Yawn-tastic? That depends; Presidents Obama and Xi will meet next month and if you care to get an early peek at the agenda, and the likely outcomes it’s all here.
U.S.- China Strategic and Economic Dialogue
The link above will take you to the full summary from Mr. Malcolm R. Lee, Nonresident Senior Fellow in the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution of the meeting which took place between US and China policy wonks this June. This meeting, Mr. Lee suggests, is where the agenda and acceptable responses to some of the biggest issues between China and the US will have been comprehensively felt out.
If you’ve no time for the full read here’s the CliffsNotes version.
The big issues? ‘Tensions in the South China Sea, cybertheft, China’s economic reforms, and growing market access concerns’
Progress on a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)? ‘Negotiation of a BIT is a priority for both governments…’ [That would reduce and clarify no-go areas for foreign investors] ..’The Obama-Xi summit ..would be a good time to announce liberalizing measures.’
Cyberwarfare? ‘The United States and China will continue to spy on each other but can begin to address destabilizing risks as “responsible competitors,” as Vice President Joseph Biden framed the issue at this year’s S&ED talks.’
Intelectual Property (IP). China knows what it needs to do and ‘The Chinese State Administration for Industry and Commerce recently finalized new regulations on IP abuse. It remains to be seen how these regulations will be used. To foster global trade and innovation, IP must be treated equally regardless of the nationality of its owner.’
The bottom line? ‘Both leaders want a successful summit. Easing tensions in the South China Sea and concerns about cybersecurity will remain front and center. Progress on each is necessary to stabilize the relationship. China’s economic reforms will be also be central.’
Notwithstanding the provenance of this piece I thought it came off a bit preachy and some of the references suggest (oh please, just stop it ‘..empty shopping malls and unused highways.’ ) a closer familiarity with critical zeitgeist than on-the-ground reality. Such is the world in which we live.
Happy Sunday.