Suchergebnisse

In Taiwan's 2008 presidential election, both candidates advocated signing a peace agreement with China, and Chinese leaders have also expressed interest in reaching such an agreement. Although substantial obstacles remain in the way of a cross-strait peace agreement, this increased interest on both sides of the Taiwan Strait suggests that a closer examination of an agreement's possible dimensions and consequences is warranted. This analysis considers what an agreement might look like, whether and how it might be effective in reducing the possibility of cross-strait military conflict, the relevant barriers to an agreement, and whether an agreement—if reached—would be likely to endure.

This chapter explores the strengthening & modernization of China's strategic force. The country has long sought to build a deterrent force by improving its nuclear weapons. Efforts are also being made to improve the training & readiness of troops. Other changes to be expected include the development of Ballistic Missile Defense countermeasures & the enhancement of nuclear war-fighting capabilities. While these efforts are hindered by delays, especially due to inadequate material stocks & limited technology, progress is being made. Modernization of US weapons, including BMD deployment, will have a significant influence on Beijing's decisions. Reassurance & dialogue on the US's part might slow down Chinese developments, but greater transparency on both sides would help even more. The Bush administration has improved dialogue by engaging in regular security discussions with the Chinese government. Another positive factor is the two countries' cooperation in fighting terrorism & trying to stop nuclear development in North Korea. J. Stanton

A more pragmatic Chinese foreign policy and a more bureaucratic policy-making process have increased the opportunities for China's civilian research institutes to affect foreign policy. Beijing's growing involvement in the international community has created increased demand for research and analysis to aid Chinese leaders in making informed decisions. A more pluralistic and competitive policy environment has given analysts at think tanks more influence, but has also created new competition from analysts and authors working outside the traditional research institute system. This article examines the evolving role of Chinese civilian foreign policy research institutes, their relationships to policy makers, and the pathways through which they provide input into Chinese foreign policy formulation. It provides an overview of the key civilian research institutes, identifies important trends affecting them, and examines the roles and functions they play. The article concludes with an assessment of sources of policy influence within the Chinese foreign policy process.