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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 January 1, to mark the 45th anniversary of the founding of official U.S.-China diplomatic ties, Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden exchanged letters in which both parties emphasized a mutual commitment to encourage peaceful coexistence.
– As defense leaders in the U.S. and China continue to work towards planning the bilateral engagements agreed upon by their presidents in November 2023, China named former Navy chief Dong Jun as its new defense minister.
– On December 28, a week after U.S. and Chinese officials resumed high-level talks, China’s defense ministry spokesperson criticized the U.S.’ “Cold War mindset” and its “selfish” increase in deployments to the Asia-Pacific.
– The U.S. and China have celebrated progress in climate diplomacy through the joint works of U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry and his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua, but Xie will soon be leaving his position and Kerry may also.
– On December 21, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman General CQ Brown spoke with his Chinese counterpart General Liu Zhenli in a videoconference, marking the first bilateral senior military communication since August 2022.
Associated News References:
“Xi Jinping and Joe Biden Advocate for Peaceful Coexistence in Diplomatic Letters,” BNN, January 2, 2024
“Chinese ex-Navy chief, with South China Sea background, named defence minister,” Reuters, December 29, 2023
“China’s military lashes out at US after breakthrough talks,” Reuters, December 28, 2023
“US-China climate relations brace for US election, envoy change,” Reuters, December 22, 2023
“US-China military dialogue resumes for first time in over a year as top American officer talks with counterpart,” South China Morning Post, December 21, 2023 [Paywall]
– On December 26, Beijing’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced the banning of U.S. research company Kharon and two of its analysts from entering China over reports on minority rights abuses.
– U.S. officials are reportedly becoming increasingly concerned about the theft of artificial intelligence (AI) secrets from the U.S. as Beijing has publicly prioritized AI as a vital technology to reach breakthroughs by 2025.
– The New York-based nonprofit EcoHealth Alliance, who were involved in coronavirus research in China, is being investigated as to whether they double-billed Washington.
– On December 21, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced a survey launch, set for January, of the U.S. semiconductor supply chain and national defense industrial base to “reduce national security risks posed by” China and identify the sourcing of “legacy chips.”
– Moore Threads Intelligent Technology, a US-sanctioned Chinese graphics processing unit company, has released a new graphics card that is being called China’s first GPU-based computing hub for AI training.
Associated News References:
“China sanctions a US research firm and 2 individuals over reports on rights abuses,” ABC News, December 27, 2023
“China Is Stealing AI Secrets to Turbocharge Spying, U.S. Says,” The Wall Street Journal, December 25, 2023 [Paywall]
“Investigators Probe Whether U.S. Was Billed Twice for Coronavirus Research in China,” The Wall Street Journal, December 23, 2023 [Paywall]
“China import concerns spur US to launch semiconductor supply chain review,” Reuters, December 21, 2023
“US-sanctioned Chinese chip start-up Moore Threads unveils GPU-based computing centre, AI graphics card,” South China Morning Post, December 20, 2023 [Paywall]
– Chinese battery maker Gotion High Tech has successfully produced its first battery packs from its new facility in Fremont, California, marking the official start of its “Made in USA” initiative.
– For the first time, China’s BYD outsold its U.S. rival Tesla in battery-only cars in the last quarter of 2023.
– Chinese smartphone company Xiaomi announced plans to enter the EV market by unveiling its ‘Xiaomi SU7’ model car set to hit China’s market in a “few months.”
– On December 22, Tesla successfully purchased a piece of land in Shanghai’s Lingang free-trade zone to construct a ‘Megafactory’ where it plans to produce 10,000 of its Megapack large-scale batteries annually.
– Biden administration officials are reportedly debating whether to raise tariffs on Chinese EVs, amidst other goods. Chinese EVs are already subject to a 25% tariff.
Associated News References:
“Gotion rolls out first battery packs from its Fremont facility in US,” ETN, January 2, 2024
“China’s BYD overtakes Tesla as top-selling electric car seller,” The Guardian, January 2, 2024
“China’s Xiaomi unveils its first EV as it looks to compete with Porsche, Tesla,” CNBC, December 28, 2023
“Chinese Carmaker Overtakes Tesla as World’s Most Popular EV Maker,” Bloomberg, December 26, 2023 [Paywall]
“Tesla secures a site in Shanghai to build its Megapack energy-storage battery plant,” South China Morning Post, December 22, 2023 [Paywall]
”Biden Administration Explores Raising Tariffs on Chinese EVs,” The Wall Street Journal, December 21, 2023 [Paywall]
“After TikTok-owner ByteDance cuts the fat to focus on fundamentals, social commerce challenges and US election loom,” South China Morning Post, December 27, 2023 [Paywall]
“Steamy Romances and Vampires: The Chinese-Backed App Appealing to American Moms,” The Wall Street Journal, December 26, 2023 [Paywall]
“Apple supplier Luxshare to take control of key iPhone plant in eastern China via US$300 million deal with Taiwan’s Pegatron,” South China Morning Post, December 29, 2023 [Paywall]
“This N.Y.U. Student Owns a $6 Million Crypto Mine. His Secret Is Out.,” The New York Times, December 25, 2023 [Paywall]
“Chinese spaceplane being followed by six mysterious objects transmitting repeating signal,” UNILAD, December 22, 2023
“Boeing’s first Dreamliner delivery to China since 2019 arrives,” Reuters, December 22, 2023
“Beijing shrugs at U.S. call for help protecting Red Sea shipping,” Politico, December 21, 2023
December 20, 2023 hosted by Atlantic Council
December 19, 2023 hosted by Council on Foreign Relations
December 18, 2023 hosted by Hudson Institute
December 15, 2023 hosted by Brookings
December 15 hosted by Asia Society
December 15 hosted by Center for a New American Security
January 5 hosted by Center for Strategic & International Studies
January 9 hosted by The Carter Center
January 16 hosted by Center for Strategic & International Studies
January 17 hosted by Georgetown University
January 18 hosted by Center for Strategic & International Studies
January 18 hosted by U.S.-China Business Council
January 23 hosted by Stimson Center
January 23 hosted by Hudson Institute
January 25 hosted by Asia Society
US-China Global Maritime Relations (Routledge, 2024)
By Nong Hong
Release Date: January 1, 2024
This book explores the U.S.-China global maritime relationship, examining the development and implementation of the maritime strategies of both the United States and China.
Delving into the U.S.-China maritime relationship within the global context, the book investigates six key maritime regions: the South China Sea, the Northeast Asia waters (the East China Sea, the Yellow Sea), the Indian Ocean, the South Pacific Ocean, as well as the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Its observations form a comprehensive exploration of these regions and their significance in shaping the dynamics between the two nations, and this analysis reveals that an expanded view is necessary to discover and clearly display the role that these maritime regions currently—and could potentially—play in overarching U.S.-China relations.
Examining both the ongoing conflicts and opportunities for cooperation in the global maritime domain between the United States and China, this book will be a valuable resource to students and scholars of international relations, Chinese and U.S. politics, strategic studies, and maritime studies.
Stay Tuned for the Blue Carbon & Climate Change 2023 Q4 Release!
This week, the ICAS Blue Carbon & Climate Change Program will be releasing its BCCC Quarterly newsletter for 2023 Q4. Released each quarter, the BCCC Quarterly records the most important trends and developments regarding blue carbon policies and regulations in China, the U.S., and other regions, as well as international regimes, such as under the United Nations framework. It also includes two special sections—the ‘Theme of the Quarter’ and the ‘Blue Carbon Country Profile’—that aim to bring a fresh and applicable element to each issue.
This issue features a ‘Theme of the Quarter’ on “Multinational Climate Engagements” and a ‘Blue Carbon Country Profile’ on ‘The United Kingdom.’
“Transitioning away” from fossil fuels requires patience and fresh ideas
By Zhangchen Wang
January 1, 2024
One of the most commendable achievements of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly known simply as COP28—is the joint agreement by nearly 200 countries to commit to transitioning away from fossil fuels from this point forward. This is the first time in history that the international community has reached a consensus on the future of fossil fuels, marking a significant milestone in global joint actions to address climate change. This agreement was hard-won. The two-week long COP28 even had to go into one day of “overtime” to finally seal the agreement on December 13…
At the end of every quarter, ICAS releases four newsletter collections—one for each of ICAS’ four regular newsletters—to assist our audience in tracking the trends across the quarter as well as sharing the content with others. With the end of the year now behind us, the 2023 volumes of ICAS newsletters are now complete!
Like with all of our content, ICAS newsletters are freely available to the public with the aim of helping all parties better understand trends in and related to U.S.-China relations.
ICAS Bulletin
(ISSN 2836-3418)
Released every other week, the ICAS Bulletin updates a global audience on Western perspectives regarding the most important bilateral relationship in the world. Recent news trends in U.S.-China relations are succinctly summarized here alongside information about expert opinion publications, events at U.S.-based institutions, and recent updates on ICAS activities.
Trade ‘n Technology Program Dispatch
(ISSN 2837-3863)
Released every other week, the ICAS TnT Dispatch is an informational, curated product built to inform readers of the most notable recent changes in U.S.-China trade and technology relations.
Maritime Affairs Program Handbill
(ISSN 2837-3901)
Released the last Tuesday of every month, MAP Handbills are a regular newsletter that highlights the major news stories, research products, analyses, and events occurring in or with regard to the global maritime domain during the past month. Each issue also includes a Spotlight: a short-form written background and analysis of a specific issue related to maritime affairs, which changes with each issue.
Blue Carbon & Climate Change Program Quarterly
(ISSN 2837-3979)
Released once each quarter, the BCCC Quarterly records the most important trends and developments regarding blue carbon policies and regulations in China, the U.S., and other regions, as well as international regimes, such as under the United Nations framework. The ICAS Team will also produce a Chinese language version of this product to disseminate to an Asian audience so that both sides have access to our research.
On Monday, December 25, 2023, Senior Fellow Sourabh Gupta was interviewed by China Daily on the outlook for U.S.-China ties, especially as they relate to technology.
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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