In The News

China's Xi Lauds Britain for “Visionary” Openness, Prods Others to Emulate

Stephen J, Adler and Jason Subler October 19, 2015
China’s President XI Jinping praises Britain for strengthening commercial ties with China. “Xi's visit comes amid debate in Britain and many other Western countries over what is the best way to engage with a Communist-ruled China that has grown more influential economically and diplomatically, but which maintains stances in areas from human rights to the South China Sea that are often at...

Time to Ban the Bans

Nayan Chanda October 7, 2015
Foreign investors are not rushing to invest in India. Monthly foreign direct investment equity inflows to India have fallen by half in recent months, from $4.4 billion to $2 billion. Modi has promised economic structural reforms but a culture war over religious differences could also contribute to investor reluctance: “arbitrary rule changes and whimsical bans now dominate the news and send the...

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...

Will Africa’s Growth Help Africa’s People?

Kanayo F. Nwanze July 23, 2015
Africa has 11 of the world’s 20 fastest growing economies, yet thousands of African youth risk their lives to cross the Mediterranean to pursue opportunities in Europe, notes Kanayo F. Nwanze, president of the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development. He questions if growth and development are improving lives for a broad segment of Africans or just a few. Money won’t solve the challenge...

Globalization With Chinese Characteristics – What Are the Prospects?

Jean-Pierre Lehmann July 13, 2015
The international community has long recognized that the choices made by China weigh large on any global issue or industry. “In the incredibly fast-paced transformations in the dozen years since the publication China has become a global power in virtually every domain,” writes Jean-Pierre Lehmann for Forbes. China’s outbound foreign direct investment now exceeds inbound FDI. Likewise, China sends...

Can China Save Greece – And the EU?

Shannon Tiezzi July 1, 2015
China is the EU's second trading partner behind the US, and the EU is China's biggest trading partner. “The EU is committed to open trading relations with China. However, the EU wants to ensure that China trades fairly, respects intellectual property rights and meets its WTO obligations,” notes the European Commission. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attended a China-EU summit in Brussels,...

The New South and the Economics of Taking Down the Confederate Flag

Micheline Maynard June 29, 2015
The Confederate flag was flown in battle by a general for the losing side during the US Civil War, the nation’s bloodiest war, with more than 620,000 deaths. Many throughout the American South have defiantly raised the flag, long regarded as a symbol for states’ rights including slavery, over official and unofficial venues since the war’s end in 1865. After the murder of nine black people at a...