More research and commentary 

China’s growing space and aviation programs. As part of his ongoing series in China-US Focus forecasting leadership changes at China's upcoming 20th Party Congress, Cheng Li released two articles discussing China's strategic emphasis on promoting military-civil fusion across space and aerospace as well as broader implications this will have for China's next generation of leadership.

Behind the facade of China’s cyber super-regulator. In an article for Stanford's DigiChina, Jamie Horsley writes about the Cyberspace Administration of China's growing clout and how its dual party-state status raises questions concerning its decision-making, daily operations, and accountability to the Chinese public.

Fixing the climate crisis will require local experimentation and solutions. On the latest episode of the Dollar & Sense podcast, David Victor, a professor of innovation and public policy at the School of Global Policy and Strategy at UC San Diego and nonresident senior fellow at Brookings, joins David Dollar to discuss “Fixing the Climate: Strategies for an Uncertain World,” a new book he co-authored with Charles Sabel. Victor explains why global climate diplomacy and treaties that prescribe top-down solutions to climate change are not working.

Strengths and weaknesses of China’s national human capital development. On the fourth episode of the Vying for Talent podcast, Dr. Yingyi Ma, a professor of sociology at the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, shares her perspective with Ryan Hass and Jude Blanchette on how China’s talent base is shaped by the nation’s educational landscape as well as social and political challenges.

What is Taiwan’s plan to protect itself against Chinese pressure? Ryan Hass writes that Taiwan’s current strategic outlook is that it will be able to offset Chinese pressure with greater investments at home, improved defense capabilities, predictable and steady cross-Strait policies, sustainment of its central role in global value chains, and tighter coordination with friends and partners abroad.

Upcoming event

Recent trends in global value chains and beyond. On September 28, the John L. Thornton China Center at Brookings will present the East Coast launch of the Global Value Chain Development Report, which explores the shift that is underway in global value chains as they increasingly move beyond traditional manufacturing processes to services and other intangible assets, aided by digitization. This presentation will be followed by two panel discussions featuring trade experts from around the world that will examine how protectionism and geopolitical tensions, environmental risks, and COVID-19 can undermine the stability of global value chains and lead to their geographic reorganization.

Register to attend or watch online

In the news

South Korea's reaction to Pelosi's Taiwan trip. Patricia Kim spoke with Politico about Seoul's reaction to U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's trip to Taiwan and how South Korea's relations with Beijing affect their response.

In turbulent times, Xi builds a security fortress for China, and himself. Ryan Hass was interviewed by the New York Times about President Xi Jinping's views on potential vulnerabilities that could affect the Chinese Communist Party's governance of China.

China's perspective of Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. Cheng Li was interviewed by CNN on how Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei has impacted China's response and geopolitical perspective in the Taiwan Strait.

About the China Center 

The John L. Thornton China Center develops timely, independent analysis and policy recommendations to help U.S. and Chinese leaders address key long-term challenges, both in terms of U.S.-China relations and China's internal development.

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