Research
On November 29, 2014, Taiwan held a series of local elections for 11,130 positions, including mayors, county magistrates, city and county councilors, township chiefs, and village and borough chiefs. This staff report provides an overview of the election results and assesses their implications for cross-Strait relations from now until Taiwan’s presidential election in 2016.
Research
This staff report provides an overview of areas of tension and cooperation in China-India relations. It also assesses the implications for the United States of the 2014 election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India, India’s evolving strategic calculations, and the growing Indian economy and role in global energy markets. Finally, it discusses areas of potential U.S.-India cooperation in the security and economic realms.
Research
Highlights of this edition: State-Owned Enterprise Reform Expected in Early 2015; China’s Economy Adjusts to the “New Normal”; China’s Repeated Fuel Tax Hikes Criticized as Excessive; Finance Experts Grapple with Risky Internet Lending; Fall of the Russian Ruble Hurts Chinese Automakers.
Research
China’s land reclamation activities at Fiery Cross Reef likely will result in its first airstrip in the disputed Spratly Islands, which would allow the People’s Liberation Army to alleviate some of its logistical and power projection deficiencies in the South China Sea. This paper analyzes the latest publically-available imagery of Fiery Cross Reef and assesses China’s possible uses for an airstrip.
Research
Highlights of this edition: Former People’s Liberation Army Air Force Pilot Cites Improved Radar Capabilities in Dismissing F-22 Superiority over J-11; PLA Daily Lauds Disaster Relief Cooperation between People’s Liberation Army and People’s Armed Police; Phoenix Weekly Reveals Scale of Xu Caihou’s Corruption Only to Be Censored; Female University Student Compensated in Landmark Gender Discrimination Case; Progress Report from Ministry of Finance Proposes No Bailouts for Local Governments; China’s Response to the “Low Oil Price” Era; Difficulties Persist in Resuming Six-Party Talks despite North Korea’s Signal
Research
This report examines the context and implications of satellite imagery of an IL-78/MIDAS air refueling tanker at a Chinese military airbase.