Foreign Policy Blogs

East Asia

Taiwan Is Latest Front In U.S.-China Ideological War

Taiwan Is Latest Front In U.S.-China Ideological War

Recent high-level diplomatic visits to Taiwan risk rupturing permanently the U.S.’ “One China” policy. This policy is the foundation of the U.S.-China peaceful relationship. As Taiwan is the most preeminent security issue in U.S.-China relations, a miscalculation from either side, leading to a military conflict cannot be entirely ruled out.

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Taking the long route: China’s path to global leadership

Taking   the   long   route: China’s path to global leadership

Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, the United States of America is progressively distancing from its global leadership role. President Trump is clear that he wants American dollars spent on American people. In line with this ethos, America has withdrawn from major treaties to focus on getting its own house in order – […]

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Are China and Australia beginning to mend a frayed relationship?

Are China and Australia beginning to mend a frayed relationship?

Additions to Australia’s recently formed Cabinet have attempted to mend a somewhat fractious relationship between Canberra and Beijing, and economically, there is no relationship more important to Australia. But has the efforts of these ministers been a success, or will the negative actions taken towards China by Australia’s former government caused irreparable damage? Australia’s sixth […]

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DPP’s Mid-term Exam

DPP’s Mid-term Exam

In 2014 Local Election and the Presidential Election in 2016, Tsai Ing-wen and her pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party(DPP) swiped Taiwan, from Parliament to local governments. This Saturday, the first local election after Tsai’ s administrations came to power will be held. From 2014 to 2016, DPP’s power grew rapidly as President Ma from Nationalist Party […]

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Forgotten Flash Point: East China Sea

Forgotten Flash Point: East China Sea

Beijing’s expanding military presence in the South China Sea (SCS) continues to attract the world’s attention. Tensions over the ownership of islands and the legitimacy for building artificial ones escalate, with some outsiders also joining the battlefield, including the U.S. and Japan. However, the dispute over SCS pales in comparison to the crises that happened […]

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Any Indo-Pacific Paradigm Must Include China to Work

Any Indo-Pacific Paradigm Must Include China to Work

Any paradigm, whether trade or security-related, which purports to exclude Chinese interests in Asia is a recipe for disaster

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China’s ZTE Hires Former Trump Aide to Lobby U.S. Government

China’s ZTE Hires Former Trump Aide to Lobby U.S. Government

Sanctioned Chinese telecommunications company ZTE has hired former Donald Trump campaign aide Bryan Lanza and his firm, Mercury Public Affairs, to lobby the U.S. government on its behalf. ZTE is paying Mercury $75,000 per month for its services through Washington DC law firm Hogan Lovells, according to a filing with the U.S. Justice Department under the […]

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China Abolishes Presidential Term Limits To Increase Economic Stability

China Abolishes Presidential Term Limits To Increase Economic Stability

China’s move to abolish its limit on presidential terms aims to increase economic stability, thereby increasing the government’s domestic legitimacy for the long-term.

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China’s Good Samaritans

China’s Good Samaritans

A passerby helps an old man hit by a car, in Beijing September 9, 2014 (Photo/IC) Joseph Nye of Harvard University first coined the term “soft power” in his 1990 book, Bound to Lead: The Changing Nature of American Power.  He explored further the notion of soft power in his 2004 book, Soft Power: The […]

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Wisdom of the Crowds on a North Korean Collapse

Wisdom of the Crowds on a North Korean Collapse

    As part of the 69th anniversary of the Armed Forces Day in South Korea, special army soldiers staged a skills demonstration performance at the 2nd Fleet Parade Ground in Pyeongtaek.  (The National/UAE) On October 1, China kicked off its celebration of the 68th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic with a […]

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North Korea Offers an Opportunity for U.S.-Russia Collaboration

North Korea Offers an Opportunity for U.S.-Russia Collaboration

As the other great power which borders North Korea, Russia offers the U.S. a tricky avenue, but avenue nonetheless, to resolve the DPRK situation peacefully.

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North Korea Is Only One Tree In The Forest Of U.S.-China Relations

North Korea Is Only One Tree In The Forest Of U.S.-China Relations

Stressing only the expediency of resolving the DPRK issue, the U.S. risks not seeing the forest for the trees in the overall scheme of U.S-China relations.

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Seoul Reports Beijing’s Mandarin Imperiousness to WTO

Seoul Reports Beijing’s Mandarin Imperiousness to WTO

In response to Beijing’s recent economic retaliations over the deployment of THAAD, Seoul raised the issue of trade agreements violations at a WTO meeting.

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South Korea’s Strategic Importance Forgotten Amidst the Trump-Abe Honeymoon

South Korea’s Strategic Importance Forgotten Amidst the Trump-Abe Honeymoon

While the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye paralyzed South Korea’s diplomatic service, Japan has worked to strengthen Trump’s commitment to its defense.

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Taiwan’s President and Pro-China Opposition Leader both Plan U.S. Visits

Taiwan’s President and Pro-China Opposition Leader both Plan U.S. Visits

Tensions between Taiwan and mainland China will come to the U.S. this month, just in time for Trump’s inauguration as President of the United States.

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