A Chinese naval task force, including its most modern amphibious ship, a guided-missile destroyer, and two frigates, was recently sighted operating off James Shoal, 50 miles off the coast of Malaysia. James Shoal is claimed by Malaysia and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), as well as Taiwan. The appearance …
Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary and Chinese President Xi Jinping has talked a great deal about the “China Dream.” It remains to be seen, however, whether this dream is a call for national renewal or for revanchism and Chinese nationalism at the expense of its neighbors. Soon after assuming …
The Chinese yesterday announced new defense and internal security budgets. In keeping with the average double-digit annual increases of the past 20 years, Chinese military spending will rise by 10.7 percent. These consistent massive increases, announced ahead of the 12th National People’s Congress—the world’s largest parliament—have allowed Chinese military modernization …
China’s new president, Xi Jinping, will make his first official foreign visit to Russia this month. Xi’s decision to make his first visit abroad to Russia suggests an effort to improve relations and cement their strategic partnership. Washington should pay attention to the growing ties between Moscow and Beijing. Since …
The New York Times has laid out a portrait of a Chinese billionaire family, and it’s a fairly worrisome one. Premier Wen Jiabao’s extended family, including his brother-in-law, are said to be worth $2.7 billion. Average income in China last year was less than $6,000. The Wens aren’t alone. Bloomberg …
This morning’s news reports indicate that a large portion of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the entity that actually manages and oversees China’s multimillion-man military, is now in place. When the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) 18th Party Congress convenes two days after the U.S. election, the top Chinese leadership will …
Where is China’s incoming Communist Party chief, Xi Jinping? When he canceled a meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, it was attributed to a back injury or perhaps unhappiness with the U.S. But as he has canceled meetings with other visitors, including the Singaporean prime minister, rumors have arisen …
Social media in China are pushing the envelope of government control, but China’s censors are demonstrating that they still have the stuff. For instance, where to turn for news if one of your country’s top officials has mysteriously disappeared? If you are Chinese and the official is vice president and …
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States was extremely short on substance. It was really just a public relations exercise for both sides aimed at audiences back home. And as for building rapport between leaders, by nature, the visit was bound to come up short. President Obama …