasized a new and unexpected honeymoon between two former enemies.

BROOKINGS via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1MdD1MV

Trust in a Troubled Relationship

The China – U.S. relationship is like a troubled marriage. A long-term commitment, to be sure, but there are problems to work out, which often proves difficult because there is a lack of trust. At that point, what’s important is communication so we can resolve our differences and strengthen the relationship for a more optimistic future. That clearly was the purpose of President Xi Jin Ping’s recent visit to the United States.

Don Bonker Retired U.S. Congressman via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1GlxiSG

China Sees a Chance in TPP to Quicken Reforms

Because existing trade terms mean 80% of TPP members’ exports to the U.S. are already duty-free while even a bigger percentage of China’s manufactured goods enjoy that status, the agreement’s bottom-line impact on trade is negligible for now. The deal is more about who gets to write the long-term rules of global governance, which for China is both a challenge and an opportunity to reshape its economy in the direction it was going anyway.

He Yafei Vice Minister, Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1jDxd2T

Toward Asia-Pacific Free Trade (Despite the TPP )

While the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership has potential to split Asia Pacific, it could be used as a foundation for truly free trade, along with other free trade plans in the region.

Dan Steinbock, Research Director, India China and America Institute via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1LO9FCC

China-U.S. Relations Thrive in the Big Picture

Their economies have never been more interdependent, and many global and regional key issues hinge on their collaboration. Simply put, the two powers just cannot afford to head into a zero-sum game due to their increasing convergence of interests.

Li Zhenyu Business Editor, People's Daily Online via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1Rq5wES

TPP Doesn’t Represent Global Interests

Open to insiders and restrictive to outsiders, as they lower trade barriers among member economies, regional FTAs tend to build higher trade barriers against non-member economies. Often tools for working around loopholes in the WTO, such regional agreements buck the trend toward globalization.

Zhang Monan, Researcher, China Int'l Economic Exchanges Center via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1PI03uF

Dealing with Our Differences

China and US quite naturally have differences, because we have different history, culture and political systems -- and we are in different stages of development. The challenge is to recognize those differences and respect them, but not let them dominate the bilateral relationship.

Wu Jianmin Former President, China Foreign Affairs University via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1PI03uT

TTIP & TTP: A Race to the Bottom Not the Top

Based on what we know from leaks, Transatlantic and Pacific trade deals disproportionally empower corporations. Instead of trade regionalism driven by corporatism and overrated security imperatives, the EU, the USA and China, should join forces and with a trilateral trade commission shape a vast economic space from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

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

Senior U.S. Navy Officers Visit Chinese Aircraft Carrier

China hosted a visit this week to its sole aircraft carrier by senior U.S. Navy officers amid tensions over reported plans by Washington to challenge Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea.

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

Beijing-London Embrace: Not Bad News for the U.S.

Accelerated interaction between China and the UK, one a big emerging country the other a seasoned world power, will present another case of successful big-country cooperation. Bilateral cooperation could not exist unless it is win-win, an example for a changing world order.

Zhang Bei Assistant Research Fellow, China Institute of International Studies via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1XgxqqI

Cross Straits Tensions Heading Back to Bad Old Days

As the prospect of the opposition party DPP winning the Taiwan presidential election increases, cross-Straits relations could be in for a long winter. George Koo argues Beijing faces a Taiwan with fewer options, even Japan could join the U.S. to interfere in how Beijing and Taipei deal with each other.

George Koo, Director, New America Media via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1GO0UTs

China Third-quarter Economic Growth Cools to 6.9% Year-on-year, But Beats Forecasts Slightly

China's economic growth eased to 6.9 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier, beating expectations but still the slowest since the global financial crisis, putting pressure on policymakers to roll out more support measures as fears of a sharper slowdown spook investors.

Reuters via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1GO0Seb

China Is Not Collapsing

China certainly experienced a turbulent summer, owing to three factors: economic weakness, financial panic, and the policy response to these problems. But none on its own would have threatened the world economy. The assumption that China is now the global economy’s weakest link is highly suspect.

Anatole Kaletsky Chief Economist and Co-Chairman, Gavekal Dragonomics via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1ZPvYhn

China’s Cap and Trade Program: More Than Just Hot Air?

China’s recently announced cap-and-trade system to limit emissions is a positive development, but not new. China’s emissions trading system (ETS) has seen some capping, and very little trading. Additional challenges lie ahead in the pricing of carbon and introduction of unified measurement, reporting, and verification systems.

Michal Meidan, Director, China Matters via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1jFXQTW

Google Starts Reappearing in Mainland

Google Inc is quietly putting back its services in China, amid speculation that the United States online search provider is preparing a return to the world's biggest Internet market.

China Daily via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1Ged6SA

Post-Summit Prospects for China-U.S. Relations

Richard Weitz argues that Xi Jinping’s visit to the U.S. did not strengthen mutual trust between the two governments, and suggests that Washington and Beijing need to move from words to actions regarding Afghanistan, which is facing increased insecurity, and views China as an important regional partner.

Richard Weitz, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1VTvG4j

Japanese PM Meets Chinese State Councilor

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met on Wednesday with visiting Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi, who came to Tokyo for the second China-Japan high-level political dialogue.

Xinhua News via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1PgkNuc

TPP: ‘Free-Trade Zone’ or ‘Economic NATO’?

For China and the United States, a new type of economic and trade relationship with each other is in the best interest of the two major powers, and they should work towards this end. That will require Washington to view the new TTP through the lens of its best economic interests, and join China in creating the world’s largest free-trade zone by around 2030.

Wu Sike, Member on Foreign Affairs Committee, CPPCC via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1GGHtvQ

Beyond the U.S.-China Narrative

It is hard to avoid the U.S.-China bipolar narrative, despite this over-simplistic analysis missing other measures of global power and insecurity. Xenia Wicket argues there is no single paramount power, but a variety of nodes of state and non-state actors.

Xenia Wickett U.S. Project Director, Chatham House via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1PfdhQz

Catholicism Trumps Communism

The American media and the White House missed an opportunity to present President Xi’s visit in ways that highlighted the important cooperation made in areas such as Afghanistan, peacekeeping, nuclear security, wildlife trafficking and ocean conservation.

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

NASA Chief Says Ban on Chinese Partnerships Is Temporary

The United States should include China in its human space projects or face being left out of new ventures to send people beyond the International Space Station, NASA chief Charles Bolden said on Monday.

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

UPDATE 3-China Economic Picture Remains Cloudy As Sept Export Fall Eases, Imports Slump

China's exports fell less than expected in September, with monthly figures showing recovery, but a sharper fall in imports left economists divided over whether the country's ailing trade sector is showing signs of turning around.

Reuters via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1R8riNh

The Belt & Road Initiative Offers New Model of Cooperation in Global Governance

With intraregional free trade and infrastructure funding, a greater use and circulation of currencies of countries involved will definitely follow, thus reducing or avoiding risks of depending entirely on US dollar-centered financial system for projects funding. That’s just one plus for a path to mutual trust and a better future in global order.

He Yafei Vice Minister, Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1G2ypXh

Afghanistan: An Opportunity for U.S.–China Cooperation?

Michael Auslin has called for a “new realism” in U.S. foreign policy toward China in these pages, one that “begins with an official acceptance that we are locked in a competition with China that is of Beijing’s choosing.” Moreover he suggests that Sino-U.S. dialogue must be “reset” and “conducted not as an unearned gift to Beijing, but only when there are concrete goals to be achieved.”

Nailene Chou Wiest, Visiting Professor, Sun Yat-sen University via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1LhSpSs

China’s Communist Party to Hold Key Annual Meeting October 26 to 29

Top leaders in China's ruling Communist Party will hold a key meeting from Oct. 26 to 29 to discuss the next five-year plan.

Reuters via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1G2tjuf

Why China Should Not Fear the Resurgence of Japanese Militarism

South Korea and China need to understand that the moral and military defeat of the Japanese military in World War II was so total, that it echoes to this day. Despite the historical revisionism and fear mongering of Shinzo Abe’s faction, the Japanese public appears unwilling to trust another “military clique” and engage in adulations of its military leadership and the military.

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

The U.S.-China Summit and the Trump Card

The Chinese must view Donald Trump like a house of cards in portraying the ugly side of America's political culture. Mesmerizing, yes, but not realistic.

Don Bonker Retired U.S. Congressman via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1LrCIY2

Muslim Radicalisation in Central Asia: Should Beijing Be Worried?

Understanding the ways in which individuals are radicalized in Central Asia is necessary to avoid the exploitation by the ruling regimes to maintain their grip on power through the strengthening of security services, suppression of political opposition, and attraction of international security assistance.

Kemel Toktomushev Research Fellow, University of Central Asia via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1L3f2vW

Why China Should Not Fear the Resurgence of Japanese Militarism

South Korea and China need to understand that the moral and military defeat of the Japanese military in World War II was so total, that it echoes to this day. Despite the historical revisionism and fear mongering of Shinzo Abe’s faction, the Japanese public appears unwilling to trust another “military clique” and engage in adulations of its military leadership and the military.

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

What Do the Obama-Xi Agreements Mean for Cyber?

On September 25, 2015, the White House and the Chinese government issued parallel statements explaining the various agreements Presidents Obama and Xi reached during Xi’s state visit. On the cyber and technology front, the agreements break no new policy ground, but do create a much-needed umbrella under which concrete, practical steps can be taken to reduce conflict in cyberspace and tensions in the bilateral relationship.

Bruce McConnell Senior VP, EastWest Institute via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1NsoCfK

U.S.-China Space Cooperation: A Welcome Dialogue Begins

The U.S. and China just held a dialogue on Space, mostly in secret to avoid the sensationalist ire of politicians and pundits. Working cooperatively could enable scientists in both countries to do more with their limited funds, exchange data and scientific discovery, as well as improve Global Navigation Satellite Systems.

Joan Johnson-Freese, Professor, US Naval War College via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1NrNZy6

President Xi Presents China as a Responsible Country

In four key addresses at the UN, the Chinese leader pledged to uphold the modern global system anchored by the purpose and principles of the UN Charter, and set a tone that reflects positively on China’s international standing.

Chen Xiangyang, Deputy Director, CICIR via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1FVK8a0

Xi’s U.S. Visit and Foreign Investment in China: Unfinished Business Remains

Despite President Xi Jinping’s efforts to assuage the concerns of U.S. business executives while in Seattle, Hugh Stephens argues that these statements don’t reflect reality—that China imposes a much wider range of restrictions on U.S. investors than is the case for Chinese investment in the US.

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

Putting Thucydides Back into the “Thucydides Trap”

Alternatively quoting or denouncing Thucydides is becoming an integral part of U.S.-China discourse. Jared McKinney argues that we should look at what Thucydides actually had to say: power transitions do not make war inevitable, and other variables—such as contests for honor and competing alliance systems—matter just as much.

Jared McKinney Dual-degree Graduate Student via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1WOC7I5

China Joins African Peacekeeping

China surprised President Obama and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on Sept. 28 by promising to create an 8,000 strong standby peacekeeping brigade for use on the African Continent, which should reinforce its desire to be a responsible global power.

Mandy Peng via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1L1179N

Leaving China out of the TPP Is a Terrible Mistake

Supporters of the Trans-Pacific Partnership say the trade deal would help counter China’s influence over the Pacific, but that argument is flawed. China’s dominance is inevitable.

Fortune via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1FYDuzA

Chinese Population to Peak in 2025

A lower-than-expected fertility rate means China's population will peak in 2025, something the country's leadership will have to seriously consider when drawing up its forthcoming national development blueprint, said a senior Chinese demographic expert in Brussels.

China Daily via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1LzN6mR