Oct 15,2015 Special Forum

Grading Xi Jinping’s America Policy: C-

President Xi Jinping has dealt with the United States for almost three years as relations have declined. His bold and assertive actions in areas sensitive to US interests departed sharply from past restraint and put an aroused America on guard. It is hard to give these results a passing grade. As they did in Washington […]

Robert Sutter

Chinese assertiveness , National identity , Sino-American interdependence , Sino-American rivalry , US rebalance

Mar 21,2014 Topics of the Month

Sino-US Relations – 3

Obama’s Trip to Asia—How to Deal with China in the “Gray Zone”   President Obama’s visit next month to four East Asian allies and partners almost certainly will feature conversations on how to deal with Chinese incremental territorial expansion at its neighbors’ expense. Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Malaysia are all disputants in recent […]

Robert Sutter

Anti-submarine warfare , gray zone , rebalance , salami slicing , Second Thomas Shoal , security integration , Southeast Asia

Feb 21,2014 Topics of the Month

Sino-US Relations – 2

United States Pushes Back Against Chinese Assertiveness; Xi Urges Dialogue Carefully sequenced statements by Obama administration officials in late January and February pushed back against Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea and other maritime disputes, taking Sino-American competition to a new stage. America’s measured resolve adds to circumstances that work against overall success in […]

Robert Sutter

ADIZ , domestic concerns , interdependence , Kerry , Medeiros , Philippines , Russel , South China Sea , Southeast Asia , Xi Jinping

Jan 27,2014 Topics of the Month

Sino-US Relations – 1

Obama’s Rebalance, Competition with China and Enduring US Leadership in Southeast Asia   A decision announced recently to implement regulations on enforcement of China’s jurisdiction over vessels using waters in the South China Sea raises concern over a confrontation that might start with Filipino, Vietnamese, or other fishing boats accustomed to using these waters and […]

Robert Sutter

intimidation , power realities , Rebalancing , sources of influence , South China Sea