Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
In light of the important leadership transition that looms on China's political horizon next year, Beijing's leadership appears intent on appearing unified.
China's leaders have exercised tight control over media coverage of the Middle East protests and reacted quickly to quell any domestic civil unrest.
The most important outcome of the recent state visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao was the strengthening of mutual trust between the United States and China, which had suffered in the first nine months of 2010.
The United States and China have already seen an improvement in bilateral ties in the months leading up to President Hu Jintao's visit to Washington and this positive momentum should be maintained going forward.
Chinese President Hu Jintao's upcoming state visit will provide an opportunity for U.S.-China relations to move past a period of tension and develop forward momentum on key issues of mutual concern.
While Chinese President Hu Jintao's upcoming state visit to the United States will provide an opportunity for progress in Sino-U.S. relations, efforts need to be taken to ensure that any positive momentum from the visit is maintained.
Tensions have eased slightly on the Korean Peninsula, but after years of playing international powers against each other to enhance its own position, Pyongyang may not be receptive to calls from the United States, China, and South Korea to return to six party talks.
Predictions of America's decline and China's triumphalism are premature, as the United States has shown resilience in recovering from past crises and China's peaceful rise is not guaranteed.
In light of North Korea's recent attack on Yeonpyeong Island and rising tensions on the peninsula, the need for ratification of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement is stronger than ever.
Despite victories for Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang party in recent metropolitan elections, President Ma Ying-jeou must still strike a fine balance between cooperation with China and toughness against Chinese threats if he hopes to win reelection in 2012.
