By Willy Wo-Lap Lam Contrary to expectations, Vice-Premier Qian Qichen's vaunted olive branch for Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is unlikely to reduce Cross-Strait tension in the foreseeable future. Qian's statement welcoming certain categories of DPP members to visit the mainland, however, has confirmed that... MORE

By Richard D. Fisher, Jr. China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) signed the new year in with a January 3 contract for two Russian Project 956EM Sovremenny class destroyers to be delivered by 2006. The purchase highlights the continued growth in the PLA's combat potential,... MORE

By Yihong Chang Specialists within China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) believe that future war in the age of information requires the Ground Forces, or army, to possess a higher mobility and greater firepower. Beginning in 1998 the Ground Forces began a process of reorganization and... MORE

By Gordon G. Chang China has been in the World Trade Organization for just a little over a month. Already the optimists are in retreat. Even in today's fast-paced world, the reversal in perceptions is stunning. The People's Republic was an economic superpower at the... MORE

By Jonathan Mirsky In a month of sad Christmas stories--the Chinese Communist Party's futile ban on Santa Claus newspaper stories providing comic relief--one of the saddest was the death in New York of Wang Ruowang, aged 83. Two events make clear Wang's immense stature: Soon... MORE

By Nie Minzhi I, Nie Minzhi, am more than 70 years old. Since my discharge from the Qingchun Hospital, my health has gone from bad to worse. I have been unable to find out the cause for this deterioration, which began with dizziness and loss... MORE

"These few days, all of those arrested have been badly beaten by the police. Ma and her boy Longfeng were both beaten almost to death. Li Enhui fell unconscious and was awakened with cold water and beaten again. They did this to her non-stop for... MORE

Premier Zhu Rongji, China's best-known reformer, is on the defensive in the factional infighting that is tipped to worsen in the run-up to the 16th Communist Party Congress scheduled for late this year. In part because of arguments over the retire-at-70 rule, Zhu's relationship with... MORE

By Richard D. Fisher, Jr. China Brief is pleased to present the first in what will be a series of occasional interviews with Asian leaders. When China Brief's managing editor visited Taiwan to observe the December 1 legislative and local elections, Dr. Su Tzen-ping, director... MORE

By Li Thian-hok Dear Prime Minister Koizumi: On Christmas Day, Japan's Foreign Minister Makiko Tanaka told a press conference: "I think the Chinese people have the wisdom of taking time concerning political issues. Hong Kong was returned to China and the situation was resolved quietly,... MORE