US-China Series

Tensions in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait & the Korean détente

The Expert Series welcomed back Bonnie Glaser, Senior Advisor for Asia and Director of the China Power Project at the Centre for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS).

Firstly, Bonnie updates us on the situation in the South China Sea, among others what the US’ strategy is regarding the region, and the China's possible next steps. Bonnie then moves on to discuss the changes US-China-Taiwan dynamics, and the PRC’s pressure and tougher line on Taiwan. Finally, Bonnie gives her views on the latest developments on the Korean peninsula.

For a fascinating discussion on the Indian political economy, Paul welcomed Sadanand Dhume, Resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Sadanand focuses on South Asia’s political economy, foreign policy, business, and society. He is also a South Asia columnist for the WSJ.

Sadanand discusses the politics of economic reform in India, laying out five reasons why he thinks we should not expect a lot of progress on the economic reform program in India over the next year. His perspectives are unique and come from a deep understanding of the structural drivers of Indian politics. Without a doubt, this is the most insightful discussion Paul has had on the Indian political economy.

The Expert Series welcomed Deborah Elms who is the Founder and Executive Director of the Asian Trade Centre. She is also a Senior Fellow in the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry’s Trade Academy. Deborah, yet again, takes the complicated and somewhat dry subject matter that is trade agreements and boils it down to the relevant. This was a brilliant discussion in terms of the breadth of the issues, and the way the Deborah outlines the key points in terms of the benefits to regional participants. Where it comes to the big picture on the future of Asia trade;

This is a must listen.

For a discussion on the Chinese financial system, the Expert Series welcomed back Christopher Balding, Associate Professor at the HSBC Business School of the Peking University in Shenzhen. Chris writes regularly on the Chinese financial system, among other subjects, on his excellent blog, 'Balding's World'.

We have asked Chris to discuss what is going on, if anything, with the deleveraging process in China.

For a discussion on Chinese Fintech, the Expert Series hosted Paul Schulte, of Schulte Research. Before starting Schulte Research, Paul has had a long career in finance, at the buy-side working for Lehman, Nomura, and CCB, among others, and at a Tiger Cub hedge fund, and he also worked at the White House and in academia.

Paul Schulte has done a deep dive in all facets of fintech and has researched how companies are making the transition from the physical world into the digital world, and which country is leading the race; the US tech giants, or their Chinese peers. The answer, as you can see from the title, is that China is a generation ahead, and in our fascinating discussion you will hear why.

Paul hosted regular Expert Series Guest Sheila Smith, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Sheila is an authority on Japanese politics and foreign policy.

Sheila succinctly lays out where the North Korean Issues have led Japan and Japanese decision making, and we discuss Prime Minister Abe and his performance since getting re-elected. Please find a replay of the discussion below.

For this edition of the Expert Series, Paul hosted Martin Baily, a Senior Fellow in Economic Studies at the Brookings Institute. Martin recently wrote a thoughtful article on the economic agenda of the White House, and what will work and what will not. Our discussion builds on his article, focusing on what the policy is, and what it will do for the US economy and ultimately for the global economy.

Paul hosted Michal Meidan of Energy Aspects, for a discussion on the Implications for Chinese energy markets post the Party Congress and the coronation of Mr. Xi as “Perpetual Emperor of China”. Michal discussed China’s role in global energy markets and the current state of play, the new futures contract for oil in Shanghai, Environmental Policy, and the influence of Electronic Vehicles.

VFTP Expert Series: Stephen Sestanovich – Council on Foreign Relations - Russia: The next six years under Putin

VFTP Expert Series - Samm Sacks - China's Digital Economy, 9 March 2018 by Paul Krake