CHINA: “Negative list” may force private capital to divest from news media
China’s state planning agency updated its Market Entry Negative List with what appear to be tighter restrictions on private investment in news media and internet livestreaming. The Negative List is not new policy, but annual changes to the list can signal shifts to Beijing… Become a member to read the rest of this article […]
CHINA/TAIWAN/US: PLA flyovers are about deterrence not invasion
China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) set three consecutive daily records for aircraft incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on 2-4 October. The PLA incursions continue a long-term trend of increasing naval and air force activity near Taiwan but … Become a member to read the rest of this article
US/CHINA: Biden’s new China trade strategy sidesteps tough questions
US Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai announced that the Biden administration will relaunch the exclusion process for Trump-era trade war tariffs and restart trade talks with Beijing. But Tai did not commit to any rollback of Trump-era tariffs, nor did she announce … Become a member to read the rest of this article
CHINA: Power shortages reflect price controls, “campaign-style” climate efforts
The combination of surging coal prices and inflexible, government-controlled electricity prices has imposed financial losses on coal-fired power plants, prompting them to cut production. Political pressure on provincial governments to meet ambitious targets on cutting carb… Become a member to read the rest of this article
US/CANADA/CHINA: Meng Wanzhou release can’t undo 3 years of built-up hostility
In what amounted to a hostage swap, Canada released Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou from house arrest, and Chinese authorities deported two Canadian expatriates jailed for espionage. Despite the resolution, the net effect of the three-year ordeal has been to harden hearts and stoke … Become a member to read the rest of this article
CHINA: Evergrande fallout will test Beijing’s resolve to end property addiction
Impending debt defaults by Evergrande are not China’s “Lehman moment”; regulators have the capability to control systemic risk. The more important question is whether Evergrande’s collapse will force policymakers to reverse the tightening measures designed to break the eco… Become a member to read the rest of this article
CHINA: Obstacles to CPTPP membership are not necessarily fatal
China’s application faces significant obstacles on issues including state-owned enterprises, labor rights, and data flows, but these challenges are not insurmountable. The fate of China’s bid will likely depend more on political decisions by the bloc’s existing 11 members … Become a member to read the rest of this article
CHINA: Evergrande default now likely, Beijing’s focus shifts to damage control
Evergrande appears highly likely to default on US dollar bonds, contrary to our previous forecast that the company would receive a government bailout. But the government is not adopting a pure laissez-faire approach and will participate in the restructuring, which may incl… Become a member to read the rest of this article
US/CHINA: Biden’s China trade strategy takes shape
A phone call between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping did not yield new policy outcomes, but the tone was friendlier and less accusatory than recent bilateral meetings. Washington initiated the phone call, which appears to coincide with a broader Bid… Become a member to read the rest of this article
US/CHINA: Beijing rebuffs Kerry’s call to treat climate change as a standalone
Chinese leaders rejected a call from US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry to adopt more aggressive climate change targets. Kerry’s interlocutors made clear that Beijing is unwilling to treat climate as a standalone issue separate from the tensions and stale… Become a member to read the rest of this article