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

The United States extended exemptions from its tough, new sanctions on Iran's oil trade to seven more economies on Monday, leaving China the last remaining major importer exposed to possible penalties at the end of the month.   In the latest sign Washington is working with other countries to pressure Iran's nuclear program, India, South [...]

The wholesale markets in cities such as Yiwu in China's southeastern Zhejiang Province throng with overseas buyers examining cheap clothes and trinkets, placing orders to fill up containers shipped off to the Middle East and Africa. Profits are spun by the minute.   Export trade has powered China's rise over the past 30 years. Modest-sized [...]

China will take swift counter-measures that could include impounding European aircraft if the European Union punishes Chinese airlines for non-compliance with a scheme to curb carbon emissions, the China Air Transport Association said on Tuesday.   Chinese airlines, which have been told by Beijing not to comply with the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme, refused to [...]

Chinese steel exports are surging against the backdrop of record production and waning demand in China, resuming a trend that may set the stage for a resumption of trade disputes with the U.S.   The countries' steel-trade relationship soured in November 2009 when the U.S. issued punitive tariffs to stop a wave of Chinese oil-well [...]

New strains are emerging between China and its old ally, North Korea, six months after the death of reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. The recent North Korean hijacking of Chinese fishing boats has shaken those ties considerably, leading to public pressure on China to stand up to North Korea.   Fishing boats returning [...]