US-China Engagement

2007

1999 ; 2000 ; 2001 ; 2002 ; 2003 ; 2004 ; 2005 ; 2006

Obama Retreats from Call for China Toy-Import Ban
(Reuters, Dec. 24, 2007 ) Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama stepped back from a pledge to halt U.S. imports of Chinese-made toys because of safety concerns. "Now, don't get me wrong: As president, I'll work with China to keep harmful toys off our shelves," he said.

Obama Proposes U.S. Ban on China-Made Toys
(Reuters, Dec. 20, 2007) Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama said he would ban all toys made in China after a series of safety scares, and he called for tougher U.S. inspections of Chinese imports.

China Agrees to Post U.S. Safety Officials in Its Food Factories
(NYT, Dec 12, 2007) China and the United States, seeking to ease the furor over the safety of food exports, signed an agreement Tuesday calling for a greater American role in certifying and inspecting Chinese food products, including an increased presence of American officials at Chinese production plants.

China Says US Agrees: Forget Navy Spat
(Associated Press, Dec. 5, 2007) Chinese and American military officials have agreed to put behind them a dispute over China's refusal to allow port calls to Hong Kong by U.S. Navy warships, a Chinese official said.

China Upset At Kitty Hawk's Taiwan Strait Transit
(Reuters, Dec. 5, 2007) China said it had voiced "grave concern" to Washington after the USS Kitty Hawk sailed through the Taiwan Strait, just days after an aborted port visit to Hong Kong.

China Blocked Another U.S. Ship: Pentagon
(Reuters, Dec. 1, 2007) China turned down a request for another U.S. Navy ship to visit Hong Kong amid a spat over a long-planned docking of the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier, the Pentagon said.

US Moves to Defuse Naval Row with China
(AFP, Nov. 30, 2007) The United States said it expected China to explain why it turned a US warship away from Hong Kong, but played down the simmering dispute as "one small incident" in a sea of good relations.

China: Navy Spat Not a Misunderstanding
(Associated Press, Nov. 30, 2007) China hinted that Congress' honoring of the Dalai Lama and U.S. arms sales to Taiwan led it to cancel a U.S. Navy visit to Hong Kong, an incident that could open a new rift in military relations that had warmed in recent years.

Pentagon Protests to China over Naval Snub
(AFP, Nov. 29, 2007) The Pentagon lodged a protest with China for stopping US warships from making port calls at Hong Kong last week, in the worst diplomatic row between the two major powers since 2001.

U.S. Criticizes China for Barring U.S. Ships from Port
(Reuters, Nov. 27, 2007) Senior U.S. military officers criticized China for denying a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier group and two smaller ships access to the Hong Kong port, saying Beijing was not living up to its obligations as a "responsible nation."

Top US Pacific Commander Concerned China Blocked Ship from Hong Kong (AP, Nov. 22, 2007) The top U.S. military commander in the Pacific said he is "perplexed and concerned" by China's last-minute decision to deny a U.S. aircraft carrier entry to Hong Kong for a previously scheduled port visit.

China Pursuing Aggressive Spying Program: US Commission
(AFP, Nov. 16, 2007) "Chinese espionage in the United States, which now comprises the single greatest threat to US technology, is straining the US counterintelligence establishment," the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission said in a report to Congress.

US, EU Team Up to Tell China to Play by the Rules
(AFP, Nov. 10, 2007) The United States and the European Union joined forces in a bid to "convince" China that it would be in its best interest to abide by the rules of international trade. The China "challenge" was the main focus of the first meeting of the Transatlantic Economic Council created at the US-EU summit.

China's Hu Meets U.S. Gates After "Candid" Talks
(Reuters, Nov. 6, 2007) U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates met Chinese President Hu Jintao as the countries boost cooperation despite differences over issues of transparency and China's military buildup. The meeting followed talks between Gates and Chinese defense officials during which the two sides agreed to set up a hotline but remained at odds over China's military modernization and an anti-satellite missile test.

Gates on First Mission to China
(AP, Nov. 4, 2007) Robert Gates, making his first visit to China as defense secretary, is expected to press the Chinese to do more to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities. Before he left for the trip, Gates made it clear that he is pursuing a closer alliance with China, and said he doesn't see the communist giant as a military threat.

US Defense Secretary to Raise Concerns about Military Transparency in China (AFP, Nov. 2, 2007) US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he will raise US concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding China's military programs when he meets with Chinese leaders next week. Asked at a news conference whether he considered China a military threat, Gates said he did not.

U.S. Probes Engines in Chinese Military Helicopters
(Reuters, Oct. 24, 2007) The U.S. State Department said it was investigating how engines made by a Canadian subsidiary of United Technologies Corp wound up in prototypes of the Z-10, China's first domestically developed military attack helicopter.

Paulson Urges Restraint in Policy on China Trade
(New York Times, Sep. 11, 2007) Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. warned that enacting legislation aimed at punishing China over its economic policies could jeopardize future growth and unsettle markets already on edge over the severe difficulties in the American housing and mortgage sector.

Bush, China's Hu Tackle Thorny Issues at Summit
(USA TODAY, Sep. 7, 2007) President Bush accepted an invitation to attend the Beijing Olympics next summer, agreed to set up a military hotline with China and got assurances from Chinese President Hu Jintao that China is cracking down on unsafe products.

Skelton: China Candid About Its Military
(Associated Press, Aug. 27, 2007) The Chinese military has been open and candid about its military capabilities with a visiting U.S. delegation, allowing the group to tour a navy destroyer and visit an artillery division that controls nuclear missiles, Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said.

Undignified Transit Punishes Taiwan, Chen Says
(Taiwan News, Aug. 22, 2007) President Chen Shui-bian did not get off his presidential plane during a transit stop in Anchorage, Alaska, in protest of Washington's refusal to allow him to stop in the continental United States on his way to Central America.

U.S. Naval Chief Tours Defense Facilities in China
(International Herald Tribune, Aug. 21, 2007) Amid repeated calls from the Bush administration for China to be more transparent about its military buildup, a visiting senior U.S. naval commander praised his Chinese counterpart here for allowing a revealing tour of defense facilities and exercises.

Democrats Take Aim at China in US Presidential Debate
(AFP, Aug. 8, 2007) Democratic presidential candidates fired a stinging round of attacks on China Tuesday, bemoaning "bad food" imports and defective toys while accusing Beijing of manipulating the yuan.

US, Myanmar Hold Rare Talks in China over Aung San Suu Kyi
(AFP, June 29, 2007) The United States held rare talks with the Myanmar military junta in Beijing to press for the release of the Southeast Asian state's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, the State Department said.

US, China Hold Talks on Critical Issues
(AFP, June 21, 2007) US and Chinese diplomats launched a broad dialogue on Wednesday expected to touch on a range of issues from Beijing’s military build-up to its human rights record and help in ending the Darfur conflict.

U.S. Tightens Controls on Military-Use Items to China
(Reuters, June 16, 2007) The United States is imposing new export controls on high-tech goods ranging from aircraft to space communication systems that could be used by China's rapidly expanding military, the U.S. Commence Department said.

U.S., China Aim to Mend Ties
(Washington Post, June 14, 2007) A Pentagon official cited plans to establish a crisis hotline between Washington and Beijing as well as expanded exchanges involving top U.S. and Chinese defense officials as signs of improving U.S.-Chinese military ties.

China Denounces Anti-Communism Memorial
(AFP, June 14, 2007) China criticized the United States' "Cold War" thinking after President Bush attended the opening of a Washington memorial for those killed in communist regimes.

Tensions Push Congress to Get Even with China
(USA Today, June 13, 2007) After years of inconclusive skirmishing, trade tensions between the United States and China are about to intensify. The escalation comes as both countries' domestic political calendars are complicating prospects for the compromises needed to call off this high-stakes game of financial chicken.

China Denounces Bush Talks with Activist
(AP, June 8, 2007) China Denounced President Bush for meeting with a prominent Muslim activist and outspoken critic of Beijing's rule in the far western Xinjiang region, calling the encounter a "blatant interference" in Chinese affairs.

House Urges China to Press Sudan over Darfur
(Reuters, June 6, 2007) The U.S. House of Representatives urged China on Tuesday to use its influence and economic leverage to stop what President Bush has called the genocide in Sudan's Darfur region.

US Offers China Briefings on Missile Defense
(AFP, June 4, 2007) US Defense Secretary Robert Gates offered China briefings on the US missile defense system to reassure them that it does not threaten China's nuclear deterrent.

US, China Smooth over Military Build-Up Dispute
(AFP, June 3, 2007) The United States and China turned down the heat on a simmering dispute over Beijing's military build-up, with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates expressing optimism about future relations.

China Says to Set Up Military Hotline with U.S
(Reuters, June 2, 2007) China and the United States are to set up a defense hotline, one of Beijing's top generals said, a move aimed at improving military relations as Washington grows increasingly wary of China's military build-up.

Gates to Play Down China Build-Up at Security Talks
(Reuters, June 1, 2007) U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will encourage engagement with China and avoid public criticism of its military build-up at an Asia security conference this weekend, a senior U.S. official said.

US Urges China to Be More Open on Military Spending, Intentions
(AFP, May 25, 2007) US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said China is steadily acquiring sophisticated military capabilities and urged it to be more open about its intentions.

U.S., China Make Progress in Trade Talks
(AP, May 24, 2007) The United States and China concluded high-level trade talks with progress reported in a few areas but no breakthrough in the biggest dispute, China's undervalued currency.

China Warns U.S. against Trade "Confrontation"
(Reuters, May 24, 2007) U.S. "confrontation" with China will not solve trade friction between the two economic giants, Chinese state media said, urging greater cooperation after talks failed to resolve key sticking points.

U.S. and China Trade Jabs as Talks Open
(Washington Post, May 23, 2007) "Politicizing trade issues is absolutely unacceptable," Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi. Schwab said that her decisions were not politically motivated but were a last resort after talks failed to resolve the issues quickly enough.

U.S.-China Talks to Target Trade Gap
(USA Toady, May 21, 2007) U.S. and Chinese officials resume an unusual brand of high-profile diplomacy Tuesday. The aim: Do just enough to ease short-term trade frictions so both countries can profit from long-term ties.

U.S. Trade Protectionist Talk "Irresponsible": China's Wu
(Reuters, May 17, 2007) Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi criticized calls in the United States for trade protectionist measures, calling such moves "irresponsible acts" that can only harm both countries' interests.

Pacific Commander Stresses China Ties
(Washington Post, May 13, 2007) The new commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, Adm. Timothy J. Keating, said that he wants to intensify joint exercises and other exchanges with the Chinese military as quickly and broadly as the Chinese government will allow.

China Anti-Satellite Test Sends Wrong Signal: U.S.
(Reuters, May 12, 2007) The new head of the U.S. Pacific Command said on Saturday that China's anti-satellite test sent a "confusing signal" about its military intentions, adding he would use his post to push for deeper exchange and openness between the countries' forces.

US Engineer Guilty of Exporting Military Data to China
(AFP, May 11, 2007) A Chinese-born US engineer was on Thursday found guilty of conspiracy to smuggle sensitive technology about US Navy submarines to China following a six-week trial in California.

US Congress Raps China over Darfur
(AFP, May 10, 2007) More than 100 US lawmakers signed a robustly worded letter calling on China's President Hu Jintao to take immediate action to stop bloodshed in Darfur, a senior lawmaker said.

U. S., China to Hold Economic Talks
(AP, Apr. 13, 2007) U.S. and Chinese officials plan to meet to discuss ways to improve economic ties that have been strained by a soaring trade gap and Bush administration penalties against Beijing.

US Admiral Blair Calls for Expanded US-China Dialogue on Taiwan Issue (TT, Apr. 12, 2007) Admiral Dennis Blair, the former commander-in-chief of US forces in the Pacific, called for an expansion in the level and intensity of US-Chinese military dialogue, with a greater focus on Taiwan.

China Pans U.S. Report on Human Rights
(Associated Press, Apr. 8, 2007) A recent U.S. State Department report which criticized China's human rights record is without basis and irresponsible, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Saturday.

China to U.S.: Halt Taiwan Weapon Sales
(AP, Mar. 29, 2007) China's ambassador to the United States urged Washington to continue sending a clear message condemning Taiwan independence and to stop selling weapons to the island's government.

China Military May Set Up U.S. Hotline
(AP, Mar. 24, 2007) China's military is proposing officer exchanges and other confidence-building measures with the U.S. Army and may be inching closer to setting up a "hotline" for emergency communication with Washington, the top U.S. general said.

U.S. General Says China Missile Test "Confusing"
(Reuters, Mar. 24, 2007) China's anti-satellite missile test in January sent a confusing message to the world about its military plans, the United States' top military officer said on Friday, urging Beijing to be more open.

Top U.S. General Visits China
(AP, Mar. 23, 2007) In his first visit to China as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen. Peter Pace went directly into meetings with Defense Minister Gen. Cao Gangchuan and other top leaders of China's 2.3 million-member armed forces.

U.S. Admiral Promises to Engage China
(CNA, Mar. 10, 2007) The admiral nominated to serve as the top U.S. military commander in the Pacific said that if his nomination is confirmed, he will pursue robust engagement with China to help defuse tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

China Not a Strategic Adversary: Pentagon
(Reuters, Mar. 9, 2007) US defense Secretary Robert Gates has said he does not view China as a strategic adversary of the United States despite Beijing's growing military budget. Gates plays down fears over its military spending, striking a different tone from Cheney.

China Hits Back at US on Human Rights
(AFP, Mar. 8, 2007) China rejected US criticisms of its rights record and issued its own annual report pointing out US human rights failings both at home and on foreign soil.

China Labels U.S. Peeping Tom over Defense Spending
(Reuters, Mar. 1, 2007) China's Foreign Ministry likened U.S. doubts about Chinese defense spending to a peeping tom poking through Beijing's underwear, describing the Asian giant as a benign neighbor and force for peace.

US Defense Chief: China Military Capabilities Worrisome
(AFP, Feb. 24, 2007) US Defense Secretary Robert Gates expressed concern over China's developing military capabilities and the ease with which military spending can be hidden from public view.

Cheney Warns on China Military Build-Up
(AFP, Feb. 23, 2007) US Vice President Dick Cheney warned China that its swift military build-up worried the world. In some of his most extensive remarks on the North Korean pact, Cheney praised Beijing's help but said China's swift military build-up and recent anti-satellite test clashed with its stated goal of being a peaceful power.

US Reviewing Space Cooperation with China After Anti-Satellite Test
(AFP, Feb. 3, 2007) The United States said it was reevaluating possible space cooperation with China, including joint moon exploration. "Any future civil space cooperation with China will need to be evaluated within the context of China's ASAT (anti-satellite) test."

U.S. Takes China to WTO Over Subsidies
(AP, Feb. 3, 2007) The Bush administration, under pressure from the Democratic-controlled Congress to do something about America's soaring trade deficit, filed a trade case yesterday against China in a dispute involving government subsidies.

China Satellite Test Justifies Trade Controls: U.S. Official
(Reuters, Jan. 26, 2007) China's missile strike against one of its own satellites underlined why Washington was wary of Beijing's military ambitions and planned to refine controls on sensitive American exports, a U.S. trade official said.

China Criticized for Anti-Satellite Missile Test
(WP, Jan. 19, 2007) The Chinese military used a ground-based missile to hit and destroy one of its aging satellites orbiting more than 500 miles in space last week -- a high-stakes test demonstrating China's ability to target regions of space that are home to U.S. spy satellites and space-based missile defense systems.

China Reassures US Lawmakers on Military; Urges Restraint on Taiwan – Report (AFP, Jan. 3, 2007) China used a visit by American lawmakers to reassure the United States that it is not a rival on issues such as military spending or energy consumption, the China Daily reported.

U.S.-China Trade Talks Conclude With Modest Deals and Mutual Wariness (New York Times, Dec. 14, 2007) The United States and China ended three days of intense economic talks with accords on food safety, energy and environmental cooperation, but with what Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. acknowledged was only modest progress in opening Chinese financial markets.

Is China a Gatecrasher or Bad Host? By Kurt Campbell and Nirav Patel
(TT, Dec. 10, 2007) It has been understood that an abiding belief in China's foreign policy is to do nothing to unduly antagonize the US. However, recent examples suggest that hardliners, particularly in the military, are growing more impatient with Beijing's generally cautious and outwardly accommodating foreign policy.

'08 Democrats Promise to Get Tough with China
(AFP, Dec. 5, 2007) Democratic presidential hopefuls vowed to crank up US pressure on China, accusing Beijing of flooding America with defective toys, ignoring global trade rules and abusing human rights. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and other top candidates carved out populist ground on Sino-US relations in a radio debate in Iowa.

China 'Punishing US for Dalai Lama's Visit'
(Straits Times, Dec. 3, 2007) China's recent rebuffs of United States naval ships planning to visit Hong Kong are chiefly in retaliation against Washington's warm reception of the Dalai Lama in October, Chinese analysts said. Beijing has turned away nine US warships in the past month.

US Carrier Sailed Through Taiwan Strait
(Taipei Times, Dec. 1, 2007) A US aircraft carrier group sailed through the Taiwan Strait after it was denied entry to Hong Kong last week. "USS Kitty Hawk carrier strike group has transited the Taiwan Strait," Navy spokesman Shane Tuck said. "This was a normal navigational transit of international waters, and the route selection was based on operational necessity, including adverse weather."

US, China, to 'Work Through' Naval Row
(AFP, Dec. 1, 2007) The United States said it still awaited China's reasons for turning some US warships away from Hong Kong but insisted the two powers would "work through" the simmering dispute. "This incident has not prevented us from being able to work with the Chinese," said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.

US-China Military Hot Line Not Ready
(Associated Press, Nov. 30, 2007) The diplomatic friction over China's refusal to allow U.S. Navy warships to enter Hong Kong harbor is the kind of incident that a crisis hot line ordered three months ago by President Bush and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao might have averted. The trouble is, the hot line is not installed yet.

China's State Media Blames US Actions on Taiwan over Canceled Hong Kong Port Visit (Associated Press, Nov. 28, 2007) The Global Times, a tabloid published by the official party mouthpiece People's Daily, cited an unidentified People's Liberation Army senior colonel, as blaming Washington's decision to sell Taiwan an anti-missile defense system.

China's Naval Rebuff Could Be Reply to Dalai Lama's Medal
(Washington Post, Nov. 24, 2007) China's refusal to allow a U.S. aircraft carrier to dock in Hong Kong on Thanksgiving -- a port call planned months in advance -- was probably a response to President Bush's appearance with the Dalai Lama last month, said Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at People's University in Beijing.

New Book on China Raises a Storm
(International Herald Tribune, Nov. 18, 2007) A recent book argues that on human rights grounds, American policy toward China has been both a failure and a fraud. The book is "The China Fantasy" by James Mann. Mann's thesis, adamantly rejected by many, though not all, experts on China, is that the American policy of what is called "engagement," pursued with some fits and starts by every administration since Richard Nixon's in the 1970s, has not delivered on its main promise, which was Chinese democratization.

Trade Jitters, Anti-China Sentiment Rouse Voters
(Reuters, Nov. 15, 20) It could be expected that Iraq would play a big role in the 2008 U.S. election campaign. But if recent populist rallies are an indication, another country may be rousing even more anger from voters: China.

China and U.S. To Establish Military Hotline
(Washington Post, Nov. 6, 2007) China and the United States announced that they will set up a military hotline between Beijing and Washington to avoid misunderstanding during any moments of crisis in the Pacific. The hotline, a safeguard that the United States has promoted for some time, symbolizes an improvement in military relations between the two countries. It also underlines the degree to which China's rapidly improving military has come to be seen as a factor to be dealt with in the Asia-Pacific region.

Bush's Improbable Best Hope: China By Steven Lee Myers
(International Herald Tribune, Oct. 7, 2007) George W. Bush, embattled at home, tied down in Iraq and watching the clock run out on his presidency, has found a diplomatic crutch in an unlikely place: China. The agreement last week by North Korea to disable its nuclear facilities - announced in Beijing, tellingly - showed just how much Bush's foreign policy has come to rely, for better or worse, on the help of the Chinese.

China Wins as 'US Neglects Region'
(Australian, Sep. 3, 2007) China is establishing greater leadership in the Asia-Pacific because the White House is so preoccupied with Iraq that it is neglecting Asia. "In every measure, China is making real hay right throughout Asia," said Richard Armitage.

Stop Toying Around with Sino-US Relations By Tom Plate
(Straits Times, Aug. 27, 2007) An effective foreign policy requires proportionate thinking. The 'Made in China' safety scare is being fanned into a slash-and-burn conflagration by American politicians who either are happy to destroy what the Bush and Clinton administrations have managed to achieve in relations with Beijing or have no idea of what they are doing.

Bound to China Reviewed by Susan L. Shirk
(Washington Post, Aug. 26, 2007) Just three decades ago, China was a remote and mysterious land far removed from daily life in the United States, much like North Korea today. Fast forward to 2007. China has become an inescapable presence in American life. A drop in Shanghai stock prices triggers a sell-off on the New York Stock Exchange. NASA moves one of its satellites to avoid debris from a Chinese weapons test.

Taiwan Needs 'Six New Assurances' By Randall Schriver
(Taipei Times, Aug. 22, 2007) When Taiwanese government officials began publicly requesting that the US repeat the 1982 "Six Assurances" on the record in some manner, the issue was already lost. For starters, how reassured can anyone feel if the so-called "assurances" have to be dragged out from an otherwise unwilling source?

Irresponsible Threats
(Editorial, New York Times, Aug. 13, 2007) The last thing China needs is to give American politicians new excuses to erect protectionist defenses against Chinese imports. So it is stupefying that some Chinese officials — with the blessing of the government press — have been talking of using China’s enormous cache of American Treasury bonds as an economic weapon.

Better Dialogue in the Triumvirate By Nat Bellocchi
(Taipei Times, Aug. 6, 2007) Washington has now heard the two candidates from Taiwan's main political parties state their objectives. There are numerous reasons why constrictive dialogue between Taipei and Washington has suffered in recent years. The US has made commitments to both Taiwan and China. Changing those commitments would be difficult.

Friction over Trade Tests U.S.-China Ties
(New York Times, July 30, 2007) A year after the United States began a high-level "strategic economic dialogue" with China, the word "dialogue" hardly seems to apply. To keep the dialogue going, Paulson arrived in Beijing on Sunday for his fourth visit in a year.

Sino-US Ties Could Use A New Communiqué By Yang Wenchang
(China Daily, July 16, 2007) Containing "Taiwan independence" elements and safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits are in the common interests of China and the United States. A new political document between the two nations ought to recognize this.

Wu Urges US to Counter PRC Buildup
(Taipei Times, Jul 11, 2007) The nation's chief representative in the US called on Washington to counter China's massive military buildup in Asia. "Taiwan is prosperous economically, but Taiwan is also under threat," Joseph Wu said. "The United States can maintain the `status quo' in the Taiwan Strait by counterbalancing China's military threat against Taiwan."

China Lends A Hand By Richard Holbrooke
(Washington Post, June 28, 2007) Three seemingly unrelated events may not constitute a trend. But they certainly deserve attention when they shed light on the relationship between the United States and China, which is fast becoming the most important bilateral connection in the world. North Korea, Darfur, perhaps Burma. Does this signal a change in Chinese foreign policy? Is there a possibility of greater Sino-American cooperation on other issues of mutual concern?

The Wrong Way to Challenge China By Jim Hoagland
(Washington Post, June 17, 2007) Threats to disrupt the 2008 Olympics -- particularly over issues not focused on human rights in China -- may not turn out to be a useful tool for bringing new pressure to bear.

'Transparency' Clouds Sino-US Ties By Richard Halloran
(Taipei Times, June 13, 2007) It seems between the US and China, specifically between the Department of Defense and the People's Liberation Army (PLA). They can't seem to agree on the meaning of the admittedly awkward word "transparency."

China, U.S. Face Bumpy Road after Trade Talks
(Reuters, May 26, 2007) High-level economic talks between China and the United States this week failed to ease trade rifts between the two economic giants, risking rising tensions ahead of the race for the U.S. presidency.

From Trade Talks, A Lesson About Checks, Balances
(Washington Post, May 25, 2007) Chinese government officials who came to Washington this week for economic talks got an extra lesson over the past two days in the complexities of America's divided government.

Trade Talks With China at a Juncture
(New York Times, May 22, 2007) In recent weeks, the Bush administration has negotiated furiously with China to secure some eye-catching new agreements to unlock Chinese markets for American goods. China, in response, has told the United States that it plans new purchases of $30 billion — a shopping spree that dwarfs any China has gone on previously.

China's Dangerous Model of Power By James Mann
(Washington Post, May 20, 2007) The Iraq war isn't over, but one thing's already clear: China won. As the United States has been bleeding popularity and influence around the world, China has been gaining both. As the U.S. model has become tarnished, China's has gained new luster.

China, U.S. Come to Trade Talks At Odds
(Washington Post, May 19, 2007) On the eve of high-level economic talks in Washington next week, Chinese leaders are increasingly bitter about what they see as bullying behavior by the United States on trade issues, potentially complicating efforts to tackle disputes on such matters as technology exports and intellectual property.

China Begins U.S. 'Buying Mission'
(Associated Press, May 10, 2007) Hoping to ease tensions raised by the massive trade imbalance dividing two of the world's economic powers, China has periodically come to the United States on so-called "buying missions" to demonstrate the country's willingness to import more goods and services.

U.S. Grapples with China's Rise, Taiwan By Richard Bush and Michael O'Hanlon (Daily Yomiuri, May 3, 2007) Most of the issues and frictions that accompany China's rise can be managed. The chances of imminent war over Taiwan are not high. But after a calm couple of years, current events between China and Taiwan are developing in a way that makes us worry the potential for conflict remains.

US Congressman Warns Taipei Not to 'Play TRA'
(Taipei Times, Apr. 26, 2007) A leading critic of Taiwan in the US Congress has warned Taiwan not to cause "another problem" for the US at a time when its military is heavily involved in Iraq and elsewhere.

U.S. Knew of China’s Missile Test, but Kept Silent
(Reuters, Apr. 23, 2007) Three months after th

2007

US, China Hold Talks on Critical Issues (AFP, June 21, 2007) US and Chinese diplomats launched a broad dialogue on Wednesday expected to touch on a range of issues from Beijing’s military build-up to its human rights record and help in ending the Darfur conflict.

House Urges China to Press Sudan over Darfur (Reuters, June 6, 2007) The U.S. House of Representatives urged China on Tuesday to use its influence and economic leverage to stop what President Bush has called the genocide in Sudan's Darfur region.

US Offers China Briefings on Missile Defense (AFP, June 4, 2007) US Defense Secretary Robert Gates offered China briefings on the US missile defense system to reassure them that it does not threaten China's nuclear deterrent.

US, China Smooth over Military Build-Up Dispute (AFP, June 3, 2007) The United States and China turned down the heat on a simmering dispute over Beijing's military build-up, with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates expressing optimism about future relations.

China Says to Set Up Military Hotline with U.S (Reuters, June 2, 2007) China and the United States are to set up a defense hotline, one of Beijing's top generals said, a move aimed at improving military relations as Washington grows increasingly wary of China's military build-up.

Gates to Play Down China Build-Up at Security Talks (Reuters, June 1, 2007) U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will encourage engagement with China and avoid public criticism of its military build-up at an Asia security conference this weekend, a senior U.S. official said.

US Urges China to Be More Open on Military Spending, Intentions (AFP, May 25, 2007) US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said China is steadily acquiring sophisticated military capabilities and urged it to be more open about its intentions.

U.S., China Make Progress in Trade Talks (AP, May 24, 2007) The United States and China concluded high-level trade talks with progress reported in a few areas but no breakthrough in the biggest dispute, China's undervalued currency.

China Warns U.S. against Trade "Confrontation" (Reuters, May 24, 2007) U.S. "confrontation" with China will not solve trade friction between the two economic giants, Chinese state media said, urging greater cooperation after talks failed to resolve key sticking points.

U.S. and China Trade Jabs as Talks Open (Washington Post, May 23, 2007) "Politicizing trade issues is absolutely unacceptable," Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi. Schwab said that her decisions were not politically motivated but were a last resort after talks failed to resolve the issues quickly enough.

U.S.-China Talks to Target Trade Gap (USA Toady, May 21, 2007) U.S. and Chinese officials resume an unusual brand of high-profile diplomacy Tuesday. The aim: Do just enough to ease short-term trade frictions so both countries can profit from long-term ties.

U.S. Trade Protectionist Talk "Irresponsible": China's Wu (Reuters, May 17, 2007) Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi criticized calls in the United States for trade protectionist measures, calling such moves "irresponsible acts" that can only harm both countries' interests.

Pacific Commander Stresses China Ties (Washington Post, May 13, 2007) The new commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, Adm. Timothy J. Keating, said that he wants to intensify joint exercises and other exchanges with the Chinese military as quickly and broadly as the Chinese government will allow.

US Engineer Guilty of Exporting Military Data to China (AFP, May 11, 2007) A Chinese-born US engineer was on Thursday found guilty of conspiracy to smuggle sensitive technology about US Navy submarines to China following a six-week trial in California.

US Congress Raps China over Darfur (AFP, May 10, 2007) More than 100 US lawmakers signed a robustly worded letter calling on China's President Hu Jintao to take immediate action to stop bloodshed in Darfur, a senior lawmaker said.

U. S., China to Hold Economic Talks (AP, Apr. 13, 2007) U.S. and Chinese officials plan to meet to discuss ways to improve economic ties that have been strained by a soaring trade gap and Bush administration penalties against Beijing.

China Military May Set Up U.S. Hotline (AP, Mar. 24, 2007) China's military is proposing officer exchanges and other confidence-building measures with the U.S. Army and may be inching closer to setting up a "hotline" for emergency communication with Washington, the top U.S. general said.

U.S. General Says China Missile Test "Confusing" (Reuters, Mar. 24, 2007) China's anti-satellite missile test in January sent a confusing message to the world about its military plans, the United States' top military officer said on Friday, urging Beijing to be more open.

Top U.S. General Visits China (AP, Mar. 23, 2007) In his first visit to China as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen. Peter Pace went directly into meetings with Defense Minister Gen. Cao Gangchuan and other top leaders of China's 2.3 million-member armed forces.

U.S. Admiral Promises to Engage China (CNA, Mar. 10, 2007) The admiral nominated to serve as the top U.S. military commander in the Pacific said that if his nomination is confirmed, he will pursue robust engagement with China to help defuse tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

China Hits Back at US on Human Rights (AFP, Mar. 8, 2007) China rejected US criticisms of its rights record and issued its own annual report pointing out US human rights failings both at home and on foreign soil.

China Labels U.S. Peeping Tom over Defense Spending (Reuters, Mar. 1, 2007) China's Foreign Ministry likened U.S. doubts about Chinese defense spending to a peeping tom poking through Beijing's underwear, describing the Asian giant as a benign neighbor and force for peace.

US Defense Chief: China Military Capabilities Worrisome (AFP, Feb. 24, 2007) US Defense Secretary Robert Gates expressed concern over China's developing military capabilities and the ease with which military spending can be hidden from public view.

U.S. Takes China to WTO Over Subsidies (AP, Feb. 3, 2007) The Bush administration, under pressure from the Democratic-controlled Congress to do something about America's soaring trade deficit, filed a trade case yesterday against China in a dispute involving government subsidies.

China Satellite Test Justifies Trade Controls: U.S. Official (Reuters, Jan. 26, 2007) China's missile strike against one of its own satellites underlined why Washington was wary of Beijing's military ambitions and planned to refine controls on sensitive American exports, a U.S. trade official said.