Latest Articles about China and the Asia-Pacific

International Monetary Reform and the Future of the Renminbi

Since People's Bank of China Governor Zhou Xiaochuan’s proposal for reforming the international monetary system was published on March 23, there have been new developments with regard to the international use of the Chinese currency Renminbi (RMB). The historical context of Governor Zhou’s proposal and... MORE

Russia and Japan Agree to Nuclear Fuel Deal

Despite optimistic official pronouncements, Russia appears to be struggling to secure any significant economic commitments from Tokyo to develop energy projects including the East Siberia-Pacific Ocean (ESPO) oil pipeline. Meanwhile, both sides remain divided over their long-standing territorial dispute.As Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited Tokyo... MORE

The Panda Hugs the Tucano: China’s Relations with Brazil

Brazil is the largest developing country in the Western Hemisphere, and China is the largest developing country in the world. According to some Western estimates, the combined economies of the BRIC (i.e. Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries would surpass the combined economies of the... MORE

Moscow Strengthening its Energy Ties with China

On April 21, Beijing and Moscow finalized an intergovernmental deal under which Russia will supply China with oil for 20 years in exchange for a $25 billion loan to Russia's state-run energy companies. Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin said the construction of a branch from... MORE

Sino-Russian Military Exercises Conceived as a Show of Unity

On April 29 the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's (SCO) Council of Defense Ministers met in Moscow to discuss enhancing military and security cooperation to counter terrorism, separatism and extremism. The meeting served as an important preparation for the SCO Summit in Yekaterinburg on June 15-16. The... MORE

Impeccable Affair and Renewed Rivalry in the South China Sea

Developments in the South China Sea during the first quarter of 2009 reinforced several trends that have been apparent over the past two years. First, the Spratly Islands dispute has once again come to dominate Sino-Philippine relations, despite attempts by Beijing and Manila to move... MORE