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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/.
– On November 10, the U.S. and China jointly announced that their respective leaders—President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping—would meet on November 15 on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in San Francisco.
– On November 12, the U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said President Biden would seek to re-establish military communication ties with China during the Biden-Xi summit. “The president…believes it’s in the U.S. national security interest,” explained Sullivan.
– Ahead of the Biden-Xi meeting, President Xi announced that “planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed” in his opening remarks at the APEC summit. The Biden-Xi meeting also reportedly planned to touch on subjects such as AI, U.S. tech restrictions, and fentanyl.
– The results of the Biden-Xi meeting include a presidential hotline allowing the two leaders to reach each other directly, resumption of military communications, and a partnership to curb fentanyl production. President Xi also signaled that China may send new pandas to the U.S. after the recent repatriation of pandas from U.S. zoos.
– After the meeting, speaking at the APEC Summit, President Biden said the U.S. and China have “real differences” that he would address “with smart policies and strong diplomacy.” President Biden also called President Xi a ‘dictator’ “in the sense that he…runs a country…that is based on a…communist government” at a news conference following the bilateral meeting.
– Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said following the summit that the two presidents sought to “enhance trust, manage differences and expand cooperation.”
Associated News References:
“Pandas Resurface as U.S., China ‘Envoys of Friendship’,” The Wall Street Journal, November 16 [Paywall]
“Xi Jinping and Joe Biden working to ‘enhance trust’ between US and China, says Foreign Minister Wang Yi after summit,” South China Morning Post, November 16 [Paywall]
“Day After Xi Meeting, Biden Says U.S. Has ‘Real Differences’ With China,” The New York Times, November 16 [Paywall]
“Biden, Xi’s ‘blunt’ talks yield deals on military, fentanyl,” Reuters, November 16
“Earth is ‘big enough’ for U.S. and China to succeed, Xi says as he meets Biden,” CNBC, November 15
“Biden will push China to resume military ties with US, official says,” Reuters, November 13
“U.S., China Confirm Biden and Xi Will Meet in San Francisco Area,” The Wall Street Journal, November 10 [Paywall]
– The largest U.S. semiconductor equipment maker, Applied Materials, is currently under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice for evading export restrictions on Chinese chipmaker SMIC.
– Chinese company Alibaba has reversed plans to spin off and list its cloud business. Alibaba executives cite the need for a strategy “reset” as the cause for this reversal.
– On November 9, Chinese semiconductor manufacturer Yangtze Memory Technologies Co. (YMTC) filed a lawsuit against U.S. rival Micron Technology for infringement on eight of YMTC’s patents.
– Chinese internet companies are onboarding increasingly large numbers of app developers to work on projects for Huawei’s new Harmony OS system, which was developed in tandem with plans to leave the Android ecosystem.
– Chinese flying taxi manufacturer EHang Holdings rejected accusations made by its U.S. short seller, Hindenburg Research, which alleges EHang was manipulating its order numbers to mislead investors.
– U.S. chipmaker Nvidia has created a new version of AI chips that comply with U.S. regulations regarding semiconductor trade with China.
– On November 8, the World Internet Conference Summit in China broadcast a pre–recorded speech on AI risks by Chinese President Xi Jinping. China is ready to “promote the safe development of AI,” President Xi Jinping said.
Associated News References:
“Exclusive: Applied Materials under US criminal probe for shipments to China’s SMIC,” Reuters, November 17
“Alibaba Sheds $22 Billion of Value After Walking Back Spin-Off Plans,” Bloomberg, November 16 [Paywall]
“Chinese chipmaker YMTC sues Micron alleging patent infringement,” Reuters, November 13
“Chinese Big Tech firms JD.com, NetEase and Meituan in rush to hire HarmonyOS-based app developers as Huawei aims to sever Android ties,” South China Morning Post, November 13 [Paywall]
“Chinese flying taxi maker EHang rejects US short seller’s fraud accusations over firm’s 1,300-unit pre-orders,” South China Morning Post, November 9 [Paywall]
“Nvidia plans to release three new chips for China – analysts,” Reuters, November 9
“China’s Xi urges countries unite in tackling AI challenges but makes no mention of internet controls,” AP, November 8
– The APEC Summit was dominated by the Biden-Xi meeting, despite the meeting occurring on the sidelines of the summit. APEC leaders agreed “to deliver a free, open, fair…and predictable trade and investment environment.”
– President Biden also told corporate CEOs at the summit that the U.S. government “will continue..to better facilitate high-standard trade that advances workers’ rights through strong enforcement of labor standards.” Highlighting ties between the U.S. and Pacific nations, Biden reaffirmed the U.S. is “not going anywhere” concerning the Pacific.
– President Biden also confirmed to the business executives that the U.S. was “de-risking and diversifying,” but not “decoupling” from China.
– In early-November leading up to the APEC Summit, the U.S. approved a large number of visas for Chinese journalists, allowing them to enter the U.S. in a sign of warming relations.
– Chinese President Xi Jinping invited a group of his “old friends” from Iowa to dine with him on the sidelines of the APEC summit in San Francisco. President Xi first met them 38 years ago during a visit to Iowa. At another dinner, President Xi said in a speech that “whatever stage of development it may reach, China will never pursue hegemony or expansion, and will never impose its will on others.”
Associated News References:
“Apec summit ends with unity on WTO reform but not Gaza or Ukraine,” The Guardian, November 18
“At APEC, Biden touts workers’ rights, stable Chinese relations,” Reuters, November 17
“Biden tells Asia-Pacific leaders US ‘not going anywhere’ as he looks to build economic ties,” AP, November 16
“Dining with US firms at APEC, Xi says China is ready to be a partner,” Reuters, November 16
“US Grants Chinese Journalists Hundreds of Visas For APEC,” Bloomberg, November 14 [Paywall]
“Xi Jinping’s ‘Old Friends’ From Iowa Get a Dinner Invitation,” Bloomberg, November 11 [Paywall]
– In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson on November 19, the House China Select Committee labeled U.S. President Biden’s request for $2 billion for the Indo-Pacific emergency aid request as “wholly inadequate.” They requested an additional $12 billion “to safeguard peace in Asia and deter conflict on a scale we have not seen in generations,” the committee wrote in the letter.
– A recently released Chicago Council on Global Affairs poll revealed that nearly three out of five Americans see China’s rise as a threat to U.S. interests.
– The World Trade Organization’s deputy director general, Zhang Xiangchen, warned at the Caixin Summit that trade between China and the U.S. is much more intertwined than people realize. “Both parties should work together to seek a relatively stable relationship,” said Zhang.
– Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking in a pre–recorded video for the opening of the Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance in Sanya, Hainan, China, that the world’s oceans should not be used for “decoupling and creating obstacles that separate the world.”
Associated News References:
“China committee Republicans: Biden’s request for Taiwan aid is ‘wholly inadequate’,” Politico, November 20
“More Americans concerned China’s rise is threat to US national interest than any time since 1990: survey,” South China Morning Post, November 14 [Paywall]
“US-China relations: ‘huge differences’ must not stand in the way of communication, WTO official says,” South China Morning Post, November 9 [Paywall]
“China’s top diplomat Wang Yi calls for nations to reject ‘bloc confrontation’ in swipe at US,” South China Morning Post, November 8 [Paywall]
“Rivals Vow To Back Israel And Argue Over China And Ukraine At The Third Debate,” AP, November 8
– The People’s Bank of China announced that Mastercard will be able to issue yuan–backed cards in China through domestic banks.
– The Chinese government is reportedly considering a deal with Boeing to purchase some of their 737 Max jetliners, to be revealed at the APEC Summit. Boeing has not sold any of these jetliners to China since 2018.
– A U.S. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) branch was hit with a ransomware attack, disrupting some of its systems. Some reports say that the attack may have affected market liquidity.
– China Investment Corp (CIC), a $1.35 trillion sovereign wealth fund, hired Bai Xiaoqing from Beijing to head the North American branch located in New York.
– On November 8, the U.S. International Development Finance Corp (DFC) announced a $553 million project to build a shipping terminal at the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka. The project will strengthen “the position of our allies across the region,” said DFC Chief Executive Officer Scott Nathan.
– Cloud Software Group emailed plans to clients and partners to cease all business transactions in China and Hong Kong, citing rising costs in the market.
Associated News References:
“MasterCard Scores China Breakthrough After Biden-Xi Summit,” The Wall Street Journal, November 20 [Paywall
“China Weighs Ending Freeze on Boeing With 737 Max Deal in US,” Bloomberg, November 12 [Paywall]
“Ransomware attack on China’s biggest bank may have hit US Treasury market,” CNN, November 10
“Exclusive: China’s sovereign fund appoints new North America chief -sources,” Reuters, November 10
“US plans to build a $553 million terminal at Sri Lanka’s Colombo port in rivalry with China,” AP, November 9
“China’s Appeal Is Waning for U.S. Companies. Citrix Has Joined the Exodus.,” The Wall Street Journal, November 8 [Paywall]
“China Steps Up Support for Palestinian Cause in Challenge to U.S. Mideast Policy,” The Wall Street Journal, November 21 [Paywall]
“McDonald’s to buy Carlyle’s stake in its China business for $1.8bn,” Financial Times, November 21 [Paywall]
“Taiwan presidential front-runner picks former de facto ambassador to US as vice president candidate,” The Seattle Times, November 20
“Trump vows to kill Asia trade deal being pursued by Biden if elected,” Reuters, November 18
“China’s state media take a new tone toward the US ahead of meeting between their leaders,” AP, November 15
“U.S. and China Agree to Displace Fossil Fuels by Ramping Up Renewables,” The New York Times, November 14 [Paywall]
“Taiwan says US using ‘all possible ways’ to support defence against China,” Financial Times, November 13 [Paywall]
“Top US military official doubts China wants to invade Taiwan,” Financial Times, November 10 [Paywall]
“China education: systemic weak points could fracture tech ambitions, US commission alleges,” South China Morning Post, November 10 [Paywall]
by Andrew Elek
November 21, 2023
Foreword (Excerpt)
“The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum was launched in November 1989. Ministers from twelve regional economies gathered in Canberra to commence effective consultations among the region’s decision-makers in order to:
…This report is a first-hand account of one of the senior officials ‘present at the creation’ of APEC in Canberra in November 1989 (the first Economic Leaders’ Meeting was still four years away). Andrew Elek was an Australian government official who served as the chair of senior officials. He worked closely with Foreign Affairs Minister Gareth Evans and Secretary Dick Woolcott. First, to shape the APEC concept, then conduct a year of intense diplomacy. That led to a successful meeting of senior officials in September, then the ministerial-level meeting in November.
This is his personal account. It is also a riveting one of the delicate task of broaching and obtaining buy-in for the APEC concept, first from the Australian government itself, then from a broad set of the Asia-Pacific’s powerful sovereign actors on terms that hewed to the vision and founding design of APEC’s intellectual architects. For those inclined to savor a taste of history, there is even a cameo appearance by Premier Li Peng at the peak of the Tiananmen protests.
“Buckle up and enjoy the ride.”
-Sourabh Gupta, Senior Fellow, Institute for China-America Studies
5th China-U.S.-Canada Trilateral Relations Roundtable
Hosted by Institute for China-America Studies; Co-sponsored with National Institute for South China Sea Studies (NISCS), China Institute University of Alberta, and The Carter Center
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
On Wednesday, October 18, 2023, the 5th China-U.S.-Canada Trilateral Relations Roundtable was held at the Institute for China-America Studies’ (ICAS) office in Washington, D.C. The 5th Trilateral Roundtable was conducted under Chatham House rules and consisted of two panels: Panel 1 on Politics & Security and Panel 2 on Trade & Climate, with a total of 13 expert participants gathered from across China, the United States and Canada. During each panel, every participant first contributed short opening remarks in response to a set of prepared questions relevant to the topic of their choice. After their initial remarks, each panel engaged in a moderated group discussion, joined by questions and comments from all gathered participants. The event began and was concluded with introductory and closing remarks, respectively, by senior officials from the institutions co-sponsoring the roundtable: the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, The Carter Center, and the China Institute, University of Alberta.
Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance 2023
Grand Hyatt Sanya Haitang Bay Sanya, China (Hybrid)
Thursday, November 8, 2023 – Friday, November 9, 2023 (GMT+8, Beijing)
Dr. Nong Hong, ICAS Executive Director & Senior Researcher, and Mr. Yilun Zhang, ICAS Research Associate, participated in the Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance (GMCOG) 2023 held in Sanya, China from November 8-9, 2023. Dr. Nong Hong moderated “Session 6: BBNJ Agreement and Global Ocean Governance” and presented in “Session 7: Global Climate Change and Polar Research.” Mr. Yilun Zhang presented in “Session 2: Mutual Confidence Building in the South China Sea from the Perspective of Global Security Initiative.”
Visit by Nanjing University Scholars with ICAS Staff
Monday, November 6, 2023
On Monday, November 6, 2023, ICAS Staff hosted a short visit by scholars from Nanjing University to discuss current U.S.-China relations and think tank research operations.
by Sourabh Gupta
November 20, 2023
The meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will have a far-reaching impact as the two sides have agreed to continue talks on renewing the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement. Over the past five years, economic ties between the two countries have been battered by a raft of unilateral decoupling measures…
by Zhangchen Wang
November 14, 2023
On November 9, 2023, the Wilson Center held an event on the topic of “Unpacking China’s Climate Action.” As the title of the event suggests, the panelists walked through some of the progress or slippage China has made in climate action since the signature of the U.S.-China Joint Glasgow Declaration in 2021. Since the U.S.-China climate cooperation stalled for a long time due to rising political tensions, both countries have been independently accelerating their climate action. Thus, the panelists also compared some of China’s progress with the developing trends of climate actions in the United States…
by Jacqueline Cheng
November 11, 2023
On Wednesday, November 8, 2023, the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) held an online discussion on what intellectual property (IP) issues Taiwanese companies are facing as they operate within China’s sphere of influence, as well as how U.S. firms can learn from and respond to similar situations. Titled “Manufacturing beyond Shores: The Taiwanese Checklist Approach to Intellectual Property Protection,” this event was held a few months after CSIS released a report by the same name. The goal of the event was to discuss general conclusions made by the report, including the risks that foreign firms face in China regarding IP theft, which stretches across many industries, as well as what actions stakeholders can take to mitigate that risk. The event was conducted as a two-way conversation between host Alexander Kersten, deputy director and fellow of CSIS’ Renewing American Innovation Project, and panelist Emma Hsu, non-resident adjunct fellow of the same project…
by Amanda Jin
November 6, 2023
On November 6, 2023, the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) hosted a fireside chat with Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, the ranking member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and Chinese Communist Party (thereafter the “China Committee”). Jude Blanchette, Freeman Chair in China Studies at CSIS, moderated the discussion with Rep. Krishnamoorthi. During the event, Rep. Krishnamoorthi presented the recent updates on the China Committee and shared some of his personal views about broader U.S. policy on China…
On Sunday, November 19, Senior Fellow Sourabh Gupta discussed U.S.-China relations following the Xi-Biden meeting on Asharq News’ Washington Report.
On Saturday, November 18, Senior Fellow Sourabh Gupta was quoted by Xinhua News on President Xi Jinping’s written address at the APEC CEO Summit.
On Saturday, November 18, Senior Fellow Sourabh Gupta discussed the Biden-Xi summit on CGTN Dialogue.
On Friday, November 17, Senior Fellow Sourabh Gupta was interviewed by China Daily on the APEC Summit and China’s future role within the forum.
On Friday, November 17, Distinguished Fellow Denis Simon was interviewed by Xinhua News on the Biden-Xi summit in San Francisco.
On Thursday, November 16, Senior Fellow Sourabh Gupta was quoted by Xinhua News speaking on APEC’s historical role and the pathways forward.
On Thursday, November 16, Distinguished Fellow Denis Simon was quoted in The Herald on the upcoming meeting between President Xi and President Biden.
On Thursday, November 16, Senior Fellow Sourabh Gupta discussed the Biden-Xi summit on CGTN America’s The Heat.
On Wednesday, November 15, Senior Fellow Sourabh Gupta previewed the Biden-Xi meeting in San Francisco on CGTN America.
On Wednesday, November 15, Senior Fellow Sourabh Gupta was interviewed by Global Times on U.S.-China relations leading up to the San Francisco APEC Summit.
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