Bilateral Relations Defined at a Strategic Level

Problems seem to pile up in Sino-Japanese ties as exchanges are increasing while contacts grow in width and new developments surface on both sides. Not surprisingly different interpretations of these issues have also given rise to varying misgivings about the prospects for the relationship between the two neighbors among academics. This has found its reflection in the recent extensive concern over the matter. For deepening the discussion, the Forum of Experts of Contemporary International Relations and the Division for Northeast Asian Studies of China Institute of Contemporary International Relations cosponsored a one-day meeting at Wanshou Villa in the suburb of Beijing with a view to seeking a brighter future for bilateral ties. Heated, in-depth discussions involved a variety of relevant issues. Excerpts of speeches at the symposium follow.

Middle East Instability, After the Arab Spring ＆ It＇s Impact on the United States＇ and Egypt＇s Bilateral Relations

This work investigates the rise of political Islam in the Middle East and its impact on the United States＇ and Egypt＇s national interests and bilateral relations. In this article, the author describes the United States＇ foreign policy dilemma in dealing with the Arab revolutionary waves of 2010 and 2011, which was hijacked by political Islam championed by the Muslim Brotherhood＇s mother organization in Egypt. Also, how the United States and Egypt managed to navigate their strategic partnership for stability and peace in the region through developing tolerance of interference in one another＇s foreign policy making and reconciling their national interests within the complicated political, economic and social realities of the Middle Eastern region.

The Harmonious Development of Chinese-Latvian Bilateral Relations

The People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Latvia have brand new relations.Diplomatic ties between two countries were established for the first time on 12 September 1991 after Latvia regained its independence from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.For the last 25 years both countries have been seeking common

Strengthening China-Philippine People-to-People Exchanges and Promoting the Development of Bilateral Relations

Keynote Speech by CAFIU Secretary-General Ni Jian at Seminar"Promoting China-Philippine People-to-People Exchanges and Cooperation"October 14,2013Distinguished Congressman Lawrence Fortun,Distinguished Director Ramon Lacbain,Members of the Philippine Center of Young Leaders in Governance,Distinguished guests,Ladies and Gentlemen,

Bilateral Relations and Exports:Evidence from Google Big Data

This paper investigates the effect of bilateral relations on exports using data from Google Global Data.It finds that bilateral relations significantly reduced the negative effect of cultural distance on exports,indicating that they can promote exports by reducing trade costs.The paper finds that higher average Goldstein scores of events correlated with more exports and that bilateral relations had a larger effect on trust-intensive products,indicating that positive relations built trust and decreased the emotional distance between trading partners.The results also show that bilateral relations promoted exports at both the intensive and extensive margins but with a greater effect on the latter.Finally,bilateral relations had a greater positive effect on developing countries than on developed ones.The results were qualitatively unchanged when endogeneity issues and robustness concerns were considered.

Maturing Relations——China and South Korea push bilateral relations to new highs

For decades after the founding of the People ’s Republic of China in 1949,China and the Republic of Korea were sworn enemies.

MOVING MOUNT China and the United States discuss bilateral relations and golbal issues during the first Strategic and Economic Dialogue

"Yes, we can was the mantra of the campaign that made Barack Obama the 44th President of the United States this year. Chinese State Councilor

Malaysia＇s Contemporary Political and Economic Relations with Iran

Traditionally, Malaysia＇s relations with the Middle Eastern World boil down to narrow-limited interaction with only a handful of countries, mainly Egypt, Saudi Arabia （before known as Hejaz）, and Turkey. The underlying reasons behind are largely owing to the established ancient relations and religious fulfillments like performing pilgrimage as well as pursuing religious studies in highly respected institutions. Malaysia＇s relation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, however, has shown steady progress of development since the end of 1960s and onwards. Although Iran has become an Islamic Republic after the eruption of the Revolution in 1979, the relations remain intact in spite of the potential expansion of Iran＇s religious ideology, Shi＇ah, among Malaysian Muslim communities. On top of that, with Iran now facing economic sanctions due to its nuclear programs, both countries continue to bolster their relations, especially in political and economic interactions. Contemporarily, both Malaysia and Iran are closely working together to further enhance the level of their relations. The leaders of both countries have quiet regularly exchanged visits and have also actively ventured into promising business opportunities. Iran ranked as the Malaysia＇s third West Asian trading partners along with the United Arab Emirates （UAE） and Saudi Arabia, provides a lot of opportunities for Malaysia to seize onto. In other words, Malaysia＇s contemporary relations with Iran will evolve beyond the dogma of the Iranian Revolution in 1979.

Economic Influencing Factors of Trade Volume Between China and RCEP Member States

This paper examines the impact of key economic factors on trade volumes between China and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership(RCEP)member states.Studies have shown that gross domestic products(GDP),exchange rate,and inflation have an impact on China’s import and export trade volume with RCEP member states.China’s export trade volume to RCEP member states is deeply affected by China’s GDP,but the import trade volume depends on China’s domestic demand and market.The impact of exchange rates on import and export trade volumes varies from country to country.China’s export volume to RCEP member states is generally more affected by the consumption level of its residents than the consumption level of Chinese residents.

Cuba and Russia at a Time of Change

Significant change is taking place in Cuban society with this also occurring in the island＇s foreign policy, evidenced by Raul Castro and Barack Obama shaking hands in December 2013. Havana＇s relationship with Moscow also appears to be evolving and is at its most robust since the end of Cuba-Soviet relations in late 1991, demonstrated by Raul Castro and Dmitry Medvedev having both twice visited Moscow and Havana, respectively since 2008. This article examines the foundations, and theoretical underpinnings, of the bilateral relationship before examining it in detail in the post-Soviet era and specifically since August 2006 when Raul Castro replaced Fidel Castro as the President of Cuba. It posits that although change is occurring in the relationship it is not as pronounced as that which is taking place within Cuban society as many of the foundations of the relationship remain the same as that of the post-Soviet period and even the Soviet period. This is particularly the case with regards the Cuban ruling elite＇s thinking towards the relationship. It also suggests that Cuban-Russian relations are likely to remain unchanged in the short to medium term.

Ethiopia’s Foreign Policy in the New World Order System: Foreign Policy Direction and its Determinants

Similar to other countries in the world,there is a linkage between domestic and international actor forces involved in the formulation of Ethiopian foreign policy,since 1991.Obviously,this is due to the fact that foreign policy and domestic politics are interdependent and could spill over into each other.As the goal of every country’s foreign policy is promoting national interest,Ethiopian foreign policy among other things achieving economic development through economic diplomacy.This study aimed to explore determinants of Ethiopian foreign policy in the post 1991.Methodologically,it employed secondary source of data collection and data analysis.The result of this study would shade light on the set of factors that determine Ethiopian foreign policy with the change of global world order from bipolar to multi polar system.It highlighted the challenges and opportunities faced in realizing policy goals by taking into account certain bilateral relations Ethiopia has as case study.The change of global political order witnessed within the end of Cold war has also implications on the Ethiopian foreign policy.As a result of New World Order system,Ethiopian foreign policy orientation is changed from purely stubborn Marxist ideology,to flexible developmental state with numerous alliances,paying great emphasis for economic development,at the expense of security issue.

Northeast Asian Community Building: What Needs to Be Done?

The aim of the Northeast Asian community building is to create an environment for living together peacefully and for realizing prosperity through cooperation. Economically, a community will integrate regional economies and share great interests for common prosperity. Politically, a community will stabilize the region with trust and cooperation. In terms of security, a community will realize the lasting peace of the region. The three economies of China, Japan, and the ROK account for a vast majority of Northeast Asia＇s regional economy. China and the ROK are two key players in the Northeast Asian community building. China-ROK cooperation will be helpful for China-Japan relations that now appear to be in a difficult situation. Northeast Asian economic cooperation has developed into a multi-layered structure both in institutional and non-institutional ways. In order to build the Northeast Asian community, those three countries must first improve and make three close bilateral relationships. However, Northeast Asian community building should not just include China, Japan, and the ROK. The DPRK, Mongolia, and also Russia should be engaged as early as possible. Northeast Asian community is a vision and also a dream that needs great efforts to be realized by both a good spirit and real actions.

Risks and Firms' Decision Making on Outward Foreign Direct Investment: An Empirical Analysis of China's State-owned Enterprises

This study explored how the risks encountered by Chinese state-owned enterprises(SOEs)affected their decision-making on outward foreign direct investment(OFDI),using data regarding the relationship between the host countries and China.The following conclusions were drawn.Larger SOEs with fixed capital exhibited a higher probability of conducting OFDI and did so on a larger scale.Various risks in host countries significantly hindered the OFDI of Chinese SOEs.In pursuit of natural resources,Chinese SOEs chose to take risks.The amount of OFDI by SOEs was positively related to the political,economic,and geographical relations between China and the corresponding hostcountry.

Engaging the dragon:UK government documents on doing business with China

China’s rise as a global economic and political power has created a policy puzzle for established global players.For the United Kingdom(UK),the policy towards China has pursued a dual emphasis:seeking commercial benefits and promoting a positive social and political change.We explore the scope and tone of official UK policy publications on doing business with China.We argue that,while these documents reflect some of the predominant concerns of public debates over the UK’s relationship with China,the political neutrality of the civil service and insulation from external forces enable the relationship to continue.We conduct content and sentiment analyses of government publications focussing on China from 2013 to 2018.During this period,the key policy focusses have remained stable,while the extent to which the main topics are discussed changes slightly with time.Sensitive topics are dealt with using a neutral tone,while publications have become increasingly positive on the prospects of business interactions with China.