In The News

Sri Lanka Tells China It Will Rethink Ties and a Major Port Project

Chen Qin and Huang Shan March 12, 2015
Foreign relations can shift with a new national government, and a key link in China’s plan for a maritime Silk Road winding through the Pacific and Indian oceans has been put on hold in Sri Lanka. The new government under President Maithripala Sirisena announced an environmental review for a proposed port and retail project in Sri Lanka. The deal included more than 1 million square meters of land...

Thai Coup Alienates US Giving China New Opening

Shawn W. Crispin March 5, 2015
After months of street protests, the Thai military ousted Prime Minster Yingluck Shinawatra’s elected government in May 2014, replacing her with General Prayuth Chan-ocha. Thailand has been a long-time strategic partner for the United States on many global initiatives, and US diplomats criticized the coup. “As the erstwhile allies drift apart, China has moved to fill the gap with economic aid and...

What Is the Future of Chinese Trade?

Long Guoqiang March 2, 2015
China, as the world’s most populous nation and largest exporter, wields great influence over the global economy. The nation confronts a period of “convergence of economic deceleration, restructuring and the digestion of its previous stimulus package,” noted Long Guoqiang, senior research fellow and director-general at the General Office of the Development Research Center of the State Council of...

Economic Interests Attract China to Russia

Wang Yiwei February 3, 2015
With its invasion of Crimea and intervention in eastern Ukraine, Russia invited condemnation and sanctions from the West and had little choice but to tighten ties with China. Stronger Sino-Russian relations prompt some analysts to compare China and Russia. “China should take such questions and comparisons seriously – making it clear through public diplomacy that the country is not like Russia,”...

Tiger and Wild Cat Trade From Myanmar to China Growing

Navin Singh Khadka January 28, 2015
Trade in rare-cat parts, including tigers, from Burma into China is growing. At the center of the surge is Mong La, a town bordering China, where 21 shops, triple the number from 2006, sell wildlife products, some from as far away as Africa, reports Navin Singh Khadka for BBC News. This trend raises concern among environmentalists – already the tiger population is down to 5 percent of what it was...

A Shield That’s Not Required

Nayan Chanda January 15, 2015
Attempts to protect home markets signal a lack of confidence in the business community. A decision by the Modi administration in India “to oblige ministries to procure only locally-built electronic products not only marks a protectionist turn but also undermines the government’s avowed goal of fighting corruption and increasing transparency,” writes Nayan Chanda, editor in chief of YaleGlobal,...

French Warships in Doldrums

Andreas Kuersten January 1, 2015
France signed a contract with Russia in 2011 to build and deliver two warships. Since then, Russia wrested control of Crimea and intervened in Eastern Ukraine. France dearly wanted to complete the deal, but faces intense scrutiny for supplying military hardware and technology to Russia while criticizing actions in Ukraine. “France’s lingering plan to deliver military hardware to Russia while...