Research

" I have found SinoInsider to provide much greater depth and breadth of coverage with regard to developments in China. The subtlety of the descriptions of China's policy/political processes is absent from traditional media channels."

John Lipsky, Peter G. Peterson Distinguished Scholar, Kissinger Center for Global Affairs

" SinoInsider's in-depth and nuanced analysis of Party dynamics is an excellent template to train future Sinologists with a clear understanding that what happens in the Party matters."

Stephen Nagy, Senior Associate Professor, International Christian University

“ I find Sinoinsider particularly helpful in instructing students about the complexities of Chinese politics and what elite competition means for the future of the US-China relationship.”

Howard Sanborn, Professor, Virginia Military Institute

“SinoInsider has been one of my most useful (and enjoyable) resources”

James Newman, Former U.S. Navy cryptologist

Time for a Trump-Tsai Conversation: The Two Presidents Have Much to Discuss

◎ Given significant developments across the Taiwan Strait over the ensuing two years, it is time for a more substantive conversation between the two democratic presidents.

March 19, 2019

Geopolitics Watch: N. Korea Denuke ‘Stalemate’ and the Sino-US Trade War

◎ Any “backsliding” by North Korea at this stage would be counterproductive for Kim Jong Un as it would likely cause the U.S. to redouble its focus on resolving trade with China.

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March 17, 2019

Politics Watch: More Signs Point to Escalation in the CCP Factional Struggle

◎ Gu Zhuoheng’s tweets and Cui Yongyuan’s “reappearance” appear to connect a trail of breadcrumbs which point to an intensification of the CCP factional struggle.

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March 13, 2019

Risk Watch: The Chinese Stock Market Plunge and Factional Politics

◎ The timing of the plunge and other odd developments suggest that CCP factional politics could be a factor influencing the recent sell-offs.

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March 12, 2019

Politics Watch: A Black Swan Leading Indicator Surfaces at the Two Sessions

◎ The spotlighting of qigong at the Two Sessions is connected with the “you die, I live” factional struggle in the CCP.

March 9, 2019

Hanoi Summit Failure? Not Quite — Kim Now Owes Trump Big Time

◎ How did the failure to secure a declaration of all North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities, let alone a specific commitment to destroy them, somehow move the ball forward?

March 6, 2019

Risk Watch: Early Analysis of China’s Government Work Report

◎ Several proposals in the 2019 government work report seemingly cancel out each other or will contradict Xi’s push to have the “Party lead everything”

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March 5, 2019

Politics Watch: Xi Faces Pushback from the Intelligence Apparatus

◎ There is a pattern in recent years of “explosive information” about CCP elites being revealed during crucial periods in the factional struggle.

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March 1, 2019

Geopolitics Watch: Early Analysis & Forecast on Extended Sino-US Trade Talks

◎ The CCP factional struggle will escalate as Xi tries to force through reforms to meet U.S. trade demands.

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February 27, 2019

February 22, 2019

Politics Watch: Sentencing of Fang Fenghui Portends Major Moves by Beijing, Hints at Regime Crisis

◎ The sentencing of Fang Fenghui at this time hints at three possible political developments.

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February 20, 2019

Geopolitics Watch: Xi Lays Groundwork for Trade Concessions in State Media

◎ The propaganda narratives in Xinhua lay the groundwork for Xi to agree to U.S. demands on sensitive issues like structural reform without losing face at home.

February 18, 2019