Ding Gang: Powell’s death underscores US-China structural challenges

On Monday, Colin Powell, the first black US secretary of state, died from complications from COVID-19 at age 84.

William Jones: China in space – an inspiration for the world

China's launch of the second manned mission to the Tianhe module of the Chinese Tiangong space station has garnered great attention and many laudatory comments, particularly from the international space community. It could be said with some justification that China's decision to begin manned space exploration, and, in particular, exploration of the moon, our nearest neighbor, has launched a second wave of human space exploration.

John Ross: Why Common Prosperity is Good for Socialism and for China’s Economy

President Xi Jinping’s introduction of the term “Common Prosperity” has led to an important discussion both inside and outside China. The aim of Common Prosperity is, of course, not at all limited to purely economic objectives. Its goals are far wider, including to ensure the rise in the living standards of the Chinese people, to increase social cohesion and political stability, and thereby to play an overall fundamental role in China’s national rejuvenation.

Jeffrey Sachs praises Cyprus President for his climate change initiative

Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, Global Director of UN SDSN, has said that Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades’ initiative on climate change is of tremendous significance and pledged to offer full support for its implementation.

Liu Zongyi: China sees ‘snub’ to India in Bhutan agreement. And Chinese are mocking Ajay Devgn

“In response to China’s recent domestic policies such as anti-monopoly and curbing the disorderly use of the capital, the Indian media has claimed that ‘due to China’s internal policy adjustments, the world’s investment in high-tech companies has gone to India’. In fact, this statement is fake news because most of the money that goes to India is hot money in the stock market, not real investment,” wrote Liu Zongyi, Secretary-General, China and South Asian Studies Center, Shanghai Institute of International Studies.

Vijay Prashad: Isolated, divided Afghanistan vulnerable to Islamic State

On October 8, a terrible blast struck the worshippers attending Friday noon prayers at the Gozar-e-Sayed Abad Mosque in the Khan Abad district of Bandar, the capital of Kunduz, one of Afghanistan's largest cities in its northern belt. This is a mosque frequented by Shia Muslims, who were referred to as "our compatriots" by Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid. Forty-six people died immediately in the blast, and local officials said that many more people were injured in the incident. Not long afterward, the Islamic State in Khorasan Province, ISKP (ISIS-K), took credit for the attack on its Telegram channel. The suicide bomber was identified as Mohammed al-Uyguri by ISIS-K.

Martin Jacques: China is taking action against tech giants while West stalls

There is growing interest in the West about the present wave of reforms in China, which began with the defrocking of Ant, then the regulatory moves against the anything-goes behavior of the tech giants, and the more recent criticism of the glaring inequalities in Chinese society. The initial Western reaction was predictably negative, but this knee-jerk response has increasingly given way to a more thoughtful and curious response. For five years, Western attitudes toward China have been overwhelmingly toxic and hostile. This is the first respite. As such it is a moment of some significance. What is going on in the Western mind?

Ding Gang: How to shape E.Asian security architecture built after Korean War

The blockbuster film The Battle at Lake Changjin was aired on-screen during China's National Day holidays with astonishing box-office numbers. It once again promoted the Chinese public's profound interest in the Korean War (1950-53). Online discussions about the war are particularly hot, reminding many people of current China-US relations.

He Weiwen: Rules for Durable Coexistence

In her key speech outlining the U.S. administration’s approach to trade with China, United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai highlighted the crucial importance of China-U.S. bilateral relations using the keywords “durable coexistence” — in contrast with the new cold war advocacy of Donald Trump.

He Weiwen: Recoupling - Amercian discourse trap

Liu Zongyi: India made unreasonable demands, China says after border talks fail

China has accused India of making unreasonable demands in their latest round of talks as the two neighbours continued to blame each other for the latest flashpoints on their disputed border.

Liu Zongyi: Afghan attack being exploited by Western media

A mosque packed with Shiite Muslim worshippers in northern Afghanistan was struck by a suicide bomber attack on Friday with at least 46 people killed and over 140 wounded. The Associate Press (AP) cited an Islamic State (IS)-linked news agency saying the bomber was identified "as a Uygher Muslim" and "the attack targeted both Shiites and the Taliban for their purported willingness to expel Uyghers to meet demands from China."

William Kirby: Building Sustainable Trust with China in Education, Business & Policymaking

Educational exchange and technological advancements are paving the way for a new generation of global interconnectedness, with young people leading the charge. In the context of U.S.-China relations, this seemingly presents new opportunities to promote better mutual understanding. And yet, the overall relationship between the two countries is as tense and strained as ever.

Liu Zongyi: China Briefing, 7 October 2021: ‘All out’ to beat power shortages; 2050 ‘net-zero’ for airlines; ‘Critical decade” for global warming

Snapshot

Chinese authorities have said that they would “go all out” to boost coal production in a bid to tackle widespread power cuts, according to state media. Around 20 provinces around the country have experienced electricity rationing and blackouts over the past month due to a mix of factors, including power-production shortfalls driven by a lack of coal.

Vijay Prashad: Why all eyes are on the Afghan-Tajikistan border

Afghanistan and Tajikistan share a 1,400-kilometer border. Recently, a war of words erupted between Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and the Taliban government in Kabul. Rahmon censures the Taliban for the destabilization of Central Asia by the export of militant groups, while the Taliban leadership has accused Tajikistan’s government of interference.

He Weiwen: Are Biden and Xi forging a tentative U.S.-China detente? It’s complicated.

The Chinese government waited until the midst of the pandemic in July 2020 to say out loud what had been clear for months, if not years: Relations between Washington and Beijing had reached their worst point since diplomatic ties were established in 1979.

China energy crunch: Expert says carbon-emission goals can't be reached overnight

More than a dozen Chinese provinces and municipalities announced some form of power cut this month, as strong demand, on top of a shortage of supply, and more restricted emission standards, have pushed the price of coal to record highs.

Chen Dingding: What Does Meng Wanzhou’s Release Mean for China-US Relations?

On September 24, after more than 1,000 days of detention by the Canadian authorities, Huawei company’s Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou returned to China after reaching a deal with the U.S. Justice Department with regard to fraud charges against her. Notably, contrary to some pervious speculation, Meng pleaded not guilty and there was also no fine against her in the deferred prosecution agreement (DPA). This is a big victory for Meng herself and for Huawei as it was admitted by the U.S. side that the legal case against Meng was shaky from the very beginning, perhaps mostly motivated by then-U.S. President Donald Trump’s desire to destroy Huawei’s leading position in the global 5G competition.

William Jones: The tragedy of Haiti and the failure of the Washington Consensus

The world was shocked by the brutal murder of Haiti's president Jovenal Moise on the morning of July 7 at his home on the outskirts of the capital, Port au Prince. Even more shocking, perhaps, was the video released last month of American Border Patrol agents using whips to force back Haitian refugees who were trying to cross a river in Mexico in order to find asylum in the U.S. The very concept of "the civilized world" has been placed in question by these related occurrences.

Liu Zongyi: Why is it essential for China, Pakistan to enhance coordination against terrorists, safeguard regional stability

In recent years, the global and regional structure has undergone major changes. At present, the change of strategic situations in South Asia and its neighboring regions is mainly reflected in the Afghan issue.