Zhang Jun examines the factors affecting China’s potential rate of GDP growth.

Zhang Monan on the objectives of the Shanghai free-trade zone.

The success of the Canada-EU Trade Agreement has allowed Canada to refocus its priorities on the US-led Trans-pacific Partnership trade talks and potentially paves the way for a larger free trade deal in the future. Hugh Stephens posits that as trade negotiations continue, Canada will position itself to take a stronger foothold in Asia.

While China’s investments abroad were vastly state-led, private firms are increasingly looking to the United States for expansion. As Dan Redford points out, high profile purchases by Chinese firms are just the beginning of a new trend of private investment from China.

As free trade agreements flourish around the globe, He Weiwen examines the developments between the China-ASEAN FTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership noting that while the US and China have been left out of each negotiation respectively, it does not mean the countries are competing directly against each other.

After nearly $1.5 million worth of elephant tusks were seized by customs agents in Hong Kong, international attention has turned to the illegal ivory and rhino horn trade in Africa – fuelled by Chinese demand.

As the 3rd Plenary of the 18th CPC Central Committee approaches, people have high expectations for financial system reform. The focus will be enhancing the efficiency of resource allocation through finance, and supporting a real economy, writes Zhang Monan.

Some scholars have recently argued that “China has surpassed the United States and become the top industrialized country”. However, this claim is not supported by objective assessments of significant facts. By certain criteria, China has exceeded the United States in the scale of manufacturing. In terms of competitiveness, however, China is still far behind, writes Jin Bei.

Following the purchase of the former iconic landmarks in Detroit by Dongdu International Group, Tom Watkins discusses the need for further Chinese investment across the United States.

While North Korea has traditionally been a thorn in America’s side, Michael Justin Lee posits that reports Kim Jong-un has resumed the country’s nuclear development program could provide a rare opportunity to boost military-to-military relations between the United States and China, the DPRK’s long-time ally.