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ICAS Bulletin (online ISSN 2836-3418, print ISSN 2836-340X) is published every other week throughout the year at 1919 M St NW, Suite 310, Washington, DC 20036.
The online version of ICAS Bulletin can be found at chinaus-icas.org/bulletins/.
– National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a briefing that the Biden administration supports the ongoing efforts by Congress to “provide greater transparency on U.S. investment into China” in critical sectors.
– On July 13, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Gary Gensler expressed doubt that negotiations between Washington and Beijing over audits will succeed.
– Despite Congress being out of session, U.S. senators have continued to speak out as Republicans are starting to back Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s statements that could threaten the U.S.-China competition bill known as USICA.
– On July 6, the heads of the American and British law enforcement agencies FBI and MI5, respectively, released an “unprecedented” joint statement warning about “espionage and other economic threats from China.”
– Responding to the joint statement, Chinese MFA spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the remarks “lack factual basis” and reflect “Cold War zero-sum mentality and ideological prejudice.”
– The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security has begun applying the economic tools and techniques originally used to counter Russia over Ukraine to try and limit China’s military and technological growth.
Associated News References:
“White House wants transparency on American investment in China,” The Washington Post, July 13 [Paywall]
“SEC’s Gensler Casts Doubt on Prospects for China Audit Deal,” The Wall Street Journal, July 13 [Paywall]
“McConnell gets GOP backup in his move to snarl bipartisan U.S.-China bill,” Politico, July 11
“China Rejects U.S.-U.K. Espionage Claims,” The Wall Street Journal, July 7 [Paywall]
“U.S. and British Law Enforcement Agencies Issue Unprecedented Warning About Chinese Espionage Efforts,” National Law Review, July 11
“U.S. Aims to Expand Export Bans on China Over Security and Human Rights,” The New York Times, July 5 [Paywall]
– While finishing an 11-day visit to the Indo-Pacific region, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she will call for deeper trade alliances to combat inflation and counter China’s “unfair trade practices.”
– Jay Shambaugh, the nominee for Treasury Undersecretary for International Affairs, said at his confirmation hearing that he wants to work with global parties to give nations borrowing alternatives to China.
– Derek Chollet, a career foreign policy specialist and current Counselor of the U.S. State Department, said that the participation of several Asian states in the recent NATO summit marks a “consequential shift” in the transatlantic security partnership’s mandate towards confronting China’s rise.
– Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi told the various member states of ASEAN to avoid being used as “chess pieces” by global powers in the region during an address to ASEAN’s Secretariat.
– On July 6, Chinese MFA spokesperson Zhao Lijian described “the so-called rules-based international order” as “actually a family rule made by a handful of countries to serve the U.S. self-interest.”
Associated News References:
“U.S., allies cannot allow China to dominate raw materials, technologies, Yellen says,” Reuters, July 18 [Paywall]
“U.S. Treasury diplomat nominee aims to curb China’s lending influence,” CNBC, July 12
“U.S. to open new embassies, boost aid in Pacific as China’s sway grows,” The Washington Post, July 12 [Paywall]
“U.S. envoy sees ‘consequential shift’ in NATO, Asia ties amid China challenges,” Reuters, July 11 [Paywall]
“China says Asian nations should avoid being used as chess pieces,” Al Jazeera, July 11
“Ahead of G-20 ministers’ meeting, China slams US, NATO,” AP News, July 6
– On July 15, China’s Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu held bilateral meetings in Washington with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe, and Governor Gavin Newsom, marking the first time a Chinese official at or above the ministerial level has made a public visit to Washington during the Biden administration.
– Officials in Beijing and Washington are planning a virtual meeting between President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping “as soon as the last week of July.”
– On July 8, on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Bali, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi held a five-hour meeting in which Blinken pressed Wang Yi to oppose Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, among discussions of other key issues.
– After virtual talks were held between Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, China’s commerce ministry announced that the trade and economic teams of the U.S. and China have agreed to “maintain close communication.”
Associated News References:
“Chinese minister’s trip to US a sign of collaboration on climate and a hint of hope for ties,” South China Morning Post, July 18 [Paywall]
“Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu met U.S. federal and local government officials,” Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China, July 18 [In Chinese]
“Biden, Xi to Speak Virtually as Soon as Late July,” Voice of America, July 11
“Blinken asks China to stand up against Russia’s war in Ukraine,” The Hill, July 9
“Blinken, China’s Wang Yi hold talks covering Ukraine war and trade,” Reuters, July 9 [Paywall]
“Blinken Raises Concerns about Ukraine with Chinese Counterpart,” Voice of America, July 9
“U.S., China top diplomats hold ‘constructive’ first talks in months,” The Hindu, July 9
“China, U.S. trade teams agree to maintain close communication: China commerce ministry,” Reuters, July 7 [Paywall]
– On July 13, the destroyer USS Benfold performed a freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) near the Chinese-controlled Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, intended to challenge Beijing’s claim that the waters within the archipelago are China’s “territorial sea.”
– On July 12, the sixth anniversary of an international tribunal’s ruling against China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed that the U.S. would come to the defense of the Philippines if its forces in the South China Sea came under attack. Blinken also called on China to “abide by its obligations under international law and cease its provocative behavior” in the critical waterway.
– On July 12, Vice President Kamala Harris announced in a virtual address to the Pacific Islands Forum that the U.S. will expand its diplomatic presence throughout the Pacific by building new embassies and increasing aid.
– The US Naval Institute published a report calling on the U.S. to adopt a counter-insurgency naval strategy in Southeast Asia against China.
Associated News References:
“US employs ‘tuna politics’ to resist China’s Pacific push,” Financial Times, July 13 [Paywall]
“US Navy destroyer performs freedom of navigation exercise in South China Sea,” CNN, July 13
“U.S. urges China to end ‘provocative’ behaviour in South China Sea,” Reuters, July 12 [Paywall]
“US warns it will defend ally if China breaks sea ruling,” AP News, July 12
“U.S. VP Harris will join Pacific Islands meeting in push to counter China,” Reuters, July 12 [Paywall]
“U.S. to open new embassies, boost aid in Pacific as China’s sway grows,” The Washington Post, July 12 [Paywall]
“South China Sea: US-led Southeast Asian strategy to contain Beijing would ‘complicate’ disputes, Chinese experts warn,” South China Morning Post, July 9 [Paywall]
– After U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced she would lead a delegation to Taipei in August, Beijing spokesman Zhao Lijian said this visit would have a “grave impact” on U.S.-China ties.
– On July 18, the Chinese Ministry of Defense “demanded” that the U.S. immediately cancel its latest arms sale to Taiwan, which is worth an estimated $108 million.
– The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation inviting Taiwan to be part of the 2024 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.
– Urging the U.S. to respect China’s sovereignty and stick with the one-China principle, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned of “ferocious storms” if the principle is not upheld.
– Wang Yi previously told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken that the United States should refrain from sending wrong signals to “Taiwan independence forces.”
– During a meeting with his U.S. equivalent, China’s Chief of Staff Li Zuocheng demanded the U.S. to “cease U.S.-Taiwan military collusion and avoid impacting China-U.S. ties and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”
– F.B.I. director Christopher Wray said that China is seeking to “cushion themselves from harm” resulting from international sanctions, warning Western companies could be caught between sanctions and Chinese laws.
Associated News References:
“China Warns Taiwan Visit by Pelosi Would Have ‘Grave Impact,’” Bloomberg, July 19 [Paywall]
“China demands U.S. cancel potential arms sale to Taiwan,” Reuters, July 18 [Paywall]
“US House passes act supporting Taiwan’s participation in 2024 RIMPAC,” Taiwan News, July 15
“China’s foreign minister Wang Yi warns of ‘ferocious storms’ if one-China policy is abandoned by US and Taipei,” South China Morning Post, July 11 [Paywall]
“China’s Wang Yi says direction of U.S.-China ties in danger of going ‘astray,’” Reuters, July 9 [Paywall]
“China demands end to US-Taiwan military ‘collusion,’” AP News, July 7
“China Seeks to Pre-Empt Sanctions in Case of Taiwan Clash, F.B.I. Chief Says,” The New York Times, July 6 [Paywall]
“China holdings of U.S. debt fall below $1 trillion for the first time since 2010,” CNBC, July 18
“Top US general orders comprehensive review of US-China military interactions,” CNN, July 18
“China’s Leader Visits Xinjiang for the First Time Since Imposing Crackdown,” The New York Times, July 15 [Paywall]
“Australia’s defense minister warns of China’s military build-up,” AXIOS, July 12
“Top US envoy in Hong Kong rebukes China in farewell speech,” Channel News Asia, July 11
“China’s Delivery Drone Rollout: Slow but Steady,” The Diplomat, July 10 [Paywall]
“NASA warns China trying to take over the Moon,” Asia Times, July 9
“Beijing imposes mainland China’s first Covid vaccine mandate in face of Omicron subvariant,” CNN, July 7
“China takes wider aim at foreign tech with national standards plan,” Nikkei Asia, July 6 [Paywall]
“China Accuses US of ‘Technological Terrorism’ as Chip Curbs Grow,” Bloomberg, July 6 [Paywall]
“U.S. Aims to Expand Export Bans on China Over Security and Human Rights,” The New York Times, July 5 [Paywall]
July 19 hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies
July 18 hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
June 16 hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
July 14 hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies
July 6 hosted by the Center of Strategic and International Studies
July 20 hosted by the U.S.-China Business Council
July 21 hosted by the Atlantic Council
July 21 hosted by SupChina
July 26 hosted by Center for Strategic and International Studies
August 3 hearing by U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission
August 4 hosted by SupChina
Virtual Book Talk on Dispatches From the South China Sea: Navigating to Common Ground
Hosted by University of Alberta, China Institute
Thursday, July 14, 2022
On Thursday, July 14, 2022, ICAS Executive Director Nong Hong moderated a virtual book talk and Q&A session with James Borton, the author of Dispatches from the South China Sea: Navigating to Common Ground. The hour-long discussion included a presentation from the author followed by questions from Dr. Nong Hong and the audience on Borton’s research methodology and his expert perceptions on key issues like managing multilateral relations, IUU fishing, and environmental degradation in the South China Sea.
GWU Summer Program Students Visit ICAS to Hear About US-China Relations
Friday, July 8, 2022
On Friday, July 8, 2022, two groups of high school students from a George Washington University summer program visited the ICAS office to learn about the Washington, DC think tank community and the complexities of U.S.-China relations. The two back-to-back visits largely focused on understanding the Belt and Road Initiative and the impact of other current events on the progression of U.S.-China relations in diplomacy, trade, technology, society and security.
This student visit is part of the Institute’s vision to nurture future thought-leaders by engaging policy questions with sincerity and frankness and providing a window into the worldviews of both the United States and China, and thereby serve as a vehicle to promote greater understanding between these two countries and societies.
Interview with James Borton on science diplomacy as a solution to the South China Sea maritime disputes
Friday, July 1, 2022
James Borton joins ICAS in this installment of Expert Voices Initiative to discuss how multilateral science diplomacy can help resolve disputes and improve regional security in the South China Sea. On the agenda for discussion are:
On Monday, July 18, 2022, Senior Fellow Sourabh Gupta was quoted by China Daily on President Biden’s and President Putin’s recent visits to the Middle East.
On Sunday, July 10, 2022, Senior Fellow Sourabh Gupta discussed the Antony Blinken-Wang Yi bilateral meeting on CGTN America.
The Institute for China-America Studies is an independent nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to strengthening the understanding of U.S.-China relations through expert analysis and practical policy solutions.
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