China has traditionally viewed its relations with the Mongols to its north with much seriousness. Chinese policymakers in the 21st century are fully aware of the historical record of devastating invasions of the Chinese heartland from the Mongolian plateau, and such memories are still significant... MORE

Once seen as the 16th republic of the USSR, former Soviet satellite Mongolia used to be subject to a sort of derogatory humor ("Kuritsa ne ptitsa, Mongolia ne zagranitsa" – "Chicken is not a bird, and Mongolia is not across the border"). Although Mongolia had... MORE

Since 9/11, there has been an emphasis on high-level exchange between China and Mongolia, and as these discussions indicate, terrorism prevention and cooperation on regional security issues has gradually become the core content of the talks. By contrast, pre-9/11 Sino-Mongolian exchange focused around economic cooperation.... MORE

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's East Asian visit in March may have sent a covert signal to Beijing that it was time to consider other options to deal with North Korea. Certainly the six-party talks are still the preferred formula in settling the nuclear... MORE

Of all the countries in Central Asia, post-revolution Kyrgyzstan seems to be the most likely candidate for closer bilateral ties with China. When Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev abruptly fled Bishkek on March 24, he left a power vacuum that may well be filled with whoever... MORE

China is steadily extending its reach into South Asia with its growing economic and strategic influence in the region. China's current trade volume with all South Asian nations reaches close to $20 billion a year. Its bilateral trade with India alone accounts for $13.6 billion... MORE

It is not surprising that President Hu Jintao and his colleagues decided in mid-April to cool down anti-Japanese protests: a body blow has been dealt to China's reputation as a responsible member of the global community. The fact that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) administration... MORE

One of Beijing's worst nightmares seems to be coming true. Having apparently steadied the course in the Middle East, the Bush administration is turning to Asia to tame its long-standing "strategic competitor." While this particular term has been shelved since 9/11 – and Sino-U.S. relations... MORE

The death of Pope John Paul II underlines the gulf that still exists between the Roman Catholic Church and the People's Republic of China (PRC), two of the world's largest and most important bodies. It was the ardent desire of the late pontiff to visit... MORE

Shared strategic interests and political values tie Australia to the United States across the Pacific in much the same way as the Anglo-American alliance traverses the Atlantic. The U.S. is Australia's most important military ally, with the 1951 ANZUS Treaty as the cornerstone of Australia's... MORE