Jonathan Czin

Instead of coming running for negotiations, Xi is the one that is making moves and the United States is struggling to keep up. 

[Beijing is going on offense with its expanded rules on rare earth products, an attempt to] start setting the terms of the bilateral dynamic… I think (Xi) sees it as a sign that he has..."

By purging these officers before the plenum altogether and all at once, Xi is sending a clear shot across the bow to the military high command ahead and asserting his dominance.

[Xi] can either elevate one of the other CMC members, Liu Zhenli or Zhang Shengmin, in accordance with party tradition. Doing this would of course create another vacancy on the CMC that..."

Jonathan Czin was interviewed by NPR “The World’s” Carolyn Beeler about the significance of China’s new rare earths export controls.

[President Xi is] looking for ways to seize the initiative. The Trump administration is having to play a game of whack-a-mole and deal with these issues as they come up.

The only clear agreement today appears to be on when the two leaders will next meet in person: in late October, at a summit in South Korea. And even that might have been a win for Xi.

The [military] parade allows Xi to focus the world’s attention on its impressive strides in modernizing its military hardware, while overshadowing the stubborn challenges afflicting the..."

[China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea’s attendance at the parade was] disconcerting [and allowed them to present] a facade of partnership. However, it is likely a symbolic high-water..."

The reversal of fortunes for Miao and others who climbed the ranks under Xi reflects a broader shift in Chinese politics where Xi wants to manage cleavages among various acolytes. With..."