China and the Realities of Power in Asia      

U.S.-China relations over the past two years have been a tale of two diplomacies. Secretary of State Clinton and Deputy Secretary Steinberg have been promoting a new American leadership designed to create "a new global architecture" that will "help integrate emerging powers into an international community with clear obligations and expectations." American diplomacy, according to this vision, will help China and the other emerging nations to overcome the mistrust and suspicion that blocks international cooperation and burden sharing. (Diplomatic Courier)

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Could Russia re-direct its economy towards China?   

Despite Russia being the world's main exporter and China the main consumer of energy resources, these two neighbours have not been doing much trade with each other. (BBC)

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South China Sea clashes possible   

Are future military clashes unthinkable between China and some of its South-east Asian neighbours over their conflicting claims to islands, fisheries and seabed resources - including oil, natural gas and minerals - in the South China Sea? After all, there are now extensive two-way trade and rapidly growing investment, which give both sides a strong common interest in ensuring that nothing is done to upset the peace that makes economic progress possible. (ISEAS)

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China's role in the world   

After three decades of breakneck growth, China overtook Japan as the world's second largest economy in 2010. The reaction in the West to China's stunning success has so far been mixed, which boils down to one question: What role will China play in the world amid its seemingly unstoppable growth? (Xinhua)

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Dismantling the Divide: Burma Takes One Tiny Step in the Right Direction   

For the past 22 years, Burma has been a country without politics. During this period, the country’s military rulers have exercised the powers of the state without the slightest claims to political legitimacy, while its citizens have largely stayed away from politics altogether, knowing that all who entered this sphere of public life did so at their peril. (The Jakarta Globe)

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The India-Indonesia Alignment   

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will attend India's Republic Day celebrations tomorrow. A similar visit by Sukarno for India's first Republic Day in 1950 was intended to cement ties among what was then the Non-Aligned Movement of developing countries unwilling to join either side in the Cold War. This time, the visit will not just mark another step in India's "Look East" policy of encouraging greater engagement and integration between India and Southeast Asia. It will also signal two large democracies growing closer as authoritarian China grows more menacing. (WSJ)

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The Other Side of Asia: Why a Rising Asia May NOT Be a Changed Asia?   

The Asian Development Bank (ADB), along with Indonesian ministries, including the Trade Ministry and the National Development Planning Ministry, held a symposium on "Asia's Development Agenda in Regional and International Fora" on January 18, 2011, and a consultation meeting on "Asia 2050" on January 19, 2011. These themes are timely since Asia still faces development challenges despite its growth miracles while Asia's stake on the global economic recovery is high.

A Conversation with Carl Walter   

In their new book, “Red Capitalism: The Fragile Financial Foundation of China’s Extraordinary Rise” (John Wiley & Sons), Carl E. Walter and Fraser J.T. Howie paint a troubling portrait of China’s economy and its financial system. Despite the nation’s mind-boggling growth and images of gleaming skyscrapers and luxury cars, the authors say China’s growth model is flawed and fragile, and they warn about substantial risks accumulating in its banking system. (The New York Times)

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