Geopolitics
US-China economic talks lead to “three important consensuses”
Following a series of high-level bilateral talks in November, notably between US Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen and Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China HE Lifeng, and Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, both countries are making progress in maintaining a working economic relationship.
China Update - China’s new Foreign State Immunity Law - 2 October 2023
China invested RMB 3.782 trillion ($519 billion) in technology R&D in 2022, up 10.1% YoY and the seventh year of double-digit growth, according to Chinese government data released on 20 September.
The 24th EU-China Summit: diplomacy and dialogue, but few deliverables
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Charles Michel, accompanied by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang at the 24th EU-China Summit in Beijing on 7 December 2023.
Taiwan Update - China’s use of AI for its influence campaign - 18 September 2023
On 8 September in an interview with Bloomberg, Taiwan’s de-facto ambassador to Washington HSIAO Bi-khim said Taiwan’s semiconductor companies are holding back their investments in the US because of “unreasonable and unfair” double taxation.
Lai and Hsiao register as DPP presidential and vice-presidential candidates in Taiwan 2024 elections
Taiwan’s former envoy to the US, Bi-khim Hsiao, and Lai Ching-te (also known as William Lai), head of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and frontrunner in the upcoming presidential elections, became the first contenders to officially register their candidacy for the Taiwanese elections on 13 January 2024.
Biden-Xi Meeting Yields Agreements, but Taiwan Remains Flashpoint
On 15 November, President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping met at the Filoli Estate country house near San Francisco during the APEC summit to discuss key issues, such as Taiwan, climate change, and fentanyl trade.
Will the Israel-Hamas conflict embolden China in the Taiwan Strait?
Beijing's response to the Israel-Hamas war has implications for China's strategic thinking towards Iran and the Middle East and, most importantly, towards Taiwan. With the US supplying wars in Ukraine and Israel, will China be emboldened to pursue more aggressive moves in the Strait?
China Update - appointment of Dong Jingwei will tighten the Ministry of State Security’s control in Hong Kong - 1 August 2023
A special Politburo meeting chaired by President Xi Jinping on 24 July to analyze China’s economic situation and boost the economy in the second half of 2023 stressed that “the nation’s economy has enormous resilience and potential, and the positive fundamentals for long-term development remain unchanged,” but China’s economy faces new challenges.
Raimondo visit to Beijing continues Washington’s “de-risking vs. de-coupling” stance towards China
US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo’s recent visit to Beijing follows the visits of three other high-level US officials this year as the latter continues to express Washington’s intent to keep trade communication channels open.
Pamir's Alan Kohler joins CBS News to discuss the threat of espionage from China
Earlier this month, the intelligence leaders from the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada (theFive Eyes) made their first joint statement in 90 years about the multiple and unprecedented threats China poses to the rest of the world’s economies and security.
China fines US company Mintz for illegal activities, prompting investor concerns
As China attempts to revive its economy, a raft of measures including tighter counter-espionage laws, raiding the offices of US advisory firms, changes to cybersecurity rules, and blocking the export of Chinese data, is damaging investor confidence in the world’s second-largest economy.
President Biden’s historic Hanoi visit strengthens US-Vietnam relations
The United States continued its continued diplomacy around global geopolitics when President Biden visited Hanoi, Vietnam on 10 September to meet General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong.
The expansion of BRICS, India, and the implications for the dollar-based economy
The recent BRICS summit saw the surprise announcement of six new members of the group. With more than 50 Global South nations having also expressed an interest in joining, this could have long-term implications for the dollar-based economy. However, India is playing a vital ‘buffering’ role between the G7 and China’s intention to use BRICS to push its Belt and Road Initiative.
China Update - Biden’s criticism of China and Xi Jinping - 3 July 2023
President Biden’s criticism of China and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a Democratic fundraiser on 20 June, one day after Secretary of State Blinken concluded his visit to Beijing, dashed hopes for an improvement in US-China relations.
Taiwan Update - China-Russia coordinated actions in the Taiwan Strait - 3 July 2023
Laura Rosenberger, the new chair of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the de facto US Embassy, recently met with each of Taiwan’s 2024 presidential candidates from the top three political parties.
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