Recent fluctuations in the Chinese yuan have given way to far-flung fears that the Chinese economy is faltering. However, Michael Justin Lee explains that the yuan’s fall against the U.S. Dollar was engineered by the People’s Bank of China and was necessary to reduce hot money the Chinese economy slows.

Hugh Stephens discusses the rationale behind Canada’s recent decision to eliminate its immigrant investor and entrepreneur program, and the impact that it might have on similar US programs. The Canadian government review concluded that the investor immigrant program did not provide a good ROI for Canada. This decision, along with tighter citizenship qualification policies, will likely dampen enthusiasm for future Chinese investor immigration to Canada although other channels remain open. The termination of the Canadian program will cause increased interest in the US EB-5 visa program although absolute numbers of visas granted is unlikely to increase significantly.

Stephen Roach states that China's slowing GDP growth is a natural result of a rebalancing of the Chinese economy. However, China's recent economic growth has lead to an unbalanced codependency of China and the US. Thus, Roach believes that the US should adopt a new growth strategy, based on saving and investing in people, infrastructure, and capacity.

In Beijing, many observers regard the TPP as the economic counterpart of U.S. rebalancing in Asia to contain China’s rise. On the other hand, if Beijing would participate in the talks, it could conceivable influence both the process and the future shape of the proposed trade pact.

Shao analyzes the US’ “New Silk Road Initiative” and China’s “Silk Road Economic Belt,”and concludes that though having differences, they go in the same direction: acceleration of regional economic cooperation.

Curtis S. Chin notes that this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, which is set to be held in Beijing this fall, has great potential to bring together U.S. and Chinese officials to shape an agenda for continued economic growth.

Following the Community of Latin American and Carribean States (CELAC) summit held in Havana, Cuba at the end of January, Fernando Menéndez analyzes two potential paths for Latin America’s development and explores China’s future role in the region.

When it comes to economic reform, China’s leaders no longer believe that time is on their side. With a new sense of urgency, President Xi Jinping and his inner circle are attempting one of the most ambitious economic and social-policy reform plans in history.

Following concerns voiced at the World Economic Forum in Davos about China’s burgeoning shadow banking system, Michael Justin Lee examines the role of financial entities that don’t fall under direct bank regulation within market economies and argues that fears of China’s economic downfall are overblown.

The turmoil surrounding China’s shadow banking system is easily understood as more than $1 trillion worth of debt is set to mature in the system before May. However, as Minxin Pei points out, China’s new leadership must turn shadow banking’s impending crisis into a strategic opportunity and face short-term pain to prevent the triggering of a domino-style collapse.