
Latest China Brief Articles
New National Strategy Provides Insight Into China’s Rise
In late July, the Politburo standing committee met for a study session to consider ways to build a “prosperous nation and powerful military” (fuguo qiangbing). The result was a “new” strategy with decidedly ancient roots: “to be able to talk peace, one must be able... MORE
Functional Constituencies And Hong Kong’s Legco Elections
Nomination of candidates for the 2004 Hong Kong Legislative Council (LegCo) Election closed on August 4, with voting day set for September 12. A total of 88 candidates will run for 30 seats in five directly elected geographical constituencies (GCs). Another 60 candidates are competing... MORE
Sino-israeli Arms Deals: Upsetting A Delicate Balance?
Israel keeps a low profile when it comes to cross-strait security issues; the official line of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’s (MFA) is that there is nothing to discuss. Moreover, Taiwan’s repeated attempts to resume official ties with the Israeli government have been rebuffed at... MORE
New Challenges In The Election Season
Although the Chinese leadership faces no electoral contenders, Beijing will soon have to deal with two uncertain but crucial elections in the next four months, the consequences of which could have serious implications for China's internal political cohesiveness as well as regional stability. In September,... MORE
A House Divided: Contentious Politics Within The Ccp
It's neither U.S. military muscle, nor the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership's fear of a global boycott of the 2008 Olympic Games. The one factor that most inhibits China attempting an "armed liberation of Taiwan" is that there are two command posts in Beijing: one... MORE
China’s Quest For Market Economy Status
China is not recognized as a market economy by any of its major trading partners, making it easier for its firms to be found guilty of dumping goods on overseas markets. Unsatisfied by what it sees as discriminatory treatment and fearful that this status makes... MORE
China’s Nanotech Revolution
Prior to 2000, the Chinese media made practically no mention of the concept of "nanotechnology" (nami jishu) or its potential for revolutionizing China's high tech industry. Today, however, dozens of major Chinese research centers and hundreds of enterprises engage in the production of nanotechnologies, which... MORE
Walking A Fine Line: China’s Macro Adjustment
Once again, Beijing is walking a fine line between fire and ice – between over-heating and over-cooling its economy. This balancing act deeply worries U.S. financial sectors as well as other Asian entities (such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan), whose economic performance is... MORE
Beijing’s Reaction To East Asia’s Changing Alliances
If China had sufficient economic and military prowess, there seems little doubt the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership would "go teach the U.S. a lesson" for the wrongs it had allegedly inflicted upon on the country. Previous CCP administrations had used similar clauses of indignation... MORE
China As The Center Of Asian Economic Integration
Increasingly, China is being perceived as the locomotive of Asia's economic growth and development, as its imports and trade deficits (with most Asian countries) are helping to fuel the economic recovery and growth of its smaller neighbors. Even Japan has acknowledged that its economic recovery... MORE