Here’s how the South China Sea ruling affects U.S. interests - August 11, 2016

Media Report

August 11 , 2016

The Washington Post：Here's how the South China Sea ruling affects U.S. interests
The Washington Post comments, "On July 12, an International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) ruling dismissed much of China's claim to the South China Sea....But where does this ruling leave the U.S. alliance with the Philippines — the country that challenged China's claims in the first place?...Specifically, the dilemma is how resolutely a state should commit to an ally and the cost this incurs with adversaries....If Washington makes a clearer commitment to Manila, does that encourage the Philippines to stand tall against China? In this scenario, it's possible the United States would be at risk of becoming entrapped in a Philippines-China militarized conflict in the South China Sea. At the same time, a stronger U.S. commitment to the Philippines would do little for U.S.-China relations but may encourage Beijing to seek a compromise solution with the Philippines."
Bloomberg Business：UBS: China's Already Started Bailing Out its Banks
Bloomberg Business reports: "An analysis of 765 banks in China by UBS Group AG shows that efforts to clean up the country's debt-ridden financial system are well underway, with as much as 1.8 trillion yuan ($271 billion) of impaired loans shed between 2013 and 2015, and 620 billion yuan of capital raised in the same period. But the work is far from over, as to reach a more sustainable debt ratio the Chinese banking sector will still require up to 2 trillion yuan of additional capital as well as the disposal of 4.5 trillion yuan worth of bad loans, according to the Swiss bank's estimates....The research shows a wide variations in progress, with some regions raising capital and writing off bad loans at a far faster pace than others, plus an unexpected schism between publicly listed and private lenders....The quality of the capital raised remains of some concern with many listed banks opting to sell preferred shares while their stock trades below book value."
The Wall Street Journal：China's Anti-Western Show Trials
The Wall Street Journal comments: "Chinese authorities turned last week's show trials of four legal activists into a multimedia sensation, with forced confessions airing nightly on prime-time news and propaganda videos online. Beyond vilifying the four men, who advocated for dissidents and religious minorities, the trials had a broader purpose: to paint the United States as China's enemy....For decades Beijing handled dissident trials delicately, with few if any cameras in the courtroom and brief mentions in official media. Today state agencies compete to amplify saturation news coverage....The Central Committee of the Communist Youth League last week posted a video on social media accusing U.S. and other diplomats of orchestrating protests by defendants' wives outside the Tianjin courthouse. 'Truly, these were well-trained performers,' the video says as two wives are seen screaming and crying....The office of China's chief prosecutor also circulated a video accusing the U.S. of trying to turn China into another Syria by fomenting unrest in Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang."

Calendar

2016-08-10 Exclusive: Vietnam moves new rocket launchers into disputed South China Sea - sources
2016-08-09 China’s Limited Retaliation Options Against the THAAD Deployment in South Korea
2016-08-08 The Rio Olympics are really hurting China’s feelings
2016-08-05 Meet the China ‘whisperers’ who get the big deals done in Silicon Valley
2016-08-03 China, Not Silicon Valley, Is Cutting Edge in Mobile Tech
2016-08-02 Japan Slams China Over Sea Strategy
2016-08-01 Uber Sells China Operations to Didi Chuxing
2016-07-31 'Give them a bloody nose': Xi pressed for stronger South China Sea response
2016-07-29 Chinese rocket sends streak of light across Western US sky
2016-07-28 China green lights ride-hailing services with new regulations

News

Bloomberg Business UBS: China's Already Started Bailing Out its Banks
The Washington Post US seeks to ease Chinese anger over missile defense plans
The New York Times Alibaba Reports Growth, Even as China's Economy Stumbles
The Wall Street Journal Cutting China's Capital Down to Size
Reuters China says new satellite will help safeguard interests at sea: China Daily
The Washington Post Explosion of steam pipe at Chinese power station kills 21
The New York Times Australia Rejects Bids From Chinese Investors for Electricity Provider
Bloomberg Business China's $15 Billion Energy Ambitions Crushed Within Two Weeks
Reuters Business groups petition China's premier on cyber rules
BBC News Australia risks Chinese anger over power grid sale
ABC News Japan, Philippines to China: Respect Law for Asian Stability
The Wall Street Journal In China, Economic Data Highlights Growing Divide Between Regions
The Financial Times China takes a gamble in scapegoating the west

Commentary

The Washington Post Here's how the South China Sea ruling affects U.S. interests
The Wall Street Journal China's Anti-Western Show Trials
Bloomberg View Confucius Has Some Advice for Trading With China
The Diplomat Top US Naval Officer in Asia Calls for Military Transparency in China Visit
The Wall Street Journal: MoneyBeat Oppenheimer Grows Concerned with China's 'Short Game'
The National Interest The Real South China Sea Danger: A Brewing Security Dilemma
The Wall Street Journal: China Real Time The Difficulties of Moving Millions of People