China Project | Digest – March 2023

WINNER OF WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF THE YEAR FOR 2022
FROM AMONG THE 95 COUNCILS OF THE WAC NETWORK

Contribute Now

China Project Digest

March 2023

TNWAC presents a compilation of articles, reports, briefings, videos, Podcasts and other media to inform on the state and direction of United States-China relations in an era of increasing friction and potential conflict. For more information about the China Project visit LINK. Your comments and suggestions are welcome at: info@tnwac.org

Editor: Patrick Ryan
Curated by: Abigail Blackburn (Belmont U) and Tuyen Le (Sewanee)

MARCH 2023

ITEM MAR-02: “All you need to know about China’s plan for Russia-Ukraine talks,” Al Jazeera, Feb 24, 2023 [LINK] 

China has released its much-anticipated position paper on the Russia-Ukraine war, in which it calls for a ceasefire and talks between the two parties. Conflict and war “benefit no one”, China said on Friday in the 12-point paper, timed to coincide with the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.”

COMMENT: Beijing’s announcement comes as the United States made public its assessment that China was considering arming Russia in the war against Ukraine and Moscow has been talking with senior Chinese foreign policy advisor Wang Yi. Russia’s Putin and China’s Xi are planning a summit in coming months. [Ryan]

ITEM MAR-01: “China holds the key to global energy demand,” CSIS, Commentary by Ben Cahill , Ilaria Mazzocco , and Chen Huang, Feb 8, 2023 [LINK] 

“Global energy prices hinge on China’s economic recovery. China’s reopening will boost oil and gas demand this year, especially if the government succeeds in stimulating investment in construction and real estate. Stronger industrial activity should increase China’s natural gas imports, and a rebound in mobility will boost gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel demand. Still, there are lingering questions about weak consumer sentiment and high debt levels. The strength of the recovery will dictate how China adjusts crude oil import quotas and refined product export quotas—and the latter could prove critical as the oil market adjusts to a price cap on Russian products.”

COMMENT: The “Zero-Covid” policies in place across China until recently put a dent in energy demand, with 2022 showing a drop of 390,000 barrels per day of oil, the first downturn since 1990 with transportation among the weak sectors. The drop in demand offset the decline in Russian oil exports resulting from the Ukraine invasion and Western sanctions. [Ryan]

 

 

The China Project is among the public services provided by the Tennessee World Affairs Council. Please join TNWAC and make a contribution to make global literacy in the community possible. We rely on your support. Thanks!

 

Contribute Now

 

Photo Credit: Patrick Ryan