China’s Leadership Transition

  Hong Kong Crisis

  China’s Economic and Social Developments

  Jiang’s Retirement and Hu Era

  [Government and Documents] [Security Issues] [Information and Sites] [News] [Papers]

~ 2006

China's Hu Vows "Resolute" Fight against Corruption in Communist Party (AFP, July 1, 2006) Chinese President Hu Jintao has called for a "resolute" fight to stamp out corruption within the Communist Party, following a recent spate of arrests and sackings of party members for graft.

China President Looks to Establish Saudi-Fed Oil Reserve
(AFP, Apr. 24, 2006) Chinese President Hu Jintao discussed a proposal to set up a Saudi-fed strategic oil reserve in China during a visit to the kingdom which has seen the signing of energy and defense deals.

Chinese President Vows a More Open Policy
(AP, Jan. 1, 2006) China's president vowed that his country would continue to open up and reform in 2006, pursuing a goal of peaceful development as it plays a bigger role on the world stage.

Dissident Jailed for 12 Years Over Anti-Japanese Protests (Telegraph, Dec. 27, 2005) A Chinese dissident has been jailed for 12 years for his part in organising an anti-Japanese rally, a sentence attacked by his wife who says he is innocent.

Beijing Eager to Reassure That Its Goals Are Peaceful
(AP, Nov. 18, 2005) Chinese President Hu Jintao took center stage at a Pacific Rim forum, offering assurances there is nothing to fear from his fast-developing country and emphasizing that China has great potential to contribute to world peace.

Hu: China 'Wants Peace and Democracy'
(BBC, Nov. 9, 2005) China is ready to strengthen efforts for a "harmonious world of lasting peace", President Hu Jintao has said. China wanted "improved democracy", he said in a Buckingham Palace banquet speech in front of PM Tony Blair.

China's Communists Eye Economy, Leadership Succession
(Reuters, Oct. 11, 2005) China's ruling Communist Party wraps up a four-day closed-door meeting that charts a course for the world's seventh-biggest economy and could see party chief Hu Jintao further cement his grip on power.

China Opens Up to HK Democrats
(BBC, Sep. 26, 2005) Pro-democracy members of Hong Kong's legislature are continuing an unprecedented visit to China. The Chinese authorities had previously snubbed the legislators who wanted full democracy for Hong Kong.

China Plans to Allow Hong Kong a Bigger Voice in Choosing Its Leaders (New York Times, Sep. 25, 2005) With unexpected support from Beijing, the government here is preparing to move a step closer to fully democratic representation with an election plan to be announced next month.

Zhao's Death Puts China in Quandary
(WP, Jan. 18, 2005) China's Communist leadership convened a series of emergency meetings Monday to manage the consequences of the death of a disgraced party leader.

Ex-Chinese Communist Leader Zhao Dies
(AP, Jan. 17, 2005) Zhao Ziyang, the former Communist Party leader who helped launch China's economic boom but was ousted after sympathizing with the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protesters, died Monday in a Beijing hospital. He was 85.

Authorities Declare Martial Law in Rural Henan Province
(WP, Nov. 2, 2004; Page A18) Government authorities declared martial law in a rural section of central China's Henan province last week after four days of ethnic clashes there involving thousands of villagers left as many as a dozen people dead.

China Mulls Law to Make Invasion Legal By Jane Rickards
(China Post, Oct. 8, 2004) China is considering establishing a reunification law to undermine the authority of a U.S law to provide the island with enough arms to defend itself, creating a legal basis for an invasion of Taiwan.

China Rejects Hong Kong Push for Democracy
(AP, July 3, 2004) China said it will stick by a decision ruling out the direct election of Hong Kong's next leader, rejecting a demand by tens of thousands of the territory's people who had marched in protest two days before.

PRC to Seek U.S. Help in 'Containing' Taiwan
(Central News Agency, May 27, 2004) Beijing will rely on U.S. pressure to keep Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian in check while at the same time seeking to reinforce its military deterrence.

China Decries Chen's 'Taiwan Independence Bid'
(Reuters, May 24, 2004) China denounced Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's inaugural speech as a cloaked address on independence and said Beijing would pay any price to stop him if he continued down the road to statehood.

U.S. Says China's Statement on Taiwan Is `Unhelpful'
(Bloomberg, May 18, 2004) The U.S. government said China's announcement that it may use force against Taiwan should the island press for independence is ''unhelpful'' and encouraged the mainland to resolve political differences peacefully.

China Delivers Double-Edged Notice to Taiwan
(WP, May 17, 2004) The Chinese government warned Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian to pull back from a "dangerous lurch towards independence" or face "destruction." But it also offered economic, diplomatic and other benefits if he acknowledges Taiwan and the mainland are part of "one China."

Hu's Peace Pledge: China Is a Partner, Not a Threat, in Asia
(Straits Times, Apr. 25, 2004) China will 'raise high the banner of peace', said President Hu Jintao, as he reeled off hard numbers, statistics and trade figures to convince his Asian partners that China stood for cooperation, not danger.

China Approves Amendments to Constitution on Human Rights
(NYT, Mar. 15, 2004) China's Parliament formally approved constitutional amendments on Sunday that address private property and human rights. At the same time, the country's new prime minister promised to rein in the overheated economy.

China Tells Foreigners Not to Aid Activists
(WP, Mar. 7, 2004) The Chinese government warned that it will not tolerate foreign help for political activists pushing for full democracy in Hong Kong or for leaders in Taiwan seeking to move the self-governing island toward a declaration of independence.

The Success of the Qinmin Strategy
(CNN.com, Jan. 30, 2004) This is a reference to the so-called qinmin ("be nice to the people") engineering project implemented by President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao the past year.

New 'Honesty' Rules for Top China Leaders
(CNN.com, Jan. 14, 2004) For the first time in the 82-year history of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), even Politburo members are subject to systematic scrutiny and supervision.

China's Leaders Back Private Property
(WP, Dec. 23, 2003) China's Communist Party leaders proposed amendments to the nation's constitution that would enshrine a legal right to private property.

Political Reform in China: What Reform?
(Straits Times, Nov. 17, 2003) Top Chinese leader Hu Jintao has baulked at removing the phrase 'dictatorship of the proletariat' from the soon-to-be amended Constitution.

China Reacts to Bush Remarks on Democracy, Saying It Follows Its Own Path (AFP, Nov. 8, 2003) China said it will pursue its own path to democracy, reacting to remarks by US President George W. Bush that the Chinese people will eventually want their liberty "pure and whole."

China's Hu Calls for Active Political Reform
(Reuters, Oct. 1, 2003) Chinese President Hu Jintao has called for further reform of China's political system and the expansion of ''socialist democracy'' and citizens' participation in politics.

China Orders Halt to Debate On Reforms
(Washington Post, Aug. 27, 2003) After several months of permitting China's intellectuals the freedom to call for political reform, the Communist Party has ordered a halt to such debate.

China Moves Toward Cloaked Capitalism
(Associated Press, Aug. 18, 2003) The communist leadership is planning to amend the Chinese constitution, making it slightly less anti-business, but official ideology hasn't changed.

Beijing Bids Farewell to Beidaihe
(Editorial, Japan Times, July 29, 2003) The new leadership, headed by President Hu Jintao, has reportedly decided to end the annual summer meetings at the seaside resort of Beidaihe.

China's Communist Party to Deepen Reforms
(Reuters, June 30, 2003) China's Communist Party pledged Monday, the eve of the anniversary of its foundation, to deepen cultural reforms to free authors, artists and actors from dogmatic Marxist thinking.

China to Open Field in Local Elections
(WP, June 13, 2003) President Hu Jintao is poised to announce limited but significant political reforms that would permit for the first time more than one candidate to compete for office in local legislatures.

Hu Jintao Looks to Russia as Strategic Partner Against US
(AP, May 29, 2003) Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao reaffirmed his call for a 'multipolar world' and promised to carry on his predecessor's course of developing a strategic partnership with Russia.

China-Russia Summit: Giants Strengthen Ties
(Asia Times, May 28, 2003) Hu Jintao has chosen Russia for his first official visit abroad since becoming Chinese president. Key economic as well as geopolitical issues will be discussed during Hu's visit.

China Tells U.N. It Will Never Give Up Taiwan
(Reuters, Sep. 15, 2002) China vowed before the U.N. General Assembly that it would never allow Taiwan to become independent, which it said could undermine peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region.

Beijing Sends Message on Taiwan via Kissinger
(Reuters, April 15, 2002) "The development of Sino-U.S. relations over the past 30 years has proved that whenever the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques have been adhered to, the bilateral ties have witnessed smooth development," Hu Jintao said.

China Hosts Asia-style Davos
(Reuters, April 11, 2002) China is looking to further boost its prestige on the international stage this week by hosting a Davos-style forum for Asia. The guest list for the two-day Boao Forum includes the prime ministers of Japan, Thailand and South Korea.

Public Opinion Starting to Count in China
(Straits Times, Dec. 10, 2001) Market-research firms and consultancies are reaping the benefits of the more open political environment.

China's Congress Ratifies Anti-Terror Treaties (Reuters, Oct. 28, 2001)

Beijing Ratifies Rights Treaty, but Has Qualifications (Washington Post, Mar. 1, 2001)

China Running Out of Steam (Economist, Dec. 4, 2000)

No Room for US Mediation over Taiwan: China (AFP, Nov. 28, 2000)

China's President Speaks of Taiwan (Associated Press, Sep. 8, 2000)

Chinese Government Sees Falun Gong As Political Threat (AFP, July 24, 2000)

China Trying to Crack Down on Vocal Liberal Intellectuals (New York Times, May 8, 2000)

China Buys The Soft Sell By Joshua Kurlantzick
(WP, Oct. 15, 2006) China now has the chance to wield the diplomatic influence it has carefully been amassing in recent years as it pursues a new strategy in Asia and elsewhere in the world. Call it Chinese power, 21st-century-style.

Mr. Hu is in Charge
(Japan Times Editorial, Oct. 13, 2006) This week's annual plenum served another vital purpose: President Hu Jintao used it to consolidate his control of the party and to stamp out any opposition.

Beijing Battle: Who Will Succeed Hu? By Jonathan Ansfield
(Newsweek International, Oct. 9, 2006) The ouster of Shanghai's powerful party chief may be the first salvo in the battle for supremacy among the next generation of Chinese leaders.

An Increasingly Confident China Lends Clout to UN By David Lague (International Herald Tribune, Sep. 19, 2006) It is evidence that along with its mounting economic power, an increasingly confident China is prepared to deploy military and police forces to bolster its diplomatic influence and national prestige.

China Starts to Pull Its Weight at the UN By Michael Fullilove
(International Herald Tribune, Aug. 23, 2006) Twice in the past month, China has supported tough UN Security Council resolutions on the world's most dangerous problems. In truth, they were the culmination of a decades-long process that has seen China's assertiveness at the UN follow the same growth curve as its economic strength and military capacity.

China's Interest In Taiwan By Barry Petersen
(CBS News, Aug. 2, 2006) Chinese policy was about preventing independence and planning for the day when Taiwan would be absorbed back into China. Reunification was the stated goal. But in a subtle shift, China’s new leader, Hu Jintao, has changed the rules.

China's Jiang Creeps back from Political Oblivion By Benjamin Kang Lim (Reuters, July 19, 2006) Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin has quietly emerged from retirement, an apparent attempt to influence leadership changes due next year and safeguard his own legacy, political sources and analysts said.

Will China's New Direction Change Communism? By Mark Magnier (Los Angeles Times, July 16, 2006) This rosy view is not shared by everyone inside and outside the party, however, at a time of widespread and growing corruption, social unrest, land seizures and environmental degradation.

China: Hu's Power Play By Ian Bremmer
(IHT, July 14, 2006) Why would Chinese officials invent a number that suggests the country is plagued with so much popular anger? The answer reveals the more immediate challenges facing President Hu Jintao's political and economic agenda.

Communist Party at Crossroads
(Straits Times, June 30, 2006) AS IT turns 85 tomorrow, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) finds itself at a tricky crossroads where the future is framed by both the confidence gleaned from a rising China as well as insecurities from mounting domestic challenges.

Qian Qichen: 'Godfather' of Modern Chinese Diplomacy
(Straits Times, June 10, 2006) Veteran Chinese diplomat-turned-author Qian Qichen is remembered by many as the 'godfather' of modern Chinese diplomacy. And for good reason. In the decade that he served as China's foreign minister, between 1988 and 1998, Mr Qian played a direct and often instrumental role in some of the country's most dramatic diplomatic milestones.

Hu Aiming to be in Same League as Deng and Jiang
(Straits Times, Jan. 4, 2006) Chinese President Hu Jintao has begun a subtle new attempt at elevating his political status, calling on Communist Party theorists to link his nascent ideological credo of 'scientific development' with those of his predecessors Jiang Zemin and Deng Xiaoping.

China's New 'Peace Offensive'
(Editorial, Japan Times, Dec. 29, 2005) China has launched a public-relations offensive. The publication of a white paper on the country's "peaceful development" is designed to quiet concerns about China's growing affluence and how Beijing intends to use the influence that it wields.

Questioning How Peaceful China's Rise Really Is
(Editorial, China Post, Dec. 26, 2005) All of the lofty promises Beijing has made cannot make up for the fact that Beijing still wants Taiwan to accept preconditions for talks that are widely unacceptable to the majority of people here.

A Ray of Hope for Chinese Progressives By Frank Ching
(Japan Times, Nov. 28, 2005) The recent political rehabilitation of former party chief Hu Yaobang, whose death in April 1989 triggered massive student demonstrations in Tiananmen Square, is encouraging to the progressive wing of the Chinese Communist Party.

China to Give Memorial Rite to Hu Yaobang, Purged Reformer By Joseph Kahn (New York Times, Nov. 15, 2005) Despite strong internal opposition, the Chinese Communist Party will officially restore the reputation of a liberal-leaning party leader whose death helped inspire pro-democracy protests.

China Seeks to Make Friends with All World
(People’s Daily, Oct. 1, 2005) In its modernization drive, China has pursued a foreign policy of peace and development and is making friends with countries all over the world.

China's Hu: Closet Liberal or Conservative? By Benjamin Kang Lim
(Reuters, Sep. 28, 2005) Chinese Communist Party chief Hu Jintao is as much of an enigma today as he was when he rose to power almost three years ago, still keeping the world guessing whether he is a closet liberal or an ultra-conservative.

China's Leader, Ex-Rival at Side, Solidifies Power By Joseph Kahn
(New York Times, Sep. 25, 2005) Mr. Hu, China's president and Communist Party chief, and Zeng Qinghong, vice president and the man in charge of the party's organizational affairs, have tackled the most delicate domestic and foreign policy issues as a team.

Hu's in Charge
(Economist, Aug. 18, 2005) In the nearly three years since Hu Jintao assumed the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, his image has changed markedly. Mr Hu was once seen by many as a potential liberal reformer. Now, he is widely regarded as a conservative authoritarian.

China's Reckless Nationalism
(Editorial, International Herald Tribune, Apr. 13, 2005) It is inevitable that China's rise as an economic power will generate tensions with other countries, especially neighbors like Japan. But it is important that these tensions be managed responsibly by both sides.

The Ghost of Tiananmen Continues to Haunt China's Rulers By Joseph Kahn (New York Times, Jan. 23, 2005) In an age when opponents operate virtually and borderlessly, the party may prove incapable of enforcing its version of history, of truth.

A Tragic Figure Spurned by His Party Still Strikes Fear in China's Communists By Willy Lam (Asian Wall Street Journal, Jan. 18, 2005)   Why are China's leaders so nervous about the death of former Communist Party chief Zhao Ziyang?

No Let-Up in China's Crackdown on Liberals By Goh Sui Noi
(Straits Times, Dec. 2004) China has continued its crackdown on liberal intellectuals and activists, in what analysts see as a move by the leadership to assert control as anti-government criticism and social activism increase.

Hu Shows His Colors
(Editorial, China Post, Dec. 26, 2004) Hu Jintao is slowly but unmistakably displaying his assertiveness and resoluteness in dealing with internal and external affairs. He is showing his true colors. He is more of a nationalist than a reformist, more of an autocrat than a democrat.

China Pushes for New Order By Glyn Ford
(Japan Times, Nov. 11, 2004) A new Chinese diplomacy is emerging from Beijing. The revolutionary phase of Chinese foreign policy is dead; now pragmatism has taken center-stage.

Beijing 'Hardens Its Policy on Taiwan' By Goh Sui Noi
(Straits Times, Nov. 9, 2004) China has hardened its policy on Taiwan and is less eager to separate politics from economics, says the former chairman of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, Mr Hsu Hsin-liang.

China’s Foreign Relations: Softening at the Edges By David Murphy
(Far Eastern Economic Review, Nov. 4, 2004) China's rapidly growing economic clout and world status is changing its relationships with formerly wary neighbours from Vietnam and India to Russia and Mongolia.

China's Testy Foreign Policy Wins Few Friends, Despite Need By Mark Magnier (LA Times, Oct. 7, 2004) A look around the neighborhood now finds Beijing's relations with Washington, Tokyo, Seoul, Pyongyang, Taipei, Singapore and Moscow taking a turn for the worse.

Modernisation a Threat to Dialects in China By Goh Sui Noi
(Straits Times, Aug. 19, 2004) Local dialects are disappearing as greater mobility and interaction give rise to the need for a common tongue.

A Plea for Honesty Transfixes China By Edward Cody
(Washington Post, Aug. 14, 2004) An obscure Communist Party cadre in southern China burst into the national limelight with an open letter in which he complained bitterly that his efforts to fight corruption had been stymied by more senior government and party officials.

China Dangles Carrots for N Korea, Not Taiwan By Bonnie S Glaser (Pacific Forum, July 30. 2004) Beijing has shown great diplomatic dexterity in handling the North Korea nuclear-weapons issue. By contrast, in dealing with Taiwan, Beijing's approach has been devoid of diplomatic deftness.

China's Jiang Jostles against Hu to Retain Power By Benjamin Kang Lim (Reuters, July 27, 2004) Behind-the-scenes rivalry between Chinese Communist Party chief Hu Jintao and his ageing predecessor is intensifying before a crucial party meeting when the elder statesman can expect pressure to give up his last post.

Former Leader Is Still a Power in China's Life By Joseph Kahn
(New York Times, July 16, 2004) China's state media announced this week that Jiang Zemin, the country's military chief, had visited the northern city of Shenyang and called on troops there "to master revolutionary theory."

Hu's Star Will Keep Rising By Frank Ching
(Japan Times, July 9, 2004) Hu is clearly able to define his own agenda, though he is sensitive to policy areas that are especially important to Jiang, in particular the Hong Kong issue.

China Is Filtering Phone Text Messages to Regulate Criticism By Joseph Kahn (New York Times, July 3, 2004) China has begun filtering billions of telephone text messages to ensure that people do not use the popular communication tool to undermine one-party rule.

China Opens a Window on the Really Big Ideas By Howard W. French (New York Times, June 2, 2004) China's newest leader, Hu Jintao, has instituted consultations with some of the country's top thinkers on a wide range of issues: how great powers rise and fall; global economics; constitutional law…

Jiang Puts Hard Line To Test In China By Philip P. Pan
(Washington Post, May 31, 2004) China's former president, Jiang Zemin, is strengthening his hold on power by promoting a hard-line approach toward Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Beijing's Tough Warning Soft on Unification By Ching Cheong
(Strait Times, May 18, 2004) Absence of 'one country, two systems' phrase suggests China is more concerned about curbing independence in Taiwan.

Curbing "Taiwan Independence" Urgent Task
(Xinhuanet, May 17, 2004) At present, the relations across the Taiwan Straits are severely tested. To put a resolute check on the "Taiwan independence" activities aimed at dismembering China and safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits is the most pressing task.

The Dimensions of China's Peaceful Rise By Yiwei Wang
(Asia Times, May 14, 2004) The peaceful rise of China has become its national will and concept. Though the rise of China is an indisputable fact, consensus on the approach and future of the nation's ascent has yet to be reached in the international community.

Peaceful Rise: Strategic Choice for China
(Xinhua News, Apr. 24, 2004) Though not hearing the term "peaceful rise" in Chinese President Hu Jintao's keynote speech in Boao , Hainan, observers have noticed that the concept had become the strategic choice for China.

Chinese Leaders Pay Quiet Homage to Hu Yaobang By Benjamin Kang Lim (Reuters, Apr. 13, 2004) China's top leaders have made discreet pilgrimages to the remote burial site of former Communist Party chief Hu Yaobang, revered by many for his bold reforms.

Chinese Leaders Speak of Reform, But How Quickly? By Philip P. Pan (Washington Post, Mar. 14, 2004) As they prepare to close the annual session of the National People's Congress on Sunday, the country's new leaders have done little more than talk about political reform.

China's Leaders Taken to Task By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Mar. 8, 2004) Balance, not rapid growth, is the central theme of this year's session of China's National People's Congress. Yet the leadership of President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao has already been taken to task for its so-called "scientific theory of development."

China’s Directionless Transition: A Commentary By Arthur Waldron (China Brief, Jamestown Foundation, Feb. 20, 2004) That China is in transition no one can doubt. A directionless transition is under way in China and it will continue, destination uncertain.

Beijing’s New “Balanced” Foreign Policy: An Assessment By Willy Lam (China Brief, Jamestown Foundation, Feb. 20, 2004) The past twelve months having been a banner year for Chinese foreign policy, senior cadres, including President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, have been busy laying the foundations of a diplomacy that is balanced yet pro-active.

China Aiming for 'Peaceful Rise' By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Feb. 3, 2004) The "peaceful rise of China" is one of the most significant new ideas put forward by the administration of President Hu Jintao.

Maoist Revival Challenges Reform Efforts By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Dec. 23, 2003) While relatively liberal cadres such as Premier Wen Jiabao are telling foreigners about Beijing's commitment to reform and human rights, conservative forces are having a field day.

Beijing's Taiwan Policy Costly for China By Harvey Stockwin
(Japan Times, Dec. 22, 2003) The threat of war means that there is no meaningful dialogue, while the absence of meaningful dialogue increases the threat of war. This unhappy situation throws a negative light on Chinese policymaking.

Interview With Wen Jiabao
(Washington Post, Nov. 23, 2003) In his first interview with Western journalists: “The U.S. side must be crystal clear in opposing the use of a referendum or writing a constitution or all other tactics used by the leader of Taiwan authorities to pursue his separatist agenda.”

Beijing's Political Reform Has Yet to Get Off the Ground By Wenran Jiang (Japan Times, Oct. 19, 2003) The CCP must realize that China cannot sustain its economic miracle and its space mission without a successful political reform program.

China Set to Amend Its Constitution Again By Ching Cheong
(Straits Times, Oct. 10, 2003) China, formally still a communist country, is set to amend its Constitution to protect private property rights and accord equal political status to every of its 1.2 billion citizens.

The Charm From Beijing By Jane Perlez
(New York Times, Oct. 9, 2003) Prime Minister Wen Jiabao of China this week unfurled what has clearly become a basic tenet of Beijing's foreign policy: friendly, even superfriendly, relations with the neighbors.

Setback for China's Constitutional Reform By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Sep. 3, 2003) Former President Jiang Zemin's bid to dominate the process of constitutional reform is at the heart of the on-going crackdown on liberal intellectuals in China.

A New Direction for Chinese Diplomacy By John Pomfret
(Washington Post, August 16, 2003) Nuclear threat in North Korea prompts ambitious moves toward multilateralism. China's dynamism on this issue also reflects a deeper change in Chinese foreign policy.

The Choice of China's Diplomatic Strategy
(People’s Daily, Mar. 19, 2003) Sino-US relationship is not isolated, If we maintain good relations with other big countries, the safeguard of Sino-US relations will become relatively easy.

China's Mounting Challenges By Francis Markus
(BBC, Mar. 5, 2003) It was the perfect metaphor for China today, and the achievements and problems that Hu Jintao and his leadership team will inherit.

China's New Peace Strategy By Ling Xing-guang
(Japan Times, Nov. 17, 2002) Beijing is adopting a realistic approach to promote friendship with the U.S., the sole military superpower, and foster a peaceful international environment that is indispensable for its economic expansion.

China Embraces More Moderate Foreign Policy By John Pomfret
(Washington Post, October 24, 2002) Exhibiting new self-confidence and unprecedented acceptance of U.S. power in the world, China has embraced a more moderate, engaged foreign policy than ever before.

More Self-Confident China Will Be a Responsible Power By Zhang Yunling and Tang Shiping
(Straits Times, Oct. 2,2002) China's leaders understand clearly that an aggressive security strategy is simply not a viable option no matter how powerful China becomes.

China Revisits Cultural Revolution Norms By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Aug. 27, 2002) Beijing is going through a binge of the restoration of Cultural Revolution-era -- and feudalistic -- norms. This is despite the fact that the country seems irrevocably committed to market-oriented modernization.

China's Defensive Strategy Threat-Free: Analysis
(People’s Daily, Aug. 12, 2002) "China develops limited military capability and it is completely for the self-defensive purpose. And there is a covert attempt behind 'China threat' dissemination."

Trouble Continues Under Chen Shui-bian
(China Daily, May 1, 2002) The ups and downs in relations across the Taiwan Straits since "president" Chen Shui-bian assumed office show that he has fully inherited the mantle of his predecessor, Lee Teng-hui, as a trouble-maker.

China's Communists Try to Decide What They Stand For By Elisabeth Rosenthal
(New York Times, May 1, 2002) "What does the Communist Party stand for now?" he asked matter-of-factly. "Nothing. Stability maybe. But really no ideals at all." Beginning last year, once closed party institutes have invited a large number of foreign political scientists, including harsh critics of the current government, to lecture and give their advice on China's future.

Diplomacy Travel Bug Bites Top China Leaders By David Hsieh
(Straits Times, April 11, 2002) The travel bug has hit China's top leaders in a sign that Beijing is vigorously asserting its growing influence on the world stage. The trips are a concerted drive to win and influence friends, reflecting Beijing's growing assertiveness on global issues

Jiang's Staying Power By Willy Wo-Lap Lam
(CNN.com, Dec. 26, 2001) Three intriguing events in Beijing and Shanghai the past month or so have shed light on the future of President Jiang Zemin -- and the nature of Chinese politics. Firstly, a number of senior cadres in Shanghai have petitioned the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee asking that Jiang, 75, be made exempt from the retire-at-70 rule.

Jiang Battles to Save His Legacy By Willy Wo-Lap Lam
(CNN.com, Nov. 28, 2001) The countdown towards next October's 16th Communist Party Congress has begun, and main protagonist President Jiang Zemin seems to be riding high. Yet Jiang is hardly a happy man because he is besieged by both internal and foreign problems.

China's Villagers Vote, But Its Party Rules By Erik Eckholm
(New York Times, Nov. 4, 2001) The September election was a showcase of China's most vaunted political initiative: village elections that China's leaders trumpet as grass-roots democracy. But the elected officials are still supposed to take marching orders from local Communist Party leaders, who are appointed from above.

China Attempts to Boost Global Clout By Willy Wo-Lap Lam
(CNN.com, Nov. 2, 2001) China is pursuing multi-pronged diplomatic efforts to boost its global clout in the wake of the September 11 attacks on the U.S. Diplomatic analysts in Beijing said the administration of President Jiang Zemin wanted to prevent the United States from taking advantage of the anti-terrorist campaign to perpetuate a "unipolar world order."

In Its Own Neighborhood, China Emerges as a Leader By John Pomfret
(Washington Post, Oct. 18, 2001) When the United States turned its attention to Central Asia last month in an effort to build a coalition to fight terrorism, it was following in the recent footsteps of another power that has been pressing to expand its influence in the region.

China Progresses with the Times By Willy Wo-Lap Lam
(CNN.com, Sep. 5, 2001) Will the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) transform itself into a Chinese Socialist Democratic Party (CSDP)? It seems no longer a question of whether it will, but when it will.

How to Treat China's Development--An Important Issue of Understanding Concerning China-US Relations
(People's Daily, Sep. 3, 2001) Since it introduced the reform and opening policy, China's sustained and rapid economic growth, the continued enhancement of its comprehensive national strength and its development momentum have attracted the world's attention.

Shades of Red
(Asiaweek, Sep. 2, 2001) It sounded like heresy to stalwarts of Marxist-Leninist-Mao Zedong Thought — let business professionals join the Communist Party of China.

Introducing the China Ruling Party By Thomas L. Friedman
(New York Times, Aug. 11, 2001) The world has grown so used to all the contradictions in China these days that "the mother of all Chinese contradictions" — the July 1 decision by President Jiang Zemin to allow capitalists to join the Chinese Communist Party — barely got a shrug. It deserved more.

Chinese President Expresses Optimism on Relations With U.S. By Erik Eckholm
(New York Times, Aug. 10, 2001) Jiang Zemin has not yet met George W. Bush, but in their single telephone conversation last month, Mr. Jiang now says, "from his voice I could feel that he was a president I could do business with.''

Communists at Ironic Juncture By Ching-Ching Ni
(LA Times, July 3, 2001) The self-appointed vanguard of the Chinese people is struggling with an ideological dilemma that goes to the core of what it is and whether it can stay in power: Can a capitalist be a good Communist Party member?

Full Text of Jiang's Speech at CPC Anniversary Gathering
(People's Daily, July 1, 2001) "We gather ceremoniously here today to celebrate, together with the people of all ethnic groups across the country, the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and along with all people in the world who love peace and pursue progress, look to the bright future of the development of China and the world.”

China's Communist Party: 80 Years of Power
(CNN.com, July 2001) Latest News, Features, Profiles, In-Depth, and Resources. Cardre party shuffle, U.S. hegemony fear, CCP and capitalism, China-Taiwan arms, U.S. and China, People's Congress, Visions of China.

After 80 Years CCP Looks to Future By Willy Wo-Lap Lam
(CNN.com, June 13, 2001) "There are also problems with presidential systems such as the United States," Jiang reportedly said. "The president may be elected by the people. But he proceeds to appoint cronies to high positions." Jiang said he favored the elitist systems in Singapore and Malaysia.

China's Hard Sell in the Mild, Mild West By Willy Wo-Lap Lam
(CNN.com, May 30, 2001) Both the promise and problematic nature of China's ambitious go-west program is evident from the recent visit to the hinterland provinces by 100-odd Hong Kong tycoons and officials.

China Debates Its Foreign Policy By Ching Cheong
(Straits Times, May 24, 2001) The sharp downturn in Sino-American relations has triggered a major policy debate in China on how it should respond to the new political and strategic reality.

China's Loss May Prove a Winner By Willy Wo-Lap Lam
(CNN.com, May 1, 2001) Jiang has recommended the following measures to beat back what is perceived as Bush's hawkish, anti-China policies. First, China must decrease its dependence on the U.S. market and on American investment.

China Seeks Big Role on World Stage
(Associated Press, Apr. 16, 2001) In stop after stop in Latin America, Chinese President Jiang Zemin chatted with locals, shook hands, flashed his broad smile, tried out his remarkably good Spanish -- and even sang. What he rarely did was talk about Beijing's standoff with Washington over the U.S. spy plane.

'The Taiwan Question Is the Most Important' -- Written Responses of Chinese President Jiang Zemin to Questions from the Washington Post
(Washington Post, Mar. 24, 2001)  Some people outside China think that China and the United States will inevitably come into conflict with each other.

Can China's Communist Party Stay in the Driving Seat? By Willy Wo-Lap Lam
(CNN, Mar. 14, 2001) Now that communism and socialism are virtually dead, how can the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) maintain its relevance and one-party dominance?

Communist Ideologues Struggle to Make Room for Capitalists By Charles Wolf Jr.
(LA Times, Feb. 11, 2001) China's socialist market economy is starting to look much more like capitalism, creating a new dilemma for the nation's Communist leadership.

The Ghosts of Tiananmen By Allen T. Cheng and Tim Healy
(Asiaweek, Jan. 19, 2001) Tiananmen Square was eerily quiet on June 4, 1989, just after PLA soldiers killed hundreds of protesters. How the tragedy still haunts China's leaders? In a way, today's struggle is still about Mao jackets and blue jeans.

Documents Reveal Top Chinese Split Before Crackdown By Steven Mufson (Washington Post, Jan. 6, 2001)

Reading Beidaihe's Tea Leaves By James Miles (Asian Wall Street Journal, Aug. 10, 2000)

Many Chinese Distrust Party's Idea of Reform By John Pomfret (Washington Post, July 1, 2000)

China's Conditional Multilaterialism and Great Power Entente  By Jing-dong Yuan (Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College, January 2000)