Hawks as Corinthians: Thucydides and the “Stand Up to China” Argument

Hawks today see the U.S. as withdrawn, docile, and weak by choice. They see China as aggressively violating norms and threatening American leadership. Yet any action would wrongfully assume the differing Chinese expectations of honor, history, and geography.

Jared McKinney Non-Resident Junior Fellow, Center for National Interest via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1XUDNjH

The Anglophone Media Narrative on China and Sources of Bias

Anglophone journalism is not about the quotidian, but instead focuses on power—political and corporate. While Kaiser Kuo esteems this motivation, he argues that it also can create distorted newsreader opinions, misunderstands the complexities of individuals in the most populous nation, and begets worse treatment for journalists in an un-virtuous cycle.

Kaiser Kuo Host, Sinica Podcast via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1TCCMNK

Oil Prices, US, Multipolarity and Speculation

The U.S.-led petrodollar era has eclipsed. It is being surpassed by a multipolar oil age. The current transitional era is permeated by fundamental change, opportunism and speculation.

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

China’s Volatile Growth

China’s transition to a more innovative, consumer-driven economy is well underway. While volatility is likely to persist, smart use of state resources, together with sure-footed reforms and increased transparency in decision-making should help China achieve moderate yet sustainable long-term growth.

Michael Spence, Fred Hu via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1TM2Rdc

Europe Fails to Recognize China’s Role in Maintaining Global Security

The just concluded 2016 Munich Security Conference further deepened people's concerns over an increasing disorder in international situation. Although a war among major powers is unlikely to happen, the possibility of an escalation of conflicts cannot be excluded. Scholars expert in national security are pessimistic about the prospects of the Syria and Ukraine crises. They also harbor deep misgivings about the struggle for power vacuum in Afghanistan, Mali, Libya and Yemen, among varied non-state actors that are fueled by extremist ideology and conflicts between religious sects and ethnic groups.

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

Five Challenges to Post-cold War World Order

The main challenges for the post-Cold War world include: Control by and challenges from international capitals, legacies of the Cold War, asymmetrical threats such as terrorism, regional and transnational conflicts. The world must find proper and effective means to cope with such challenges and manage crises in a time when the mobility and interdependence of personnel, capital, goods and ideas are increasingly enhanced.

Zan Tao Senior Researcher, Pangoal Institution via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/24wcJM4

China Has to Confront Difficulties on the Korean Peninsula

Beijing should take effective measures to contain DPRK moves to develop and deploy nuclear weapons. China should also urge and assist the DPRK to reform, open up and pursue peaceful development, which is the right way of economic development and improvement of people’s livelihood.

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

China-Japan Ties from the U.S. Perspective

The U.S. push for the Trans-Pacific Partnership undercut the potential for closer China-Japan ties that might have unbalanced trilateral relations. Policy moves in China or Japan will affect ties among all three countries, which must approach their relationships in a balanced manner for regional and global stability and development.

Liu Junhong, Researcher, Chinese Institute of Contemporary Int'l Relations via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1WtlZL1

Taking the Pulse of China’s Markets

Expectation management is key to the stability of the yuan, and the central bank should give priority to the offshore yuan market, because this is not only a highly free and liberalized market, but also an important venue where international speculators would try to attack or manipulate the exchange rate of the yuan.

Yi Xianrong Professor, Qingdao University via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1T8OAI1

Third Time the Charm?

China and the United States have yet to reach consensus in response to the crisis on the Korean Peninsula. The U.S. is not prepared to follow China’s path toward a rapid resurrection of the Six-Party Talks, while Beijing resists imposing alternative U.S. policies of applying unilateral sanctions on North Korea’s foreign enablers or reinforcing military pressure on Pyongyang.

Richard Weitz, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1Q16XdZ

Don’t Let DPRK Nuclear Ambitions Threaten China’s Security

Pyongyang’s recent missile tests show that becoming a nuclear power is not merely a bargaining chip but a genuine threat. The next US president will take renewed stock of the situation in the DPRK in 2017, and Beijing should start doing that right now. Protecting its own homeland security should and must be the fundamental gauge for China’s policy towards the DPRK.

Mandy Peng via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1p2OTHm

The Anglophone Media Narrative on China and Sources of Bias

Anglophone journalism is not about the quotidian, but instead focuses on power—political and corporate. While Kaiser Kuo esteems this motivation, he argues that it also creates distorted newsreader opinions, misunderstands the complexities of individuals in the most populous nation, and begets worse treatment for journalists in an un-virtuous cycle.

Kaiser Kuo Director of International Communications, Baidu via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1TCCMNK

Immigrants vs. Expats

Roma Eisenstark compares experiences of Chinese living in America to Americans living in China, while considering questions of “immigrant” versus “expat” experiences, and conditions that can create cultural barriers—or engender social acceptance.

Roma Eisenstark Freelance Writer via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1QzM3Ww

South Korea’s Nuclear Flirtation: A Game Changer for Both China and U.S.?

While the world’s attention has been focused on North Korea’s recent nuclear test and satellite launch, important developments regarding the nuclear issue were also taking place in South Korea. Recent developments suggest that the patience of the South Korean people and some members of the political elite is wearing thin.

Ted Galen Carpenter Senior Fellow, Cato Institute via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1SP663t

What China and U.S. Should Do after US-ASEAN Sunnylands Summit

ASEAN should not be divided by TPP, and two competing economic blocs should be avoided. China and the US must understand ASEAN’s hopes and fears of the two giants, and pursue trilateral cooperation with ASEAN in various fields, especially non-sensitive issues such as clean energy, illegal fishing, HADR, human and drug trafficking, and disease prevention.

Zhang Fan Assistant Research Professor, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1Qd4JJF

South China Sea’s First Victim: China’s AIIB?

Could the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) suffer collateral damage from China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea? In coming years, China must invest overseas to relieve growing internal economic imbalances and keep its populace employed to maintain political stability. This presents opportunities for borrowers and risks to China.

Stewart Taggart Founder & Principal, Grenatec via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1L4uADe

Supply-side Reform Needed in Global Economy

Since the global financial crisis of 2008, the growth track and pattern of the world economy have undergone dramatic changes, and maintaining an easy monetary policy by the central banks will not be enough to remedy the situation. New “supply substitution” is needed to improve the productivity and innovative output of all factors, and to earnestly promote global economic growth.

Zhang Monan, Researcher, China Int'l Economic Exchanges Center via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1Q400qh

Can Exporting Industrial Capacity Rescue the Chinese Economy?

China now seeks to export its excess industrial capacity as a means to cope with its economic troubles. The problem is that China is trying to export its way out a local crisis caused in large part by a global glut of commodities. Whatever the case, we should expect Chinese foreign investment to continue to grow, spurring a commensurate rise in its political influence.

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

Create Conditions to Restart North Korean Nuclear Talks

China and the U.S. agree on the need to impose sanctions, but not on the process and purpose. The starting point for imposing new sanctions should be to promote denuclearization and safeguard peace, not to escalate the tensions and not to cause chaos on the Korean peninsula.

Wu Zhenglong, Research Fellow, China Foundation for Int'l Studies via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1VqWSIy

Significance of Establishing the AIIB

The establishment and operation of the AIIB can strengthen China’s influence in global economic governance, and China will further take part in setting the international economic and financial rules, creating a better environment for its economic development.

Zhang Maorong Researcher, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/21aycrs

Shaping a New International Order

Chinese initiatives like “One Belt, One Road” are intentionally open and flexible; no uniform rules or norms are set from the beginning. One of the major challenges for the EU and European countries in the cooperation with China stems from this openness or vagueness, and from doubts about rules that might be applied differently in global and regional contexts.

Gudrun Wacker Senior Researcher, German Institute for International and Security Affairs via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1SB3Qg7

China-Japan Ties from the U.S. Perspective

The U.S. push for the Trans-Pacific Partnership undercut the potential for closer China-Japan ties that might have unbalanced trilateral relations. Policy moves in China or Japan will affect ties among all three countries, which must approach their relationships in a balanced manner for regional and global stability and development.

Liu Junhong, Researcher, Chinese Institute of Contemporary Int'l Relations via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1WtlZL1

What If Chinese People Could Vote for the President of the United States?

Matthew Hartzell polls his Zhihu followers to see who they’d pick for the U.S. election—first from the vantage point of China's national interest, and then from their own conscience. The results are a revealing look at the competing and at times contradictory perceptions of U.S. presidential candidates, and more harrowing Islamophobia.

Matthew Hartzell Geographer and Urbanist via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1OfMxJL

China and NATO Are Inching Towards Each Other

Given the importance of both China and NATO, it is inconceivable that China and NATO don’t interact. Counter-piracy in the Gulf of Aden shows how both sides can work together to provide common security to the world.

Zhou Bo, Honorary Fellow, PLA Academy of Military Science via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1oswNPh

Reconsidering the Role of Arbitration in South China Sea

China's failure to appear in court demonstrates its continued position of "non-acceptance and non-participation" in the arbitration unilaterally initiated by the Philippines. This arbitration could set a precedent that undermines the true spirit of the dispute settlement mechanism of UNCLOS.

Nong Hong Head of Institute for China-America Studies (ICAS) via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1QKL14n

What If Chinese People Could Vote for the President of the United States?

Matthew Hartzell polls his Zhihu followers to see who they’d pick for the U.S. election—first from the vantage point of China's national interest, and then from their own conscience. The results are a revealing look at the competing and at times contradictory perceptions of U.S. presidential candidates, and more harrowing Islamophobia.

Matthew Hartzell Geographer and Urbanist via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1OfMxJL

Obama’s Speech Highlights US Polarization

Despite the president’s focus on the American future, his calls to reform the political, economic and social system domestically and to build a strong network of allies and partners to address potential threats internationally could easily be thwarted by partisan politics.

Chen Jimin Associate Research Fellow, CPC Party School via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1QHPncj

Beijing Balances Iranian Opportunities with Tehran Troubles

Fundamentally, Chinese leaders seek to change Iran’s behavior, but not its regime. PRC policy makers want Iranian oil, but they are cautious about irritating more important commercial partners, especially the United States; when defending Tehran, Beijing strives to avoid confronting Washington directly.

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

May the Light of Justice and Peace Shine on Syria

The first round of the talk between the Syrian government and opposition parties is expected to be held for two to three weeks, discussing the political process, ceasefire, provisions for humanitarian assistance, and the fight against terrorism. The good news is that Russia and the United States have reached common ground in their mediation efforts.

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

More Cooperation with China Is Helpful to U.S. Economy

The US dollar’s appreciation is driven by the US economy’s recovery and the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy normalizing, not the recent turmoil in China’s stock market or its shrinking demand for oil. The US should encourage China to stick to its reform plan and introduce more of its experience on risk control and crisis management to China.

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

Why I Don’t Want to Go Home for Chinese New Year

To me there is a profound contradiction at the source of my dislike for the evolution of Chinese New Year: few traditional customs are left today, yet we are all are compelled to cherish and practice them. The shopping, the travelling, and the restaurant feasts only reflect the spirit of capitalism rather than Chinese traditions.

Mathilda Lan Chinese reporter with a major international media organization via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1oivilO

Putting the Order(s) Shift in Perspective

— “Doubling Down? China and International Order(s)” (By Fu Ying, Munich Security Conference 2016, 13 February 2016) As the Chinese year of Monkey has just arrived, I want first of all wish all of you a happy New Year. The conference organizers has given this panel a thought-provoking title: “Doubling […]

Mandy Peng via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1U2yr5L

Thoughts on China-U.S. Competition

The official American statement on adhering to one-China principle and hope for peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits helped mitigate suspicions in China and further testified to the US strategic plan to compete with China mainly in the economic field. This will help the two countries to sustain competitive cooperation and for China to readjust and reform its domestic policies.

Zheng Yu, Professor, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1mBBwfr

Trapped in the Bipolar Trap

Many “realist” scholars make predictions about China based on what the Soviet Union did during the Cold War, which assumes the two cases are similar in more ways than are warranted. An enormous amount of cultural capital remains untapped for its potential in collective identity construction. Success in constructing a new Asian identity will not only strengthen cooperation in the short run, but also weaken the appeal of military contestation over time.

Meicen Sun via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1K09Psb

China-U.S. Ties Reach New Level Despite Twists and Turns

The US will not change its Janus-faced policy of engagement and containment. But the fundamentals that buoy steadily developing China-US ties will not change, because they embody the fundamental needs of the development of both countries, and the trend of world history.

Yin Chengde Research Fellow, China Foundation for Int'l Studies via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/20PNAwt

“Iron Friendship” in the Indian Ocean

China now provides half of Pakistan’s military hardware and has demonstrated willingness to transfer technology to Pakistan. As geo-political alignments are changing, the mutuality of interests is drawing China and Pakistan closer.

Sajjad Ashraf Adjunct Professor, National University of Singapore via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1o9alKu

Layering Major-country Diplomacy with Chinese Characteristics

In face of the historic opportunity offered by a changing international order, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the idea of developing ‘major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics’ to guide Chinese diplomacy in this age of big changes.

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

China’s Sovereignty Is Fundamental to Taiwan Issue

To maintain the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations that Beijing and Taipei have enjoyed for the past seven years, which have benefitted both sides, the winners of the Taiwan election must abandon any ambition for Taiwan independence and recognize the 1992 Consensus and its one-China principle.

Wu Zurong, Research Fellow, China Foundation for Int'l Studies via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1UWGoaU

2015 and the Lunar Year That Was: China’s Influence, from Bad to Good

As large parts of Asia celebrate the arrival of the Lunar New Year on February 8th, it’s in with the Year of the Monkey. But before the Year of the Sheep fully recedes into memory, we take our annual look back at the people and events that made headlines across Asia—for good and for bad.

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

China Flexes Its Naval Muscles to Project Power Far Beyond Its Shores

President Xi Jinping’s latest trip to Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt point to the broader Chinese ambitions in the Middle East, a region where political turmoil and Russia’s military intervention in Syria are already altering the delicate balance of power. Only sustained pressure can persuade Beijing that its future lies in cooperation and not confrontation.

Brahma Chellaney, Professor, Center for Policy Research via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1Pa3r0b

Cross-Strait Relations in Flux after the DPP Win

The 2016 election has shaken up Taiwan’s political scene in a big way, as voters in a post-industrial society seek alternatives to the traditional parties and agendas. It foreshadows a deep transformation of Taiwanese politics, and the ramifications for cross-Strait relations will take time to evolve.

Zhu Songling, Professor, Beijing Union University via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1R5j63w

The China Model Hits the Road: Xi Jinping’s Middle East Trip in Context

The China Dream and the China Model are complementary in Xi’s strategic vision, of which relations with the developing world are a central part. Developments in the Middle East and Africa show how large a factor China now is in economic globalization, but while the China Model is based on noninterference in politics, Mel Gurtov argues that separating economics from politics is a challenge.

Mel Gurtov, Editor-in-Chief, Asian Perspective via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/23KuJSz

Trapped in the Bipolar Trap

Many “realist” scholars make predictions about China based on what the Soviet Union did during the Cold War, which assumes the two cases are similar in more ways than are warranted. An enormous amount of cultural capital remains untapped for its potential in collective identity construction. Success in constructing a new Asian identity will not only strengthen cooperation in the short run, but also weaken the appeal of military contestation over time.

Meicen Sun via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1K09Psb

“Iron Friendship” in the Indian Ocean

China now provides half of Pakistan’s military hardware and has demonstrated willingness to transfer technology to Pakistan. As geo-political alignments are changing, the mutuality of interests is drawing China and Pakistan closer.

Sajjad Ashraf Adjunct Professor, National University of Singapore via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1o9alKu

Cross-Strait Relations in Flux after the DPP Win

The 2016 election has shaken up Taiwan’s political scene in a big way, as voters in a post-industrial society seek alternatives to the traditional parties and agendas. It foreshadows a deep transformation of Taiwanese politics, and the ramifications for cross-Strait relations will take time to evolve.

Zhu Songling, Professor, Beijing Union University via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1R5j63w

Layering Major-country Diplomacy with Chinese Characteristics

In face of the historic opportunity offered by a changing international order, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the idea of developing ‘major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics’ to guide Chinese diplomacy in this age of big changes.

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

The China Model Hits the Road: Xi Jinping’s Middle East Trip in Context

The China Dream and the China Model are complementary in Xi’s strategic vision, of which relations with the developing world are a central part. Developments in the Middle East and Africa show how large a factor China now is in economic globalization, but while the China Model is based on noninterference in politics, Mel Gurtov argues that separating economics from politics is a challenge.

Mel Gurtov, Editor-in-Chief, Asian Perspective via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/23KuJSz

A Close Look at China’s Economy

Despite the slowdown, there is plenty of room for sustainable growth in the country, and the leadership’s newly announced plan promises to stabilize and expand China’s potential based on a solid foundation that’s often overlooked.

Liu Youfa Nonresident Senior Fellow via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1KrKTtw

CUSEF Chairman Tung Chee Hwa on China’s Economy, its Global Goals and U.S.-China relations

"China is trying to be force for good in the world, not take sides, but just usher people together." Tung Chee Hwa, Chairman of the China-United State Exchange Foundation, speaks with Charlie Rose on China's economy, the country's leadership and its foreign policy objectives.

C.H.Tung Chairman, China-United States Exchange Foundation via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1PjDIjU

Xi’s Middle East Visit Puts Across New Message

China “should not be absent”, the president said on his recent three-nation visit to the region. China sees development as a means for maintaining stability, and cooperation as a guarantee for security. The Belt and Road initiative is a vital tool for progress on all of these fronts.

He Wenping, Senior Fellow, Chahar Institute via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1PjzGIh