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China's great power over North Korea eroded when COVID-19 control measures ended most trade with the Kim regime. Moreover, China's conflicts with various countries mean Beijing cannot afford to alienate any friend, and Kim Jong Un knows that. Beijing is still influential in Seoul, but it lost much of its clout when the conservative-leaning candidate prevailed in the March 2022 presidential election. China will also suffer a loss in standing because it is paying less attention to Korean affairs and is closing itself off to the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has great power over both Koreas, but its influence looks to be at its peak. There are many reasons for this, but the most important is that the two Koreas are moving closer together and in the process shutting out outsiders. Moreover, the U.S., as it seeks to disarm North Korea, is pursuing policies undercutting Beijing's role on the peninsula. And to make matters worse, China is beginning to limit its own effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is playing a duplicitous game when it comes to North Korea. It proclaims it is enforcing Security Council resolutions when it is in fact not. The Chinese have overwhelming leverage over the North, but they will not use their power to disarm the Kim Family regime, at least in the absence of intense pressure from the United States. Beijing believes Pyongyang furthers important short-term Chinese objectives, and so views it as a weapon against Washington and others. Beijing's attempts to punish Seoul over its decision to accept deployment of the THAAD missile defense system reveal true intentions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relations between China and North Korea have deteriorated during the last year, but Beijing has not fundamentally changed its approach toward its neighbor because that approach serves vital Chinese interests. If the regime of Kim Jong Un should look like it might fail and there are several reasons why it could Beijing's leaders will undoubtedly do all they can to effect a rescue. The Chinese state, however, is not as stable or as capable as it appears, and it may not be in a position to lend needed assistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the demographic change towards a declining population in China, commenting on future population forecasts for the country. An overview of the Chinese government's population policies, including the impact of its one-child policy on demographic patterns, is provided. An overview of the relationship that China's diminishing population plays in its power as a nation, including the population forecasts indicating that India will have demographic growth, is also provided.

Relations between China and North Korea are troubled and look like they will continue to deteriorate. The deterioration is largely the result of both states going through especially turbulent leadership transitions, which are changing decades-old patterns of governance. Moreover, Chinese and North Korean foreign policy goals conflict more than before, and this ensures a continued downward spiral in ties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article looks at the November 29, 2014 general election in Taiwan and its implications for the Kuomintang (KMT) or Nationalist Party and for relations between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China (PRC). Details on the administration of Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou and on his efforts to promote the eventual unification of Taiwan and the PRC are presented. The author also discusses the Sunflower Movement, a protest movement which arose in opposition to the 2013 Cross-Strait Agreement on Trade in Services between Taiwan and the PRC. Other topics include the PRC's "one country, two systems" (1C2S) policy towards Hong Kong and Macau, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and Chen Deming, president of the PRC's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits.

The article looks at the 2014 pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong, China, as well as the Chinese government's reaction to the demonstrations. According to the author, a government-issued white paper on the governance of the Hong Kong special administrative region (SAR) sparked the protests. Details on the possible role of Chinese leader Xi Jinping in the decision to use tear gas against student protesters are presented. It is suggested that the government's actions have made it difficult for Chinese leaders to regain popular support in Hong Kong. The effects of the Hong Kong protests on Chinese negotiations with Taiwan are also discussed.

In the past, North Korea's Kim rulers ensured regime survival by selling dangerous weapons. These exports earned large sums for the ruling group, of course. More important, weapons proliferation furthered Chinese foreign policy goals, thereby earning Pyongyang favor in Beijing. In recent years, however, China's officials apparently have been changing their attitude toward this deadly trade. If they have also changed their policies--and it is not clear that they have done this yet-- continued proliferation by Pyongyang may worsen already difficult ties with its most important sponsor. In any event, Kim Jong Un, the North's current ruler, is trying to find other backers, most notably Japan and Russia. If he is successful, he will have more latitude to ignore Beijing's wishes, thereby permitting him to continue proliferation without fear of China's views on this matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses economic and political problems facing China. Topics include the reliance of China's economy on state investment in infrastructure projects, the possibility of economic reforms to move toward a more consumer-based economy, and the use of nationalism to build support for the Chinese Communist Party. Also addressed are Chinese public opinion regarding democratization, the opinions of Chinese President Xi Jinping on Maoism, and the prosecution of former internal security official Zhou Yongkang by Xi's government.

Beijing has been losing influence in Pyongyang since Kim Jong-un took power. Why is this occurring? Chinese authorities do not control cash flowing to the North, the U.S. is bypassing China in its dealings with North Korea, rising Korean nationalism is diminishing foreigners' influence, Pyongyang is beginning to play the Russia and Japan cards, and instability in the Kim regime prevents outsiders from influencing events in Pyongyang. Moreover, despite China's warming ties with Seoul, pro-North Korea elements still influence policy in Beijing and will prevent a reversal of its fundamental approach to the Korean Peninsula. So China's new Korea policy, which would ordinarily give it increased leverage in Pyongyang, may ultimately not have that effect, especially if the Chinese initiative toward South Korea falters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the alliance between the Russian and Chinese governments during the early 21st century. The role that history plays in the relationship between Russia and China, including Chinese President Xi Jinping's efforts in promoting the relationship between the countries through referencing Marxism of the Soviet Union and Chinese Maoism, is discussed. The role that power resources play in Russia and China's economic relationship is also discussed. The author contends that the Russian economic conditions have caused the Russian President Vladimir Putin to seek an alliance with China.

A turbulent leadership transition in China is fracturing the country's political system. The result is that the country's military is implementing its own external policies, often not coordinating with Beijing's diplomats. Moreover, tumultuous internal events appear to be diverting policymakers from critical issues, such as those involving North Korea. Elections this year in the United States and South Korea will not substantially change the landscape in which Chinese policymakers operate because those countries are acting--and will continue to act-within tight constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses Chinese politics and a crisis in the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. The article looks at Chen Guangcheng, a blind human rights activist who escaped from house arrest, and examines allegations that Chen was aided by Zhou Yongkang, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee. The article also discusses Bo Xilai, a Chinese politician whose membership in the Politburo and the Central Committee has been suspended and who is undergoing an investigation for discipline violations. The author examines the prosecution of Bo's wife, Gu Kailai, for murder, and discusses the portrayal of these events by Chinese people. The author discusses the transition of Chinese political leaders and examines instability in the government.

Fundamental changes in the nature of politics inside China's Communist Party are occurring at the same time the Kim-family regime is absorbed by succession politics. Specifically, we are seeing, in both states, not only transitions from one set of leaders to another but also transformations of the structures of both regimes, with the militaries of the two countries becoming more powerful. These momentous developments are happening while Beijing and Pyongyang are working out a new relationship. The result of all these realignments will, in all probability, be even greater uncertainty and much more turbulence on the Korean peninsula over the next several years. The implications will also be felt around the world as Pyongyang, with Beijing's assistance, challenges global nonproliferation norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article critiques the book "On China" by former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. It describes the book's agenda as analyzing the history of China's foreign relations and its current policies in order to imagine its future relations with the West. The author lauds Kissinger's historical knowledge and personal experience with 20th-century Chinese leaders such as Mao Zedong. However, he says Kissinger underestimates the aggressive ambitions of 21st-century China.

The article discusses the relationship between the neighboring communist states of China and North Korea. It focuses on North Korea's dependency on China, and notes the stationing of Chinese troops on North Korean soil. The Korean dictator Kim John Il's continuation of the policies of his father, dictator Kim Il Sung, which are known as juche, are described. Kim Il Sung's relationship with the 20th century Chinese ruler Mao Zedong is discussed, and the ongoing diplomacy between China and North Korea in May 2011 is analyzed.

The article presents the author's views on the failure of China's economy. According to the author, China's economy has been decelerating since the late 1990s, with the gross domestic product (GDP) declining by 7.3% in 2001. The author is of the view that with an increase in deflation and massive unemployment, China's economy cannot experience growth.

Presents the recommendations of the Joint Committee Staff of the American Bar Association for restructuring of tax rules in the United States. Development of projects to improve tax rules; Comments issued by the Section of Taxation on the tax rules; References of the tax rules.

Buoyed by its creditor's hold on the United States and its ability to withstand the harsh winds of recession blowing from across the Pacific, China has graduated in its own mind from an emerging economy to a world power. From their confrontation with Google to their renewed repression of dissidents to their dissing of President Obama, China's leaders clearly feel that the time has come for the world to accomodate China, not vice-versa. Is the West ready for this new reality? Is China's new arrogance well-founded, or is it going to be the next bubble to burst? As it moves beyond “the primary stage of socialism” is it ready to open up politically? In this section, some top China scholars, one of China's most well-known dissidents and a former US spy chief discuss these issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]