September SIGNAL’s

Drawing Lines in the Sand: China at Home, U.S. Abroad From SIGNAL’s Desk: Policy Research by SIGNAL & Must-Reads “Back to the Future”: Xi’s Across-the-Board Maoist/Leninist Reformation to Prepare China for Struggle with America Promise of “Common Prosperity” reminiscent of Mao’s Cultural Revolution, stirring internal debate. Societal and economic “Decoupling” from the West despite murky […]

July/August SIGNAL’s

Middle East Becomes a Key Chinese Diplomatic Arena Foreign Minister Wang returned to the Middle East for a second regional tour in only four months and seeks an official role for China in Israeli-Palestinian Talks. Visits to Syria, Egypt, and Algeria showcase China’s bargaining formula: aid, infrastructure, and investments – in return for “moral” support. […]

June SIGNAL’s

Leveraging its position as rotating President of the UN’s Security Council, China sought to discredit the U.S. and led a pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel campaign, while Chinese state media and diplomats resorted to anti-Semitic tropes and de-legitimization of Israel. China landed a “win”: American progressive groups and several legislators began advocating a softer stance on China. […]

April SIGNAL’s

Amid Growing Chinese Interest in the Middle East – FM Wang tours the region; Signs 25-year Deal with Iran Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a weeklong tour of the Middle East taking him to Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Bahrain. The highlight: signing in Teheran of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership (special […]

March SIGNAL’s

Ahead of the first face-to-face meeting of senior Chinese and U.S. officials since the Biden administration took office (page 3), U.S. President Biden, Japan’s Prime Minister Suga, India’s Prime Minister Modi, and Australian Prime Minister Morrison held – virtually– the inaugural Quad Leaders’ Meeting (page 4).

February SIGNAL’s

As President Biden Takes Office – President Xi Launches Charm Offensive to Woo U.S. AlliesPresident Xi’s address to the World Economic Forum widely seen as the opening gambit to undermine the Biden administration’s attempts to form a robust Western-led coalition.

January SIGNAL’s

2020 will probably go down as the year China abandoned – once and for all – Deng Xiaoping’s advice of “Hide your strength, Bide your time”. Xinjiang, Hong Kong, “Lone Wolf” diplomacy, the disappearance of Jack Ma – all show President Xi’s determination to bolster CCP’s hold at home and influence abroad despite international scrutiny. […]