On February 16, the People’s Republic of China announced that it had extended its visa waiver for Canada and the UK, allowing nationals from both countries to enter China and stay up to 30 days for various purposes. The most visible short-term benefit is the ease of travel for Canadians and Brits looking to visit China. However, ramifications extend to economic priorities, as the two countries sought favorable trade deals while navigating their once-close ally, the United States.
Read MoreThe Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) investigation of General Zhang Youxia is not just about corruption with senior leaders, as it shows President Xi tightening his control over the military during a tense moment for China. By targeting one of the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) most experienced commanders, Xi makes clear that loyalty to him matters more than rank or battlefield experience.
Read MoreThe White House has announced a deal that will give tech company Oracle, led by an avid Trump supporter, Larry Ellison, control over TikTok’s algorithms and data. Many are concerned with Oracle’s previous history of mishandling user data, as well as the company’s close ties to the Trump administration. TikTok's possible further “Trumpification”, or the influx of pro-Trump media, could lead to further polarization on the app and in America’s youth.
Read MoreChina appears to be moving away from collaborating with the United States on Korean Peninsula stability, instead leveraging North Korea as a strategic buffer to counterbalance deepening ties with Russia and promote a multipolar world resisting U.S. hegemony. The China–North Korea alliance illustrates that economic ties, military developments, and diplomatic positioning are now deeply intertwined, raising the stakes for the U.S. and the international community at large.
Read MoreThe Congressional Delegation comes amid rising economic tensions due to the Trump Administration’s tariffs, the struggle over the ownership of TikTok, and the seemingly constant race between the two powers to have the technological advantage.
Read More“Despite countless statistics on the continent’s growing status, Africa imperatively lacks media attention and global perception of importance. In the coming decades, the continent’s economy will double. Its population will triple. Its foreign direct investment will quadruple. This data illustrates Africa’s coming status as a rising power – a power that American foreign policy refuses to acknowledge. With these imperative topics in mind, I had the honor of hearing Ambassador Mary Yates, former deputy commander at the United States Africa Command, speak about barriers between the western world and Africa.”
Read More“Despite the similarities in the Russian-Ukrainian and Chinese-Taiwanese relationships, it is highly unlikely that China takes similarly militaristic actions in Taiwan.”
Read More"Dubbed “The Genocide Olympics,” opponents cite China’s mass detention and re-education of Uygher muslims in Xinjiang as well as the country’s rampant censorship of dissidents as reasons to boycott the games. China has continued to push back, denying the existence of a genocide and limiting criticism within the country. As a result of this tension, some Olympic athletes are being pulled away from their sports and thrust into politics as they become the faces of an increasingly controversial Olympic Games.”
Read More“While athletes seek to bring home a medal, China seeks to prevent COVID-19. The country reported the first local case of the highly contagious Omicron variant three weeks before the opening ceremony of the global sporting event. Most athletes and foreign nationals currently stay in a closed bubble. Nevertheless, officials are wary about Omicron, which has led to record-breaking caseloads and hospital overcrowding in North America and Europe.”
Read More“Our environment has dramatically changed since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. We have increased the concentration of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere by 48%. Although we are developing sustainable, renewable technology, there are those that still oppose the transition to cleaner energy. If we are to preserve our environment for generations to come, we must have global leaders that are reducing environmentally unfriendly practices and switching to cleaner, sustainable sources of energy.”
Read More“China’s #MeToo movement faced a major obstacle on Tuesday, September 14, after a landmark sexual assault case was thrown out due to insufficient evidence. Zhou Xiaoxuan, the plaintiff, publicly stated that she will appeal the case against Zhu Jun.”
Read More“US-China relations are “as bad as [they have] been since Tiananmen,” according to an expert at UC San Diego. Why are analysts comparing the current relationship between China and the U.S. to that following the Chinese government’s murder of thousands of citizens? Tensions between D.C. and Beijing have risen dramatically in recent years.”
Read More“While all of these threats are not to be taken lightly, the grandest threat must be climate change and environmental degradation, for without an environment none of the other potential threats are meaningful.”
Read More“The liberties included in Hong Kong’s constitution, the Basic Law, are freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, an independent judiciary system, and some democratic rights. This Constitution is meant to last at least until 2047, but now this Constitution is under attack with the introduction of the electoral reform bill.”
Read More“This maneuver will directly undercut America’s influence in the Middle East as China is opting in to buying Iranian oil, who is currently under American sanctions. These sanctions have isolated Iran in the Middle East and have limited Iran’s opportunities for foreign investment. Historically, sanctions have been an effective form of punishment as long as the nation has no one else to turn to economically. With China’s economic extension to Iran through a 25 year deal, this offers both a relief to Iran economically while also allowing it to think freely concerning other issues such as the Iran Nuclear Deal.”
Read More“Attempts by the Chinese Communist Party to suppress dissent in the wake of massive protests in Hong Kong in 2019 have led to sanctions first by the Trump Administration and now extended by the Biden Administration signalling U.S. policy around democracy and human rights will not be softening.”
Read More“Early indications from President Biden and his secretaries is that U.S.-China policy will be more similar to his predecessor’s than many had initially anticipated. However, he will likely approach the dialogue with a greater attention to multilateralism and eye towards cooperation of climate change and COVID-19 relief.”
Read More“In one of his final acts as Secretary of State, Pompeo formally accused Beijing of genocide against the Uyghurs, a Muslim minority group. The Biden Administration inherits a myriad of foreign policy goals related to China and sees unique opportunities for bipartisan and multilateral action.”
Read More“A global team of researchers from the World Health Organization arrived in China last Thursday to conduct a study of COVID-19’s origins. These investigations within China will play a key role in understanding the pandemic and what measures are needed to prevent future outbreaks. The real test of China’s compliance with international standards will be if this initial investigation by the WHO proceeds without further disruption from the Chinese government.”
Read More“In 1978, China was a struggling country with a low GDP of only $150 billion. In 2020, China is a rising superpower with a GDP of $14.3 trillion. With its growing power, China has been attempting to change the previous world order with its strategies. Now, China’s rivals believe it is time to retaliate.”
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