[{"_1":2,"_340":-5,"_341":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_16":17,"_338":339},"root",{"_5":6,"_14":15},"fb",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":12,"_13":8},"apiKey","AIzaSyAdxqOaB63feHHqSm_nZCKsSHpSAcxkct8","authDomain","thediplomat.firebaseapp.com","projectId","firebase-thediplomat","appId","ga",true,"routes/$issue",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"slug","2023-03","path","/2023-03","issue",{"_24":25,"_26":27,"_28":29,"_30":31,"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43},"eid","-NOnhNsepAeYU4skWADa","title","Is China’s Reform and Opening Era Over?","description","Welcome to the March 2023 issue – Issue 100 – of The Diplomat. This month, we revisit themes that have cropped up repeatedly over the course of the magazine’s first 100 issues. Our cover story examines China’s economic trajectory under Xi Jinping, who has overseen a sharp turn away from a growth-first mentality. We also illuminate how Pacific Islanders are leading the way on climate change adaptation, chart Myanmar’s devastating descent from nascent democracy to coup and civil war, and trace the evolution of China’s influence in Tajikistan, a case study for Beijing’s growing clout in Central Asia. And, of course, we offer a range of reporting, analysis, and opinion from across the region.","masthead","

\n Publisher\n Diplomat Media, Inc.
\n 3033 Wilson Blvd
\n Suite 700
\n Arlington, VA 22201
\n United States of America\n

\n Publisher\n James Pach\n

\n Editor-in-Chief\n Shannon Tiezzi\n

\n Managing Editor\n Catherine Putz\n

\n Southeast Asia Editor\n Sebastian Strangio\n

\n South Asia Editor\n Sudha Ramachandran\n

\n Contributing Editors\nKavita Chowdhury
\nBonnie Girard
\nShihoko Goto
\nJames Guild
\nBrian Hioe
\nSara Hsu
\nLuke Hunt
\nUmair Jamal
\nMercy A. Kuo
\nRathindra Kuruwita
\nShafi Md Mostofa
\nPatricia O’Brien
\nMina Pollmann
\nMong Palatino
\nSantosh Sharma Poudel
\nRajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
\nTita Sanglee
\nMitch Shin
\nThisanka Siripala
\nPaolo Sorbello
\nTroy Stangarone
\nTakahashi Kosuke
\nGrant Wyeth\n

\n Design & Code\n Stefan Yanku\n

","number",100,"date","March 2023","month",3,"year",2023,"status","rdy","toc",[44,61,69,89,98,128,158,188,218,248,273,293,318],{"_24":45,"_46":47,"_26":48,"_49":50},"LTR","priority",0,"Letter","pages",[51],{"_24":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":59,"_40":41,"_26":60},"-NOnhPPgMDsp9yWNX3xj","lead","

A special note of thanks from Managing Editor Catherine Putz as the magazine marks its 100th issue.

","model","story","preview",1,"letter-from-the-editor","Letter from the Editor",{"_24":62,"_46":58,"_26":63,"_49":64},"CVRS","Cover Story",[65],{"_24":66,"_53":67,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":68,"_40":41,"_26":27},"-NOnhPPki2k_0JF5JCO-","

Xi changed China’s trajectory from the “Reform and Opening Up” of his predecessors toward a more internal and state-focused model of economic development.

","is-chinas-reform-and-opening-era-over",{"_24":70,"_46":71,"_26":72,"_49":73},"LDS",2,"Leads",[74,79,84],{"_24":75,"_53":76,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":77,"_40":41,"_26":78},"-NOnhPPki2k_0JF5JCO0","

Seven years after the Paris Agreement, Pacific Islanders demonstrate leadership and resolve in the face of the climate crisis.

","in-the-face-of-climate-change-the-pacific-leads-boldly","In the Face of Climate Change, the Pacific Leads Boldly",{"_24":80,"_53":81,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":82,"_40":41,"_26":83},"-NOnhPPl6LJPRh4C6SWu","

From 2015-2020, Myanmar seemed on the cusp of a meaningful transformation. Then the coup set the country back decades.

","from-hope-to-despair-in-myanmar","From Hope to Despair in Myanmar",{"_24":85,"_53":86,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":71,"_18":87,"_40":41,"_26":88},"-NOnhPPl6LJPRh4C6SWv","

China’s growing importance to – and influence over – Tajikistan is a case study in Beijing’s geopolitical rise over the past decades.

","chinas-rise-reverberates-in-tajikistan","China’s Rise Reverberates in Tajikistan",{"_24":90,"_46":37,"_26":91,"_49":92},"INT","Interview",[93],{"_24":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":96,"_40":41,"_26":97},"-NOnhPQ0stPpSpnMBTNy","

The Diplomat’s publisher, James Pach, talks about our mission, the magazine, and what issues he’s watching most closely in Asia.

","james-pach","James Pach",{"_24":99,"_46":100,"_26":101,"_49":102},"CHN",4,"China",[103,108,113,118,123],{"_24":104,"_53":105,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":106,"_40":41,"_26":107},"-NOnhPQ0stPpSpnMBTNz","

Beijing has been reluctant to voice any criticisms of the Taliban regime in Kabul, despite alarming developments in both human rights and cross-border terrorism.

","why-is-china-so-soft-on-the-afghan-taliban","Why Is China So Soft on the Afghan Taliban?",{"_24":109,"_53":110,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":111,"_40":41,"_26":112},"-NOnhPQ0stPpSpnMBTO-","

The most public case of China’s tech-enabled surveillance efforts comes just as the new U.S. Congress ramps up its efforts to address the China-U.S. competition.

","the-balloon-goes-up-on-china-us-relations","The Balloon Goes up on China-US Relations",{"_24":114,"_53":115,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":71,"_18":116,"_40":41,"_26":117},"-NOnhPQ1A7yHYichyS2j","

Beijing is rejecting the G-7’s price caps on oil and potentially providing other important economic support for Moscow.

","chinas-growing-economic-support-for-russia","China’s Growing Economic Support for Russia",{"_24":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":121,"_40":41,"_26":122},"-NOnhPQ1A7yHYichyS2k","

A study by Doublethink Lab suggests that China’s pressure tactics are not making countries adopt foreign policies favorable to Beijing.

","data-shows-chinas-coercive-diplomacy-isnt-working","Data Shows China’s Coercive Diplomacy Isn’t Working",{"_24":124,"_53":125,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":100,"_18":126,"_40":41,"_26":127},"-NOnhPQ24gJ-cEIzusJm","

Since taking up his post, Qin Gang has undertaken a flurry of outreach to key partners, especially in phone conversations.

","chinas-new-foreign-minister-is-on-a-diplomatic-blitz","China’s New Foreign Minister Is on a Diplomatic Blitz",{"_24":129,"_46":130,"_26":131,"_49":132},"NEA",5,"Northeast Asia",[133,138,143,148,153],{"_24":134,"_53":135,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":136,"_40":41,"_26":137},"-NOnhPQ24gJ-cEIzusJn","

A whirlwind of diplomacy in early 2023 drives home the newly enlarged role Europe plays in Tokyo’s foreign policy.

","japans-pivot-to-europe","Japan’s Pivot to Europe",{"_24":139,"_53":140,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":141,"_40":41,"_26":142},"-NOnhPQ3RjvZv3FQ4nLv","

Surging energy prices, along with Russia’s weaponization of energy against European states, have influenced South Korean thinking on the energy transition and energy security.

","climate-change-and-energy-security-in-south-koreas-indo-pacific-strategy","Climate Change and Energy Security in South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy",{"_24":144,"_53":145,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":146,"_40":41,"_26":147},"-NOnhPQ3RjvZv3FQ4nLw","

Abe Shinzo learned the hard way: Voters don’t care about foreign policy achievements if the economy is struggling.

","japans-kishida-fails-to-learn-abes-political-lessons","Japan’s Kishida Fails to Learn Abe’s Political Lessons",{"_24":149,"_53":150,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":151,"_40":41,"_26":152},"-NOnhPQ3RjvZv3FQ4nLx","

Extreme caution is required when interpreting the public appearances of Kim Jong Un’s daughter.

","a-north-korean-successor-at-the-korean-peoples-army-parade","A North Korean Successor at the Korean People’s Army Parade?",{"_24":154,"_53":155,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":100,"_18":156,"_40":41,"_26":157},"-NOnhPQ4_7fdNQ9yuF8r","

A shift to values-based diplomacy must not jeopardize Japan’s long history of close engagement with the developing world.

","will-japan-succeed-in-its-global-south-diplomacy","Will Japan Succeed in Its ‘Global South’ Diplomacy?",{"_24":159,"_46":160,"_26":161,"_49":162},"SOA",6,"South Asia",[163,168,173,178,183],{"_24":164,"_53":165,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":166,"_40":41,"_26":167},"-NOnhPQ4_7fdNQ9yuF8s","

Built on landslide debris, the town was unstable to begin with. The construction of dams and roads has compounded its problems.

","himalayan-town-of-joshimath-is-sinking","Himalayan Town of Joshimath Is Sinking",{"_24":169,"_53":170,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":171,"_40":41,"_26":172},"-NOnhPQ5cmbvVmCVfqpD","

Pakistan’s bargaining chips vis-à-vis Washington have dwindled dramatically, but Islamabad may still seek to use its security relevance for greater attention.

","pakistan-tries-to-win-back-the-us-with-little-success","Pakistan Tries to Win Back the US, With Little Success",{"_24":174,"_53":175,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":176,"_40":41,"_26":177},"-NOnhPQ5cmbvVmCVfqpE","

While capitalizing on its domestic tech skills, India will need to enter into collaborative tech alliances to make itself an integral part of the global semiconductor industry.

","can-india-emerge-a-global-chip-powerhouse","Can India Emerge a Global Chip Powerhouse?",{"_24":179,"_53":180,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":181,"_40":41,"_26":182},"-NOnhPQ5cmbvVmCVfqpF","

Recent visits to Colombo by top officials from India and the U.S. illustrate how Sri Lanka’s power sector is becoming a theater of big power rivalry.

","the-geopolitics-of-sri-lankas-energy-crisis","The Geopolitics of Sri Lanka’s Energy Crisis",{"_24":184,"_53":185,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":100,"_18":186,"_40":41,"_26":187},"-NOnhPQ67fg5g7UU89H8","

Railway transportation re-opened from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan after a recent suspension was lifted, but key questions remain.

","after-temporary-suspension-whats-next-for-the-trans-afghan-railway","After Temporary Suspension, What’s Next for the Trans-Afghan Railway?",{"_24":189,"_46":190,"_26":191,"_49":192},"SEA",7,"Southeast Asia",[193,198,203,208,213],{"_24":194,"_53":195,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":196,"_40":41,"_26":197},"-NOnhPQ67fg5g7UU89H9","

Myanmar’s future is ill served by an Asian giant punching well below its diplomatic weight.

","recalibrating-indias-approach-to-myanmar","Recalibrating India’s Approach to Myanmar",{"_24":199,"_53":200,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":58,"_18":201,"_40":41,"_26":202},"-NOnhPQ7wWYGn-P0NMcu","

The U.S. military has no concrete plans to return to the naval base it vacated in 1992, but Subic Bay’s defense industry anticipates an economic boom.

","what-does-the-us-return-to-philippine-bases-mean-for-subic-bay","What Does the US Return to Philippine Bases Mean for Subic Bay?",{"_24":204,"_53":205,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":206,"_40":41,"_26":207},"-NOnhPQ7wWYGn-P0NMcv","

In both China and Vietnam, the governments have deliberately tried to bury memories of their 1979 war.

","how-the-sino-vietnamese-war-was-purposefully-forgotten","How the Sino-Vietnamese War Was Purposefully Forgotten",{"_24":209,"_53":210,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":211,"_40":41,"_26":212},"-NOnhPQ7wWYGn-P0NMcw","

What motivated President Joko Widodo’s recent acknowledgement of gross past human rights abuses?

","indonesia-confronts-the-past-while-sidestepping-the-present","Indonesia Confronts the Past, While Sidestepping the Present",{"_24":214,"_53":215,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":100,"_18":216,"_40":41,"_26":217},"-NOnhPQ8wIW0nepJsfNe","

For a party living under the constant fear of crackdown or dissolution, it might be wise to downplay its chances at the July poll.

","whats-a-decent-outcome-for-cambodias-opposition-at-the-upcoming-election","What’s a Decent Outcome for Cambodia’s Opposition at the Upcoming Election?",{"_24":219,"_46":220,"_26":221,"_49":222},"CEA",8,"Central Asia",[223,228,233,238,243],{"_24":224,"_53":225,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":226,"_40":41,"_26":227},"-NOnhPQ8wIW0nepJsfNf","

The massive earthquake that devastated Turkey and Syria last month is a warning siren to Central Asia, plagued by many of the same geologic and political risks.

","waiting-for-the-big-one-in-central-asia","Waiting for the Big One in Central Asia",{"_24":229,"_53":230,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":231,"_40":41,"_26":232},"-NOnhPQ9JA6Z9y5JlR6x","

The repercussions of the apparent vulnerabilities in Uzbekistan’s energy system have wide implications, none more serious than for Afghanistan.

","cold-snap-and-electricity-shortages-slam-central-asia-afghanistan","Cold Snap and Electricity Shortages Slam Central Asia, Afghanistan",{"_24":234,"_53":235,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":236,"_40":41,"_26":237},"-NOnhPQ9JA6Z9y5JlR6y","

Gender inequality and stereotypes, especially in health, education, and command over economic resources, make women more vulnerable to HIV and to other related conditions.

","a-gender-perspective-on-hiv-prevalence-in-uzbekistan","A Gender Perspective on HIV Prevalence in Uzbekistan",{"_24":239,"_53":240,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":241,"_40":41,"_26":242},"-NOnhPQ9JA6Z9y5JlR6z","

In prison (mostly) since 2019, the former Kyrgyz president was granted yet another retrial but also released and allowed to leave the country.

","former-kyrgyz-president-atambayev-released-from-jail-flies-to-spain","Former Kyrgyz President Atambayev Released From Jail, Flies to Spain",{"_24":244,"_53":245,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":100,"_18":246,"_40":41,"_26":247},"-NOnhPQAaZB9yUjjF6qO","

An unusual diaspora – Indian medical students evacuated from Ukraine last year – has found community in a small Catholic church in Samarkand.

","the-ukraine-war-echoes-in-ancient-samarkand","The Ukraine War Echoes in Ancient Samarkand",{"_24":249,"_46":250,"_26":251,"_49":252},"OCE",9,"Oceania",[253,258,263,268],{"_24":254,"_53":255,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":256,"_40":41,"_26":257},"-NOnhPQAaZB9yUjjF6qP","

With the AUKUS agreement, Australia is making a bet on the future – and placing its chips with the United States and the United Kingdom.

","aukus-details-coming-soon","AUKUS Details, Coming Soon",{"_24":259,"_53":260,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":261,"_40":41,"_26":262},"-NOnhPQAaZB9yUjjF6qQ","

Despite recent signs of a diplomatic thaw, nothing has changed in the policies of either China or Australia.

","china-australia-trade-war-shows-no-sign-of-abating","China-Australia Trade War Shows No Sign of Abating",{"_24":264,"_53":265,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":266,"_40":41,"_26":267},"-NOnhPQAaZB9yUjjF6qR","

For Pacific Islanders, who feel a strong guardianship over the Pacific Ocean, Japan’s plan to release contaminated water into the ocean is of critical importance.

","japan-briefs-pacific-islands-on-fukushima-wastewater-release-plan","Japan Briefs Pacific Islands on Fukushima Wastewater Release Plan",{"_24":269,"_53":270,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":271,"_40":41,"_26":272},"-NOnhPQBag9hCCuM2Sny","

The opposition politician was removed by a parliamentary vote of no confidence in the Solomon Islands, resulting in protests and further accusations of Chinese interference.

","malaita-premier-daniel-suidani-ousted-in-solomon-islands","Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani Ousted in Solomon Islands",{"_24":274,"_46":275,"_26":276,"_49":277},"USA",10,"US in Asia",[278,283,288],{"_24":279,"_53":280,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":281,"_40":41,"_26":282},"-NOnhPQBag9hCCuM2So-","

Congress’ embrace of a more hawkish China policy has U.S. partners in the Indo-Pacific worried.

","asia-strains-to-adapt-to-us-pushback-against-china","Asia Strains to Adapt to US Pushback Against China",{"_24":284,"_53":285,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":286,"_40":41,"_26":287},"-NOnhPQBag9hCCuM2So0","

U.S. involvement in the region needs a larger economic component – an area where U.S. policy used to be strong.

","the-us-indo-pacific-strategys-weakest-link","The US Indo-Pacific Strategy’s Weakest Link",{"_24":289,"_53":290,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":291,"_40":41,"_26":292},"-NOnhPQC3orTxZyY_-uC","

The incorporation of the Burma Act in the 2023 NDAA has raised strong public expectations in Myanmar that substantial U.S. support will be forthcoming.

","us-burma-act-uplifts-the-resistance-movement-in-myanmar","US Burma Act Uplifts the Resistance Movement in Myanmar",{"_24":294,"_46":295,"_26":296,"_49":297},"SCR",11,"Security",[298,303,308,313],{"_24":299,"_53":300,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":301,"_40":41,"_26":302},"-NOnhPQD46WaLgN1L3uM","

South Korea is considering acquiring its own nuclear weapons, why isn’t Japan doing the same?

","the-biggest-reason-why-japan-cannot-go-nuclear","The Biggest Reason Why Japan Cannot Go Nuclear",{"_24":304,"_53":305,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":306,"_40":41,"_26":307},"-NOnhPQD46WaLgN1L3uN","

Underlying the leaks is the real concern that sensitive personal information could end up in Beijing’s hands.

","mass-data-leaks-sound-alarm-about-taiwans-cybersecurity","Mass Data Leaks Sound Alarm About Taiwan’s Cybersecurity",{"_24":309,"_53":310,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":311,"_40":41,"_26":312},"-NOnhPQD46WaLgN1L3uO","

Yes, the Afghan Taliban’s victory emboldened the TTP. But Islamabad also missed its chance to deal the group a decisive blow.

","the-twin-factors-behind-pakistans-growing-ttp-problem","The Twin Factors Behind Pakistan’s Growing TTP Problem",{"_24":314,"_53":315,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":37,"_18":316,"_40":41,"_26":317},"-NOnhPQD46WaLgN1L3uP","

Will Islamic State Khorasan Province push Beijing to abandon Kabul?

","chinas-clouded-future-in-afghanistan","China’s Clouded Future in Afghanistan",{"_24":319,"_46":320,"_26":321,"_49":322},"ASL",12,"Asia Life",[323,328,333],{"_24":324,"_53":325,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_46":47,"_18":326,"_40":41,"_26":327},"-NOnhPQEfiwTf42JJKi8","

In what ways may an experience of a different history of faiths shape non-Western fantasy?

","magic-as-religion-the-case-of-indian-fantasy","Magic as Religion: The Case of Indian Fantasy",{"_24":329,"_53":330,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":58,"_18":331,"_40":41,"_26":332},"-NOnhPQEfiwTf42JJKi9","

Social media has been abuzz with Bangladeshis opposing the making of “Faraaz,” mostly averring that it is Bangladesh’s story to tell.

","bollywood-film-on-holey-artisan-attack-triggers-controversy-in-bangladesh","Bollywood Film on Holey Artisan Attack Triggers Controversy in Bangladesh",{"_24":334,"_53":335,"_55":56,"_57":47,"_46":71,"_18":336,"_40":41,"_26":337},"-NOnhPQFlgGGmIQ3-2Li","

The Japanese government’s handling of homophobic comments by a top aide is under intense scrutiny as it seeks to revive a formally shelved LGBTQ bill.

","japans-prime-minister-battles-fallout-after-anti-lgbtq-gaffe","Japan’s Prime Minister Battles Fallout After Anti-LGBTQ Gaffe","routes/$issue.cover",{"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":23},"actionData","errors"]