CSIS China Power Project

What is Xi Jinping thought, and how does it conceptualize China’s role on the world stage? Dr. Steve Tsang joins the Podcast to discuss this and more. Listen here:

The Political Thought of Xi Jinping | ChinaPower Project In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. Steve Tsang joins us to discuss his new book The Political Thought of Xi Jinping, coauthored with Dr. Olivia Cheung. Dr. Tsang explains that Xi Jinping thought is vastly different from the thought and practices of his predecessors,...

The actual amount that China spends on its military is hotly debated. Why do estimates vary so widely? Learn more in our feature on China’s military spending:

What Does China Really Spend on its Military? | ChinaPower Project A country’s defense spending represents the most direct way of measuring its potential military capability.

In recent days, newly elected Japanese PM Ishiba signaled to strengthen bilateral security cooperation with US, ROK, and other allies in the region. Learn more about how regional dynamics could drive Chinese military investments: http://bit.ly/PRCDefenseSpending

“15 years ago, the focus was on upsides of the [U.S.-China relationship]...now, the political toxicity of anything China related is dominating debates both at the [U.S.] federal and state and local levels” argues Dr. Kyle Jaros on the podcast:

U.S.-China Subnational Diplomacy | ChinaPower Project In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. Kyle Jaros and Dr. Sara Newland join us to explore the evolution of U.S.-China subnational diplomacy. They begin by examining the history and current landscape of US-China relations at the subnational level. They point out specifically that...

How has the CCP’s treatment of certain ethnic minorities impacted China’s international image? Dr. Aaron Glasserman speaks to this and more on this episode of the Podcast:

China’s Ethnic Minority Policy | ChinaPower Project In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. Aaron Glasserman joins us to discuss China’s ethnic minority policies. Dr. Glasserman speaks to the makeup of China’s 55 ethnic minority populations and the evolution of China’s policies towards the groups. Dr. Glasserman discusses the idea that.....

Under what circumstances would Beijing implement a law enforcement-led quarantine of Taiwan? U.S. and Taiwan experts that we surveyed had differing views. Read our feature to learn about areas of convergence and divergence in experts’ views on China: https://bit.ly/CP_Taiwan_Survey_2023

EV sales in China reached 880,000 in the month of August alone, up 31% year-on-year. How does the electrification of China’s transportation sector alleviate some of China’s energy insecurities? Dr. Michael Davidson breaks it down in our latest Podcast:

China’s Evolving Energy Security | ChinaPower Project In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. Michael Davidson joins us to discuss China’s energy security. Dr. Davidson gives an overview of China’s energy landscape and compares it to that of other countries, such as the United States. He explains how China’s energy priorities...

“There is a diplomatic charm offensive happening,” explains Dr. Kyle Jaros on Chinese officials coming to the United States to meet with government and business actors. Listen to our podcast on U.S.-China subnational diplomacy here:

U.S.-China Subnational Diplomacy | ChinaPower Project In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. Kyle Jaros and Dr. Sara Newland join us to explore the evolution of U.S.-China subnational diplomacy. They begin by examining the history and current landscape of US-China relations at the subnational level. They point out specifically that...

In 2023, China received a Freedom Score of 9, indicating it is “not free.” Other large economies scored much higher, making China an outlier when comparing economic power to political freedoms. Learn more with our GDP tracker: bit.ly/tracker_gdp

China and Japan have historically been the top foreign holders of U.S. debt. How have their debt holdings changed over time and what risk do these debts pose for America? Learn more in our feature:

Is it a Risk for America that China Holds So Much U.S. Debt? | ChinaPower Project Many worry that China’s ownership of American debt affords the Chinese leverage over the US, but this worry stems from a misunderstanding of sovereign debt.

“China puts a lot of emphasis on the importance of subnational relations at a time when bilateral relations [with the U.S.] are strained,” states Dr. Kyle Jaros. Learn more about U.S.-China subnational diplomacy on our podcast here:

U.S.-China Subnational Diplomacy | ChinaPower Project In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. Kyle Jaros and Dr. Sara Newland join us to explore the evolution of U.S.-China subnational diplomacy. They begin by examining the history and current landscape of US-China relations at the subnational level. They point out specifically that...

When speaking on Article 8 of China’s Anti-Secession Law, Prof. Jacques deLisle argues that the ‘non-peaceful’ means of unifying with Taiwan is “China trying to normalize its exercise of powers within areas that it claims to be under its jurisdiction.”

Unpacking China’s Anti-Secession Law | ChinaPower Project In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, we are joined by Dr. I-Chung Lai and Professor Jacques deLisle to unpack China’s 2005 Anti-Secession Law and its important implications for cross-Strait relations—the topic of an international conference co-hosted by CSIS and Prospect Foundation in earl...

China’s official defense budget has more than doubled in the last decade. Track China’s growing defense budget in our feature: http://bit.ly/CP_milspend

Taiwan’s major shipping ports are located on the island’s west coast, close to mainland China. If China can control traffic into just one port, it can achieve significant influence over what gets into Taiwan. https://bit.ly/quarantine-tw

What is China’s manufacturing might? ’s new tracker examines this question through 10 charts, analyzing China’s manufacturing trade balance, R&D, and more. Read here:

Measuring China’s Manufacturing Might | ChinaPower Project This ChinaPower tracker examines China’s manufacturing sector in 10 charts, visualizing China's manufacturing power and its prospects.

Beijing uses its holdings of U.S. debt to manage the RMB exchange rate. What impact has this had on China’s economy?

Is it a Risk for America that China Holds So Much U.S. Debt? | ChinaPower Project Many worry that China’s ownership of American debt affords the Chinese leverage over the US, but this worry stems from a misunderstanding of sovereign debt.

In the joint statement after the 2024 Xi-Putin Summit, Dr. Elizabeth Wishnick notes a key discrepancy: “In the Chinese text, it says that Russia agreed that Taiwan was a part of the PRC. However, in the Russian text, it says that Taiwan is a part of China.”

Recent Developments in Sino-Russian Relations | ChinaPower Project In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. Elizabeth Wishnick joins us to discuss recent Sino-Russian activities and what they mean for the overall China-Russia relationship. Dr. Wishnick analyzes the May 2024 Xi-Putin meeting in Beijing, noting that the joint statement the two countries release...

In a mining blockade scenario, the PLA cyber forces will conduct non-kinetic attacks to disrupt Taiwan’s communication systems and disable energy and transportation infrastructure. See what may happen next at: https://bit.ly/china-blockade-taiwan