Is Business
China's start-ups hold global potential
Western opinion has largely greeted China's early attempts at innovation with skepticism. Yet companies such as Tsing Capital and Chrysalix Venture Capital are discovering entrepreneurs whose concepts represent a potential next wave of innovative technologies that could impact the world.
(May 18, '12) China eases bank lending
China's decision to ease bank lending follows unexpected weakness in the economy, as production growth falters along with fixed-asset investment. The one bright spot is a further dip in inflation.
(May 15, '12) Beijing tightens noose on Taiwan - via Korea
Beijing and Seoul next week will start negotiating a trade pact that could erode the advantage held by Taiwanese manufacturers (and Japanese outfits in Taiwan) with factories in mainland China - unless Taipei acts quickly on its own cross-strait trade talks.
(May 08, '12) US beef on Taiwan grill
Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang party narrowly defeated an opposition push to suspend imports of American beef products following a case of "mad cow disease" in California. A stunning local election result immediately afterwards means the debate is far from over.
(May 07, '12) Greater China
The riddle of Scarborough Shoals
In the matter of the Scarborough Shoal mess, the Philippines started it and the infamous Chinese nine-dash line encompassing almost the entire South China Sea looks like an audacious claim drawn from an appetite for aggression. A closer look reveals that there is some genuine method to Beijing's madness, and a chance that gas and greed, rather than international law and principle, may salvage peace in the South China Sea.- Peter Lee (May 18, '12)
The 'illogic' of China's North Korea policy
China's refusal to use its leverage as North Korea's friend and protector to halt its provocations strengthens the United States alliance system that Beijing considers a tool of encirclement. As Pyongyang blithely continues with missile launches and other acts that undermine China in the international arena, it seems hard to image a policy more damaging to Chinese national interests.- Ralph A Cossa and Brad Glosserman (May 18, '12)
BOOK REVIEW
Cherry-picking from China's success
What the US Can Learn from China by Ann LeeThis book forces the reader to confront China's growth in the midst of America's decline, drawing attention to the reasons US politics became too self-serving, too short-sighted and too partisan. The author doesn't argue the Chinese approach is flawless, but she does hold up China's single-minded fixation on economic growth and a leadership process based on experience as examples US policymakers must consider.
- Benjamin A Shobert (May 18, '12)
SINOGRAPH
Chen case hints at crack in old consensus mold
China and the United States were able to reach two agreements about the fate of the blind dissident lawyer Chen Guangcheng in less than 48 hours - a feat unthinkable in the era of consensus politics that started after Mao Zedong's demise. That a crack in the old mold shows a leaner power structure, with mandates for individuals to make quick decisions, could emerge as a legacy of President Hu Jintao.- Francesco Sisci (May 17, '12)
Dim prospects for political-legal reform
China's labyrinthine police-state machinery continues in overdrive, with more spent on the huge network of cadres and informants who maintain stability than on the military budget. The urge to preserve the Maoist "one voice chamber" and prevent dissidents from exploiting factional strife means the 18th party congress is unlikely to tinker, even after the bad publicity generated by Chen.- Willy Lam (May 17, '12)
Nepal: A camel in the making
Fragile agreement between Nepal's major parties has raised hopes that, after a four-year wait and several missed deadlines, a new constitution will be proclaimed by May 27. However, last-minute compromises and controversial federal proposals leave the statue resembling an ancient Hindu tale, where a god assembled attractive animal parts to create a beautiful creature, but ended up with the camel.- Dhruba Adhikary (May 17, '12)
China's suicide bomber: Hero or heroine?
For 24 hours, China had its first female suicide bomber, with the story of her protest against illegal land grabs going viral as bloggers dismissed the carnage and hailed a modern-day "heroine" for the rights of common people. A day later, state media said the perpetrator was male and hell-bent against society. That facts can change so dramatically overnight underlines two disturbing truths about China.- Kent Ewing (May 16, '12)
ALL CHANGE IN FRANCE ...
China takes on new importance
New French President Francois Hollande faces daunting eurozone challenges, but is clearly focusing on opening a new chapter in relations with China, the 21st century's most important factor of change, to define his presidency. In his bid to strengthen cooperation independently of the United States, and to end the mistrust that characterized ties under Nicolas Sarkozy, Hollande is off to a good start.- David Gosset (May 15, '12)
China's fishermen charge enemy lines
Crew of Chinese fishing vessels increasingly embroiled in South China Sea confrontations are portrayed by Beijing as brave defenders of territorial rights, but rival claimants see their actions as low-intensity warfare. While some critics believe these boats are on secret military missions, others think they provoke in the safe knowledge Beijing will compensate them generously.
- Jens Kastner (May 15, '12)
The sea rises in China
Chinese pot-shots at the Philippines over the Scarborough Shoal stand-off reveal that the former's nationalism sometimes reflects a desire to prevent past humiliations rather than expansionism. While sensitive to the public's angry demands over integrity and security, Beijing knows mutually beneficial, face-saving measures can be taken to exploit South China Sea resources while avoiding a war no one will win.- Brendan O'Reilly (May 14, '12)
The anatomy of Chen's change of heart
Barack Obama might well be relieved that China is willing to help Chen Guangcheng leave for the United States. After a hastily arranged deal for Chen to stay in China collapsed amid the rights activist's doubts about his safety, the American president had much political capital to lose. Dissect events as the US played fast and loose and it is clear why Chen wanted no part in what would have been a facinating experiment in the two powers' engagement.
- Peter Lee (May 11, '12)
SUN WUKONG
Rumor aside, a smooth transition is assured
China's state-run media is taking great pains to scotch rumors the 18th National Congress will be postponed in the wake of the Bo Xilai affair. Highlighting smooth preparations for the country's once-in-a-decade transition of power, the message is that Bo's dismissal falls way outside the realm of an "extraordinary circumstance" the constitution allows for delaying the meeting.- Wu Zhong (May 10, '12)
Chen saga exposes a shared weakness
The case of blind activist Chen Guangcheng signals China's rejection of political reform and Washington's narrative of China becoming "more like us" through engagement are both ultimately doomed. While the technology that enabled Chen to interact with a US congress hearing exposed the futility of Beijing's controls, testimony revealed growing American support for direct action - not words.- Benjamin A Shobert (May 09, '12)
Speaking Freely
US: China's aggression written in the stars
Concerns are growing in the United States that China's military has accelerated its pursuit of space-related weaponry that could win future conflicts, with anti-satellite missiles, laser and directed energy devices set to strengthen Beijing's "anti-access" strategy. Meanwhile, China's satellite industry is challenging US dominance over global commercial space and boosting Beijing's diplomatic clout.- Radhakrishna Rao (May 09, '12)
Hu oils cogs to lock the US Asia 'pivot'
China has a clear interest in challenging the United States "pivot" towards Asia, seeing it an aggressive stance of a power in relative decline. Since Beijing cannot yet match US military might, President Hu Jintao is seeking to effectively disarm Washington's tactical advantage by making the two economies so mutually dependent that armed conflict is inconceivable.- Brendan O'Reilly (May 08, '12)
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