How Not to Lose Asia to China
Foreign Policy
May 3, 2017
This week, the foreign ministers of the 10 countries that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are coming to Washington for an annual U.S.-ASEAN dialogue.
ASEAN, United States, Barack Obama, Asia-U.S. Relations, Trans-Pacific Partnership
China’s Huge Dam Projects Will Threaten Southeast Asia as Water Scarcity Builds Downstream
By Daniel Rechtschaffen via Forbes
May 3, 2017
A river is born high in the Tibetan Plateau, before snaking its way 3,000 miles south and emptying itself into the South China Sea.
Tibet, South China Sea, Yunnan, Water, Pollution, Air Pollution, Water Pollution
Asian Nations Pulled into China’s Orbit as Trump Puts America First
By Manuel Mogato, Martin Petty via Reuters
May 1, 2017
Across Asia, more and more countries are being pulled into Beijing’s orbit, with the timid stance adopted by Southeast Asian nations on the South China Sea at a weekend summit a clear sign this fundamental geostrategic shift is gathering momentum.
ASEAN, Donald Trump, Philippines, South China Sea, Singapore, Beijing
Trump Warns North Korea on Missile Tests, Says ‘We’ll See’ If Military Action Is Needed
NBC News
May 1, 2017
President Donald Trump declared that neither the U.S. nor China would be “happy” if North Korea tested more missiles, and said “we’ll see” if military action would be needed to curb the country’s nuclear ambitions.
Beijing, Xi Jinping, Rex Tillerson, Currency Manipulation
Pals Donald Trump and Xi Jinping Still Split on North Korea
By BENNY AVNI via Daily Beast
May 1, 2017
Even President Trump’s newfound and well-advertised friendship with Xi Jinping may not be enough to overcome the sharp differences between the United States’ and China’s goals on North Korea.
Kim Jong-un, Missiles, Nuclear Power, Wang Yi, Assassination
China Focus: What to Expect from Belt and Road Forum
Xinhua
May 1, 2017
The Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation scheduled for mid-May is a high-profile international meeting on the Belt and Road Initiative, a China-proposed trade and infrastructure plan connecting Asia with Europe and Africa.
Belt and Road Initiative, Asia, Europe, Africa, Silk Road
Anbang, Chinese Company with Global Reach, Faces New Scrutiny
New York Times
May 1, 2017
Wu Xiaohui, the Chinese tycoon who was in failed talks with President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to buy into a skyscraper project in Manhattan, is fighting allegations of financial chicanery and has threatened to sue a Chinese magazine that examined his company’s labyrinthine funding.
Anbang, Jared Kushner, Donald Trump, Deng Xiaoping, Caixin
Holiday Hush as Chinese Tourists Shun South Korean Resort Island amid THAAD Missile Shield Row
By liu zhen via South China Morning Post
May 1, 2017
During the May Day holiday, the Jeju Cruise Terminal in South Korea used to be packed with thousands of passengers from the ports of Shanghai, Tianjin and Qingdao disembarking from large cruise liners and boarding their tourist buses.
THAAD, Chinese Tourists, South Korea, North Korea
Philippines’ Duterte Says Helpless against China
Channel NewsAsia
April 27, 2017
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Thursday (Apr 27) there was no point protesting Chinese artificial island building in disputed areas of the South China Sea because it could not be stopped.
South China Sea, China-Philippines Relations, ASEAN
Interview: Belt and Road Initiative to Boost Sustainable Economic Development -- Former U.S. Diplomat
By Yang Shilong, Zhang Zhihuan via Xinhua
April 27, 2017
The Belt and Road Initiative is a very positive project that helps boost sustainable economic development in the world, especially in ill-connected Asia, a former U.S. diplomat has said.
Belt and Road Initiative, Commerce, Trade
Alibaba Acts on Vow about 1m U.S. Jobs
By Paul Welitzkin via China Daily
April 27, 2017
Jack Ma announced on Tuesday that Alibaba will host a two-day conference in Detroit in June to teach U.S. businesses how to sell to the company’s 443 million customers in China on the world’s biggest e-commerce site.
E-Commerce, Alibaba, Jobs, Jack Ma, Donald Trump
China Urges U.S. To Abide by WTO Rules in Aluminum Imports Investigation
Xinhua
April 27, 2017
A Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman Thursday urged U.S. authorities to abide by World Trade Organization rules in its investigation of aluminum imports.
Antidumping, World Trade Organization, Trade
China’s Uber worth $50 Billion after Raising More Cash
By Alec Macfarlane via CNN
April 27, 2017
China’s homegrown answer to Uber is about to become the world’s second most valuable startup.
Didi Chuxing, Investment, Start-Ups, Alibaba
Why China’s New Aircraft Carrier Is Significant
By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN via ABC
April 26, 2017
China on Wednesday launched the navy’s second aircraft carrier, its first to be entirely homebuilt.
Ukraine, Japan, India, Taiwan
China Is Crushing South Korea’s Tourism Industry
By Alec Macfarlane via CNN
April 26, 2017
Pro tip for countries looking to keep their tourism numbers up: Don’t annoy China. That’s the lesson South Korea is learning the hard way. The country suffered a 40% plunge in Chinese visitors last month, according to the Korea Tourism Organization.
Chinese Tourists, THAAD, Missiles, North Korea
The North Korea Rhetoric Is Angry -- but Is Conflict Closer?
By Joshua Berlinger, Brad Lendon via CNN
April 26, 2017
U.S. warships and submarines are on the move. North Korea has carried out its largest ever live-fire drill. Washington and Pyongyang are trading inflammatory rhetoric on a weekly basis.
Pyongyang, Kim Jong-un, South Korea, Donald Trump, Sanctions, Japan, Nuclear Issues
U.S., Russia and China: A Tale of Big Egos, Profound Mistrust and Foolish Nationalism
By Joseph Camilleri, La Trobe University via ABC
April 26, 2017
Mr Trump’s first 100 days as President have dramatically demonstrated this failure. For all the rhetoric about “making America great again”, Mr Trump is rapidly discovering the US has limited capacity to impose its will on the rest of world.
China-Taiwan Relations, Xi Jinping, NATO, North Korea, Nationalism
China Finds U.S. Businesswoman Guilty of Stealing State Secrets, Orders Deportation
Newsweek
April 26, 2017
A Chinese court on Tuesday sentenced a U.S. citizen to three-years and six-months in prison for espionage but then ordered she be deported, her lawyer said, in a case that has added to U.S.-China tension.
Espionage, Beijing, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, State Secrets
Hong Kong Charges Pro-Independence Activists over China Protest
By Benjamin Haas via Guardian
April 26, 2017
Hong Kong police have charged two former pro-independence politicians over scuffles in the legislature, amid a widening crackdown on dissenting voices in the former British colony.
Hong Kong, Hong Kong-Mainland Tension, British Colonialism, Umbrella Movement
Xi, Trump Discuss Ties, Korean Peninsula Situation over Phone
Xinhua
April 24, 2017
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on Monday discussed bilateral ties and the situation on the Korean Peninsula on phone, pledging close contact by various means to promptly exchange views on major issues of common concern.
Economic Development, Trade, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, Pyongyang, North Korea, Korean Peninsula, Nuclear Disarmament
China’s Leader Urges Restraint on North Korea in Call With Trump
By CHRIS BUCKLEY via New York Times
April 24, 2017
China’s president, Xi Jinping, has urged President Trump to show restraint toward North Korea despite signs that the North may be preparing a nuclear test. Mr. Xi made the appeal in a phone call with Mr. Trump on Monday that reflected growing alarm over North Korea’s plans, which could tip the region into crisis.
Xi Jinping, Missiles, Nuclear Disarmament, Donald Trump, Pyongyang, Korean Peninsula
China Is Sending the U.S. a New Message about North Korea
By Evelyn Cheng via CNBC
April 24, 2017
Beijing appears to be sending fresh signals about its view on North Korea, in order to convince U.S. President Donald Trump to take less aggressive action against the rogue nuclear state, several political analysts say.
Pyongyang, China-North Korea Relations, Trade, Missiles, Nuclear Disarmament, Xi Jinping, Beijing, Donald Trump
China Is Squeezing North Korea - but Not Too Hard
By Jethro Mullen via CNN
April 24, 2017
China wields huge influence over the North Korean economy, accounting for more than 80% of its smaller neighbor’s foreign trade and serving as its main gateway to the rest of the world.
Coal, Oil, Beijing, Sanctions, Missiles, North Korea, Pyongyang, Beijng
Why Xi Jinping Is Planning a Historic Move to Rename China’s Army Corps
By Minnie Chan via South China Morning Post
April 24, 2017
Army corps in China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) are likely to have their unit numbers changed for the first time in their history as part of President Xi Jinping’s efforts to reshape the world’s biggest army, military sources said.
Xi Jinping, Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, People’s Liberation Army
Made-In-China Aircraft Carrier Is Readied for Launch
By Minnie Chan via South China Morning Post
April 24, 2017
China was making final preparations to launch its first domestically built aircraft carrier as it marked the 68th anniversary of the founding of the PLA Navy on Sunday.
Navy, Army, Liaoning
China Reveals New Dongfeng Missiles
By Hong Soon-do via Huffington Post
April 21, 2017
China has been staging its armed demonstrations recently, which seems to be aimed at suppressing rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Missiles, China-North Korea Relations, Pyongyang, Nuclear Power
US Official: With Eye on North Korea, China Puts Bombers on ‘High Alert’
By Ryan Browne, Elise Labott via CNN
April 21, 2017
China put cruise missile-capable bombers ‘on high alert’ this week as the United States sees evidence the Chinese military is preparing to respond to a potential situation in North Korea, a US defense official told CNN.
Pyongyang, China-North Korea Relations, Donald Trump, Strikes, Missiles, Nuclear Power, Nuclear Issues
Why Trump’s Plan to Use China against North Korea Is Probably Doomed
By Zeeshan Aleem via Vox
April 21, 2017
President Trump believes the road to disarming North Korea runs through China, its biggest and most powerful ally. The problem is that Beijing doesn’t seem willing to do much of anything to rein Pyongyang in.
Pyongyang, Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Strikes, China-North Korea Relations
Is China Too Tough a Steel Beast for Trump to Tame?
By Manolo Serapio Jr, Muyu Xu via Reuters
April 21, 2017
China exported 620,000 tonnes of steel direct to the United States last year, a fraction of the 800 million tonnes it produces each year, equal to about half of world output.
Steel Industry, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, South Korea, Imports and Exports, ASEAN
China Needs Its Friend the Philippines More Than the Philippines Needs China
By Ralph Jennings via Forbes
April 21, 2017
If China can choreograph its own relations with all four Southeast Asian nations that dispute its aggressive, decade-old expansion in the same 3.5 million-square-kilometer sea, it can easily ignore threats from the United States, the world court or power blocs such as the G7.
South China Sea, United States, Territorial Disputes, Beijing
Why India Can’t Afford to Miss out on China’s Belt and Road Plan
By K.S. Venkatachalam via South China Morning Post
April 21, 2017
India-China relations has been plagued by a low level of trust due to unresolved territorial disputes.
Tibet, Dalai Lama, China-India Relations, Belt and Road Initiative, Unemployment
Why China’s New Cargo Space Ship Is So Important
By Namrata Goswami via Diplomat
April 20, 2017
China’s first indigenously built Tianzhou cargo ship, which is being launched between April 20 and 24, is a major accomplishment.
Cold War, Space Program, Beijng, Economic Growth, NASA
China Criticizes North Korea, Praises US on Nuclear Issue
By Brad Lendon via CNN
April 20, 2017
China may be getting fed up with continued nuclear bluster from long-time ally North Korea and tilting toward the United States.
China-North Korea Relations, Missiles, Nuclear Power, Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Wang Yi
China Left as Observer as Tensions Rise on Korean Peninsula
By Christopher Bodeen via Washington Post
April 20, 2017
China’s foreign minister recently likened the U.S. and North Korea to two speeding trains hurtling toward each other, an analogy that would seem to place China in the role of helpless bystander. And indeed, while tensions have risen, Beijing has been frustrated by its declining influence over the Korean Peninsula.
China-North Korea Relations, Missiles, Nuclear Power, Kim Jong-un, Xi Jinping, Beijing
China Rolls Back Taxes by $55 Billion to Encourage Consumer Spending and Boost Growth
CNBC
April 20, 2017
China is cutting taxes this year by 380 billion yuan ($55 billion) in efforts to encourage spending and boost growth.
Taxes, Li Keqiang, Economic Growth
South Korea Tells Trump It’s Actually Never Been a Part of China
Bloomberg
April 20, 2017
South Korea’s government wants to know whether Chinese President Xi Jinping gave alternative facts on the nation’s history to Donald Trump.
Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Korean Peninsula
United Airlines CEO to Visit China after Dragged Passenger Incident
China Daily
April 20, 2017
Facing a backlash over an incident this month involving an Asian-American passenger, United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz is planning a visit to China.
Airlines, United States, Air Travel
China Hits ‘Provocative’ US on North Korea after Saying USS Carl Vinson Was Headed to the Peninsula
News.com.au
April 19, 2017
China has avoided directly criticising the United States for lying about the course of its nuclear aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, but warned that such actions might compromise regional peace.
North Korea, Missiles, Strikes, Japan
China Names Areas in Region Disputed with India to Assert Claims
Reuters
April 19, 2017
China has issued standardized spellings of the names of six places in a region disputed with India, in what China’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday was an assertion of sovereignty.
China-India Relations, Tibet, Dalai Lama, Beijing, Religious Freedom
China Reshuffles 84 Corps-Level Military Units
Xinhua
April 19, 2017
China announced Tuesday a military reshuffle with 84 corps-level units newly adjusted or established, a move hailed by President Xi Jinping as another major step in strengthening the country’s armed forces.
Army, Xi Jinping, Chinese Communist Party, Military Crackdown
China, EU Push Message of Free Trade, Engagement
ABC
April 19, 2017
Top diplomats from China and the European Union pledged closer cooperation Wednesday, highlighting their common interests in peace and security and pushing a message of free trade and open engagement in contrast to fears that the U.S. is turning inward under President Donald Trump.
Trade, Europe, Yang Jiechi, Internet Censorship, World Trade Organization, Market Economy
China’s President Is Playing Donald Trump Like a Fiddle
Week
April 19, 2017
President Trump thinks he has worked out a magnificent “deal” with China. The outlines of the deal are fairly simple to understand: Trump is prepared to drop his economic grievances against China in exchange for China's help in fixing “the North Korea problem.”
North Korea, China-North Korea Relations, Missiles, Nuclear Power, Trade, Donald Trump, Xi Jinping
China Says Ivanka Trump Trademark Requests Handled Properly
Chicago Tribune
April 19, 2017
China is defending its handling of trademark applications from President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka and her company, saying that all such requests are handled fairly.
Ivanka Trump, Trade, Beijing
Trump: I Haven't Softened My Stance on China
By Louis Nelson via Politico
April 18, 2017
Trump left open the possibility that China might ultimately be unable, or unwilling, to apply sufficient pressure on North Korea.
Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, North Korea, Kim Jong-un
Trump: I Haven't Softened My Stance on China
By Louis Nelson via Politico
April 18, 2017
Trump left open the possibility that China might ultimately be unable, or unwilling, to apply sufficient pressure on North Korea.
Xi Jinping, Donald Trump, North Korea, Kim Jong-un
The North Korean threat is literally on parade. Can Trump get China to act?
Washington Post
April 18, 2017
Is Mr. Trump driving toward a new outcome with China or the same old dead end?
China-North Korea Relations, Donald Trump, Kim Jong-un, Xi Jinping
An SUV Called Trumpchi, and Other Marketing Challenges for Chinese Autos in the U.S.
Wall Street Journal
April 18, 2017
The country’s auto makers aim to boost sales overseas, and are starting by building better cars. That’s just the first hurdle.
Automobiles, Donald Trump, Trade
China-Nepal Exercises Don’t Worry Us: India
Hindu
April 17, 2017
The enduring ties between Kathmandu and New Delhi are not concerned with the ongoing military exercises between China and Nepal, the External Affairs Ministry said.
China-India Relations, Nepal, Army
China’s Korea Policy ‘in Tatters’ as Both North and South Defy Sanctions
Washington Post
April 17, 2017
On Monday, South Korea announced that it would press ahead with the “swift deployment” of a U.S. missile defense system, despite vociferous Chinese opposition.
South Korea, North Korea, THAAD, Pyongyang, Beijing, Korean Peninsula, Nuclear Weapons, Kim Jong-un, Airlines
China and Russia Send Intelligence-Gathering Vessels to ‘Chase’ Trump’s ‘Armada’ to North Korean Waters
Daily Mail
April 17, 2017
China and Russia have sent intelligence-gathering vessels to ‘chase’ Donald Trump’s armada to North Korean waters, it has been claimed.
Donald Trump, North Korea, Navy, Strikes, Missiles, Nuclear, Russia
China and Russia Send Intelligence-Gathering Vessels to ‘Chase’ Trump’s ‘Armada’ to North Korean Waters
Daily Mail
April 17, 2017
China and Russia have sent intelligence-gathering vessels to ‘chase’ Donald Trump’s armada to North Korean waters, it has been claimed.
Donald Trump, North Korea, Navy, Strikes, Missiles, Nuclear, Russia
Senior Chinese, U.S. Officials Exchange Views on Korean Peninsula Situation
China Central Television (CCTV)
April 17, 2017
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula via phone on April 16.
North Korea, China-North Korea Relations, Missiles, Rex Tillerson, Yang Jiechi, Bilateral Relations, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump
Changing Trump Views toward Russia, China Worry Some Allie
ABC
April 17, 2017
Once soft on Russia and hard on China, President Donald Trump rapidly reversed course in the last weeks, concluding there’s more business to be done with Beijing than with Moscow.
Vladimir Putin, China-Russia Relations, U.S.-Russia Relations, CIA, Elections, North Korea, Xi Jinping, Donald Trump
China’s Economy Grows 6.9%, but Warning Signs Persist
New York Times
April 17, 2017
China’s economy, the world’s second-largest behind that of the United States, grew 6.9 percent in the first quarter, led by strong expansion at factories, Chinese officials said Monday.
Real Estate, Steel Industry, Factories, Manufacturing
How a U.S.-China War Could Begin
Week
April 14, 2017
President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping sat down for their first superpower summit in Florida earlier this month, and by all accounts, things went well. Still, it is time to consider the sheer magnitude of problems dividing America and China.
Chinese Dream, Fishing, Climate Change, United States, Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, China-Taiwan Relations, North Korea
Trump Dumps Russia, Woos China Instead
CNN
April 14, 2017
This month, during which Trump administration has stepped up US military action in Syria and Afghanistan as he looks to reassert US power, Trump said that “we’re not getting along with Russia at all, we may be at an all-time low.” He and Chinese President Xi Jinping, on the other hand, have “a very good chemistry,” Trump declared.
China-Russia Relations, U.S.-Russia Relations, NATO, Israel, Iran, Nuclear Power
China Warns of ‘Storm Clouds Gathering’ in U.S.-North Korea Standoff
New York Times
April 14, 2017
China warned on Friday that tensions on the Korean Peninsula could spin out of control, as North Korea said it could test a nuclear weapon at any time and an American naval group neared the peninsula in a show of resolve.
Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear Disarmament, Beijing, United States, Korean Peninsula, China-North Korea Relations
Will China Stand Aside if North Korea Wants to Talk to Trump?
South China Morning Post
April 14, 2017
The science of using artificial intelligence to gauge the destructiveness of each bomb, however, is not something North Korea seems interested in, even though Pyongyang has access to super computers. Why?
Pyongyang, China-North Korea Relations, United States, Donald Trump, Nuclear Weapons
Air China Clarifies Ticket Sales to Blame for Temporary Flight Cuts to Pyongyang; No Suspension of Services
South China Morning Post
April 14, 2017
Air China, the only Chinese carrier with regular services to North Korea, clarified on Friday that it was not suspending flights between Beijing and Pyongyang, state media reported.
Pyongyang, China-North Korea Relations, Airlines, Nuclear Power
Xinhua Insight: Procedures unveiled for birth of Xiongan New Area
Xinhua
April 14, 2017
Plans for Xiongan New Area, an economic zone about 100 kilometers south of Beijing, are becoming more clear. President Xi Jinping said, “The capital's core functions should be preserved and strengthened, and some inappropriate functions adjusted and weakened.”
Tianjin, Hebei, Investment, Beijng, Infrastructure
Trump Thought China Could Get North Korea to Comply. It’s Not That Easy.
By Amanda Erickson via Washington Post
April 13, 2017
Beijing’s nightmare scenario is a collapse of the Kim regime, which could also open the door to reunification with South Korea, another nightmare for Beijing.
U.S.-China Relations, China-North Korea Relations, South Korea, Imports and Exports
China Says Its Trade with North Korea Has Increased
By Jane Perlez and Yufan Huang via New York Times
April 13, 2017
Amid sharply rising tensions over North Korea’s nuclear arms program, China said on Thursday that its trade with the country had expanded, even though it had complied with United Nations sanctions and stopped buying North Korean coal
China-North Korea Relations, Imports and Exports, Trade, Sanctions, Coal
Kim Jong Un’s Rockets Are Getting an Important Boost—from China
By Joby Warrick via Washington Post
April 13, 2017
Despite China’s public efforts to rein in North Korea’s provocative behavior, Chinese companies continue to act as enablers, supplying the isolated communist regime with technology and hardware that allow its missiles to take flight
U.S.-China Relations, China-North Korea Relations, Missiles, Military Technology, Export, Sanctions
Trump and China: Master Diplomat or Paper Tiger?
By Katie Hunt via CNN
April 13, 2017
When it comes to China, has U.S. President Donald Trump played a diplomatic master stroke? Not so fast, say analysts who are quick to puncture hopes of budding bromance between the leaders of the two countries.
Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, U.S.-China Relations, Trade, Currency Manipulation
China Exports Jump the Most in Two Years as Imports Moderate
Bloomberg
April 13, 2017
China’s overseas shipments last month jumped the most in two years as global demand held up. Imports moderated after a holiday-season surge in February and the trade balance rose.
Trade, Imports and Exports, Trade Deficit
The Classic Chinese Text That Ivanka Trump’s Kids Recited for Xi Jinping Was Long Banned in China
By Zheping Huang via Quartz
April 13, 2017
For decades, Sanzijing had been banned from all public kindergartens and schools in China as the Communist regime cracked down on non-socialist ideas.
Xi Jinping, Ivanka Trump, Literature, Chinese Language, Social Media