Research for Asia

The growing importance of India-China relations to the security of the Asia-Pacific region requires that the United States better understand the forces and trends that shape this relationship. This study evaluates the major sources of tension and cooperation between India and China, and analyzes how leading security specialists and policymakers in the two countries see future trends in their relations.

CNA China Studies -- In June 2004, CNA China Studies hosted a two-day conference on China’s media system.  The conference took place early in Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao’s reigns as President and Premier of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). At the time, it was perceived that there was a potential for real and fundamental change in China’s approach to media governance. The conference itself was an effort to capture the full spectrum of economic, technological, and ideological change taking place in China’s media environment, the implications of such changes, and the potential for deeper reform in the coming years.

With the 60th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic ties between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of India taking place in the spring of 2010, the time was right to further explore the China-India relationship. On July 29, 2010, CNA China Studies hosted a half-day roundtable to discuss this important topic. Participants, who included analysts from various think-tanks in Washington, DC, were asked to address the following issues: India’s perspective on the China-India relationship, China’s perspective on the China-India relationship, water issues and the China-India relationship.

On February 5, 2003, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC, held a conference focused on China’s interests in Central Asia. The author was asked to provide scene-setting remarks and historical context. The following is a transcript of the comments he made at the event.