China News
The Daily Signal reports on China news with analysis and commentary on foreign policy, trade, technology, and security challenges.
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- Opinion
Flying the Unfriendly Skies: China’s Dangerous Behavior
For the second time in a month, a Chinese fighter jet has made an unsafe approach to an American military aircraft. This time, a Chinese air force J-10 fighter intercepted a U.S. RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft in international airspace over the East China Sea. The Chinese fighter approached at high speed at the same altitude, and…Dean Cheng -
- Opinion
Chinese Ballistic Missile Submarines Should Definitely Cause Concern
As the United States continues to struggle with adequately funding its armed forces, other nations around the world are developing impressive military capabilities. Case in point: In a recent article published by The Guardian, China is set to deploy nuclear powered ballistic missile submarines, or what many in the naval community affectionately call “boomers,” armed…Harry J. Kazianis -
- Opinion
Tensions Rising With China After Near Collision
To say the bilateral relationship between the United States and the People’s Republic of China is ‘complex’ might just be the ultimate of understatements. Consider the facts: Beijing and Washington enjoy rich historic and cultural ties that date back generations. Over 300,000 Chinese students today attend American universities, only adding to the richness and cultural…Harry J. Kazianis -
- Opinion
China Flexes Its Military Muscles While America Does Nothing
In the last few days, China has undertaken several new military actions. These include landing a military aircraft on one of their new artificial islands in the South China Sea, a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to a newly established military headquarters, and testing a new ICBM. The purpose is simple: To send messages…Dean Cheng -
- Opinion
Why China’s Economy Is on Borrowed Time
On Friday China announced its economy had expanded at a 6.7 percent rate in the first quarter of 2016. While this is the slowest growth since the depths of the great recession, it conveniently remains within the government’s official target of 6.5-7.0 percent. Unlike all developed countries, there will be no revisions to this figure…William T. Wilson -
- Opinion
Draconian One-Child Policy Has Left China With Massive Sex Ratio Imbalance
With all the talk surrounding International Women’s Day this week, it is important to remember the many women of China. Innumerable Chinese women have been denied the right to have children, and many others have been denied the most fundamental right of all: the right to take their first breath and live. China currently has…Olivia Enos -
- Opinion
China Hikes Defense Budget by 7.6 Percent
As the Chinese National People’s Congress met in Beijing this week, one announcement was the planned defense budget for 2016. Contrary to some rumors, China’s defense budget will rise by “only” 7.6 percent in 2016, only the second time in 20 years that the growth has been in single digits. At 954 billion renminbi, or approximately…Dean Cheng -
- Opinion
China Has Raised the Stakes in South China Sea With Surface-to-Air Missile Batteries
The U.S. government has reported that China has deployed several batteries of surface-to-air missiles (HQ-9) to Woody Island, Paracels, in the South China Sea. This is a significant military move, and it makes clear that China is prepared to employ military forces to support its expansive claims to the South China Sea. The People’s Liberation…Dean Cheng -
- News
Internet Governance CEO Under Fire for Role in Chinese Conference
Three senators have challenged the head of a U.S.-funded Internet management organization to show that his leadership role in a Chinese-run conference doesn't conflict with his commitment to an open Internet. Sens. James Lankford, R-Okla.; Ted Cruz, R-Texas; and Mike Lee, R-Utah, last week sent a letter to Fadi Chehadé, chief executive officer of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names…Mariana Barillas -
- Opinion
US Conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation in South China Sea
Some 90 days after the last attempt at conducting a freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea, the American destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur sailed within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island in the Paracels. The central point of this mission was to sail near the islands without prior notification. Unlike the October case,…Dean Cheng -
- Opinion
China Announces Third Major Military Reform Measure
In a move that will make the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) a more competitive and capable force for any future conflict contingency, Chinese leader Xi Jinping today announced the reorganization of the major Chinese military commands. From seven “military regions (junqu),” the PLA will now move to five “major war zones (da zhanqu),” or five…Dean Cheng -
- Opinion
Chinese Military Announces Major Changes in Organization
Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced a massive overhaul in the organization of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) headquarters structure. This comes after the announcement that three new services will be created (Ground Force, Rocket Force, and Strategic Support Force). The PLA is different from the U.S. military in several major respects. First, it is…Dean Cheng -
- Opinion
China’s Big Military Reforms
Amidst the New Year transition from 2015 to 2016, the Chinese announced the first set of long-awaited major military reforms. This constitutes an enormous shift in the organization of the Chinese military. Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on Dec.31 the creation of—essentially—three new services for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). These new services will join…Dean Cheng -
- News
What Could Happen If China Relaxes Its Grip on This Mountain Pass
NAMCHE BAZAR, Nepal—A network of cameras now monitors China’s side of the Nangpa La pass, say Tibetan traders who used to cross it regularly. A series of guard towers manned by border patrol troops lines the way. The Nangpa La bridges the Himalayas between Tibet and Nepal. Chinese soldiers on this mountain pass shoot at anyone…Nolan Peterson -
- News
No Way Out: The Forbidden Himalayan Escape Route for Tibetan Refugees From China
NAMCHE BAZAR, Nepal—There are a lot of ways to die on the Nangpa La. For one, the altitude can kill you. This is what Tibetan refugees face as they flee China's oppression: At more than 19,000 feet (roughly the same height as Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa) this mountain pass, which bridges the Himalayas between Nepal…Nolan Peterson -
- Opinion
China’s Major Pollution Problem Causes Beijing to Issue a ‘Red Alert’
On Monday, for the first time, Beijing announced a “red alert.” The alarm was a consequence of the thick smog that had blanketed the city and was deemed a health hazard even to healthy residents of Beijing. The air quality is rated on a scale of zero to 500 (the higher the number, the worse…William T. Wilson -
- Opinion
Why China Shouldn’t Be Trusted on Its Climate Commitment
There has been a lot of attention given to China at the climate conference in Paris. As the largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in the world, a lot depends on what China will do—or more accurately what it won’t do. Lots of media reports have commended China for its sudden commitment to climate change. But…Nicolas Loris -
- Opinion
Rebooting the U.S.-China Cyber Dialogue
U.S. and Chinese officials meet today in Washington to discuss ongoing challenges to cyber-security. Behind closed doors, there’s bound to be finger-pointing. After all, China is a leading source of cyber-attacks on U.S. corporate and government facilities. Expectations for the meeting have already been lowered. A recent state visit by Chinese President Xi produced nothing…Riley Walters -
- Opinion
Want to Know Why the South China Sea Is Always Being Talked About?
Many politicians have recently voiced concern regarding Chinese activity in the South China Sea. With all the issues to be discussed, some might wonder why so much attention has been paid to a body of water so far away from the U.S. The answer lies in an American interest as old as the Republic itself….Walter Lohman -
- Opinion
China Is Trying to Redefine International Norms on the Reach of States
With the decision to conduct a Freedom of Navigation operation (FONOP) in the waters around China’s artificial islands in the South China Sea, U.S.-Chinese relations appear set to deteriorate in the coming year. Given the likely rise in tensions, especially if the United States conducts additional FONOPS, it is essential that U.S. leaders understand the…Dean Cheng