
Latest China Brief Articles

Hu Jintao Battles the CCP’s Crisis of Confidence
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is undergoing its worst crisis of confidence since the Tiananmen Square crackdown 18 years ago. While President and CCP General Secretary Hu Jintao is currently preoccupied with the means by which to consolidate the power of his faction at the... MORE
Guarding the West: China’s New Mechanized Infantry Division
The role of Xinjiang and Tibet as both suppliers and conduits of resources necessary for China’s continued economic growth has resulted in a reevaluation of both regions’ importance. Xinjiang, with its domestic oil fields in the Tarin Basin and its role as a hub for... MORE
Guarding the West: China’s New Mechanized Infantry Division
The role of Xinjiang and Tibet as both suppliers and conduits of resources necessary for China’s continued economic growth has resulted in a reevaluation of both regions’ importance. Xinjiang, with its domestic oil fields in the Tarin Basin and its role as a hub for... MORE
Flowing Downstream: The Sino-Kazakh Water Dispute
Within the current Sino-Central Asian rapprochement, the issue over water rights and management has become an important factor in regional cooperation, but also a source of increasing contention. Kazakhstan and China share some 20 transboundary rivers. Two of Kazakhstan's main rivers, the Ili and the... MORE
Flowing Downstream: The Sino-Kazakh Water Dispute
Within the current Sino-Central Asian rapprochement, the issue over water rights and management has become an important factor in regional cooperation, but also a source of increasing contention. Kazakhstan and China share some 20 transboundary rivers. Two of Kazakhstan's main rivers, the Ili and the... MORE
Taiwan Launches Annual Han Kuang 23 Military Exercises
On May 15, Taiwan launched its annual Han Kuang (Han Glory) live-fire exercises that are meant to test the island's defense capabilities and its ability to conduct counterattacks against military actions by China. The exercise began with six fighters—two F-16s, two Mirage 2000-5s, and two... MORE
Taiwan Launches Annual Han Kuang 23 Military Exercises
On May 15, Taiwan launched its annual Han Kuang (Han Glory) live-fire exercises that are meant to test the island's defense capabilities and its ability to conduct counterattacks against military actions by China. The exercise began with six fighters—two F-16s, two Mirage 2000-5s, and two... MORE
PLA Doctrine on Securing Energy Resources in Central Asia
An article in the April edition of the Far Eastern Economic Review, written by two senior Chinese academics, reveals that China would go to war to secure its energy needs [1]. For the past few years, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has reorganized the army... MORE
PLA Doctrine on Securing Energy Resources in Central Asia
An article in the April edition of the Far Eastern Economic Review, written by two senior Chinese academics, reveals that China would go to war to secure its energy needs [1]. For the past few years, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has reorganized the army... MORE
China and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization at Five
It is an established fact among U.S. officials: the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is China's primary multilateral instrument to implement its openly anti-U.S. policy in Central Asia. The recently concluded fifth anniversary summit of the SCO in Shanghai confirmed its anti-U.S. proclivities. The SCO's communiqué... MORE