Significant demographic shifts present two social challenges for China: a reduced Chinese working force supporting its widespread industrial bases, and new social issues pertaining to its pronounced gender imbalance and insufficient senior care.
A country’s power is heavily connected to its ability to leverage energy resources. As the world’s largest consumer of energy, securing its energy needs is vital to China’s ability to pursue its national objectives and fuel its development.
Air-quality concerns affect China both at home and abroad. Domestic demands on environmental protections have influenced the government’s social and economic policies, while hazardous air pollution has harmed the country’s international image.
Chinese innovation can in part be gauged by examining its intellectual property protection measures. The processes behind Chinese patents and product development can provide key insights into how China’s domestic innovation contributes to its growing influence.
Inbound and outbound tourism trends shed light on China’s global appeal and how the Chinese government cultivates its soft power. Tourism has been used by China as a political tool to further its interests and expand its influence.
Many worry that China’s ownership of American debt affords the Chinese economic leverage over the United States. This apprehension stems from a misunderstanding of sovereign debt and of how states derive power from their economic relations.
China has been steadily developing ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) to complement its nuclear deterrence strategy and safeguard its national security. Despite considerable progress, China still faces a number of hurdles in fielding a credible SSBN force.
Although China’s economic transformation has generated considerable public resources, and its leaders have in recent decades dramatically improved domestic health conditions, the country still faces challenges in terms of improving health outcomes.