Australia-China relations, financial stability, and Ma Jian

May 3,
2017

ISSUE
No. 98

AMS Weekly Newsletter

Dedicated to the development of the future stewards of U.S.-China relations

In this week's newsletter we focus on Australia-China relations, Xi Jinping's recommendation to invest in financial stability, and an interview given by Ma Jian in response to recent statements from Guo Wengui.

Weekly Readings

The United States is not the only country debating its future relationship with China and its terms of engagement. Australia has perhaps the most open debate, fueled by concerns of economic dependence, shadowy influence, and perceived shifts in the balance of power. The four papers posted today argue very different views of China and policies for addressing Chinese challenges, and the Australians are discussing their future with surprising frankness an d without euphemism. As the Americans consider what the future holds and how to meet its challenges with China, we could do far worse than to learn from the Australians.

"China Capitulationism: What's Missing from Hugh White's China Calculus," Asia & the Pacific Policy Society, April 28, 2017

"China's Power and the Future of Australia," Australian National University, April 11, 2017

"China's Economic Leverage: Perception and Reality," Australian National University: National Security College, Policy Options Paper No. 2 (March 2017)

"Managing Australian Foreign Policy in a Chinese World," The Conversation, March 16, 2017

俗语 in Xi Jinping's Speeches

未雨绸缪

wèi yǔ chóu móu

Meaning: prepare for a rainy day, take precautions

On April 25 Xi Jinping ran a Politburo study session on the current state of financial stability. He stressed the importance of finance to the Chinese economy but also the need to have a good idea of where things stand (your bonus chengyu, because we are generous like that: 胸中有数) with regards to stability. Instead of waiting for a crisis, market players and supervisory units should take precautions now.

Original: 对存在的金融风险点，我们一定要胸中有数，增强风险防范意识，未雨绸缪，密切监测，准确预判，有效防范，不忽视一个风险，不放过一个隐患。

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2017-04/26/c_1120879349.htm

Video of the Week

Disgraced former Vice Minister of State Security Ma Jian gave an interview two weeks ago to rebut comments about corruption among the leadership by Guo Wengui. Ma's speech is not so much a rebuttal of Guo's accusations as an attempt to discredit Guo by describing the kinds of illegal activity he allegedly requested of Ma and other security officials. If any of it is true, Ma presents a disturbing picture of the nexus between business and the party elite. In a sen se, Guo and Ma are presenting two sides of the same coin, and the fall of both men illustrates the risk accepted at elite levels of Chinese politics.

"恩人"眼中的郭文贵--马建有话说

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