China Needs a Denver

Addressing the systemic imbalances in China's urban system will be a difficult and long-term endeavor. However, as service industries and technology expand their role within the Chinese economy, there's no reason why firms and jobs can't be more evenly spread out across the national network of cities, as they are in the U.S.

Matthew Hartzell Geographer and Urbanist via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/2bxB3L6

America’s China Policy and Its Implications for Allies

The U.S.-China relationship is probably the most important one that the next president will need to manage. There would be few surprises for Asia in a Clinton presidency who would largely maintain the traditional ‘hedge and engage’ policy towards China. While a Trump presidency could be seen as better for China, allowing more leeway on security issues, adding an additional element of unpredictability that he would bring to China’s already uncertain economy, would not be good for the country or President Xi Jinping.

Xenia Wickett U.S. Project Director, Chatham House via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/2c1JIGA

Global Growth – Still Made in China

Despite all the hand-wringing over the vaunted China slowdown, the Chinese economy remains the single largest contributor to world GDP growth. For a global economy limping along at stall speed – and most likely unable to withstand a significant shock without toppling into renewed recession – that contribution is all the more important.

Stephen Roach, Faculty Member, Yale University via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/2bPBJGG

Benign Engagement Between Myanmar, China and the United States

The three countries must identify areas of cooperation in Myanmar, such as investment, public service projects among others, and foster a viable cooperation mechanism where interests are shared, risked are distributed. A non-competitive approach will contribute to the economic prosperity of Myanmar and the well-being of its people, and will meet the interests of the three countries and the region at large.

Song Qingrun Associate Professor, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/2cjE932

How Donald Trump Demonstrates a Problem with the American Political System

Donald Trump is a symptom of a broader problem with a GOP that has drifted steadily rightward for decades. While the world stares in astonishment at the theatrics of the American general election, a broad consensus is emerging that Donald Trump is not fit to be President of the United States. However, what Trump’s emergence means for America’s two-party system is a bigger question.

David Shorr a strategic thinker and veteran program manager via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/2c5597s

Regional States Begin Reconciliation in the South China Sea

While the U.S. calls for respect of the given ruling under the Law of the Sea Convention, of which the U.S. is not a signatory, none of the predicted responses from China and the Philippines have come true. On the contrary, both have opted for ‘strategic restraint,’ choosing to use dialogue in order to find common ground.

Sajjad Ashraf Adjunct Professor, National University of Singapore via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/2criDbU

Belt and Road Initiative Makes Strong Progress

As the international economic environment is rather complicated, B&R will involve enormous investments, long construction cycles and slow payback, with various risks and challenges. Many projects are well underway, however, from Indonesia to Central Asia, and more and more countries and regions are aligning with the B&R strategy and China’s commitment to mutual benefit.

Fu Mengzi, VP, China Institutes of Contemporary Int'l Relations via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/2c7cghA