Taiwan Needs to Hear Trump Say ‘Democracy’
on February 10, 2017
President Trump has sent conflicting signals on Taiwan, first suggesting cozier relations with the self-ruled island and then walking that back to reassure China.
Did Xi Just Outmaneuver Trump?
A ChinaFile Conversation
on February 10, 2017
On the evening of February 9, U.S. President Donald Trump had what the White House described in a terse readout as a “lengthy” and “cordial” telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping. That alone is newsworthy, as the two hadn’t spoken since November 14. But Trump also appeared to walk back an earlier claim, alarming to some, that U.S. recognition of the “one China” policy, which Beijing interprets as supporting the notion that Taiwan is part of China, would be up for negotiation. Chinese official media hastened to proclaim that, on the latest call, “Trump said he fully understands” the policy and would adhere to it. The significance of this turnabout is surely profound, given that Chinese authorities call the policy “the political foundation for China-US relations.” But what is the long-term impact of the call likely to be?
James Zimmerman
on February 10, 2017
James Zimmerman is the Managing Partner of the Beijing office of the international law firm Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP. He is the Chairman Emeritus of the American Chamber of Commerce China and served as the Chairman of the chamber in 2007, 2008, 2015, and 2016. Zimmerman is the author of a number of books and articles on China and international trade including the well-recognized China Law Deskbook, a publication of the American Bar Association. Zimmerman has been a registered foreign lawyer with the Ministry of Justice since 1998 and is recognized as one of Asia’s leading business lawyers in the Asialaw Leading Lawyers Survey and is listed as a Leading Individual in the category of Corporate/M&A for foreign law firms in China of the Legal 500 Asia Pacific guide to Asia’s commercial law firms. Zimmerman is a member of the California Bar and admitted to practice before the United States Court of International Trade and various other federal courts. He served on the board of the International Institute of Conflicts Prevention & Resolution from 2009 to 2012, and on the Business Advisory Council of the United Nations’ Greater Tumen Initiative from 2009 to 2011. Zimmerman also serves on a number of non-profit boards focused on child health and education issues in China and is active as a fundraiser for charitable organizations. He has lived and worked in Beijing since 1998. His views and comments are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of his law firm or any organization.
Trump Pledges to Honor ‘One China’ Policy in Call with Xi
on February 10, 2017
President Donald Trump backed down from a blustery threat in an effort to ease tensions with China during his first phone call with the country’s president on Thursday night.
U.S., China Military Planes Come Inadvertently Close over South China Sea
on February 10, 2017
A U.S. Navy P-3 plane and a Chinese military aircraft came close to each other over the South China Sea in an incident the Navy believes was inadvertent, a U.S. official told Reuters on Thursday.
China and Vatican Near Pivotal Deal on Bishops
on February 10, 2017
Accord would help end decades of estrangement between Beijing and Catholic Church
China January Exports Rise 7.9 Percent, Beating Forecasts
on February 10, 2017
China’s January exports easily exceeded analysts’ expectations, rising 7.9 percent from a year earlier, while imports rose by 16.7 percent, also topping forecasts, preliminary data showed on Friday. That left the country with a trade surplus of $51.35 billion for the month
Plan for $10 Billion Chip Plant Shows China’s Growing Pull
on February 10, 2017
On Friday, the California-based chip maker GlobalFoundries announced a $10 billion project in China, showing how the center of gravity continues to shift across the Pacific.
China’s Quota on Hollywood Film Imports Set to Expand, State Media Says
on February 10, 2017
After an “extremely cordial” call between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, a government-backed news outlet projected an expansion to China’s film quota and a greater share of box-office revenue for Hollywood studios.
Trump, Changing Course on Taiwan, Gives China an Upper Hand
on February 10, 2017
By backing down in a telephone call with China’s president on his promise to review the status of Taiwan, President Trump may have averted a confrontation with America’s most powerful rival.