China Global

Critical minerals are non-fuel minerals or mineral materials essential to the economic or national security of the U.S. They have no viable substitutes yet face a high risk of supply chain disruption. Critical minerals are used for many different purposes, including the production of advanced electronics, weapons systems, manufacturing equipment, and cutting-edge medical devices. They are indispensable for the transition to low-carbon energy sources. Last year, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, with the aid of the U.S. Geological Survey, published a list of 50 critical minerals. China dominates global critical mineral supply chains, accounting for approximately 60% of world-wide production and 85% of processing capacity. However, the U.S. and several European countries are taking steps to build out their own ability to mine, process, and manufacture critical minerals. To discuss the implications of China’s role in critical mineral supply chains and the responses of the U.S. and its partners, host Bonnie Glaser is joined by Abigail Wulf, vice president and director of the Ambassador Alfred Hoffman Jr. Center for Critical Minerals Strategy at Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE), a non-profit advancing transformative transportation technology to enhance energy security. Time Stamps[01:51] Vulnerabilities and Risks of Overdependence [07:07] Development of a Domestic Mining Industry [12:42] Environmental Hazards of Processing Raw Minerals [18:30] Impact of Export Controls on Gallium and Germanium[22:53] Diversifying Sources of Rare Earth Imports[26:38] The Critical Raw Materials Act[29:58] The Mineral Security Partnership

SummaryA new Foreign Relations Law took effect in China on July 1, 2023 that formalizes Chinese Communist Party leadership in all foreign policy matters. It puts China’s security and development interests and global rise at the center of its engagement with the world. The new law has been widely interpreted as providing a legal basis for Beijing’s struggle against what it says is a strategy of containment by the United States and its allies, and against foreign interference and sanctions, as well as what is calls America’s “long-arm jurisdiction.” To discuss the Foreign Relations Law, host Bonnie Glaser is joined by Dr. Moritz Rudolf, a Research Scholar in Law and Fellow at Yale Law School’s Paul Tsai China Center, where he focuses on the implications of China’s rise for the international legal order. Timestamps[01:15] Impetus for the Foreign Relations Law[02:47] Centralized and Unified Leadership of Foreign Relations[04:27] China and Reforming the International Order[09:20] How might China use the foreign relations law?[11:03] Insurance Against International Courts[12:31] Targeting a Domestic Audience[15:10] Expected Policy Changes in China[17:30] Applicability of the Law in Cross-Strait Relations[21:57] Forecasting Chinese Use of Lawfare

This podcast discusses the current state of US-China relations, including Secretary of State Blinken's postponed visit to China and his recent meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping. It delves into the fragile nature of the relationship, the importance of Blinken's visit in stabilizing ties, and explores the potential for building a floor to stabilize the relationship. It also examines the evolving China-Russia relationship and its impact on US-China relations.

On June 3, 2023, there was a near-collision between a US and a PRC destroyer in the Taiwan Strait. According to a statement issued by US Indo-Pacific Command, a US Navy destroyer, the USS Chung-Hoon, and a Canadian warship were conducting a routine south to north Taiwan Strait transit through waters where high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply. The Luyang III, a People’s Liberation Army destroyer, overtook the Chung-Hoon on her port side and crossed her bow at 150 yards. The US warship maintained course and slowed to 10 knots to avoid a collision. US Indo-Pacific Command stated that the actions of the Chinese destroyer violated the maritime Rules of the Road of safe passage in international waters.How dangerous was this incident? Why do US warships sail in these waters, and do they do so in accordance with international law? And what steps should be taken to ensure that accidents do not take place between US and Chinese naval vessels?To discuss these questions, host Bonnie Glaser is joined by Dr. Peter Dutton, professor of international law in the Stockton Center for International Law at the US Naval War College and an Adjunct Professor of Law at New York University School of Law. His research focuses on international law of the sea, Chinese views of sovereignty and international law, and China’s maritime expansion.  Timestamps[01:50] Freedom of the High Seas [03:21] Joint Freedom of Navigation Operations[03:52] Statement by the US Indo-Pacific Command[04:46] Statement by Defense Minister Li Shangfu[06:49] History of Dangerous Maneuvering by the Chinese[07:41] Trigger for the Recent Dangerous Maneuver[09:13] Chinese Adherence to International Law[10:19] Signaling Intentions in a Safe and Legal Manner[12:03] Aftermath of a Hypothetical Collision at Sea[14:44] Is the US Goading China into Conflict?[17:38] Rules of Behavior for Safety of Air and Maritime Encounters[19:24] Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea[20:27] The US and the Convention on the Law of the Sea[21:51] Interactions with Chinese Experts and Professionals

[01:50] Switzerland’s Policy toward China Today[03:48] Changes in Swiss-Chinese Relations[06:03] Switzerland’s 2021 China Strategy[08:17] Areas of Economic Cooperation[11:05] Switzerland’s Relationship with Taiwan[14:45] Switzerland’s One China Policy[17:32] Contending with Human Rights Issues[18:55] Huawei’s Presence in Switzerland[20:56] China’s Influence in Switzerland[23:42] Forecast of Swiss-Chinese Relations

Timestamps[01:30] Sinocentric Order in the Digital Sphere[06:51] China’s Digital Silk Road [09:35] Global Rise of Chinese Digital Platforms[11:57] The Strength of Chinese Digital Platforms[14:04] The Digital Sector and Government Partnership[16:53] Dominance of Western Digital Platforms[19:08] Pros and Cons of Banning TikTok [21:08] Chinese Crackdown of the Digital Sector[23:27] Looking Forward in the Digital Space

Timestamps[02:01] China and International Bailout Activities[04:33] China and the G20 Common Framework[07:34] Debt Service Suspension Initiative[09:42] Definition of a “Haircut” in Finance[10:00] IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings[12:37] Beijing’s Demands for Write-Downs[16:18] Japan, India, and France Establishing a Creditors Committee[18:43] Chinese Participation in the Paris Club[22:08] Role of Geopolitical Competition in Debt Relief

Timestamps[02:14] China’s Implementation of Industrial Policy[05:20] Industrial Policy to Achieve Foreign Policy Objectives[08:02] Influence of Strategic Competition on Industrial Policy[10:42] Efficacy of Chinese Industrial Policies[14:17] Semiconductor Subsidies and Export Controls[19:06] Chinese Countermeasures to Export Controls[22:39] Assessment of U.S. Policy[25:58] Forecast of Competition on Advanced Technologies[29:50] Balance of Centralization and Adaptation

Time Stamps[01:39] Background of The Decoding China Dictionary[04:30] Democracy with Chinese Characteristics[06:34] Differing Interpretations of International Law[08:32] Freedom of Religion Versus Freedom of Religious Belief[10:28] Foreign Aid and China as a Developing Country[12:01] Security in Chinese Parlance[13:55] Transparency and its Uses in China[16:19] Historic Revisionism and Domestic Policy[18:39] Historic Revisionism and Foreign Policy[19:44] Promotion of Chinese Interpretations Internationally[23:52] Importance of Understanding Chinese Terminology

[02:10] Chinese Government Awareness of Illicit Domestic Narcotics[05:30] China’s Scheduling of Fentanyl in 2019[06:40] Difference Between Scheduling and Banning[09:50] Lack of Cooperation Between China and Mexico [14:18] Chinese Counternarcotics Cooperation in Southeast Asia[19:04] Possible Steps for China[22:56] A Looming Fentanyl Crisis in China?[25:43] Multilateral Approach to Counternarcotics