Geopolitics
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.
Countering China’s Malign Influence Operations in the United States
On 27 September 2023, Alan E. Kohler (the retired Assistant Director for Counterintelligence in the US) testified before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Hearing to discuss the foreign malign influence and transnational repression activities carried out by the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Camp David – An unprecedented trilateral partnership
On 18 August, the three leaders of the US, Japan, and South Korea convened at Camp David in Maryland and agreed an unprecedented trilateral partnership that, according to them, “advances the security and prosperity of our people, the Indo-Pacific region, and the world.”
Enhanced US-India cooperation, and strong military and diplomatic relations, concern China
The upcoming 19th edition of Yudh Abhyas – a joint US-India annual military training practice – is arguably the most significant yet, representing strengthening US-India ties in the eyes of Beijing. At the same time, growing tensions between India and China are revealing internal divisions within the BRICS group of nations.
Japan follows the US and the Netherlands in restricting the export of chip-making equipment
After months of pressure from Washington, Japan has joined the US and the Netherlands in restriction the export of advanced chip-making equipment, as the technology race with China ramps up.
China Update - China—Central Asia Summit - 5 June 2023
China hosted presidents from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan for the inaugural China-Central Asia Summit.