Latest Articles about China and the Asia-Pacific
Türkiye Strengthens Pivot Toward China
Executive Summary: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s visit to Xinjiang underscores an expanding partnership with China, signaling a shift in Türkiye’s approach to the Uyghur issue and demonstrating a renewed focus on strengthening bilateral ties. Ankara seeks greater Chinese investment and a reduction in their trade imbalance amid severe economic struggles... MORE
Putin’s Asia Tour Exposes Russia’s Rapid Degradation From Long War
Executive Summary: Russian President Vladimir Putin visited North Korea and Vietnam to neutralize the diplomatic outcomes of the peace summit in Switzerland and prove Russia’s ability to maintain a high international profile. Nuclear saber-rattling and Moscow’s need for more artillery shells were high on Putin’s... MORE
Georgia’s Anaklia Port and PRC Infrastructure Strategy
Executive Summary: The acquisition of a 49 percent stake in a Georgian port by a state-backed consortium advances the PRC’s global port strategy—the PRC currently owns stakes in over 90 ports). As Xi Jinping has stated, “to become rich, one must first build ports.” A... MORE
Taiwan in Focus at the Shangri-La Dialogue
Executive Summary: PRC Defense Minister Dong Jun’s experience in international military exchanges allowed him to showcase a blend of assertiveness in his speeches and a congenial rapport with foreign journalists during his appearance at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The Dialogue saw a notable... MORE
PRC Influence via the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries
Executive Summary: The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC; 中国人民对外友好协会) is one united front organization among thousands that, along with its affiliate organizations, continues to work with numerous local government officials and organizations across the United States. CPAFFC supports people-to-people diplomacy, public... MORE
Cognitive Domain Operations Against Vietnam Hint at Broader Ambitions
Executive Summary: Translation forms a crucial part of People’s Liberation Army (PLA)-directed research. This is done to support influence operations, enhance cooperation with the Russian military, and even understand US policy discussions on social media. Recent research from institutions such as the PLA Strategic Support... MORE
New China Coast Guard Regulation Buttresses PRC Aggression in the South China Sea
Executive Summary: The new “Regulation of the China Coast Guard (CCG) Organization on Enforcing Law and Order” formalizes the increasingly assertive actions taken by Chinese forces in parts of the South China Sea (SCS), empowering the CCG to detain foreign vessels and persons for up to... MORE
Georgia, Losing Western Support, Risks Missing Opportunity to Restore Territorial Integrity
Executive Summary: Officials in Russia and the occupied Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia decried Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s declaration that by 2030, Georgians will once again live with Abkhazians and Ossetians. Georgian Dream officials and propagandists have alluded to a backdoor agreement between... MORE
The Untold Psychological War in Hong Kong: Gray Media’s Influence Operation on the Legislation of Article 23
Executive Summary: Analysis of five gray media outlets in Hong Kong during the consultation period for Article 23 legislation passed earlier this year, show how they echo governmental talking points and coordinate to produce collaborative content across popular social media channels. These outlets often present... MORE
Hong Kong’s Ambitious And Difficult Cryptocurrency Foray
Executive Summary: Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) announced that 11 cryptocurrency exchanges are close to being licensed to operate in the city, aiming to establish Hong Kong as a leading digital assets hub. However, 12 exchanges did not advance in the licensing process,... MORE