Category Archives: China
Bacteria, Viruses and Antibiotics, Oh My
Written on April 10, 2013 at 7:45 pm, by Eric
Public officials and media worldwide have paid considerable attention recently to developments around the H7N9 influenza, which, according to officials in China where the outbreak started, has killed 7 people and infected 24 others, most of whom suffered mild flu-like symptoms. The virus is known to come from birds, like SARS back in 2003, but Continue Reading »
China’s New Era
Written on November 28, 2012 at 2:46 pm, by Inferential Focus
What does the educational backgrounds of Politburo members say about China’s priorities? Until now, China’s rulers have been technocrats, specializing in the controlled build up and development of the country, primarily through large state-run companies and massive public-works projects. But coming out of the most recent “election,” of the all-important seven-member Standing Committee Continue Reading »
Looking East
Written on November 9, 2012 at 7:10 pm, by Inferential Focus
We recall that this past May, President Putin chose not to attend a G8 meeting in Washington, D.C., and a NATO meeting in Chicago, but did travel to Beijing where he discussed energy deals, Iran’s nuclear situation and Syria’s civil violence. He also participated in meetings of the Shanghai Co-operation Organization (SCO) during that time. Continue Reading »
The Other Political Transition
Written on November 6, 2012 at 7:23 pm, by Inferential Focus
Chinese pop star Gao Xiaosong recorded a 33 minute Chinese-language video explaining the American presidential election and electoral college system, which he posted to Chinese video sharing site youku.com. The tutorial received over a million views. Meanwhile, in a Pew Global Attitudes Project survey, 36 percent of Chinese surveyed in 2007 said they reject Continue Reading »
Defense Priorities
Written on October 26, 2012 at 8:35 pm, by Inferential Focus
Much has been written about the upcoming U.S. military “pivot”. The following are some recent facts and events, no opinions, that may illustrate future U.S. military priorities. We currently don’t have enough intelligence to offer a new context, but we hope you find these interesting. Focus on Asia-Pacific as a long-term objective A Continue Reading »
Is Red China Turning Green?
Written on July 18, 2012 at 8:08 pm, by Inferential Focus
When Beijing officials took a closer look at the economic costs of environmental damage in China, they were surprised to learn that such degradation was lowering the country’s overall GDP anywhere from 3 to 10 percent annually. That realization spurred action, and now China is the world’s leading practitioner of what is called the Continue Reading »
