Latest China Brief Articles
The National People’s Congress Exposes Xi Jinping’s Problems
Executive Summary: Li Qiang’s government work report offered no significant incentives to help the nation’s three sectors most in need of government support. Economic targets were practically identical to those for 2023 but will be harder to achieve. Xi amassed more power through sidelining Li... MORE
PRC Pursues Chip Design Software Dominance
Executive Summary: US-China technology competition is no longer confined to only leading-edge semiconductors but is now moving to also include older so-called mature-node or legacy chips. Central and local level Chinese industrial and innovation policies have long pursued a goal of achieving self-sufficiency in not... MORE
‘From Chancay to Shanghai’: Peru’s Strategic Role in PRC Maritime Strategy
Executive Summary: Majority ownership by state-owned Cosco Shipping, and involvement of companies like ZPMC which is closely linked to China's Military-Civil Fusion strategy, raises concerns about the dual-use nature of infrastructure projects and potential military implications. The PRC has become Peru's main trading partner and... MORE
National Defense Mobilization: Toward A Clear Division of Labor between the PLA and Civilian Bureaucracies
Executive Summary: As the result of the ongoing military reform, the military’s guiding and leadership role over civilian bureaucracies seems to be strengthened. Meanwhile, the responsibilities of the State Council and local governments on NDM have been substantiated, and the administrative work which the PLA... MORE
New Quality Combat Forces: More Than Meets The Eye
Executive Summary: Conceptual framings from the military may be influencing how the CCP approaches its management of the economy. The phrase “New Quality Combat Forces” predates the phrase “New Quality Productive Forces” by several years. Now they are being linked as mutually self-reinforcing constructs. Both... MORE
Implications of Article 23 Legislation on the Future of Hong Kong
Executive Summary: Hong Kong’s Article 23 legislation will integrate the PRC's national security framework into Hong Kong's legal system, impacting the city's rule of law and foreign business interests. Broad and vague definitions of national security will create challenges for Hong Kong's common law system.... MORE
BeiDou And Strategic Advancements in PRC Space Navigation
Executive Summary: BeiDou enhances both the PRC’s strategic autonomy and its influence across the world. It has signed agreements with numerous countries to expand its use, including for military applications. An interoperability agreement with the US government diminishes the strategic value of GPS by eliminating... MORE
Jing-Jin-Ji At Ten: Urban Planning Under Xi
Executive Summary: The Jing-Jin-Ji region's integrated development embodies Xi Jinping's vision for the PRC and is one of his strategic priorities. Planning documents from the past decade detail ambitions to leverage the potential of this region’s 110 million people by designing a global center for... MORE
Special Issue: Taiwanese Voices On The 2024 Elections
This year sees the Jamestown Foundation celebrate its 40th anniversary. The intention of Jamestown’s analysis since its inception has always been to foreground indigenous voices and local sources from the regions of focus. The organization’s founder, William Geimer, published memoirs of Arkady Shevchenko, the highest-ranking... MORE
Fortifying Taiwan: Security Challenges in the Indo-Pacific Era
Executive Summary: The development of asymmetric military capabilities, including indigenous weapons systems, is crucial for Taiwan's defense and deterrence strategies against potential aggression from the PRC. Strengthening alliances and cooperation, especially in advanced military technologies and training, is key to bolstering Taiwan’s defense force and... MORE