CHINA US Focus | Perspectives shaping the world's most important bilateral relationship

Anand Giridharadas

Many in the West take a simplistic view of the current challenges China faces and fail to appreciate that China is indeed opening up and becoming freer, at its own pace. The West would do well to remember the challenges and lack of freedoms their own countries faced while they progressed through their history.

Interpreting the U-shape Line in the South China Sea

Hong Nong

It has been almost one month since the standoff started on April 10, 2012 between the Philippines and China at the waters around at Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal). This standoff raises a new round of debate on the dispute between China and other claimant states on both the sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction.

Never Needed More: U.S.-China Strategic & Economic Dialogue

David Shambaugh

On 3-4 May 2012 the United States and China convene their 2012 “Strategic and Economic” Dialogue. As the two powers and governments meet in Beijing for two days of intensive discussions and negotiations over a wide range of complicated issues, much uncertainty surrounds the relationship.

America’s Renminbi Fixation

Stephen S. Roach

For too long, the United States has allowed its fixation on the renminbi’s exchange rate to deflect attention from far more important issues in its economic relationship with China. For a growth-starved US, the opportunities for access to China’s markets far outweigh the currency threat.

Avoiding Shipwreck in the South China Sea

Minxin Pei

Rising tensions over maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea are making this area one of the more dangerous geopolitical flashpoints in Asia. The most recent standoff between China and the Philippines over fishing rights is but one of the examples of how things could go terribly wrong if claimants in the disputes fail [...]

The Huangyan Island Standoff: A Review of the Claims and the Prospects for the Future

Wu Shicun

Starting on April 10th, China and the Philippines became embroiled in a standoff in disputed waters in the South China Sea. The standoff occurred when eight Chinese fishing boats, while taking refuge in a lagoon near Huangyan Island due to harsh weather, were harassed by the Philippine largest warship Gregorio del Pilar.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecies in US-China Relations

Walter C. Clemens

Having articulated in 1946-1947 America’s strategy to contain Soviet expansion, George F. Kennan in the mid-1950s warned Washington not to engage in a self-fulfilling prophecy when dealing with Stalin’s successors. Make no mistake, he warned, if Washington treats the Kremlin’s new leaders as if they are inexorably committed aggressive policies, they will have no [...]

Direct Out-Bound Investment from China is Set To Boom as Individual Wealth is Liberated

He Weiwen

China’s State Council’s approval of the Wenzhou Comprehensive Financial Reform pilot zone on March 28 marks a breakthrough in both private lending and private out-bound investment. Although details of its regulations are still in the making, the general trend is already set. The most significant point of this policy is the opening up of individual [...]

Huangyan Island Standoff Reflects Significant Changes in South China Sea Disputes

Li Yan

The standoff between China and the Philippines over Huangyan Island has lasted for nearly a month and there are no signs of a compromise. Compared to other conflicts in the South China Sea region in recent years, this one is quite different and has the potential to escalate. The major difference is that the Philippines [...]

Standoff at Scarborough Shoal: Implications for US-China Relations

Carlyle A. Thayer

On April 10th China and the Philippines became embroiled in a naval standoff in disputed waters in the South China Sea. The standoff occurred when the Philippine Navy frigate, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, was sent to investigate the sighting of eight Chinese fishing boats at Scarborough Shoal 124 nautical miles west of Luzon. On arrival [...]

Building a New Model for the China-US Relationship

Tao Wenzhao

The fourth round of the Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) has successfully concluded with 67 key points. These agreements cover a wide range of issues, bilateral, regional and global, which eloquently shows that China and the United States share overlapping interests and responsibilities in meeting regional and global challenges. Some of the agreements have enriched [...]