A New Model of Big Power Relations? China–US strategic rivalry and balance of power in the Asia–Pacific

Exploring the causes of the China–US strategic rivalry and its possible mitigation, this article argues that President Xi's new model of big power relations represents a challenge to the US primacy in the Asia–Pacific based on China's rising power and deeply rooted suspicion of the US containment. But neither the US nor China can be the single dominant power in the region. The new model can be built only if China and the US demonstrate a strategic restraint and maintain a delicate balance of power to prevent their rivalry from boiling over into a new Cold War.     

China's Global Search for Energy Security: cooperation and competition in Asia–Pacific

China has adopted a state-centered approach towards energy security to deepen political and commercial relationships with all energy producing nations and to aggressively invest in oil fields and pipelines around the world. Applying this approach to its relations with its Asia–Pacific neighbors has produced mixed results. While China's energy diplomacy has brought about opportunities for cooperation with some of its neighbors, notably some countries in Central Asia and continental Southeast Asia, it has become a source of conflict with some other neighbors, especially those with border disputes over maritime territories which may have rich natural resources. This paper examines China's state-led search for energy security and its implications for China's relations with Asia–Pacific countries.     

US–China Energy Relations and Energy Institution Building in the Asia–Pacific

Although China and the US are starting their fourth decade of energy cooperation, it is only recently that there has been a concerted US effort to create a framework for US–China bilateral energy relations. The past 30 years have witnessed many successful energy projects that have lacked follow through and institutionalization, often becoming ‘one-off’ exercises that duplicated previous projects. Recent initiatives intend to establish long-term linkages between US and Chinese energy bureaucracies, linking energy efficiency, energy security, and environmental issues. The US is nesting the bilateral relationship in global and Asia–Pacific multilateral energy and environmental regimes, and is also using bilateral agreements as mechanisms to promote domestic energy and environmental reform. This paper will examine US–China relations in the Asia–Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate and the Five-Country Energy Ministerial.     

Same Bed,Different Dreams: China's ‘peaceful rise’ and Sino–Russian rivalry in Central Asia

China is already outpacing Russia, which is encountering ever more difficulties in trying to arrange a continental bloc of satellite states. While it may not be possible for China to organize its own version of such a bloc given the deep-rooted regional fears and apprehensions about Chinese objectives, in the coming years it will probably be the primary foreign economic presence in Central Asia, able to cash in on the political advantages that accrue to any such power.     

Locating Transition: the prospect for a US–China transition in Asia

In charting the water of the post-Cold War world, one of the most prominent questions touches upon the likely effects of China's rise. Echoing more or less explicitly power transition theory's assumptions, the rapid and multifaceted ascent of China has popularized the idea of a likely overtaking of the American dominant power by the rising challenger. Sceptics have, however, pointed out that by most standards China remains far from being on a par with the United States. This paper argues that though a global power transition lies far beyond the horizon, the relevant level at which the transition should be considered is the East Asian region, or the Asian ‘super-region’.     

China's reforms in Tibet: Issues and dilemmas∗

Since the visit of Hu Yaobang to Tibet in 1980, which precipitated a series of changes in China's policies toward Tibet, the following years have been marked by China's reforms in Tibet, considered by many highly controversial. In general terms, living standards rose, and economic reforms and political liberalization achieved what appeared to be a remarkable success. Yet, at the height of the period, in 1987, the reforms, instead of enhancing Tibetan loyalty to China, precipitated demonstrations in Lhasa on a scale never before seen by the outside world. The demonstrations indicated the general failure of the reforms.

Some scholars argue that the reforms are highly successful and that the demonstrations and the instability in their wake are the result of outside instigation rather than rooted in the reforms themselves. This paper argues that the failure of the reforms is due to a far more complex set of circumstances that are the result of the historical legacy, the nature of the reforms themselves, and the instability of political process in Beijing. This paper examines the reforms, their implementation, and their failure in the economic, political, and social arenas to gain a deeper understanding of the complexity of the environment in which China instituted the reforms in Tibet and to investigate the underlying reasons for the unrest. The paper argues that the problems in Tibet are far beyond the creation of outside “instigators” and far beyond the capacity of the reforms to solve.     

China's Climate Change Expert Community—principles,mechanisms and influence

Since China joined the international climate negotiations, the role of systematic research and expert advice has grown steadily. A small but highly specialized expert community of semi-official research institutes and university-based research units has formed around Chinese policy-making institutions. The findings of this article indicate that these climate experts have become important actors in Chinese climate policy. Political leaders frequently consult members of this expert community and draw on their substantive conclusions. In some cases, experts have been able to influence policy action by raising awareness of climate vulnerability and contributing to the definition of national emission targets. However, experts seeking to alter the general framework of ‘common but different responsibilities’ have had limited impact.     

The Vigorous Development of China's Township and Village Enterprises——A Miracle in the History of World Economic Development

HAVING made a detailed study of the development of China's township and village enterprises, an official from the World Bank exclaimed: "The development of China's township and village enterprises has created not only a miracle in the history of employment, but also a miracle in the history of world economic development."     

Inclusion of Human Rights in the Constitution——An Important Milestone in China's Human Rights Development

On March 14, 2004, a proposed amendment to the Constitution was adopted by the Second Session of the Tenth National People's Congress (NPC), which stipulates clearly that "the state respects and safeguards human fights." This is the first time that the concept of "human rights" has been included in the Constitution—a major event in the development of China's democratic constitutionalism and political civilization, and an important milestone in human rights progress in China.     

Training Course on "Leadership and Strategic Management in Local Government" Held in Beijing

Initiated by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and organized by the International Union of Local Authorities-Asian and Pacific Section (IULA-ASPAC), the IULA-ASPAC Executive Management Capacity Building Program was introduced to the Chinese local     

China’s Jilin and Regional Economic Cooperation in Northeast Asia

HAVING attended the Second Northeast Asia Invest- ment and Trade Fair in Changchun, provincial capi- talofJilin,ZhejiangmerchantDongMiaomiaonoted that the locals “are well able to promote themselves.” Well that, it seems, was their plan. Attending the event were 70- oddFortune500companies,promptingleadersofJilin’svari- ouscitiesandprefecturestotaketheopportunitytovisitthose companies’representatives to introduce a wealth of current investment opportunities. One of the most enthusias…     

Exchange and Communication Creates Value——Notes on China's nationalities higher-education and culture delegation's trip to the USA

<正>During their stay in the US,the delegation visited 12 universities, including UWP,the State University of New York(SUNY,Old Westbury), Utah State University(USU) and University of Northern Iowa(UNI).The Chinese visitors and these US schools held extensive and profound discussions on cooperation in academic research,teacher training,the co-founding of Confucius Institutes,and student exchanges,as well as signed or renewed a total of 16 agreements     

A Neo-Colonialist Predator or Development Partner? China's engagement and rebalance in Africa

While China has found niches based on its comparative advantages and gained a solid ground in Africa, its almost single-minded way of pursuing business interests without regard to many issues of local and international concern has caused backlashes. Learning lessons the hard way, China has made efforts to adjust such insensitive business practices in recent years, motivated by its changing economic and strategic interests.     

China's Leisure Education: problem,analysis, and solutions—a case study of college students in Hangzhou

Leisure education has already become an important concept of the modern education system in the Western world, but it is little established and practiced in China as it has been ignored or overlooked. Therefore, this study, in view of the growing importance of leisure life and leisure education for Chinese college students today, was undertaken in order to examine their current situation with regards to leisure life and leisure education. The study presents the results of a survey on leisure education and activities involving students from universities and colleges in Hangzhou, P.R. China, which shows that due to a lack of leisure skills and capabilities as well as an inadequate understanding of the meaning of leisure, the quality and level of students' leisure life on campus is unsatisfactory. This empirically-based study is trying to probe into the problems relating to leisure education in China and provide some perspectives, analysis and solutions based on the findings of the study. Since few researchers have observed leisure activity and leisure education in China, the study is a contribution to the literature on contemporary Chinese leisure education.     

Lawyers' Role Greater in China's Legal System——A review of legal services in China over the past two decades

Lawyers play no small a role in improving China's legal system, which comes along with the country's endeavor to build a market-oriented economy and open to the outside world. Legal services provided by lawyers have virtually become available to all sectors of society since the country adopted the policy of reform and opening up in the late 1970s.     

Human Rights Diplomacy with Mysterious Glow of Religion——On the US International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 and the US Human Rights Diplomacy

International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 In October 1998, the Clinton Administration produced the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA). It is one of the important laws passed by the US Congress in recent years. The act is very complicated. The main sections can be summarized as follows: (1) Appointment of an Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom to head an Office on International Religious Freedom within the Department of State;     

Strengthening Nongovernmental Contacts to Promote Common Development——CPAFFC President Qi Huaiyuan on China's Nongovernmental Diplomacy in 1997

Question: Nineteen ninety-seven was a year in which Chinawon fruitful achievements in itsgovernmental diplomacy. Keep-ing pace with it, China'snongovernmental diplomacy wasquite active in the past year.Could you give a brief accountof what the CPAFFC hasachieved in its activities?     

Horses for courses:China's equestrian scene——Posh families turn to horses,golf and piano lessons

Inever expected to ride a retired race horse in Beijing on Saturdays. But in this city of unknown equestrian quantities I have found some of the best horse-riding training and facilities I've ever encountered, anywhere. Most of the instructors come from Inner Mongolia, home to most of China's horse culture. The horses meanwhile have been brought here from stables in Hong Kong and Australia. Many are retired racehorses, mild-mannered, gentle beasts who take students gently around the training pens. Lessons aren't cheap by any standards but the qual-     

Chinese Qi Gong and Magic——the Rage in Namibia and Zimbabwe

On the occasion of the 5thanniversary of the inde-pendence of Namibia and the15th anniversary of the indepen-dence of Zimbabwe, a 9-mem-ber group of Chinese Qi Gong(deep-breathing exercise) artistsand magicians sent by theCPAFFC paid a friendly visit toNamibia and Zimbabwe fromMarch 15 to April 25, 1995 atthe invitation of the educationand cultural ministries of the two     

Realities and Opportunities——Chinese Private Enterprises in Africa

正IN recent years,growing numbers of Chinese enterprises have initiated investment in Africa.From2009 to 2012,China’s direct investment in Africa increased from US$1.44 billion to US$2.52 billion,with an annual growth of 20.5 percent.Over the same period,China’s cumulative direct investment in Africa rose from US$9.33 billion to US$21.23billion.Currently,over 2,000 Chinese