USC And China In The News, November and December 2016

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December 30, 2016: China Daily

USC political scientist and Chinese film specialist Stanley Rosen was quoted in an article about whether or not China is changing Hollywood, which highlighted that New York Senator Chuck Schumer wrote a letter criticizing Chinese investment in the American entertainment industry. "The reason why this Schumer letter is so dangerous in a sense - aside from the fact that it's from a senator - is that he's a Democrat," said Rosen. "There are plenty of Republicans who have the same view, and he's making it into a bipartisan issue." 

December 22, 2016: KCRW

The USC U.S.-China Institute's Clayton Dube was interviewed about how a trade war with China could impact California. Dube noted that the two economies were heavily integrated and that California exported over $20 billion to China in 2015 and had received over $7 billion in investment from China in 2016. He noted that an effort to impose high tariffs on imports from China would be opposed by many in the U.S., including American companies producing there, retailers, and many consumers.

December 21, 2016: New York Times

Stanley Rosen, USC political scientist and Chinese film specialist, was quoted in an article about the film, The Great Wall. Rosen said, “If this doesn’t work, then I don’t know what will…. The film addresses a lot of the previous issues that China has faced as it’s tried to internationalize its film industry, like language and the lack of internationally known stars.”

December 21, 2016: KCAL/KCBS

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute was interviewed about the appointment of UC Irvine economist Peter Navarro to direct trade and industrial policy and to head the newly created White House National Trade Council. Dube noted that Navarro has been a stern and consistent critic of Chinese trade policies and practices. He said that implementing some of the measures Trump and Navarro have called for could start a trade war in which both countries would suffer.  

December 21, 2016: Phoenix Television

The USC U.S.-China Institute’s Clayton Dube was interviewed about trade disputes, South China Sea tensions and other issues in the U.S.-China relationship. He said, though, that it was likely that the U.S. would link up with Russia in some sort of anti-China alliance. He noted that the benefits that the U.S. enjoys from a healthy relationship with China outweigh anything that might be gained from partnering with Russia against China. 

December 20, 2016: USA Today

USC economist Matthew Kahn was cited in an article about why China matters for President-elect Donald Trump’s economic plan. Kahn noted that Trump is likely to want Chinese to import more from the U.S., restrict intellectual property theft, and to continue investing in the U.S. Kahn says, “The U.S. is a stronger nation because of trades with China. I don’t think it’s a bad thing that we have a deficit with China.”

December 20, 2016: US China Press 侨报

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute was interviewed about the proposed policies and practices the Trump administration plans to implement. He discussed the standoff over the Chinese seizure of a U.S. Navy drone, trade relations and other matters.

December 17, 2016: Phoenix Television 凤凰视

The USC U.S.-China Institute’s Clayton Dube was interviewed for a story on the U.S.-China standoff in the South China Sea. He noted that those favoring confronting China there and elsewhere may be getting more attention from the incoming Trump administration than they have in recent years.  

December 15, 2016: Los Angeles Times

Former Housing and Urban Development assistant secretary Raphael Bostic is now a professor at the USC Price School of Public Policy. He was interviewed about housing in Southern California and the impact of Chinese investment and demand. He said, “The first places that Chinese capital went to were places with really good school systems because it was viewed as an opportunity to get their kids into good school systems, which would translate into good colleges and then a better trajectory in terms of life. San Marino, some places in Orange County down near Irvine —  those are cities where we’ve seen a significant influx of Chinese money and Asian money more generally.

December 13, 2016: China Film Insider

Stanley Rosen, USC political scientist and Chinese film specialist, noted that it was unusual for the Chinese government to permit the screening of an R-rated film in China, but that other R-rated films have shown after undergoing cuts. In some theatres, the film Hacksaw Ridge carries the warning that children under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult. The film was made by Mel Gibson. Rosen said that many Chinese are familiar with his work and that the film Saving Private Ryan, which has violent scenes, had also been screened in China and had attracted a large audience. 

December 9, 2016: KPCC

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute was interviewed about President-Elect Trump’s choice of Iowa Governor Terry Branstad as the next U.S. ambassador to China. Dube noted Branstad’s links to China’s leader, what China wants from an American ambassador and Donald Trump’s contradictory signals on China. 

December 8, 2016: China Daily

USC political scientist and Chinese film expert Stanley Rosen was interviewed about the decision to include Chinese stars in the latest installment in the Star Wars saga. Rosen said that the series is now well-known in China and the new film should do well at the box office. He said, “this is a good opportunity for Chinese fans to get in at the beginning of the saga, and then watch the films in chronological sequence."

December 7, 2016: UPI

USC economist Matthew Kahn published an op-ed arguing that China has re-asserted its commitment to reducing its negative impact on climate change. China is pushing ahead because of self-interest. Leaders there want to improve the quality of life in China’s cities by reducing air pollution and they want to establish global leadership in green technologies. Finally, they expect that there will be a soft power dividend from acting, especially when the U.S. might not. 

December 6, 2016: World Journal 

USC political scientist Stanley Rosen and the USC U.S.-China Institute's Clayton Dube were interviewed for a story about the significance of the Trump-Tsai phone conversation. Rosen noted that while people in Taiwan may be happy about the recognition implied by the call, that Trump is famously unpredictable. Dube noted that while there may be a boost to Taiwan's international profile, this may signal more a style change than a policy change. Dube noted that while the U.S. doesn't formally recognize Taiwan as a separate country, it treats it as such (visa-free visits by Taiwan citizens, arms sales, and so on). The U.S. policy toward China and Taiwan is aimed at preserving the peace in the region, something that is in America's best interest.

December 2, 2016: KCAL/KCBS

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute was interviewed about President-elect Trump's phone call with Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan's president. Dube noted that the call was outside existing U.S. protocol. Since 1979, there have been no direct and publicly-known contacts between the top leaders of the U.S. and Republic of China, Taiwan's formal name. Dube highlighted that since the U.S.-China relationship is so important, anything affecting it deserves attention. Dube noted that Taiwan has always been a central issue in U.S.-China relations and that the Chinese government defines it as a core issue, that is, one they are willing to fight over. Dube said that Beijing would surely respond, perhaps highlighting Trump's claim that Tsai called him or that he is not yet president. While an important event, we don't know if it reflects a policy shift, Dube said. Dube was also interviewed on KSCI about the call.

November 30, 2016: Los Angeles Times

Stanley Rosen, USC political scientist and Chinese film specialist, was quoted in a story about China's government's plans to build a new film studio and theme park in Southwestern China. He said, "One thing that’s striking is that the government has announced the plan — not private companies, but the government itself... I think it’s a political decision more than anything else.”

November 29, 2016: Vox

USC political scientist and Chinese film specialist Stanley Rosen was interviewed in a report on how Hollywood is adapting to the Chinese market. He noted that Chinese regulations on films are sometimes flexible, which allowed for the Harry Potter movies to be screened in China, despite the prohibition against including superstition.

November 24, 2016: KCRW 

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute was interviewed on the “To the Point” show about President-elect Trump’s plans to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Dube discussed how this could benefit China and the potential impact on America’s relations with Asian countries which had counted on the deal. 

November 23, 2016: Voice of America

The USC U.S.-China Institute’s Clayton Dube was interviewed about U.S.-China trade and about regional leadership in light of President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. 

November 18, 2016: KSCI-TV

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute was interviewed about the possible impact of Donald Trump's victory on US-China business relations and the possible implications for the US-China accord on battling climate change.

November 9, 2016: Deadline

Stanley Rosen, USC political scientist, was quoted on the possible implications of Donald Trump being president for Chinese investment in the US. He emphasized that at this point, no one knows what policies might be implemented because Donald Trump has changed his positions so frequently. He noted, “Hollywood will continue to do business with anyone.”

November 9, 2016: TechCrunch

Greg Autry of the USC Marshall School of Business was interviewed on the potential impact of Donald Trump’s victory on Silicon Valley. Autry said, “As tech is oftentimes defined, you’re talking about Silicon Valley… Trump is definitely a problem for that model. His economic policies are focused on punishing China for its trade abuses and returning manufacturing to the U.S.”

November 3, 2016: China Daily

USC political scientist Stanley Rosen was quoted in an article about Dalian Wanda opting to invest in a variety of studios through an investment fund rather than buying a single studio directly. Rosen said, “"Presumably, he would want to gain enough of a percentage somewhere to gain a seat on the board. He could, again eventually, sell his stakes in other studios if and when one studio became more available.”

November 2, 2016: Los Angeles Times

Stanley Rosen, USC political scientist, was interviewed about discussions between Chinese and American television producers about co-production. He said, “It’s not going to be edgy shows. There are a lot of questions. Will it be just for the China market, or will it play other places as well?” 

November 2, 2016: Econotimes

A report on Chinese cultural influences on philanthropy included comments by Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute. Dube noted that “One reason education and healthcare are favored areas for giving could be that they are highly regulated, for the most part they have good reputations and are generally accountable … They want to see where their money goes. In a sense, investment in education, particularly early childhood education, is an investment in the future, but in another sense, many of those who give to these institutions see the return almost immediately in the form of new equipment for a lab, a library or a debate team’s trip.” 

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