Military and Security Archives - US-China Perception Monitor

As Trump Bets on China’s Help on North Korea, Aides Ask: Is It Worth It?

Jun 16, 2017 | Military and Security, News of the Week, U.S - China Relations, US |

WASHINGTON — There is no foreign leader on whom President Trump has placed a bigger bet than Xi Jinping of China. Mr. Trump’s gamble was based on his calculation that Mr. Xi, the Chinese president, could put heavy pressure on North Korea to curb its nuclear weapons and missile programs. To secure Mr. Xi’s cooperation, the president soft-pedaled his harsh stance on China’s trade practices, and has said little about its adventurism in the South China Sea. But a growing number of Mr. Trump’s aides fear that the bet is not paying off. China has not significantly tightened the...

Partners of Necessity: The Strategic Sino-Russian Alliance in Central Asia Over Belt and Road Initiative

Jun 7, 2017 | Chinese Politics, Economy and Trade, Military and Security, U.S - China Relations, USCNPM Original |

The colossal Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a China-heavily funded economic development strategy that focuses on connectivity among countries primarily between the China and the rest of Eurasia. It consists of the land-based “Silk Road Economic Belt” (SREB) and oceangoing “Maritime Silk Road” (MSR). During the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) held in Beijing from May 14 to 15, 2017, China-Russia cooperation over BRI in Central Asia was warmly discussed. The special friendship between Beijing and Moscow is visibly displayed in Xi and Putin’s speeches, when both leaders reiterate their commitment to globalization and free trade. On a rhetorical...

America’s Wavering Commitments to the Environment, NATO, and Free Trade: A Future Under China?

Jun 2, 2017 | Chinese Politics, Commentaries, Military and Security, News of the Week, USCNPM Original |

America’s Withdrawal From the International Scene and China’s Increasing Leadership Despite facing pressures from Pope Francis to German Chancellor Angela Merkel to keep the United States in the Paris Climate Accord during the 43rd G7 Summit last weekend, President Trump has announced his decision to withdraw from the agreement. This decision is only one of several recent inward-looking international positions taken on by the Trump administration. During the May 24-25 NATO meeting in Brussels, Trump declined to affirm America’s commitment to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which outlines the principle of collective defense. Trump also accused NATO...