ARTICLES

16 Jan 2020

Can China Actually Broker Ceasefires and Peace in Myanmar?

Nyi Nyi Kyaw

Despite China's growing role in brokering peace between Myanmar's military, government and ethnic armed groups, China faces three major hurdles that make rapid and significant progress unlikely in the near future.

22 Jul 2019

Stand-off at Vanguard Bank: A Test of Vietnam – China Relations

Ha Hoang Hop|Lye Liang Fook

China's increasingly aggressive and threatening actions off Vietnam's coast has been testing the bilateral relationship between the two countries. While both Beijing and Hanoi have expressed their desire to maintain good relations, the situation is only one accidental collision away from escalation.

China China-Vietnam Relations Vietnam

2 May 2019

Why does Vietnam Shy Away from Huawei’s 5G Technologies?

Le Hong Hiep

The absence of Huawei from Vietnam's 5G mobile network rollout is rooted in three key reasons: cybersecurity concerns over Chinese equipment, a desire to develop its own high tech industries, and the need to strengthen the country's security and defence ties with the United States.

China U.S.-Vietnam Relations Vietnam

16 Jan 2019

US Navy Conducts First South China Sea FONOP of 2019

Ian Storey

A recent freedom of navigation operation conducted by the USS McCampbell in the South China coincided with talks in Beijing between US and China. The relatively restrained response by the People's Liberation Army lessened the risk of a collision - and a serious crisis in China-US relations.

China FONOPs South China Sea

3 Jan 2019

How to Read Hanoi’s Position on the South China Sea COC?

Le Hong Hiep

The ASEAN-China Code of Conduct negotiations took an unexpected turn when Vietnam started calling for a ban on any new Air Defence Identification Zone over the South China Sea. However, China is unlikely to concede due to its maritime ambitions, and may even harden its stance against these pressures.

China South China Sea Vietnam

25 May 2018

Vietnam under Increasing Pressure from China in the South China Sea

Ian Storey

From beefing up its military presence in the islands near Vietnam to overt attempts at curtailing Vietnam's commercial activities in the South China Sea through the threat of force, Beijing has been ramping up the pressure on Hanoi to coerce Vietnam into compromising its maritime claims in favour of China's interests.

China South China Sea Vietnam

15 Mar 2018

China’s New International Development Cooperation Agency and Foreign Aid

Lye Liang Fook

China has created the International Development Cooperation Agency to integrate and strengthen its foreign aid programme, so as to ensure the success of projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. Whether the IDCA will be able to help achieve these goals remains to be seen.

Belt and Road Initiative China Foreign Aid

5 Jan 2018

Myanmar-China Relations in 2018: Enter the Dragon

Ye Htut

While Western democracies are contemplating sanctions on Myanmar, China has been pursuing closer ties with the country through a series of bilateral visits. With the international pressure over the situation in Rakhine State, Myanmar may find itself increasingly dependent on China.

China China-Myanmar Relations

3 Nov 2016

Dangerous Dichotomy

Malcolm Cook

Recent analyses of a US decline and China's rise in East Asia can illuminate and clarify as much as they obfuscate and confuse.

China Cold War U.S.

13 Jul 2016

Arbitral Tribunal Award Represents Legal Victory for Philippines, Massive Defeat for China

Ian Storey

The Arbitral Tribunal on the South China Sea has ruled in favour of the Philippines. But China may adopt a hardline response. It could increase its naval presence in the South China Sea or commence reclamation work at Scarborough Shoal.

China Philippine South China Sea