Beijing’s geopolitical outlook shifted abruptly in April. A series of breakthroughs on the Korean peninsula reconfigured relations with North Korea; escalating trade tensions with the United States persuaded many domestic observers that a long-feared struggle for dominance has begun. Taiwan-directed naval exercises and a pledge of military support for Russia suggest greater interest in competitive power politics, while Xi vowed at the Boao Forum to overcome the ‘Cold War mentality’ and pursue greater openness to foreign trade and investment. Meanwhile, Japan signaled interest in the Belt and Road Initiative. Tensions rose in the Australia–China relationship.
April: circuit breaker
April: circuit breaker
April: circuit breaker
Beijing’s geopolitical outlook shifted abruptly in April. A series of breakthroughs on the Korean peninsula reconfigured relations with North Korea; escalating trade tensions with the United States persuaded many domestic observers that a long-feared struggle for dominance has begun. Taiwan-directed naval exercises and a pledge of military support for Russia suggest greater interest in competitive power politics, while Xi vowed at the Boao Forum to overcome the ‘Cold War mentality’ and pursue greater openness to foreign trade and investment. Meanwhile, Japan signaled interest in the Belt and Road Initiative. Tensions rose in the Australia–China relationship.