How the Chinese Spread SARS

By Jonathan Mirsky on May 29, 2003

Communist China’s long obsession with secrecy is one cause of the present SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) crisis. This passion for secrets—protected by lies—can involve events more than forty years ago, and it is heightened by a conviction common to all Communist countries: any disaster, natural or man-made, can reflect badly on the Party, the government, officials, and of course all citizens. Low-ranking officials who cannot conceal secrets will not rise through the hierarchy, and the highest officials hesitate before telling some or all of the truth.

Taiwan’s Accession to the WTO and its Economic Relations with the United States and China

By Wayne M. Morrison on May 16, 2003

After several years of negotiations, Taiwan joined the World Trade Organization (WTO), the international organization that sets rules for most international trade, on January 1, 2002. Taiwan’s WTO membership is expected to accelerate trade and economic reforms, boost economic growth, and expand trade and investment links with other WTO members, including the United States. WTO accession by both Taiwan and China (which joined in December 2001) could expand their bilateral commercial ties as well. In an effort to further boost U.S.-Taiwan economic ties (and to lessen Taiwan’s growing economic dependency on the mainland), some Members of Congress have indicated support and proposed legislation for a U.S.-Taiwan free trade agreement.

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Peony Lui
Topics: 
Economy
Keywords: 
Taiwan
World Trade Organization
U.S.-Taiwan Relations
Free Trade
Organization: 
Congressional Research Service

Chinese Military Power

By Chair: Harold Brown, Vice Chair: Joseph Prueher, Director: Adam Segal on May 1, 2003

The rise of China has long been a growing concern among US foreign policymakers. Of particular concern is the strength of Chinese military power and its relation to US military capability. This important report assesses the situation and concludes that China is at least two decades behind the United States in terms of military technology and capability. If the United States continues to dedicate significant resources to improving its own military forces, as expected, the balance between the United States and China, both globally and in Asia, is likely to remain decisively in America’s favor beyond the next twenty years.

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He Jianan
Topics: 
Military
Technology
Keywords: 
Military
Military Technology
Organization: 
Council on Foreign Relations