Geopolitics
China and Vietnam strengthen diplomatic ties in response to elevated US-Vietnam relations
President Xi Jinping visits Hanoi to discuss Belt and Road Initiatives and diversify semiconductor and communications supply chains in response to the elevation of US-Vietnam relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in September.
China-Philippines Discord Stokes South China Sea Tensions
As relations between China and the Philippines continue to deteriorate over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the Philippines is shoring up relations with other South China Sea claimants and striking agreements with regional allies to facilitate joint military operations.
Who is China’s Presumptive New Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao?
China is likely to announce the appointment of a new foreign minister in March, but the appointee may find his authority circumscribed by highly centralized policymaking.
Italy confirms intention to leave China’s Belt and Road Initiative
Italy joined China’s BRI initiative in March 2019 despite heavy U.S. criticism, but as Rome’s presidency of the G7 approaches in March 2024, Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has formally announced that Italy will not renew its BRI accord, which is set to renew in the same month.
Taiwan’s Diplomatic Allies Dwindling
Seve Paeniu, Tuvalu’s top contender for its prime minister position, has called for the new government to consider the country’s economic interests and debate the issue of whether to have diplomatic relations with Taiwan or China, according to international media reporting.
Discover insights into National Security and espionage – from Alan Kohler in the State Secrets podcast!
Pamir President, Alan Kohler shared his insights and experience in global security in a recent interview with renowned weekly podcast State Secrets, from The Cipher Brief.
China faces technological self-sufficiency challenges as U.S. tightens export controls on AI-capable chips
New U.S. rules expand and strengthen existing export restrictions on advanced chips, and particularly those with AI capabilities, as China grapples with developing technological self-sufficiency.
Taiwan’s economy with risk exposure in China and cross-Strait tensions are causing concern for Western companies
Cross-Strait tensions, and the 2024 Taiwan presidential elections, are prompting some Western organizations and investors to diversify away from both Taiwan and China in order to minimize risk exposure to the mainland.
Pamir Strategic Insights Issue 1: Strategic Outlook 2024: US-China Relations
US-China strategic competition stands at a critical juncture and is likely to intensify in 2024.
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.