Feb 22, 2016

China now seeks to export its excess industrial capacity as a means to cope with its economic troubles. The problem is that China is trying to export its way out a local crisis caused in large part by a global glut of commodities. Whatever the case, we should expect Chinese foreign investment to continue to grow, spurring a commensurate rise in its political influence.

Jan 08, 2016

Quantitative easing may in part explain the destabilizing effects that the global economy is facing, with cheap credit continuing to fueling the expectation of ever-rising prices. The 2015 Chinese crash was a direct product of the U.S. financial crisis of 2008, which was itself the result of a bubble in financial, insurance, and real estate assets.

Dec 10, 2015

As long as booming economic growth is seen as the key to enduring legitimacy and political success, it may be politically impossible to avoid catastrophic global warming. There are no “American” or “Chinese” emissions. There are simply carbon emissions.

Nov 13, 2015

In October, the USS Lassen sailed within twelve nautical miles of an artificial Chinese island in the South China Sea as a “freedom of navigation patrol.” Benjamin Reynolds argues that China should not risk a military confrontation by responding to American patrols.

Sep 01, 2015

When playing up the mutually beneficial aspects of economic cooperation between the U.S. and China, many theorists often ignore the competitive and destabilizing elements introduced by structural economic concerns. The struggle for emerging markets and untapped resources is adversarial, and it may intensify as economic growth slows.

Apr 27, 2015

Hilary Clinton’s established perspective on U.S.-China relations as the face of the “Pivot to Asia,” does not bod well for the bilateral relationship, writes Ben Reynolds. The existing Clinton ties with the Center for New America Security (CNAS), a hawkish, pro-interventionist think tank, further the claim that U.S. militaristic hegemony will continue to be the foreign policy toward China.

Mar 19, 2015

U.S. companies and leaders have criticized China’s new counter-terrorism law for its increased surveillance mechanisms. Yet, the U.S. government cannot claim the moral high ground when it blatantly violates the rights enshrined in its own constitution. A serious challenge to state surveillance will not come from other states; it must arise from China’s own citizenry.

Jan 22, 2015

Strained relations between the Uyghur community in Xinjiang and the Chinese government have led to increasing instability, which hinders China’s larger goals to increase trade with Central Asia and the Middle East. China's New Silk Road strategy may provide an opportunity for the CCP and Uyghur leaders to strike an uneasy bargain, albeit one that can halt the cycle of repression and retaliatory violence.