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Preview this week's first story from the Red Report… China's diplomatic dance in the Indo-Pacific is stepping on some toes. Australia and New Zealand are reevaluating their trade openness with China, while Malaysia weighs the pros and cons of Chinese business deals against broader geopolitical concerns. As China's allure dims, global businesses must stay alert and be ready to adapt their strategies accordingly. Disappointment in Malaysia over unmet expectations and the US-China balancing act signal a cooling of relations. With countries like Australia and New Zealand already reassessing their economic ties, it's clear that the global business landscape is changing. Companies should keep a close eye on these developments to navigate the evolving economic alliances. #Geopolitics #IndoPacific #ChinaInfluence #GlobalBusiness #InternationalRelations #BusinessStrategy #EconomicDiplomacy To read more visit: https://lnkd.in/dQpdawBZ Subscribe to get our newsletter delivered to your inbox bi-weekly on Mondays: https://lnkd.in/eUpGXmfy

🚨 #EU is stepping up exchanges with #Taiwan. 1️⃣ The European Commission's report highlights 🇨🇳 aggressive policies towards Taiwan🇹🇼 & other neighbours including India🇮🇳, the Philippines🇵🇭 & Vietnam🇻🇳, are undermining regional stability,, urging the EU🇪🇺 to increase exchanges with Taiwan🇹🇼 to bolster regional stability. 2️⃣ The report warns that Chinese🇨🇳 aggression could severely disrupt global supply chains, especially in advanced semiconductors, affecting Europe & the world. The security & prosperity of the Euro-Atlantic region are closely interconnected with those of the Indo-Pacific region. 3️⃣ The EU is encouraged to collaborate with partners like the US🇺🇸, UK🇬🇧, Japan🇯🇵, and others to enhance mutual resilience against hybrid threats. Taiwan🇹🇼 would continue to cooperate with the EU and other democratic partners to jointly defend the rules-based international order. 4️⃣ 🇹🇼 & the 🇳🇱 share strong democratic values and economic ties, with significant Dutch invest in 🇹🇼 and close cooperation. The 🇳🇱 is the first European country to approve a motion to counter 🇨🇳 mischaracterization of UN Resolution 2758 to block 🇹🇼 international participation. 5️⃣ Up to 35 billion euros (US$38.01 billion) has been invested by the Netherlands🇳🇱 in Taiwan🇹🇼 and the Western European country has become a gateway for more than 200 Taiwanese🇹🇼 companies to enter the European market https://lnkd.in/geqjYqA3 FOLLOW CATS ON X FOR MORE SUCH INSIGHTS 👇🏻 https://x.com/CATS_2024

My latest for Voice of America: Thanks to colleagues and editors for their help. Japan and China held the first offline semi-official forum in Tokyo in six years, the "Tokyo-Beijing Forum." It shows that after the meeting between the leaders of the two countries, officials, industry and academic professionals are interested in breaking the ice with each other. However, what embarrasses experts is that polls show that people in China and Japan do not like each other. Therefore, China still has to solve the security problem of Japanese in China. I know that everyone is paying attention to the news about South Korea this week, but it needs to be mentioned that China is still Japan's largest trading partner, which means Japan still has to take into account its relations with China. Due to the current political situation in South Korea, the interactions between China, Japan and South Korea next year, as well as the interactions between the United States, Japan and South Korea, will be somewhat unpredictable. But these two trilateral frameworks will still dominate order and security in Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.

In the latest issue of ChinAffairs+, we explore perspectives from Chinese scholars on the potential trajectory of Trump’s China policy. While concerns abound regarding heightened competition and restrictions, there’s also recognition of the complexities of global interdependence, suggesting that complete decoupling is unlikely. What strategies should China adopt to manage these challenges? How might the global order be impacted? Subscribe to ChinAffairs+ for in-depth analyses and insights: https://lnkd.in/gcvTqk3N

"**Contest for the Indo-Pacific: Why China Won’t Map the Future**" by Rory Medcalf is an insightful analysis of the geopolitical significance of the Indo-Pacific region, focusing on how various powers, including China, are vying for influence. Medcalf, a seasoned strategist and expert in international relations, challenges the narrative that China will inevitably dominate the region. Instead, he argues that the Indo-Pacific is too vast and complex for any single power, including China, to control or dictate the future. In the book, Medcalf outlines the growing importance of the Indo-Pacific as a strategic and economic hub, with countries like India, Japan, Australia, the US, and Southeast Asian nations playing crucial roles in shaping the region's future. He highlights the concept of the "Indo-Pacific" as a strategic framework that links the Indian and Pacific Oceans, emphasizing cooperation and balance between regional powers to counter China's ambitions. Medcalf also explores: - The rise of China and its assertive policies in the South China Sea and broader region. - The role of the US and its allies in balancing Chinese influence. - The strategic importance of smaller nations in the Indo-Pacific. - The idea that no single power, not even China, can unilaterally shape the region’s destiny due to the diversity and resilience of other regional actors. The book underscores the significance of multilateral partnerships and alliances, suggesting that China’s efforts to dominate the Indo-Pacific will be met with resistance and counterbalancing strategies. Medcalf believes that while China's influence is undeniable, the region’s future will be shaped by a broader coalition of nations with shared interests in maintaining stability, freedom of navigation, and sovereignty. "Contest for the Indo-Pacific" offers a comprehensive, balanced perspective on the ongoing geopolitical struggle in this critical region and highlights the challenges China faces in trying to assert dominance. It's a must-read for those interested in international relations, security studies, and the future of Asia-Pacific dynamics.

"Chinese Premier Li Qiang ... said that for a long time, China and Singapore have maintained close and good high-level exchanges, the leaders of the two countries have exchanged in-depth views on strategic issues related to the long-term interests of both sides and discussed development plans. ... Noting that both countries are at a critical stage of development and next year will mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Premier Li said China is willing to take this opportunity with Singapore to enhance synergy in development, give full play to complementary advantages, and join Singapore to guide their all-round cooperation in a high-quality fashion and with foresight. The two sides should strengthen economic and trade ties, actively explore more converging interests and growth areas of cooperation, expand cooperation in cutting-edge areas such as advanced manufacturing, digital economy and artificial intelligence, deepen exchanges and cooperation in education, culture and tourism, youth and at sub-national levels to better promote common development, said Premier Li. China is ready to strengthen multilateral coordination and cooperation with Singapore, adhere to openness and inclusiveness, firmly promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, accelerate regional economic integration, and jointly safeguard peace and stability of Asia, he said. Prime Minister Wong said that the current development momentum of Singapore-China relations is sound, and cooperation in various fields has made considerable progress, which is highly in line with the positioning of Singapore-China all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership. Singapore firmly pursues the one-China policy, opposes 'Taiwan independence' and will not be used by any 'Taiwan independence' forces, Wong said, noting that Singapore is willing to keep close high-level exchanges with China, continuously enhance mutual trust, promote cooperation in economy and trade, digital economy, third-party market and other fields, and enhance people-to-people exchanges. Singapore supports China's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), and stands ready to maintain communication and coordination with China on international multilateral affairs, jointly oppose protectionism and make greater contributions to promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity, Prime Minister Wong said." Huaxia, China ready to join Singapore for modernization — Chinese premier, 𝘟𝘪𝘯𝘩𝘶𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘈𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺, 12 October 2024, https://lnkd.in/gDeT6Wyg

NEW | Toward a Transatlantic Deal on China The challenges posed by Beijing in trade, technology, and security highlight the asymmetries in the transatlantic partnership. Europe and the US must focus on forging a new joint China strategy that acknowledges their diverging priorities while advancing common goals, argue Abigaël VASSELIER and Tara Varma: https://lnkd.in/dvdvbYq9 #StrategicEurope #Europe #US #China

The CEE countries’ experience with China over the past decade can inform their contribution to the EU, and more widely, the European approach to Beijing, CHOICE analysts Una Aleksandra Bērziņa-Čerenkova, Alicja Bachulska, Ana Krstinovska and Filip Šebok argue in our new article. Key takeaways 🇪🇺 The engagement of CEE countries with China has followed various trajectories. 3️⃣ CEE countries can be roughly categorized into three groups regarding their China policy: loyalists (e.g., Hungary, Serbia), skeptics (e.g., Baltics, Czechia), and pragmatists (e.g., Poland). 🇹🇼 On Taiwan: ➡ The newfound interest in cooperation with Taipei among some CEE countries reflects the changing perception that support for like-minded partners, even geographically distant, is strategically and normatively beneficial for smaller and medium-sized democracies. However, expectations should be kept in check to avoid a “Taiwan fatigue." https://lnkd.in/eCZCTVGU

The key takeaways from our last CHOICE paper on the CEE countries' contribution towards a European China policy published in The Diplomat 👇

The UK’s relationship with China is complex, characterized by MI5's warnings of a "significant risk" from China regarding its ability to gather sensitive information from UK businesses and academia. Despite these concerns, Foreign Secretary David Lammy's upcoming visit to China signals an attempt to reset diplomatic ties, reflecting the UK's contradictory approach of wanting to suppress China while seeking deeper engagement. MI5 Director General Ken McCallum stressed that the risks posed by China require a nuanced strategy due to the economic ties that contribute to the UK's growth and security. Analysts suggest this dual perspective illustrates a broader Western challenge amid China's rising influence, which complicates existing power dynamics and governance norms. The UK perceives China as an ideological rival, prompting containment strategies while still acknowledging the need for cooperation. Lammy's visit aims to establish "less confrontational ties" as the Labour government confronts domestic and international challenges, including economic instability and social unrest. Experts anticipate a pragmatic approach to China, focusing on diversifying cooperation in sectors like renewable energy and biopharmaceuticals, rather than strictly aligning with US or EU positions. Observers recommend that the UK adopt sincerity and pragmatism to effectively realign its relations with Beijing. #AsiaRisk #GeopoliticalConflictandDisputes #China Follow us for daily updates on risk and operations in Asia! https://lnkd.in/gtPHAKEn