Sino-USRelationsEnteringaNewPeriod

Editor’sNote: As the Trump administration frequently making trouble with China over trade, Taiwan and South China Sea issues, there are a lot of hot discussions about whether the two countries are entering a new Cold War. Recently, our editorial department invited experts to talk about the current Sino-US relations and how China should respond.

Russia-USRelationsintheTrumpEra

WangHaibin

Abstract: US-Russia relations have been very acrimonious since Donald Trump came into office. The reasons include post-Cold War mutual mistrust, solidified hostile perspectives, conflicting world views, structural contradiction in real interests, US diplomatic system’s constraints. In the foreseeable future, it is difficult for the bilateral relations to be improved; there will be more fierce rivalry between them rather than a large scale conflict or the second Cold War.

Keywords: Russia; US; Donald Trump; Russia-US relations; strategic competition

InternationalNuclearOrderandItsChallenges

WangHui

Abstract: A series of international nuclear norms, including nuclear disarmament and nuclear arms control, prohibition of the use of nuclear weapons, and nuclear non-proliferation institutions have been formed with the joint efforts of international community in the wake of public concerns about the consequences of nuclear war. These international norms and institutions have effectively impacted nuclear activities of sovereign states, prevented the outbreak of nuclear war and limited the number of nuclear-weapon states. Since the 21st century, great changes have taken place in the international strategic environment. The nuclear and missile technology is accelerating. Iran has increased its nuclear capability. The DPRK has succeeded in acquiring nuclear weapons. After Trump came to power, he rejected Obama’s policy of a nuclear-free world. The Trump administration proposes to develop a strong missile defense system and new strategic weapons, build low-yield nuclear bombs and pull out of Iran’s nuclear deal. Trump’s policy has opened up a new round of nuclear technology race, impacted strategic stability among major powers, and magnified limitations of the international nuclear order.

Keywords: International nuclear order; nuclear weapons; nuclear proliferation; strategic stablity

BeltandRoadInitiativeAdvancementandBilateralInvestmentTreaty

KeJing

Abstract: China’s Belt and Road Initiative is an important adjustment made in response to the changes in the political and economic situation both at home and abroad, to address the plight of the rise and development of the great power. In the course of its advancing, factors such as regional security risks, struggle for dominance, competition among great powers and the differences of institutional environment, cause considerable obstacles to attract investment. They all hinder the implementation of the Initiative. As the most important tool for the international community to protect investors’ interests, Bilateral Investment Treaty should play a more important role in promoting the Initiative. However, BITs between China and foreign countries have not been updated for a long time. To better serve the current Initiative, we must sort out BITs signed between China and countries along Belt and Road, carefully analyze their political, economic, social, ethnic, religious characteristics, and reconstruct those BITs based on the changes in China’s status in the global investment pattern and the actual needs of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Keywords: Belt and Road Initiative; BIT; China’s international cooperation

TheGainsandLossesofIsraeliPublicDiplomacyStrategyinOverseasJewsAffairs

ZhangMei

Abstract: Jews throughout the world have strong economic strength, technical talents and political influence in their residing countries. In view of such rich resources, Israel established public diplomacy strategy in overseas Jews affairs after the founding of the Israel state. In order to bring overseas Jews together and play an important role in public diplomacy affairs, the Israeli government has enacted laws to clarify the relationship between overseas Jews and Israel, strengthen ties with overseas Jews through public relations of the head of state, cultural exchanges, and educational training, encourage overseas Jews to participate in politics, and use the media affiliated with overseas Jews to promote the image of Israel. Since the beginning of the new century, Israel’s public diplomacy in overseas Jews affairs has faced new challenges. It can be attributed to a variety of factors, such as insufficient resources for overseas Jews, divided leadership, and lack of funds.

Keywords: Israel; public diplomacy in overseas Jews affairs; Jewish diaspora community