Written by Fei Su and Xiao Liang
Despite concerns over the transparency on the official figures, the sustained growth in China's military spending demonstrates its unwavering commitment to the PLA’s modernisation to become a ‘world-class’ military by the mid-21st century.
Read MoreOn one hand, there is a China that is complex, runs on different drivers depending on the issue one is talking about and is often poor at communicating, or resentful that it needs to communicate and do things that it sees everyone else doing without the need to explain themselves.
Read MoreWritten by Corey Wallace
Kishida’s increasingly muscular security stances also reflect toughening attitudes towards China within Japan’s political elites and public opinion throughout the spectrum. Ultimately, it is very likely that the Chinese government will be disappointed that Kishida is not a sheep in wolf’ clothing.
Written by Gerald C. Brown
If China adopts a launch-on-warning posture that could cause substantial damage to the United States regardless of arsenal size, nuclear weapons are also unlikely to be enough to deter conventional conflicts outside the United States.
Read MoreWritten by Kalvin Fung
ASEAN members such as Indonesia might find themselves mired in a quagmire: recognising a regime lambasted for its terrible human rights record might save ASEAN unity but could draw further condemnation from the West and international media; rejecting the junta might jeopardise regional unity and delay the long-awaited COC.
Read MoreWritten by Suyash Desai
As visible from the ongoing stand-off, it’s difficult to restore the status quo ante once it is changed by force as the two sides evenly match up. Thus India needs to be cautious about the changing nature of China’s military operations and its manifestation on the Sino-Indian border.
Read MoreWritten by Rohan Mukherjee
ASEAN can then continue to hold together and take a middle path, offering security cooperation to the Quad, economic cooperation to China, and institutionalised opportunities for diplomacy all around. The Quad for its part can continue growing its footprint without maintaining the pretence of ASEAN centrality and the need to convince smaller regional states to irrationally become the tip of the spear aimed at China.
Read MoreWritten by John Pollock
The continuing presence of the PLA throughout Ladakh, with the pressure being applied on the Depsang Plains and the refusal to withdraw from Gogra and Hot Springs, indicates Beijing is not yet finished eroding India’s tactical position in the Himalayas for its strategic gain.
Read MoreWritten by Gerald C Brown
Outside of the South China Sea, Taiwan’s occupation would put China right at the doorstep of Japan's Ryukyu Islands, the string of small islands stretching from Taiwan to the Japanese mainland, including US military bases in Okinawa. Many of the islands would become far closer to China than Japan and would be well in range of Chinese Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) capabilities.
Read MoreWritten by Douglas H Paal
That Biden had spent more time than any US official with China’s Xi Jinping, despite recent campaign rhetoric, reinforced the concern that Biden may be less effective against China. This is a concern which will linger through at least the early months of Biden’s term of office.
Read MoreWritten by Sense Hofstede
Some critical observers warn that Taipei will inevitably have to deal with the unyielding demands of Chinese nationalism. But that is not the only reality that has to be faced. Beijing must also face the reality of the Taiwanese nation.
Read MoreWritten by Abishur Prakash
The tech war between Europe and China may not get the same spotlight as the one between the US and China. Nor does it exhibit the same aggressiveness. But — don’t be fooled. This is a fight for control over the future.
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