Dr. Phil Mickelson, professional golfer and co-founder of Mickelson Exxon Mobil Teachers Academy, says that there has been a decline in math, science and engineering graduates. Mickelson says that in America, only 15 percent of graduates are in science and math fields as opposed to Singapore’s 67 percent and China’s 50 percent. Mickelson says this can threaten the U.S. as a global leader. (0:36)
Ashley Tellis, Senior Associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, says that China’s military strategy identifies US dependence on space for intelligence as a potential weakness that the People’s Republic could exploit for its own gains on the battlefield should a conflict arise. (1:00)
“We have to be incredibly lucky to avoid a major race in space in the years to come”, stated Ashley Tellis, Senior Associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Tellis spoke at a discussion hosted by The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on whether we can keep space from becoming the next ’shooting gallery’. (more…)
Somnath Chatterji of the World Health Organization describes the extent to which the Chinese and Indian populations are aging at a hearing held by the policy journal “Health Affairs.” He says that in the next four decades, almost 40 percent of the world’s old will live in China and India. He adds that the two countries are growing older before growing richer, creating huge implications in policy decisions. (1:07)
At a “Health Affairs” briefing on health in China and India, Kees Kostermans of the World Bank lists some lessons learned from India’s successful attack on its AIDS epidemic. He says that comprehensive data collection, condom marketing, and expansions of testing services for high-risk groups helped India decrease the prevalence of AIDS. (1:17)
“Health Affairs: The Policy Journal of the Health Sphere” held a briefing on health in India and China. China faces a massive obesity epidemic and problems with insurance coverage. India is confronting AIDS. And, both China and India have aging populations. (more…)
Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade Christopher Padilla says that the United States will cede its economic leadership in Asia if Congress fails to pass the Korea Free Trade Agreement, increasing the likelihood that the United States will be left out of future trade agreements. (0:44)
Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Christopher Padilla says China has replaced Japan as the “bogeyman of the 21st century,” adding that the United States’s reluctance to participate in free trade with Asia is comparable to an Olympic sprinter calling for a timeout as the race starts. (0:54)
In a hearing from the House Armed Services Committee, James Shinn, assistant secretary for Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, urged the Chinese government to become more transparent in their governmental and military dealings. Shinn said that the Chinese people know as much as the American public about what is happening in Congress and with U.S. military, but the United States does not have a clear picture of China because they are more opaque in their actions.
Shinn outlined some things that the United States know the Chinese government is doing. The official Chinese budget is 60 billion dollars, possibly twice that, but the United States can’t be sure, the Chinese are executing a comprehensive build up of their military forces, as well as improving the training and recruitment of military personnel and their actions reflect a deliberate attempt to invest in asymmetric warfare, Shinn said. The military balance in the region is shifting to the mainland power of China, which increasingly put U.S. forces in the region at risk, Shinn said. He was also concerned that the increasing capabilities may alter their intent in their actions with other nations.
The Department of Defense and the United States government are continuing their intelligence collection on the Chinese force build up and intent. Shinn also said that the U.S. military are training, equipping and posturing forces in the Pacific, in a way that responds to shifting capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The United States is continuing to work closely with alliance partners in the region and helping them to build their military capabilities, so they won’t be swayed by the growing power of the PLA. Additionally, Shinn said that the U.S. government will engage the Chinese government at a number of levels to learn more about them, as well as signal U.S. resolve which will reduce miscalculation and build communication links in the region.
Speaking about the situation in the Taiwan Straights, Shinn said that the near-term focus for the PLA continues to be on preparing for military contingencies in the Straights and that the region has “materially increased in danger.” He also said that acting in the terms of the Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S. military will be maintaining their commitment to providing weapons systems as may be required to “oppose military coercion from China and the PLA. When asked about the safety and security of American athletes and spectators, Shinn said that the Chinese government hasn’t asked for U.S. military help in securing the Games, but that the Chinese government has made significant steps to make sure the Olympics will be safe for everyone.
Correspondent S. Dawn Jones is covering Amnesty International’s exhibit of a replica of a Guantanamo Bay Prison Cell. Correspondent Meredith Mackenzie is attending an energy forum with Republican Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio). Legal Affairs correspondent Jay Goodman Tamboli will cover the Supreme Court. (more…)
