
Latest Articles about China and the Asia-Pacific
New Tensions, Old Problems on the Sino-Indian Border
As China deepens its economic and strategic relations with Pakistan, and makes diplomatic in-roads with Nepal and Myanmar, it is worth examining an issue that continues to mar Sino-Indian relations. The China-India border dispute has long stirred tensions between Beijing and New Delhi, in spite... MORE
Mapping China’s Small Arms Trade: China’s Illicit Domestic Gun Trade
This is part one of a two-part series examining China’s arms trade. China is one of the world’s top small arms producers, and the products of official arms companies such as Norinco (北方工业) make regular appearances in conflicts around the globe. In 2014, Chinese arms... MORE
China to Build Hongdu Light Attack Aircraft in Ukraine Next Year
When the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) collapsed in December 1991, its integrated military-industrial complex was shattered and split up among 15 newly independent countries. Ukraine received many significant assets, including top-notch fighter and aircraft plants as well as the USSR’s most advanced shipyards... MORE
Another Opportunity Lost: Russia and Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is not generally seen as an area of Russia’s core vital interests. But given the priority of Moscow’s Asian pivot, it is an important area both in terms of strategic issues and economic opportunity. Nevertheless it seems that once again Moscow has missed... MORE
Su-35 Purchase: Evidence of Sino-Russian Relations’ Weakness or Strength?
In a reversal of previous statements about Russia’s long-delayed sale of Sukhoi-35 fighter jets to China, Russian military-industrial conglomerate Rostec’s President Sergey Chemezov confirmed that the negotiation has been completed and “we have signed a contract” (Takungbao Online, November 19). Media discussions of the purchase... MORE
China’s Emerging “Af-Pak” Dilemma
The Chinese Ministry Foreign Affairs recently dispatched Deng Xijun, an experienced Asia-policy trouble-shooter, to Afghanistan as China’s special envoy (MFA, November 12). Mr. Deng met with Afghan political and military leaders, where he reemphasized China’s commitment to the peace and stability of Afghanistan. This meeting... MORE
From Academia to Politics: When Scholars Rule China
In late October, China’s State Council announced the appointment of Professor Chen Yulu, President of Fudan University as the Vice-Governor of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) (Xinhua News, October 30). Including Prof. Chen, five university presidents have been appointed to senior political positions of... MORE
Three Scenarios for Understanding Changing PLA Activity in Cyberspace
At the end of November, Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a three-day Central Military Commission (CMC) forum on wide-ranging reform in the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), hosting senior military officers from the four general departments and other major work units. The outcomes heralded in... MORE
Kazakhstan Looks to India, Iran for Access to the World’s Oceans
Since achieving independence in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, landlocked Kazakhstan has sought to end its geographical isolation by fostering relations with neighboring countries. In recent weeks, Kazakhstan’s national railway company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) and India’s Ministry of Railways signed a... MORE
Whither Russo-Japanese Relations?
Although Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be visiting Japan this year or anytime soon (see EDM, October 9) and currently no agenda even exists for any such visit, Tokyo appears so desperate for reconciliation with Moscow that it has agreed to continue discussing the... MORE