Latest from Tom Plate
Beijing’s tighter control and scepticism of Western ideas – like capitalism – have sadly coincided with a new US anti-socialism which seems opposed to government itself.
Beijing’s tighter control and scepticism of Western ideas – like capitalism – have sadly coincided with a new US anti-socialism which seems opposed to government itself.
China’s vice-president made it a point in his Davos speech to stress Beijing’s commitment to taking a pragmatic approach in problem-solving – welcome words that should help ease tense US-China relations.
China’s vice-president made it a point in his Davos speech to stress Beijing’s commitment to taking a pragmatic approach in problem-solving – welcome words that should help ease tense US-China relations.
Tom Plate says instead of escalating cross-strait tension, Beijing and Taiwan should focus on coming to an agreement on the ‘1992 consensus’ and working towards a settlement in time for the end of Mao Zedong’s 100-year waiting period.
Tom Plate says instead of escalating cross-strait tension, Beijing and Taiwan should focus on coming to an agreement on the ‘1992 consensus’ and working towards a settlement in time for the end of Mao Zedong’s 100-year waiting period.
For the sake of better China-US relations in 2019 (and his blood pressure), some of the irritants in the relationship, such as those who engage in warmongering and grandstanding, should be called out for their behaviour.
For the sake of better China-US relations in 2019 (and his blood pressure), some of the irritants in the relationship, such as those who engage in warmongering and grandstanding, should be called out for their behaviour.
Chinese students’ opportunity to learn from and with their US counterparts at universities has been disrupted by nationalist demands from both governments.
Chinese students’ opportunity to learn from and with their US counterparts at universities has been disrupted by nationalist demands from both governments.
Beijing needs the help of its think tanks to amend the policies and practices that are unfair to its trading partners, including the US, and this means allowing its scholars the freedom to explore ideas and solutions.
Beijing needs the help of its think tanks to amend the policies and practices that are unfair to its trading partners, including the US, and this means allowing its scholars the freedom to explore ideas and solutions.
The leaders of China and the US seem to be making policy moves based not on what’s best for their countries, but on how they can run down their predecessors. Both governments should be humble and remember to put the people first.
The leaders of China and the US seem to be making policy moves based not on what’s best for their countries, but on how they can run down their predecessors. Both governments should be humble and remember to put the people first.
The US midterm elections will have implications for Donald Trump, and his China policy. At the end of the day, modesty may be the best policy for both the US and China
The US midterm elections will have implications for Donald Trump, and his China policy. At the end of the day, modesty may be the best policy for both the US and China
Hong Kong is so precious to China that it tends to overreact to anyone who adds to societal tension in the city. However, China needs to remember the importance of ‘one country, two systems’ to its other hopes of unification.
Hong Kong is so precious to China that it tends to overreact to anyone who adds to societal tension in the city. However, China needs to remember the importance of ‘one country, two systems’ to its other hopes of unification.
Despite the official communist legacy of promoting gender equality, the Chinese authorities see feminist activism as a destabilising Western force. Instead, they must realise that gender justice is an idea whose time has come globally.
Despite the official communist legacy of promoting gender equality, the Chinese authorities see feminist activism as a destabilising Western force. Instead, they must realise that gender justice is an idea whose time has come globally.
The most important relationship in global politics today – between China and the US – has been muddled by misguided thinking on both sides, and could end in disaster if harmony isn’t restored
The most important relationship in global politics today – between China and the US – has been muddled by misguided thinking on both sides, and could end in disaster if harmony isn’t restored
South Korean’s President Moon Jae-in is carrying on with the work of reconciliation with the North almost alone, because China and the US seem to have more to gain from a divided Korean peninsula.
South Korean’s President Moon Jae-in is carrying on with the work of reconciliation with the North almost alone, because China and the US seem to have more to gain from a divided Korean peninsula.
While Beijing may have once appreciated the long-lived Malaysian prime minister’s straight talking, China’s leaders may have less taste for it now that they – and not the US or IMF – are the targets of his criticism.
While Beijing may have once appreciated the long-lived Malaysian prime minister’s straight talking, China’s leaders may have less taste for it now that they – and not the US or IMF – are the targets of his criticism.
A three-dimensional view of China rather than stereotypical and simplistic thinking is needed to break the current impasse in US-China relations.
A three-dimensional view of China rather than stereotypical and simplistic thinking is needed to break the current impasse in US-China relations.
The recent controversy over how international airlines should list Taiwan’s airport demonstrates how the US stokes fear of China, insisting that everyone, including airline companies, embrace the idea of China as the villain.
The recent controversy over how international airlines should list Taiwan’s airport demonstrates how the US stokes fear of China, insisting that everyone, including airline companies, embrace the idea of China as the villain.
From trade to the South China Sea, Donald Trump has taken a page from ashtray-hurling scientist Thomas Kuhn, reacting to challenges with a disruptive leadership style. And, looking at China, Russia and even Malaysia, he’s not alone.
From trade to the South China Sea, Donald Trump has taken a page from ashtray-hurling scientist Thomas Kuhn, reacting to challenges with a disruptive leadership style. And, looking at China, Russia and even Malaysia, he’s not alone.
Major disagreements take time to work through, yet the two powers appear to be rushing into an unwanted confrontation with their moves and counter-moves on trade, the South China Sea, Taiwan and other issues.
Major disagreements take time to work through, yet the two powers appear to be rushing into an unwanted confrontation with their moves and counter-moves on trade, the South China Sea, Taiwan and other issues.
Western media disdain for the Trump-Kim summit and its benefits to China betrays a cold-war world view that is out of step with the geopolitical reality.
Western media disdain for the Trump-Kim summit and its benefits to China betrays a cold-war world view that is out of step with the geopolitical reality.
As the Trump-Kim summit draws closer, those involved in China-US relations should heed Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s advice.
As the Trump-Kim summit draws closer, those involved in China-US relations should heed Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s advice.
Whatever the success or failure of Chinese and US diplomacy, the North Korean nuclear crisis will end only when the Koreans themselves choose change, and build on Moon Jae-in’s vision and the North Korean people’s longing for better days.
Whatever the success or failure of Chinese and US diplomacy, the North Korean nuclear crisis will end only when the Koreans themselves choose change, and build on Moon Jae-in’s vision and the North Korean people’s longing for better days.
The repeated calls by the two leaders to rally their fan base at home towards restoring greatness and national rejuvenation risk endangering the China-US relationship.
The repeated calls by the two leaders to rally their fan base at home towards restoring greatness and national rejuvenation risk endangering the China-US relationship.
The anti-China syndrome in the US runs deep. While America’s approach to the bilateral relationship needs to be based on more realistic expectations, not to mention humility, China must also consider what it can do to ease tensions.
The anti-China syndrome in the US runs deep. While America’s approach to the bilateral relationship needs to be based on more realistic expectations, not to mention humility, China must also consider what it can do to ease tensions.
The targeting of Confucius Institutes in the US as potentially subversive threats shows how little many Americans know about China, and even about their own universities – where differences of opinion are gradually disappearing
The targeting of Confucius Institutes in the US as potentially subversive threats shows how little many Americans know about China, and even about their own universities – where differences of opinion are gradually disappearing
Fair play and mutual respect are missing in the China-US squabble over trade, and both sides must recognise that the relationship cannot be seen purely in monetary terms.
Fair play and mutual respect are missing in the China-US squabble over trade, and both sides must recognise that the relationship cannot be seen purely in monetary terms.
Both US doves and hawks are confused and ill-informed about North Korea.
Both US doves and hawks are confused and ill-informed about North Korea.
China’s move to scrap the presidential term limit cannot be seen purely in black and white terms. Strongman leadership is not reviled in Asia the way it is in the West.
China’s move to scrap the presidential term limit cannot be seen purely in black and white terms. Strongman leadership is not reviled in Asia the way it is in the West.
The Pope’s willingness to see past the institutional interests of the church should be appreciated, rather than criticised. A more open relationship between Beijing and the Vatican would benefit China’s Catholics and overall development.
The Pope’s willingness to see past the institutional interests of the church should be appreciated, rather than criticised. A more open relationship between Beijing and the Vatican would benefit China’s Catholics and overall development.
The latest American foreign policy ideas of ‘America First’, war preparations and a single winner are not actually new, and are not well thought out.
The latest American foreign policy ideas of ‘America First’, war preparations and a single winner are not actually new, and are not well thought out.
The Chinese president is not as humourless, as vain or as aggressive as Westerners have been led to believe.
The Chinese president is not as humourless, as vain or as aggressive as Westerners have been led to believe.
The self-regarding mind of Donald Trump, as revealed in a recent impromptu interview, proves again that he is no Obama. And that adds a new layer of uncertainty to the US relationship with China
The self-regarding mind of Donald Trump, as revealed in a recent impromptu interview, proves again that he is no Obama. And that adds a new layer of uncertainty to the US relationship with China