Tag: China

Pacific Islands Face Daunting Debt Crisis with China: Can They Find a Way Out?
29Jul José Carlos PalmaBy José Carlos PalmaNo Comments
Asian Economics, Economics

Pacific Islands Face Daunting Debt Crisis with China: Can They Find a Way Out?

By José Carlos Palma* In recent years, Pacific Island nations have experienced a dramatic increase in debt to China, as the Asian superpower becomes the region's largest lender. While infrastructure projects funded by these loans, such as roads and bridges, have spurred local development, the growing debt burden is raising concerns about long-term financial stability and economic sustainability. The Heavy Price of Progress Take Vanuatu, for example. In 2019, a $63 million loan from China funded the construction of a new tar-sealed road on Tanna Island, easing travel and boosting the local economy. Martha Kapalu, a resident, praises the road for making travel easier and improving access to markets and tourist attractions. However, Vanuatu’s financial situation is now strained, as the n...
Read More
China’s Strategic Influence on Africa’s Media Landscape: A Comprehensive Analysis
19Apr ISSGBy ISSGNo Comments
Africa, Regions

China’s Strategic Influence on Africa’s Media Landscape: A Comprehensive Analysis

By José Carlos Palma* China's burgeoning presence in Africa transcends traditional spheres of economic investment and infrastructure development; it extends to the realm of media, where Beijing is actively shaping narratives and exerting influence to advance its geopolitical interests. This comprehensive analysis delves deep into the multifaceted strategies employed by China to assert its dominance over Africa's media landscape, examining key events, initiatives, and their implications. 1. Expansion of Chinese State-Owned Media Outlets: China Global Television Network (CGTN), formerly known as CCTV Africa, stands as a towering symbol of China's media expansion on the African continent. With bureaus strategically positioned across Africa, CGTN produces news content specifically tailored t...
Read More
Unveiling the Submerged Symphony: The Strategic Significance of the U.S. Navy’s 2010 Submarine Surfacing Near China
30Jan ISSGBy ISSGNo Comments
Geopolitics and International Security, Asia

Unveiling the Submerged Symphony: The Strategic Significance of the U.S. Navy’s 2010 Submarine Surfacing Near China

Photo: U.S. Navy Ohio Class Submarine By José Carlos Palma* In the annals of geopolitical maneuvering, the year 2010 stands as a pivotal moment when the United States, under the Obama Administration, orchestrated a compelling and strategic demonstration of maritime dominance. The scene was set in the Indo-Pacific region, where tensions were simmering, and China's ascent as a formidable power was becoming increasingly evident. Contextualizing the Era The early 2010s were marked by a whirlwind of global events, from the signing of the technocratic Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act (Obamacare) to populist uprisings worldwide. Amidst this backdrop, China emerged as a focal point, signaling its potential to become a regional hegemon in Northeast Asia, challenging the longstanding...
Read More
China’s Rocket Force Faces Leadership Shake-up Amid Corruption Probes
2Jan ISSGBy ISSGNo Comments
Asia

China’s Rocket Force Faces Leadership Shake-up Amid Corruption Probes

By José Carlos Palma* China's People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) has experienced significant leadership changes and corruption probes, raising questions about political stability and strategic priorities in the Chinese military. The recent removal of top aerospace-defense executives and military officials has created a notable shift in the leadership landscape. The turmoil began in March 2023 with the scheduled resignation of former Rocket Force commander Wei Fenghe, followed by the replacement of Li Shangfu as China’s defense minister. Subsequent months saw the removal of key Rocket Force figures, including Li Yuchao, Xu Zhongbo, Liu Guangbin, and Zhang Zhenzhong, amid allegations of embezzlement and espionage. In July 2023, Foreign Minister Qin Gang and PLA Strategic Support...
Read More
A Deep Dive into China’s Economic Ascendancy: Unveiling the Factors Behind its Rapid Rise
14Dec ISSGBy ISSGNo Comments
Asia

A Deep Dive into China’s Economic Ascendancy: Unveiling the Factors Behind its Rapid Rise

By José Carlos Palma * China's economic transformation from a centrally planned, agrarian society to a global powerhouse is one of the most remarkable economic success stories of modern times. Its rapid ascent to the second-largest economy in the world has been met with both admiration and apprehension, with many seeking to understand the factors that have propelled its economic growth. Gradual Economic Reforms: Opening the Door to Global Markets In the late 1970s, under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping, China embarked on a series of economic reforms that marked a departure from its traditional communist economic model. These reforms, known as the "Four Modernizations," aimed to modernize agriculture, industry, science and technology, and national defense. One of the most significant re...
Read More
Shift in US-China Relations: A New Approach to Dialogue
6Oct ISSGBy ISSGNo Comments
Geopolitics and International Security, Study Office

Shift in US-China Relations: A New Approach to Dialogue

By José Carlos Palma* In a notable shift in the Biden administration's approach towards U.S.-China relations, the United States has initiated a series of dialogues and high-level engagements with Beijing, marking a departure from its earlier stance that conversations would only take place if they led to "tangible outcomes." This change in strategy aims to mend a strained relationship between the two global superpowers, which had deteriorated earlier this year when the United States shot down a Chinese spy balloon. It has the potential to culminate in a highly anticipated meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November, their first face-to-face encounter in a year. The primary objective of this new approach is to establish channels of communication and ens...
Read More
Is China Losing Patience with Russia’s War?
24Feb ISSGBy ISSGNo Comments
Asia

Is China Losing Patience with Russia’s War?

By NOAH ROTHMAN * China’s supposed peace overture is likely a product of its unease with how its junior partner in Eurasia has prosecuted the conflict. All Our Opinion in Your Inbox NR Daily is delivered right to you every afternoon. No charge. SUBSCRIBE For months, political observers have been confronted with growing evidence that the formerly durable consensus in the West around the need to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s war of territorial expansion is eroding. This developing trend has been met with both trepidation and jubilance, depending on the observer’s political affinities. The risks associated with drawing a potentially fallacious straight-line projection into the future notwithstanding, the trend is real, and no one can afford to ignore it. ...
Read More
China sanctions Lockheed Martin, Raytheon for Taiwan sales
16Feb ISSGBy ISSGNo Comments
Asia

China sanctions Lockheed Martin, Raytheon for Taiwan sales

China has imposed trade and investment sanctions on Lockheed Martin and a unit of Raytheon for supplying weapons to Taiwan, stepping up efforts to isolate the island democracy claimed by the ruling Communist Party as part of its territory. Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies' Raytheon Missiles and Defence are barred from importing goods into China or making new investments in the country, the Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday. It said they were added to the "unreliable entity" list of companies whose activities are restricted because they might endanger national sovereignty, security or development interests. It wasn't clear what impact the penalties might have. The United States bars most sales of weapons-related technology to China, but some military...
Read More
Like Us
Follow Us
Subscribe Us
Subscribe Us