Wenran Jiang
Dr. Wenran Jiang is the Director of Canada-China Energy and Environment Forum and its annual conference since 2004. He is also is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Alberta, Wilson Centre Global Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars in Washington DC, and Special Advisor on China to the US and Canada based Energy Council.
Dr. Jiang has just returned from being partially seconded to Alberta Department of Energy as a special advisor on Asian market diversification (2012-14). Before taking a partial leave from his tenure at the U of A, Dr. Jiang was the Founding Director (2005-08) and Inaugural Mactaggart Research Chair (2008-11) of the University’s China Institute.
Traveling to China very frequently, and other parts of the world with field research, Dr. Jiang has written extensively on the rise of China and its impact on the Chinese political economy and the rest of the world, with a major focus on the shifting balance of power in the global economy, international finance and energy and resource sectors. Over the years, Dr. Jiang has advised government agencies, private companies in energy, mining, forestry and agricultural sectors on Asian market access and how to engage China. He is currently completing a book on why Canada needs to diversify its energy market to Asia. Alberta Venture magazine has named Dr. Jiang as one of the 50 most influential people in Alberta for 2014.
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Articles by Wenran Jiang
The End of China’s Play in the Canadian Oil Sandbox?
Only three years ago, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), China’s third-largest national oil company (NOC), launched the largest-ever Chinese overseas takeover bid, offering $15.1 billion to buy Nexen Inc.,
Energy Security, Geopolitics and the China-Russia Gas Deals
During the November 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Beijing was not only an impressive host, but also a generous financial supporter of a number of China-centered initiatives. The largest
China Leaps Back into the Canadian Energy Sector
As China has become the world’s second largest economy, its demand for energy has caused it to become the world’s biggest comprehensive energy consumer. Accompanying this process has been a
Chinese Perceptions of U.S. Engagement in the South China Sea
In November 2002, China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) adopted a Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the South China Sea (SCS), laying a
Energy Security in China’s 12th Five-Year Plan
While the developed world, including the United States and other Western European countries, has been sluggish in both economic recovery and energy demand, China has experienced major power shortages in
New Twists over Old Disputes in China-Japan Relations
Sino-Japanese relations took a decisive turn for the worse in the past month. At issue, Japan’s seizure of a Chinese trawler and its crew, and then the continuous detention of
Deepening Chinese Stakes in West Africa: The Case of Ghana
In the first nine months of 2009, Chinese companies launched 14 projects in Ghana and topped the list of foreign firms registered in terms of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in
Canada Resumes Summit Diplomacy with China
Canadian Prime Minister Stephan Harper concluded a much-anticipated visit to China in December 2009. The visit was significant because China was not on Harper’s foreign policy priority list when he
China Makes Strides in Energy “Go-out” Strategy
In recent months, Chinese National Oil Companies (NOCs) struck four major overseas energy deals with Russia, Kazakhstan, Brazil and Venezuela for a combined value of nearly $50 billion in Chinese
Beijing’s Responses to Falling Oil Prices
Oil and other commodity prices have been declining as major economies of the world go into a recession, but the Chinese are now more convinced than ever that their country
Chinese Inroads in DR Congo: A Chinese “Marshall Plan” or Business?
Since achieving independence five decades ago The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been ravaged by a dictatorship, war and political strife. Although large in territory and rich in mineral
China Flexes Its Muscles on Wall Street Part III: Currency Wars?
The value of the Chinese yuan, or RMB, has been a sore spot in U.S.-China relations in recent years. Faced with a massive $256.3 billion trade deficit with China for
China Flexes Its Muscles on Wall Street Redux
While China and the United States are increasingly deepening their economic, trade and financial interdependence, Beijing’s experiment on the global stage is being closely monitored by Washington for its national
China Flexes Its Muscles on Wall Street Redux
While China and the United States are increasingly deepening their economic, trade and financial interdependence, Beijing’s experiment on the global stage is being closely monitored by Washington for its national
China Flexes Its Muscles on Wall Street
First, it was the massive accumulation of China’s foreign reserves in Beijing's wallet, the largest in the world, with $1.4 trillion. A major portion of that money has flowed into
China Flexes Its Muscles on Wall Street
First, it was the massive accumulation of China’s foreign reserves in Beijing's wallet, the largest in the world, with $1.4 trillion. A major portion of that money has flowed into
China Debates Green GDP and Its Future Development Model
“Green GDP” has been the new catchphrase in the Chinese media and political discourse in the past few years. China’s State Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the National Bureau of
China Debates Green GDP and Its Future Development Model
“Green GDP” has been the new catchphrase in the Chinese media and political discourse in the past few years. China’s State Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the National Bureau of
China’s Growing Energy Relations with the Middle East
It is no secret that even as China is attempting to diversify its foreign sources of energy, the Middle East remains a key supplier of the oil and gas that
China’s Growing Energy Relations with the Middle East
It is no secret that even as China is attempting to diversify its foreign sources of energy, the Middle East remains a key supplier of the oil and gas that
Sino-Canadian Relations Enter Uncharted Waters
Only eighteen months ago, China’s relations with Canada seemed to be at their best in history. President Hu Jintao had visited Prime Minister Paul Martin in Ottawa, declaring that a
Sino-Canadian Relations Enter Uncharted Waters
Only eighteen months ago, China’s relations with Canada seemed to be at their best in history. President Hu Jintao had visited Prime Minister Paul Martin in Ottawa, declaring that a
China’s Energy Engagement with Latin America
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is thirsty for energy. From the late-1970s to the mid-1990s, it has managed to quadruple its economy and in the process of doing so,
China’s Energy Engagement with Latin America
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is thirsty for energy. From the late-1970s to the mid-1990s, it has managed to quadruple its economy and in the process of doing so,
China and Japan: Reconciliation or Confrontation?
Openly defiant of the mounting domestic opposition, the strong protests from Beijing and Seoul and the growing criticism of international opinion, on August 15 Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi paid
China and Japan: Reconciliation or Confrontation?
Openly defiant of the mounting domestic opposition, the strong protests from Beijing and Seoul and the growing criticism of international opinion, on August 15 Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi paid
China’s Renewed Summit Diplomacy with Japan
The five-year hiatus in Sino-Japanese summit-level relations ended earlier this month as Beijing rolled out its red carpet to receive Japan’s new Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. Eager to renew relations
China’s Renewed Summit Diplomacy with Japan
The five-year hiatus in Sino-Japanese summit-level relations ended earlier this month as Beijing rolled out its red carpet to receive Japan’s new Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. Eager to renew relations
China’s Struggle for Energy Conservation and Diversification
China’s energy shortage in recent years has resulted in extensive efforts to obtain additional energy supplies. Beijing has called for domestic production to be increased as alternative and renewable energy
China’s Struggle for Energy Conservation and Diversification
China’s energy shortage in recent years has resulted in extensive efforts to obtain additional energy supplies. Beijing has called for domestic production to be increased as alternative and renewable energy
Hu’s Safari: China’s Emerging Strategic Partnerships in Africa
Chinese President Hu Jintao wrapped up his eight-country, twelve-day African tour this month in the midst of controversy regarding China’s role in the continent. Government officials from the countries that
Hu’s Safari: China’s Emerging Strategic Partnerships in Africa
Chinese President Hu Jintao wrapped up his eight-country, twelve-day African tour this month in the midst of controversy regarding China’s role in the continent. Government officials from the countries that
Hu’s Safari: China’s Emerging Strategic Partnerships in Africa
Chinese President Hu Jintao wrapped up his eight-country, twelve-day African tour this month in the midst of controversy regarding China’s role in the continent. Government officials from the countries that
Hu’s Safari: China’s Emerging Strategic Partnerships in Africa
Chinese President Hu Jintao wrapped up his eight-country, twelve-day African tour this month in the midst of controversy regarding China’s role in the continent. Government officials from the countries that
China’s Struggle for Energy Conservation and Diversification
China’s energy shortage in recent years has resulted in extensive efforts to obtain additional energy supplies. Beijing has called for domestic production to be increased as alternative and renewable energy
China’s Struggle for Energy Conservation and Diversification
China’s energy shortage in recent years has resulted in extensive efforts to obtain additional energy supplies. Beijing has called for domestic production to be increased as alternative and renewable energy
China’s Renewed Summit Diplomacy with Japan
The five-year hiatus in Sino-Japanese summit-level relations ended earlier this month as Beijing rolled out its red carpet to receive Japan’s new Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. Eager to renew relations
China and Japan: Reconciliation or Confrontation?
Openly defiant of the mounting domestic opposition, the strong protests from Beijing and Seoul and the growing criticism of international opinion, on August 15 Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi paid
China’s Energy Engagement with Latin America
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is thirsty for energy. From the late-1970s to the mid-1990s, it has managed to quadruple its economy and in the process of doing so,
China’s Booming Energy Relations with Africa
With continuous economic growth averaging an astonishing annual rate of 10 percent over the past quarter century, China has transformed its landscape, become one of the largest economic powerhouses on
China Looks beyond Koizumi in its Japan Diplomacy
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is reportedly preparing for another visit to the Yasukuni Shrine where World War II war criminals are being honored among the war dead. If he
Beijing’s “New Thinking” on Energy Security
China’s growing appetite for energy has caused widespread concern around the world. The Middle Kingdom is blamed for the sharp increase in global oil prices in the past few years,
The Dynamics of China’s Social Crisis
China continues to impress the world with its high GDP growth, staggering trading volumes and surging consumption appetite. Most figures out of Beijing look remarkable, indicating a momentum that the
The Costs of China’s Modernization
In a rare disclosure of the enormous hidden cost of China’s rapid economic development, the Chinese government acknowledged last week that “sudden public incidents” such as industrial accidents, social safety
CCP Celebrates 50 Years of Nuclear Achievements
Fifty years ago the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s Central Secretariat held a meeting inside the Zhongnanhai compound to embark on the PRC’s nuclear weapons program. At the time of this
The Unocal Bid: China’s Treasure Hunt of the Century
The operation is code-named “Treasure Hunting Ship;” the target is a major piece of U.S. energy real estate. The $18.5 billion cash offer is the largest corporate expansion ever in
THE DRAGON’S THIRST FOR CANADIAN OIL
April marked a small leap forward in China's energy relations with Canada. China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) put down $150 million for a one-sixth stake in MEG Energy Corp.,
CHINA’S “NEW THINKING” ON JAPAN
According to recent Western reports out of China and views expressed by the Japanese press and many analysts, Beijing is either actively encouraging or tacitly tolerating a growing anti-Japanese sentiment
CHINA’S QUEST FOR ENERGY SECURITY
The year is 2008. The setting is the vast West Pacific region. To break the US-Japan-Taiwan military containment of China, the combined air, navy and armed forces of the Chinese