Term: May 1-31, 2014

Main Issues

1. Asia-Pacific Issues: China Duels with Vietnam and the Philippines over Territorial Disputes, Continues Its Attack on Japan; U.S. “Neutrally” Criticizes China’s Position, Continues the Promotion of Its Rebalance to Asia

United States
May 6, State Department Daily Press Briefing: South China Sea
May 7, State Department Daily Press Briefing: South China Sea
May 15, State Department Daily Press Briefing: Japan
May 16, Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney
May 24, Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby on Thailand
May 27, State Department Daily Press Briefing: Japan/China
May 28, Background Conference Call on the President’s Commencement Address at West Point by Senior Administration Officer
May 28, Remarks by President Obama at the United States Military Academy Commencement Ceremony
May 29, U.S. Policy Towards East Asia and the Pacific
May 30, Press Briefing by Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes on the President’s Upcoming Trip to Poland, Belgium and France
May 30, State Department Daily Press Briefing: China/Japan
May 31, Secretary of Defense Speech at IISS Shangri-La Dialogue

China
May 5, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference
May 6, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference
May 7, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference
May 8, Obama’s Rebalancing May Backfire China Daily Op-Ed
May 9, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference
May 12, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference
May 13, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference
May 14, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference
May 15, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference
May 22, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei’s Regular Press Conference
May 23, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei’s Regular Press Conference
May 27, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei’s Regular Press Conference

2. Direction of U.S.-China Cooperation: U.S. Talks Cooperation; China Emphasizes a “New Model of Major-Country Relations”

United States
May 15, Remarks by Joint Chief of Staff Chairman General Martin E. Dempsey
May 23, State Department Daily Press Briefing

China
May 13, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference
May 14, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference
May 29, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang’s Regular Press Conference

3. Economic Cooperation: U.S. and China Pursue Free Trade Agreements with Various Countries

United States
May 2, Remarks by President Obama and German Chancellor Merkel in Joint Press Conference
May 13, Remarks of Secretary Lew before Meeting with Premier Li Keqiang

China
May 5, Remarks by Assistant Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen: Special Press Conference for APEC Trade Ministers Meeting
May 13, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference
May 15, Official with Department of Treaty and Law of Ministry of Commerce Comments on China-Japan-ROK Investment Agreement Coming into Force

4. Cooperation on Military Security: U.S. Attention Diverted to Ukraine, Talks More Cooperation with China; China Goes on a Charm Offensive in Shangri-La

United States
May 6, Speech by Secretary of Defense at Chicago Council on Global Affairs
May 7, Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest en route Little Rock, AR
May 15, Readout of the Vice President’s Meeting with Chinese People’s Liberation Army Chief of General Staff Fang Fenghui
May 15, Remarks by Joint Chief of Staff Chairman General Martin E. Dempsey
May 21, State Department Daily Press Briefing: China/Russia
May 22, Statement by Press Secretary Jay Carney on Terrorist Attack in China
May 31, Secretary of Defense Speech at IISS Shangri-La Dialogue

China
May 21, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei’s Regular Press Conference
May 22, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei’s Regular Press Conference
May 30, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang’s Regular Press Conference

5. Human Rights: U.S. Presses China over Continued Violations; China Ignores U.S. Criticism, Covers Itself in UN Praise

United States
May 7, State Department Daily Press Briefing
May16, Commemorating International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

China
May 4, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang’s Remarks on the China-related Contents in the 2014 Annual Report Released by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
May 9, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference

6. Climate Change: Climate Change Re-enters U.S. Focus, Both China and U.S. Eye an Opportunity for Cooperation

United States
May 3, Africa is on the Rise, and We Need to Help Make Sure It Continues: Op-Ed Washington Post 
May 6, Remarks by the U.S. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney
May 9, Remarks by the President on American Energy
May 22, Remarks by National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice at the Chicago Council Global Food Security Conference

China
May 12, China Should Adapt to New Norm of Growth: Xi
May 14, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference
May 16, Li Jiayang Meets Undersecretary of USDA

7. Middle East and Africa Issues: U.S. and China Express Interest in the African Economy and Humanitarian Issues; China Defends Its Decision to Veto the UN Security Council Referral of Syria to ICC against U.S. Criticism

United States
May 1, Remarks by Secretary of State John Kerry at the U.S.-African Union High –Level Dialogue
May 3, Africa is on the Rise, and We Need to Help Make Sure It Continues: Op-Ed Washington Post 
May 5, Remarks by President Obama and President Guelleh of Djibouti before Bilateral Meeting
May 14, Remarks to the Press at the U.S.-GCC Defense Dialogue by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
May 16, Joint Remarks by Secretary Hagel and Prime Minister Netanyahu in Israel
May 22, State Department Daily Press Briefing
May 23, State Department Daily Press Briefing
May 27, Statement by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on Afghanistan
May 28, Interview with Charlie Rose and Norah O’Donnell of CBS “This Morning

China
May 5, Advancing China-Africa Ties China Daily Op-Ed
May 13, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference
May 13, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference
May 15, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying’s Regular Press Conference
May 19, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei’s Regular Press Conference
May 23, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei’s Remarks on the UN Security Council’s Vote on the Draft Resolution to Refer the Situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court

8. Korean Peninsula: U.S. and China Highlight the Importance of Maintaining Peace and Stability on the Peninsula

United States
May 5, Air Force Pacific Commander Highlights Importance of Engagement
May 13, State Department Daily Press Briefing
May 31, Secretary of Defense Speech at IISS Shangri-La Dialogue

China
May 23, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei’s Regular Press Conference
May 28, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang’s Regular Press Conference

9. Cybersecurity Issues: U.S. Indict Chinese Military Officers for Cyber Theft; China Condemns the Move and Imposes Retaliatory Measures

United States
May 19, Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney
May 21, Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney  
May 27, State Department Daily Press Briefing: China

China
May 20, China Reacts Strongly to U.S. Announcement of Indictment Against Chinese Personnel
May 22, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei’s Regular Press Conference
May 28, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang’s Regular Press Conference
May 29, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang’s Regular Press Conference

(Continued)