China
Beijing politics, the Party apparatus, the mainland economy, cross-Strait relations and China in the world.
Trump-Xi Summit: Cautious Progress and Subtle Win-Wins
The Trump-Xi summit in Beijing yielded modest trade agreements and reaffirmed the status quo on Taiwan. Both leaders avoided major breakthro
Trump's Beijing Visit: No Breakthroughs, but a War Averted
Trump's two-day summit in Beijing produced no major trade deals beyond a modest Boeing order. However, the absence of open conflict on Taiwa
Trump's Beijing Trip: Pomp, Promises, but Few Real Gains
President Xi Jinping offered Trump symbolic gestures but little substance on trade, AI, or rare earths. Nvidia's Jensen Huang emerged as the
Decoding Xi Jinping's Speeches: The Narrative Tools Behind China's Strategy
Xi Jinping's speeches rely on master plots like adventure, quest, and rivalry to shape China's grand strategy. Understanding these narrative
Trump-Xi Summit: Smiles Mask Deep Strains in US-China Relations
President Xi Jinping warned Donald Trump to 'properly' handle Taiwan or risk conflict. The US delegation included sanctioned Secretary of St
Trump-Xi Summit: US Exports and Iran Take Center Stage in Reset Bid
Trump and Xi reached a package deal on US soybeans, energy, and aircraft. Xi committed to help on Iran and opposed militarization of the Str
Why China's ICOR, Not GDP, Reveals Its True Economic Weakness
China's official GDP growth target of 5% masks a rising Incremental Capital Output Ratio (ICOR), indicating declining investment efficiency.
Why Trump's Beijing Visit Will Yield Little for a Weakened US
US President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing comes amid surging inflation, a spiraling Iran conflict, and eroding trust in US economic stewa
Trump and Xi: Managing US-China Rivalry Without War
Neither side can escape the rivalry, nor decisively win it. The key is to compete without turning the world's most consequential bilateral r
Trump-Xi Summit: US Energy Sales to China on Table Amid Hormuz Crisis
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss a resumption of Chinese purchases of American oil and gas
Trump's Beijing Visit: A Strategic Opening for China's Regional Ambitions
President Trump's upcoming summit with Xi Jinping in Beijing comes as China's Monroe Doctrine-style ambitions grow clearer. The US military
Trump-Xi Summit in Beijing: No Repeat of Nixon's 1972 Breakthrough
The Trump-Xi summit in Beijing on May 14-15, 2026, will not replicate the historic breakthrough of Nixon's 1972 visit. Trade deficits, Taiwa