USC and China in the News, January and February 2012

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February 27, 2012: Voice of America

Baizhu Chen of the USC Marshall School of Business was quoted in a story about a play about Steve Jobs and Apple in China. Chen said that FoxConn pays well for China “And when they started opening the factory in Chengdu, people line up, because they offer a higher wage than other competitors.  In fact, Foxconn bid up the wages of the other manufacturers.”

February 25, 2012: Phoenix News (via Xinmin Net) 凤凰网

USC Dornsife political scientist Stanley Rosen was interviewed about why the Zhang Yimou-directed film “Flowers of War” was not nominated for an Academy Award. Rosen noted that much of the film is in English and that Christian Bale is the lead actor, setting it apart from other foreign language films. Rosen noted that the Chinese film industry is still hampered by censorship. The USC US-China Institute’s Clayton Dube was also interviewed on these topics. Dube noted that relatively few Chinese films had succeeded in the US market.

February 24, 2012: Xinmin Evening News 新民晚报

An article focused on Beijing and Shanghai presentations by USC US-China Institute senior fellow and former CNN correspondent Mike Chinoy which included screenings of the USCI documentary  “Assignment: China – The Week that Changed the World”

February 24, 2012: Monocle 24 (United Kingdom)

Clayton Dube of the USC US-China Institute was interviewed about the importance of Richard Nixon’s 1972 trip to China, including what ordinary Chinese knew of the trip.

February 24, 2012: Singtao Daily 星岛日报

A presentation by Clayton Dube of the USC US-China Institute was highlighted in an article about a conference focusing on the 40^th anniversary of the Nixon trip to China. Dube drew comparisons between Nixon’s 1972 trip and the recent visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Dube noted that there were at least two topics addressed in the later visit that were scarcely discussed in 1972: trade and human rights. The earlier talks focused on strategic issues and Taiwan. The article also noted that a segment of the USC US-China Institute Assignment: China documentary was screened. 

February 22, 2012: KABC

The USC US-China Institute’s Clayton Dube was interviewed on the Peter Tilden Show about US-China relations and challenges confronting China.

February 22, 2012: CNC World

A report on the 40^th anniversary of President Richard Nixon’s trip to China highlighted the USC US-China Institute’s documentary on press coverage of the trip:  “Assignment: China – The Week that Changed the World” The report drew heavily on footage from the documentary and included an interview with USCI senior fellow Mike Chinoy, who wrote and narrated the documentary.

February 21, 2012: CNTV 中国网络电视台

A report focused on the USC US-China Institute documentary “Assignment: China – The Week that Changed the World” which was written and narrated by Mike Chinoy, USCI senior fellow.  In an interview, Chinoy noted that while there are differences between the US and China, there is extensive contact between the two countries – something that didn’t exist when Richard Nixon went to China.

February 20, 2012: South China Morning Post

An article about Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States featured comments from Clayton Dube of the USC US-China Institute. Dube noted, "I think, for American audiences, he wants to send a signal that he is open, flexible and appreciates these aspects [rural life, basketball] of American life." Dube argued, though, that "I don't think that a carefully choreographed visit like this one really tells us a lot about a leader. The most important things are not whether or not Xi can give a good speech, or whether he enjoys basketball. The important thing is his ability to guide and to set a course for people to follow. We have no way to know about this at present."

February 19, 2012: KNBC

The USC U.S.-China Institute’s Clayton Dube was interviewed for the program “News Conference.” Dube spoke about the significance of Xi Jinping’s visit to the U.S. and to Los Angeles, discussing trade issues and other concerns. Dube also described the institute’s documentary “Assignment: China – The Week that Changed the World” which looks at media coverage of Richard Nixon’s February 1972 trip to China.

February 19, 2012: South China Morning Post

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute was quoted in an article about a nostalgic trend in American entertainment. Dube noted that Chinese are generally optimistic about their country’s future and their personal futures. At the same time Dube said, rising expectations are generating protests. “We see ethnic minorities unhappy in that they feel they haven't been accorded full opportunities. We see the economically dispossessed - mainly migrant workers - who also are beginning to agitate. And we see a middle class that is concerned about safe products. They don't want to buy milk powder that's been contaminated. They want food safety, they want to be able to drink clean water and breathe decent air."

February 17, 2012: Los Angeles Times

An article about demonstrators outside the downtown hotel where Chinese vice president Xi Jinping spoke to an economic forum noted that 200 students from USC’s Chinese Students and Scholars Association were among them. While some demonstrators were protesting Chinese policies in Tibet or repression of the Falungong spiritual group, the USC students were waving Chinese and American flags. One of the students, Shelley Xue was quoted: "Because we're overseas, we do miss our home. When a leader is here, it helps me think back to my native country and feel their love."

February 17, 2012: Aljazeera

A report on Xi Jinping’s visit to Los Angeles included comments from Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute. Dube discussed why the Chinese government, and not just private Chinese companies, is interested in joint ventures with companies such as Dreamworks. He said that, “Chinese are very conscious of American soft power. American soft power is largely a product of our political system, our … openness… But it is projected to the outside world primarily through entertainment. The Chinese would like to know how we do this.”

February 17, 2012: CBS

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute was quoted in a story about Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping’s attendance at a Lakers basketball game. Dube noted that Xi’s US trip was partly to send a message to China’s people that their next leader is respected, worldly, and comfortable in Los Angeles’s fast lane. Dube said that “Xi is part of the first generation of Chinese leaders to come of age in a period of openness and prosperity in China.”

February 17, 2012: KABC

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute was interviewed for a story on problems and potential advances in the U.S.-China relationship. He noted that one outcome of Dreamworks’ joint animation venture in China is that now Chinese investors will have something at stake in enforcing anti-piracy regulations.

February 17, 2012: China.org.cn

The latest film in the USC US-China Institute’s Assignment: China series was the subject of a report. “The Week that Changed the World” was screened in Beijing at the Foreign Correspondents Club. Mike Chinoy, USCI senior fellow, reported the film and participated in a discussion with several Beijing-based journalists about how the 1972 Nixon trip to China was covered.

February 17, 2012: CCTV

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute commented on Chinese leader Xi Jinping's visit to Los Angeles. He discussed the trade gap between the two countries as well as the increasing number of firms transferring research and development to China in compliance with the country's new innovation policy. Dube states that the importance of Xi's visit is symbolic in its message that the next generation of leaders are determined to continue the progress of the relationship. Click here for the full video.

February 17, 2012: World Journal 世界日报

An article about Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit to the US included analysis by Clayton Dube of the USC US-China Institute. Dube noted that the visit carried more symbolic weight than substance, indicating that the Chinese leadership transition was on track and that the two countries attached great importance to the visit.

 

February 16, 2012: KCRW

A report on California trade and economic opportunities with China included comments from Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute. Dube discussed expanding opportunities for California agriculture and film co-production.

February 16, 2012: Asia Week (亚洲周刊)

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute and Stanley Rosen of USC Dornsife College were interviewed for a story on the Xi Jinping visit to the United States. Dube noted that while US-China relations include many critical disputes, the visit affirms the determination of the two sides to try to address them through frequent high level exchanges. Dube noted that there are areas, such fighting piracy off the North Africa coast, where the two sides work together. Rosen said that the visits to Iowa and the Lakers game were intended to convey an impression that Xi is open and easy going. He said the visit was intended to lay a foundation for the next decade of U.S.-China ties. 

February 16, 2012: City News Service

An article on Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit to Los Angeles included comments from Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute. Dube noted that Chinese investments in the Los Angeles region are numerous and growing. He noted that in addition to Xi’s party, an investment delegation from Chongqing was meeting with officials and businesspeople to discuss opportunities.

February 15, 2012: Wall Street Journal

USC political scientist Stanley Rosen was quoted in an article about a rumored deal between DreamWorks and two Chinese firms. Asked about the ongoing limits China places on the importation of foreign films, Rosen said,  "The U.S. doesn't have the will to do anything to retaliate," Hollywood still thinks China is the only real expanding market in the world and doesn't want to lose out if and when China opens up."

 February 15, 2012: TBS (Korea) 

The USC U.S.-China Institute’s Clayton Dube was interviewed about issues in the US-China relationship and how important the visit of Xi Jinping is for him and the relationship. Dube noted that the visit is a media extravaganza in China and is deliberately calibrated to have the Chinese public see their future top leader as receiving the respect of America’s leaders.  

February 14, 2012: BBC

Philip Seib of the USC Center on Public Diplomacy was quoted in an article about Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s return to Iowa. Seib said that hosting foreign visitors is “an enormous benefit. It strips away some of the mythologies poison people’s opinions about a country if they are negative.” 

February 14, 2012: ETTV 東森電視

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute was interviewed about the objectives of Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit with President Obama and what the U.S. hoped to get from the visit.

February 14, 2012: KNX 1070

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute did a live interview on Xi Jinping’s visit to the U.S. and issues in the U.S.-China relationship.

February 13, 2012: Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR)

Clayton Dube was interviewed about China’s veto of a United Nations Security Council resolution on Syria.

February 11, 2012: People’s Daily 人民日报　　

A widely reprinted article about the upcoming visit by China’s Vice President Xi Jinping to the U.S. included comments from Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute. Dube said that the U.S.-China relationship was complex and evolving and that the two countries have serious differences with each other. Nonetheless, the visit signals the importance both countries place on maintaining contact and working to improve the relationship.

February 10, 2012: Monocle (Britain)

The Monocle Daily current affairs program interviewed Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute on the upcoming visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the United States. Dube discussed the symbolism of the visit and the issues Xi and his American hosts will discuss.

 

February 10, 2012: China Daily

An article looking at American perceptions of China and issues in the U.S.-China relationship included comments from Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute. Dube noted that in part friction between the countries is a consequence of increasing and deepening ties. At the same time, Dube said, "Our perceived interests are not always aligned. Sometimes this is a matter of suspicion and insufficient communication. More often it's rooted in serious differences over policies and practices." 

February 10, 2012: China Daily

Shelley Xue, a graduate student at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, was quoted in an article about Chinese-American cross cultural marriage and increasing interest in Chinese language study. She credited the increased interest in Chinese study in part to the increasing involvement of Chinese Americans in U.S. political affairs.

February 9, 2012: Singtao Daily 星岛日报

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute was cited in a story about the potential for the Wang Lijun incident to affect U.S.-China relations. Dube said that too little is known about the situation where Wang, a deputy mayor and former police chief of Chongqing, visited the U.S. consulate in the nearby city of Chengdu and was later taken into custody by Chinese authorities. Dube said that it seems unlikely that the incident would significantly affect the Xi Jinping visit to the U.S. or U.S.-China relations.

 

February 8, 2012: New York Times

The new documentary from the USC U.S.-China Institute, Assignment: China "The Week that Changed the World," was featured in an article.  Mike Chinoy, USCI senior fellow, was quoted, "Had Nixon not made the trip, it is entirely possible that the internal changes that transformed the People’s Republic would not have occurred.” The article features quotes from reporters featured in the documentary.

February 6, 2012: Voice of America

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute was interviewed regarding China’s veto of the U.S.-sponsored resolution calling for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to stop attacks on opposition protestors and to step down. The interview was also cited by the UPI.

Feb. 3, 2012: Huffington Post

Philip Seib, director of the USC Center on Public Diplomacy, published an op-ed arguing that the U.S. needed a program to match China's intellectual diplomacy. He wrote, "In an era dominated by the tools of mass communication -- ranging from cinema to Twitter -- less dangerous, but nevertheless intense, competition will determine global political influence." Seib advocates an "intellectual containment" effort towards China, which he says, "has the advantage of being low-risk in the sense that if it doesn't work it is unlikely to provoke a hard-power response."

February 3, 2012: China Daily

A story reported on Derek Zhao, a USC alum, who divides his time between Beijing and Los Angeles. Zhao was born in China, but grew up in Texas. He works as a freelance composer and producer in Los Angeles and as a composer for a Beijing music and dance company. Zhao trained in film scoring at USC.

February 2, 2012: Voice of America

A report focused on the USC U.S.-China Institute’s documentary Assignment: China “The Week that Changed the World.” The documentary, part of a series, examines media coverage of the 1972 Nixon trip that reshaped U.S.-China relations after a quarter century of isolation and hostility. USCI Senior Fellow Mike Chinoy wrote and narrated the segment. 

 

February 1, 2012: Voice of America

Baizhu Chen of the USC Marshall School of Business was quoted in an article about Chinese manufacturing. “If you look at the many local Chinese governments, what they have been doing in the past couple of years, is that they have been raising costs, enormously, to drive out labor intensive industries from their regions,” he said.

January 25, 2012: Forbes

Baizhu Chen of the USC Marshall School of Business published an op-ed on why iPhones are made in China. He argued, “The average manufacturing wage in 2010 is about $2.00 in China and $34.75 in America. By locating the same iPhone factory in America, Apple would add more than $25 billion in labor costs a year, which would completely wipe out Apple’s 2010 profit of $14 billion. Had we made the iPhone here in America, we would have deprived Apple of the resources to employ highly paid engineers to design, professionals to market, and young associates of Apple Stores to sell the cool products. Apple might have been bankrupted a long time ago.”

January 22, 2012: Voice of America

An article summarized ideas presented by Stanley Rosen, Daniel Lynch (both of USC Dornsife), and Clayton Dube (USC U.S.-China Institute) at a USC U.S.-China Institute symposium on the Taiwan election. Rosen discussed how election advertising was not as negative as in the past. Lynch said that it is not clear yet what China expects of victor Ma Ying-jeou in his second term. Dube told the reporter that American policy toward Taiwan, meaning the emphasis that differences with China should only be worked out on a peaceful non-coercive basis, is not likely to change regardless of who wins the November US presidential election. 

January 22, 2012: China Review (China).

An article about the USC U.S.-China Institute’s symposium on the Taiwan presidential election noted views expressed by Clayton Dube (USCI), Stanley Rosen, and Daniel Lynch (both USC Dornsife). Dube noted that Taiwan voters see their economy tied to the health of cross-strait relations. He said this worked in victor Ma Ying-jeou’s favor. Lynch said that China may increase the pressure on Ma to move beyond economic affairs and discuss political ties.

January 22, 2012: China Times (Taiwan)

A report noted that speakers at a USC U.S.-China Institute symposium on the Taiwan election stressed that it was the most “normal” of Taiwan’s elections. The report noted that Daniel Lynch (USC Dornsife) said that China’s Communist Party may increase pressure on Ma Ying-jeou in his second term to begin political negotiations. It noted that Clayton Dube (USCI) and Stanley Rosen (USC Dornsife) and other specialists spoke. 

January 22, 2012: Taipei Times (Taiwan)

An article about a Washington-based academic’s views of the Taiwan election included mention of a Foreign Affairs article by Daniel Lynch, quoting, “China’s leaders may pressure Ma to begin formally discussing Taiwan’s political future. So, rather than stabilizing the cross-strait status quo, Ma’s election might usher in a new period of instability in which Chinese demands on Taiwan intensify.”

 

January 21, 2012: Central News Agency (Taiwan)

An article noted the USC U.S.-China Institute’s symposium on the Taiwan presidential election. It noted that Clayton Dube (USCI), Stanley Rosen (USC Dornsife), and Daniel Lynch (USC Dornsife) spoke along with scholars from the University of Richmond and the University of California. This agency report was published in many places including Sina.com.

January 21, 2012: Radio Taiwan International (Taiwan)

An article focused on ideas expressed during the USC U.S.-China Institute’s symposium on the 2012 Taiwan elections and U.S.-China-Taiwan relations. It noted that Clayton Dube (USCI), Stanley Rosen and Daniel Lynch (both USC Dornsife) spoke. Lynch was quoted as saying that Ma Ying-jeou’s victory may result in China’s Communist Party putting pressure on him to move forward with some sort of political unification. Lynch also said that the Chinese may simply choose to wait and let Taiwan’s economy become more dependent on China.

January 21, 2012: Morning News (United Network, Singapore)

An article noted that the USC U.S.-China Institute hosted a symposium on the Taiwan election. It noted that Clayton Dube (USCI), Stanley Rosen, and Daniel Lynch (both USC Dornsife) spoke at the symposium along with specialists from other universities. 

January 20, 2012: China Daily (China)

The USC U.S.-China Institute documentary Assignment: China “The Week that Changed the World” was the subject of an article. It was screened in Washington, DC. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell opened the event and was quoted, "What went on in China 40 years ago is probably the biggest development in global politics and continues to reflect through so many aspects of what we are doing on the global stage." USCI Senior Fellow Mike Chinoy was quoted, "In Assignment: China, we are trying to tell the behind-the-scenes story of who actually told the Nixon story, and add a new dimension to our understanding of that."

January 15, 2012: Agence France Presse (France)

 

An article quoted Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute as saying that Ma Ying-jeou, reelected as Taiwan’s president, did not receive a mandate to push much faster in political negotiations with China. The article was widely reprinted, including the Nanyang Post (Singapore). 

January 16, 2012: The Hindu

An article quoted Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute on how the common ground between Taiwan’s two largest political parties had grown since 2008.  Dube said this was “because the [Democratic Progressive Party] has seen how the economic links with the mainland helped Taiwan avoid the worst of the global financial crisis…. This has happened without comprising Taiwan's sovereignty.” 

January 16, 2012: United Daily (Taiwan)

An article noted that Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute argued that reelected Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou’s gradual approach on dealings with the mainland was in line with Taiwanese public opinion. 

January 15, 2012: Ballots and Bullets

Daniel Lynch of USC Dornsife College contributed an entry to a blog devoted to Taiwan’s presidential election. He noted that the weak support President Ma Ying-jeou has may be because, “Taiwan may be becoming a polity similar to Japan in that voters are unusually well-educated by comparative standards, highly-informed, wealthy, and well-traveled, but for all of these reasons also increasingly critical of their political leaders and cynical about democratic politics.”

January 15, 2012: Foreign Affairs

USC international relations specialist Daniel Lynch published an essay on the Taiwan election. Lynch noted, “Ma's victory almost certainly raised Beijing's expectations. China's leaders may pressure Ma to begin formally discussing Taiwan's political future. So, rather than stabilizing the cross-strait status quo, as the Australian foreign minister and the former U.S. representative to Taiwan separately suggested in interviews last week, Ma's election might usher in a new period of instability in which Chinese demands on Taiwan intensify.”

January 15, 2012: Central News Agency (via Focus Taiwan)

A news report quoted Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute on Taiwan’s presidential election. Dube argued that in electing Ma Ying-jeou, "Taiwan's people have voted for stability.” 

January 15, 2012: Agence France Presse (AFP via Channel News Asia)

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute was quoted in a story about the victory of incumbent Ma Ying-jeou in Taiwan’s presidential election. "There's no mandate for moving faster than Ma has done thus far,” Dube said about Ma’s policies toward increasing links with mainland China. “The gradual approach while affirming Taiwan's autonomy is popular."

 January 15, 2012: Singtao Daily （星岛日报）

An article about Taiwan’s election cited analysis by Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute that both the ruling Kuomintang and the opposition Democratic Progressive Party agreed that strong economic ties with mainland China were essential for Taiwan, thus broadening the common ground between Taiwan’s two main political parties.

January 15, 2012: Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten (The Jutland Post, Denmark)

In an article about Taiwan-China relations after Ma Ying-jeou’s election as Taiwan’s president, Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute was quoted as saying that Ma would have to move carefully because he had promised this and did not have a mandate for political reconciliation with Beijing.

January 14, 2012: The Guardian

USC Dornsife College’s Stanley Rosen was quoted in an article about the outcome of Taiwan’s presidential election. On reports that Chinese tourists in Taiwan were told to stay inside on election day, he said, "[China's leaders] don't want a lot of mainlanders coming here and watching democracy in action." 

January 14, 2012: Merit Times (Taiwan)

An editorial on Taiwan’s presidential election cited the views of Clayton Dube (USC U.S.-China Institute) and Stanley Rosen (USC Dornsife College).   

January 13, 2012: The Guardian

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute was interviewed for a story on the importance of the Taiwan presidential election. "It matters because it is such a central question to the world's two biggest economies," said Dube. "Polls show that two-thirds to three-quarters of Chinese people think if there's going to be a conflict with the US it will be over Taiwan." 

January 13, 2012: Pravda (Slovakia)

Daniel Lynch of USC Dornsife and Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute were interviewed for an article on the importance of gender in Tsai Ing-wen’s run for Taiwan’s presidency. 

January 13, 2012: San Jose Mercury News

Richard Little of the USC Price School of Policy was quoted in a story about Apple’s decision to allow independent monitoring of their suppliers’ factories in China and elsewhere in Asia. "I'm sure they are socially responsible," Little said. "But it's also good business. I don't know if they gain anything by doing it, but there is a potential downside by not doing it if they source in a way that is considered socially irresponsible."

January 12, 2012: Agence France Presse (AFP via Sino Daily)

 

Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute was interviewed for a story on the issues at stake in Taiwan’s presidential election. He said that if Democratic Progressive Party candidate Tsai Ing-wen were elected there would initially be a little more speculation about her policies toward mainland China, but that there was no reason for alarm since she’s outlined plans for continued engagement. 

January 12, 2012: KSCI Ch. 18

Stanley Rosen of USC Dornsife College and Clayton Dube of the USC U.S.-China Institute were interviewed about the Taiwan election. Rosen said that third party candidate James Soong would need to get 6% of the vote for Tsai Ing-wen of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party to defeat incumbent Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang. Dube noted that the candidates had run quite defensive campaigns, backing quickly away from their big proposals (Ma of a peace agreement with the mainland and Tsai of a grand coalition government) when they came in for criticism.

January 11, 2012: Central News Agency (via Focus Taiwan)

USC political scientist Stanley Rosen and the U.S.-China Institute’s Clayton Dube were quoted in a story about the factors influencing voters in Taiwan’s presidential election and the likely impact of the election on Taiwan’s relationship with the mainland. Dube was also cited on American support for Taiwan through arms sales. A Chinese version of the story was also published. 

 

 

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