In The News

China’s New Economic Plan Tackles the Rebalancing Puzzle

Stephen S. Roach November 10, 2015
Early reports on China’s Five-Year Plan outlining the government’s strategic priorities for 2016 to 2020 indicate preparations for slowed yet more sustainable economic growth. The plan involves ongoing transition toward an economy that promotes service industries, private consumption, innovation and entrepreneurship. The plan endorses a diversified economy, emphasizing quality rather than...

The Long, Uphill Fight to End Restaurant Tipping

Peter Moskowitz October 26, 2015
New York City reports that international visitors account for about half of all tourism direct spending. One wrinkle for restaurant workers: The United States for the most part stands alone in mandating a low minimum wage for servers - $2.13 nationwide and near $5 in New York – forcing them to rely on customer tips. Peter Moskowitz, writing for Vice, points out that servers can earn anywhere from...

How the Piano Became Chinese

Sheila Melvin September 14, 2015
In planning a trip to China in 1601, Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci gathered gifts including a clavichord. At that time, China had many musical instruments and traditions but nothing like the clavichord, explains journalist Sheila Melvin for Caixin: “That's why Ricci chose it, hoping that the unusual instrument would so excite the emperor's curiosity that he would agree to receive Ricci...

China Aims to Keep Some Ghosts of History Alive

Börje Ljunggren September 8, 2015
Asia’s two great power marked the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. In a speech, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe surprised by offering words of atonement for his country’s role while China celebrated with a grand military parade emphasizing victory against Japan. China has ample reasons to be proud of its role during World War II, resisting Japanese occupiers and expansionism even as...

New Delhi’s Soft Power Push

Harsh V. Pant August 20, 2015
Harvard University’s Joseph Nye identified a centuries-old concept, “soft power,” in the late 1980s: the ability of countries to attract admiration and followers through culture and values rather than coercion, military or “hard power.” Countries want to be liked, increasingly investing in soft power. Portland, a communications and public relations firm, studied 50 nations and ranked the top 30...

Beheaded Scholar Refused to Lead ISIS to Hidden Antiquities

Kareem Shaheen and Ian Black August 19, 2015
An antiquities scholar renowned for leading excavations and restorations in the ancient city of Palmyra defied the Islamic State terrorists by refusing to divulge the location of hidden artifacts, according to a report in the Guardian. “The brutal murder of Khaled al-Asaad, 82, is the latest atrocity perpetrated by the jihadi group, which has captured a third of Syria and neighbouring Iraq and...

China’s Soft-Power Push

David Shambaugh August 13, 2015
Investing billions in a range of soft-power endeavors, China leads on Asian trade and infrastructure initiatives and is active in a variety of global forums. “While China’s economic prowess impresses much of the world, its repressive political system and mercantilist business practices tarnish its reputation,” writes David Shambaugh, author and professor. He refers to Joseph Nye, the Harvard...