China's rogue regimes play up
North Korea's willingness to export high-tech weapons and know-how to Myanmar
and other reclusive, anti-Western regimes has raised the regional security
temperature and could launch a new Southeast Asian arms race. If Pyongyang is
indeed helping Myanmar achieve its nuclear and ballistic missile ambitions,
China may shut the door on its troublesome client states. - Brian McCartan
(Jul 2,'09)
China's system beyond the system
While government staff in Hong Kong are taking pay cuts to battle the economic
downturn, civil servants in China are getting raises. And then there are the
pricey overseas "inspection" trips and extra budgets that watchdogs aren't
capable of monitoring. Mainland Chinese are taking notice, and they're no
longer keeping quiet. - Stephanie Wang (Jul
2,'09)
THE ROVING EYE Superfat hits Asia
In 2007, diabetes affected 46.5 million adults in Southeast Asia. By 2025, it
will strike more than 80 million. At the same time, Asia is getting fat -
leading to the specter of "diabesity" - the deadly coupling of diabetes and
obesity. Now, a group of global specialists has gathered in Thailand to spread
the alarm to doctors all over Asia. - Pepe Escobar
(Jul 1,'09)
SINOGRAPH Hu embarks on a political pilgrimage
China has been trying to blend modernization and tradition for years, and can't
help but study the West's experiences. In this context, President Hu Jintao's
official visit to Italy takes on philosophical significance - the Vatican is an
inescapable source in the balancing of powers. - Francesco Sisci
(Jul 1,'09)
Beijing aims to stem mass incidents
Calls by China's mouthpiece newspaper for greater information transparency in
the wake of a recent "mass incident" may come as welcome news for press freedom
and government accountability advocates. It is quite obvious, however, that
Beijing's main motivation is not the satisfaction of liberal outsiders, but the
preservation of social stability. - Shi Ren-hou
(Jul 1,'09)
China creates an Internet albatross
Given Beijing's paranoia over Internet access and this year's sensitive
anniversaries, many feel China's pressure on Google to block access to
pornography is a pretext to gag political dissent. For Google, China is a huge
growth market with strong local competitors, so it had little choice. - Sreeram
Chaulia (Jun 30,'09)
COMMENT China doesn't want Iran unstable
Throughout the recent election turmoil in Iran, Beijing has said little and
stuck to its time-honored non-interventionist line. Political chaos in the
Middle East, and especially in Iran, is no good for oil-hungry China. In terms
of national interest, it's better to just keep quiet. - Jian Junbo
(Jun 30,'09)
COMMENT A tale of two censors
The open manner in which Chinese lawyers and netizens have challenged the
government over mandatory censorship software speaks volumes about the state of
China's nascent civil society. Like Iran, where the opposition movement has
deftly used the Internet to outmaneuver censors, technology is fueling change.
- Richard Komaiko (Jun 29,'09)
Beijing losing the gambling battle
China's efforts to crack down on officials who gamble away public money are
failing miserably. A restriction on visas to the gambling haven of Macau has
only driven offenders to online casinos, while longer jail sentences aren't
scaring anyone. The solution - political reforms - may be too far for Beijing
to go. - Stephen Wong (Jun 26,'09)
Macau's election a sure bet
Fernando Chui Sai-on's selection as Macau's next chief executive was assured
the moment he presented endorsements from 286 of the 300 election committee
members. His impending anointment confirms the city's reputation as a clubby
place where ruling clans hold sway, and the wider public has little say. - Muhammad
Cohen(Jun 24,'09)
SINOGRAPH China makes a choice in Iran
As in the Silk Road times of the recently
released Chinese film The Empire of Silver , the status quo is
China's political mantra. This applies also for Iran, where Beijing has
calculated that its interests will be best served if the turmoil over the
re-election of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad quickly passes. - Francesco Sisci
(Jun 24,'09)
SUN
WUKONG A cycle up for renewal
With 60 years under its belt, the Communist Party's legitimacy to rule China
for another 60 years is open to debate. Worsening the situation for Beijing is
the sudden notoriety of a municipal official that highlights the party's many
ills. - Wu Zhong (Jun 23,'09)
A convenient North Korean distraction
The main venue for demonstrating enhanced United States-Japanese cooperation as
a viable alternative to Chinese diplomatic suzerainty over North Asia is North
Korea. In this process, Dear Leader Kim Jong-il is playing a perfect role by
provoking a security crisis the US can exploit to the full. - Peter Lee
(Jun 22,'09)
Beijing toys with tougher tactics
On the surface, China hasn't toughened its stance on North Korea, despite
Pyongyang's nuclear test. But a closer look suggests Beijing is indeed
considering hardening its line, as fears of North Korea's nuclear pursuit - and
the accompanying North Asian reactions - grow. - Willy Lam
(Jun 19,'09)
Beijing cautions US over Iran
The meeting between Chinese President Hu Jintao and Iranian President Mahmud
Ahmadinejad in Russia on Tuesday once again shows Beijing has a clear idea
about the ebb and flow of Iranian politics. China anticipated the backlash
against Ahmadinejad's victory and is now warning Washington about letting the
genie of popular unrest get out of the bottle in a region waiting to
explode. - M K Bhadrakumar (Jun 19,'09)
BOOK REVIEW Poignant tales of the Cultural
Revolution Apologies Forthcoming by Xujun Eberlein
Perfectly capturing the turbulence of China's Cultural Revolution and its bleak
aftermath through haunting, human tales of patriotism, love, hope and loss, the
short stories in this collection are honest, poetic and moving. Through her
engaging, well-drawn characters, the author shines a revealing light on an era
that China's leaders would prefer the world forgot. - Kent Ewing
(Jun 19,'09)
Flaws in China's digital dissidents
Most of China's young bloggers come from the "me generation" - pampered
children born after the nation's one-child policy began. Although they like to
paint themselves as rebellious citizen journalists, many don't take on the
authorities; most see their outlet not as a revolutionary tool but as a way to
grab some quick attention. - Alice Liu (Jun
18,'09)
Resettling Uyghurs no easy task The United States struggled to rid itself of the 22 Uyghurs it
held in Guantanamo, highlighting the plight of this Muslim minority in China.
Beijing demanded their repatriation, but the US didn't want to send them there
or make amends for their own error and take them in. The two countries that did
accept them are studies in how far autonomy will go. - Ian Williams
(Jun 16,'09)
SUN WUKONG Cracks appear in China's Green Dam
Beijing's idea to protect children from harmful online content by making "Green
Dam" Internet-filtering software compulsory has sparked waves of protest.
Western media say it will restrict Internet freedoms, while Chinese are angry
over consumer rights and the opaque deal that led to public money being spent
on allegedly stolen and flawed software. - Wu Zhong
(Jun 16,'09)
BRIC group plans its own
revolution
Russia's choice of Yekaterinburg, scene of the execution of Tsar Nicholas II
and his family, for the summit of Brazil, Russia, India and China may be
telling. This week's gathering could prove to be a milestone in developing a
new global economic order as the countries seek to move away from US-dollar
dependence. - W Joseph Stroupe This is the second article of a three-part report. Part 1:Awakening ahead
on bond delusion
Doubts over US-China-Japan talks
Plans for a first-ever summit between China, Japan and the United States have
raised hopes that the framework could become a pivotal forum for East Asia.
However, with South Korea likely to view its exclusion as insulting and
threatening, any serious progress on the region's most pressing security issue,
North Korea, is unlikely. - Jian Junbo (Jun
15,'09)
Shenzhen to test-run political reform
The Shenzhen special economic zone has long been a petri dish for China's
economic strategies, now Beijing wants it to spearhead major political reform.
The radical proposal to separate power into decision-making, implementation and
supervision bodies could be revolutionary if implemented nationwide. - Stephanie
Wang (Jun 12,'09)
Sino-Russian baby comes of age
After eight years, the six-member Shanghai Cooperation Organization has evolved
from being "little more than a discussion forum" into a powerful bloc, with
China and Russia its main drivers. From economic clout to gatecrashing the
United States' AfPak strategy, the group demands attention, so much so it is
being talked of as an emerging military alliance. This is not the case, but the
SCO's leaders are ensuring that security in Central Asia and beyond is in
trusted hands. - M K Bhadrakumar (Jun 12,'09)
SPEAKING FREELY What China shouldn't learn from the US
Any Americans hoping to preach the concepts of government to China should first
take a hard look at their own crisis-stricken political institutions. The US
government is more responsive to outside pressure from citizens and groups, but
this has led to competing special-interest lobbies exerting influence over its
legislatures, executive agencies and courts. - James V DeLong
(Jun 11,'09)
China: Pyongyang just wants attention
Beijing has dismissed North Korea's saber-rattling on the Korean Peninsula as
mere brinksmanship and is reluctant to criticize Pyongyang's internal affairs.
But there are deeper layers than that. China and North Korea are still bonded
by a long-standing communist alliance, and Beijing's vital economic lifeline
remains intact. (Jun 10,'09)
India blasts rivals'
role in Sri Lanka Senior Indian officials are not happy that arms and training from
China and Pakistan, India's two great rivals, may have "clinched" the Sri
Lankan government's victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Colombo
claims it had little choice as New Delhi refused to sell it weapons over fears
of domestic strife. - Siddharth Srivastava (Jun
10,'09)
SINOGRAPH Reform before revolt in today's China
Chinese attitudes have changed in the 20 years
since the Tiananmen Square crackdown. Much like the 19th-century reformist
Mandarins, today's Chinese no longer want to unleash a revolution to achieve
drastic changes. They prefer to keep the boat steady and press on with
incremental reforms rather than stray down a path of no return. - Francesco
Sisci (Jun 10,'09)
Obama's China policy takes shape
The tone set by US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's visit to Beijing
suggests the Barack Obama administration will continue much of its
predecessor's approach towards China, with terrorism, climate change and
economic stimulus taking precedence over the sensitive issue of human rights.
It is not all about continuity, though, as the financial crisis has changed
China-US ties forever. - Jing-dong Yuan (Jun
8,'09)
Hong Kong holds a candle for Tiananmen
An estimated 150,000 people held a candle-light vigil in Hong Kong's Victoria
Park on Thursday to mark the 20th anniversary of the June 4 Tiananmen Square
crackdown, in open defiance of Beijing. However, the surge of sympathy masks
shifting attitudes towards a mainland with which the city's fate is now
inextricably linked. - Kent Ewing (Jun 5,'09)
China's mine inspectors bite the dust
By laying heavy penalties for mine accidents on government officials, Beijing
is scaring away its safety inspectors, highlighted recently by the collective
resignation of 48 employees in mine-heavy Hunan province. Or could it be that
the inspectors are just angry that they can't accept bribes from mine owners? - Stephen
Wong (Jun 4,'09)
Russia boosts ties with Mongolia Russian investment in Mongolia has been boosted by a series of
agreements covering nuclear, transport and agricultural cooperation and may
lead to power plants in Mongolia exporting electricity to China. Russian
officials insist the projects are economically viable, a view questioned by
Russian media. - Sergei Blagov (Jun 4,'09)
SINOGRAPH Pyongyang better left to its devices
It can be assumed that North Korea timed its nuclear test in 2006 and the one
last month to provoke China, and Beijing understood it this way - not that
there was - or will be - any rash response. Major issues such as the
unification of the Korean Peninsula, US troops stationed in South Korea and a
possible refugee crisis determine that Pyongyang be left alone - apart from
cutting off the supply of finer things to its pampered leaders.
(Jun 3,'09) This article kicks off a new weekly column by long-time Beijing resident Francesco
Sisci.
SUN WUKONG Throwing the book at corruption The probable successor to Chinese President Hu Jintao has called on
officials to read more books as he believes this will "improve their political
qualities and ethical morality", helping to curb corruption and other forms of
misconduct. But since China's dynastic era, learning has been a means to gain
official power, not improve it. - Wu Zhong (Jun
2,'09)
Forget Tiananmen, thus spake Confucius
Beijing University, once the site of secret candlelight vigils on anniversaries
of the Tiananmen Square crackdown, is now filled with students at odds with the
Western path charted by the 1989 student leaders. Some even say the military
assault was necessary. This all falls in line with China's Confucian revival.
(Jun 2,'09)
Sex and corruption in China's Dream City
A 21-year-old pedicurist who killed a government official for allegedly
attacking her is being championed as a hero of the underclass, her story
hitting headlines all over the country. The public fanfare ground to a halt
last week, though. With the sensitive Tiananmen anniversary approaching,
China's media watchdog issued a gag order. - Kent Ewing
(Jun 1,'09)
China plans for the next big disaster
As China marked the first anniversary of the Sichuan earthquake that killed
thousands and affected millions, Beijing released an optimistic white paper
focusing on how it is going to make sure future disasters are handled more
efficiently. The lofty goals, though, are going to take a lot of time and work,
if they’re executed at all. - Peter J Brown (May
29,'09)
China says 'no thanks' to G-2
Although flattered by the thought, China has no desire to enter into a Group of
Two with the United States that would dominate international affairs. A G-2
would resemble world hegemony, something that goes against Beijing's core
foreign policy principle of a multipolar world order and is beyond its current
capabilities and ambitions. - Jian Junbo (May
28,'09)
Beijing weighs its options
North Korea's latest nuclear test again puts China on the spot. The issue,
though, is not whether Beijing has the leverage and is willing to use it
against Pyongyang; it is the calculation of what impacts on what specific goals
such pressure would generate, given that China's overriding and vital concern
is stability on the Korean Peninsula. - Jing-dong Yuan
(May 27,'09)
Uyghurs sold out in the US
The Barack Obama administration made the error of relying on sympathy for the
Uyghurs that extended from human-rights liberals to red-meat communist rollback
conservatives, and neglected some necessary political spadework prior to the
announcement of their release. While Washington has dithered, China has been
unwavering in its determination to deny the Uyghurs a refuge outside of
Guantanamo or China. - Peter Lee (May 27,'09)
Kim Jong-il tests US-China cooperation
The complex dynamics which for centuries have marked relations between the
political entities on the current Korean Peninsula - and their gigantic Western
neighbor - show that Korean national pride refuses, despite China's unavoidable
presence - or precisely because of it - subordination. The influence of Beijing
- given its relationship with the United States - on Pyongyang, should not be
overestimated. - David Gosset (May 27,'09)
China drawn into Myanmar's
border strife
The biggest supporter of Myanmar's military junta is China, but Beijing is also
highly influential with the ethnic ceasefire groups in the country's northern
border region. Now, the junta is goading these groups into transforming their
armies into border guard militias - a move that could bring civil war. Beijing
is avoiding the Aung San Suu Kyi drama, but in northern Myanmar, it has no
choice but to engage. - Brian McCartan (May
27,'09)
World powerless to stop North Korea
Despite widespread condemnation of North Korea's nuclear test by the world's
major powers, there is nothing they can do to stop Pyongyang's nuclear weapons
program. The bigger question is whether South Korea and Japan will decide to go
nuclear - a move that would undermine the influence of the United States and
China in Northeast Asia. - Santaro Rey (May
26,'09)
Underage sex trial tests China's courts
Public anger is rising in China after three government officials caught
frequenting a brothel were charged with "visiting underage prostitutes" rather
than rape, ensuring a lighter sentence. The case has rekindled serious concerns
from many legal practitioners about the loopholes available to men seeking
underage sex. -Stephanie Wang (May 22,'09)
China picks core new leaders
China's Communist Party has set its sights on leadership rejuvenation, with
several fifth-generation cadres now under the political spotlight. Among the
chosen ones is Zhou Qiang, governor of economic power house Hunan. Like most
members of the party clique, though, these 50-something rising stars are not
without faults. - Willy Lam (May 22,'09)
BOOK REVIEW The dragon's shadow China's Rise and the Two Koreas by Scott Snyder
China's economic influence may not have fully transformed the Korean
Peninsula's security policies, but it has challenged the primacy of the United
States. Though this book is pro-American for endorsing Washington's military
footprint in the region, it offers an intelligent appraisal of how Beijing's
reach is lengthening over East Asia - and why it needs to keep North Korea in
its orbit. - Sreeram Chaulia (May 22,'09)
BOOK REVIEW Tiananmen tales from the dark side Tiananmen Moon by Philip J Cunningham
This rich, well-drawn narrative of the 1989 Tiananmen student movement
poignantly links the days of the protest to the lunar cycle, from the full,
luminescent moon that shone over its sanguine beginnings to the dark, moonless
sky that masked the government's lethal crackdown. It avoids the stark tale of
good versus evil often portrayed in the West, painting the protest leaders in
shades of idealism and narcissism. - Kathryn Minnick
(May 21,'09)
China and catharsis in the words of Zhao
Zhao Ziyang's memoirs not only shed light on the lead-up to the Tiananmen
crackdown and the
purged Communist Party chief's efforts to avert what he called "a tragedy to
shock the world", they are a candid account of life in China's upper echelons.
Zhao also predicted some of the country's current problems, but his was a voice
that would not be heard. - Verna Yu (May
21,'09)
Dalai Lama pins hopes on exiled Chinese
The Dalai Lama recently met with dissident Chinese exiles in New York to
discuss Beijing's propaganda - a change in tactics for the spiritual leader as
he continues to pursue his dream for Tibet. But he failed to secure an audience
with President Barack Obama, signaling Washington is afraid of upsetting
Beijing in these troubling financial times. - Saransh Sehgal
(May 20,'09)
Beijing tickled by Obama's China envoy
US President Barack Obama's nomination of Mandarin-speaking Mormon Republican
John Huntsman as ambassador to China is notable on
several counts. Not only has a potential rival for the 2012 elections been
sidelined, but the US's bipartisan voters and Republicans alike are pleased.
Beijing, too, welcomes the appointment of steely "Hong Bopei". - Ian Williams
(May 19,'09)
A healthy turn for Taiwan-mainland ties
Taiwan's participation at this week's World Health Assembly in Geneva has been
welcomed on the island as a breakthrough in its drive for greater international
recognition, but it is more an indicator of its rapidly warming ties with
Beijing. Crucial for the newfound detente is the flexible approach of both
sides to the "one China" concept. - Jian Junbo
(May 18,'09)
BOOK REVIEW Bruce who? Wing Chun Warrior by Ken Ing
Offering jarring insights into a Hong Kong that no longer exists, this book
tells the story of Duncan Leung, a martial arts master and childhood friend of
Bruce Lee. In an age when Kung Fu practitioners wielded eight-chop knives in
the streets and battled their way through martial arts studios to prove their
prowess, Leung was almost always the last man standing. - Kent Ewing
(May 15,'09)
Tiananmen's legacy lingers
Twenty years after the Tiananmen Square crackdown, political reform remains a
sensitive topic and corruption and cronyism keep China from achieving its full
social and economic potential, with Beijing ever on the lookout for
"destabilizing elements". - Verna Yu (May
15,'09)
Nepal's Maoists cry Indian foul play
According to the Maoists, the Indian establishment has forced them out of power
in a virtual coup by rallying disparate political elements, including the
Nepalese army and Nepal's deposed king. At the same time, the Maoists appear to
want to play by democratic rules, and may even strive to be Delhi's favorite
neighbors. The problem seems to lie in a five-letter word - China. - M K
Bhadrakumar (May 14,'09)
China, Russia face up to Taliban threat
China and Russia are stepping up ties with a focus on Central Asia - and not
due to fears of Washington's designs on the region. They fear the US's planned
surge in Afghanistan is a last, desperate attempt before a hasty exit, and that
the Taliban could capitalize and creep into Central Asia and their own
Muslim-dominated regions. - Dmitry Shlapentokh
(May 14,'09)
China broods over ping-pong success
Of the 20 medals awarded at this month's World Table Tennis Championships,
China won 17. But rather than hail the sweep as another example of sporting
prowess, Chinese label it a failure, a boring one-country show. Meanwhile,
Beijing is toning down its sports spending - a surprising move for a country
that just last year was obsessed with international dominance. - Stephen Wong
(May 13,'09)
SUN WUKONG Another plan goes up in smoke
The edict by a county government in central China's Hubei province that civil
servants smoke only locally produced cigarettes has been scrapped following
public outrage. The case highlights how local authorities are willing to
manipulate central government rulings to suit their own interests. - Wu Zhong
(May 12,'09)
Sichuan crawls back to life
It has been one year since the 8-magnitude earthquake that devastated China's
Sichuan province and most of the recovery work remains incomplete, with the
majority of the five million people who lost their homes still living in
desperate conditions. But Beijing is handling matters far better than it used
to, and critics often fail to note the truly colossal nature of the disaster. - Kent
Ewing (May 11,'09)
China's elite stirs up 'paranoid'
petitioners
A claim that 99% of China's millions of petitioners - mostly peasants and
workers who take grievances to Beijing - are mentally ill "whiners" has drawn
an angry backlash, not least because it is known for petitioners to be detained
in mental hospitals until their complaints are retracted. Yet proposed reforms
to the ancient system are unlikely to be implemented. - Stephanie Wang
(May 8,'09)
BOOK REVIEW Riding a tiger through a brothel Red Lights: The Lives of Sex Workers in Postsocialist China by Tiantian
Zheng
Featuring overwrought born-yesterday explanations of why men go to brothels,
the author's recap of her two years researching a north China karaoke bar is
marred by acres of egghead gobbledygook. Otherwise, the book might find a wide
audience beyond academia, with its horrid tales of rape, abuse and even
vomiting hostesses. David Wilson (May 8,'09)
Swine flu tests confidence in China,
Japan
Unlike its SARS outbreak in 2003, China is trying to do everything right out in
the open over the threat of H1N1, or swine flu. Not everyone agrees, however,
that Beijing is on the right track - especially in Mexico. Japan, meanwhile, is
trying to put an end to a series of false alarms. - Peter J Brown
(May 7,'09)
China-India equation still uncracked
With their deep-rooted cultural and religious ties and historic struggles
against colonialism, India and China could put aside their differences and
unite to boost their economies and deflect Western influence in South and East
Asia. But the wounds of the 1962 border war are still raw, with neither
prepared to take the first step towards reconciliation. - Jian Junbo
(May 6,'09)
SUN WUKONG Tough times breed nostalgia for Mao Thousand of Chinese families are flocking to Mao Zedong's native village to
pay homage and copies of his Little Red Book are flying off the shelves
as a wave of nostalgia for the late chairman sweeps the nation. Amid the
financial crisis, many yearn for the job security and social safety nets of his
era. - Wu Zhong (May 5,'09)
Chinese carriers - let them have them It's only a matter of time before China develops and deploys
its first aircraft carrier. But rather than protest, worried nations like Japan
could keep in mind that such a project will take Beijing decades, and at
considerable cost. In any event, a Chinese carrier strike group will be no
match for the United States. (May 5,'09)
Chinese antics have India fuming For the first time, Beijing has dragged a territorial dispute
with New Delhi into a multilateral financial institution, putting the brakes on
an application by India for a loan to manage water in disputed Arunachal
Pradesh. India's response: reject China's request to participate in a 33-member
Indian Ocean initiative. - Sudha Ramachandran
(May 4,'09)
Wary welcome for China's
human-rights plan
Saying the human-rights cause is a "major theme of national development",
Beijing has unveiled a rights "action plan" calling for better protection of
civil liberties and an end to torture and illegal detention. Skeptics say the
plan, while a step in right direction, is a simply a nod to international
pressure and not a real remedy for the serious violations that frequently
occur. - Verna Yu (May 4,'09)
COMMENT Requiem for the daily rag
Asia is a last bastion for the threatened institution that is the daily
newspaper, but even here print media's popularity is being rapidly eroded by
television and the Internet. As media empires crumble and newspapers around the
globe downsize, this could also signal the death of the kind of investigative
reporting that kept politicians honest and the public informed. - Kent Ewing
(May 4,'09)
Russia, China on comradely terms
Russia's deteriorating ties with the West - evident most recently in a blowout
with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization over "spies" - are moving the
country strategically closer to China. Moscow and Beijing have agreed to
intensify military cooperation, while a plan is in the works to utilize the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization to counter US expansion into Central Asia. - M
K Bhadrakumar (May 1,'09)
An illusion of global governance
Visions of a United States-China Group of Two are tempting as Beijing and
Washington have perhaps the world's most important bilateral relationship. But
China is still focused on its own economic progress, a G-2 would antagonize the
rest of the world, and the nations have wildly divergent approaches to the
world's many crises. (May 1,'09)
Beijing battles with unauthorized TV
China knows that millions of homes are watching satellite television programs
that have not been approved by Beijing, yet the government might not be too
eager to pull the plug. - Peter J Brown (Apr
30,'09)
A helping Chinese hand
China's US$25 billion aid and credit package for the 10-member Association of
Southeast Asian Nations is part of its strategy to strengthen already booming
economic ties with the region through soft power. By wooing developing nations
such as Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia with strings-free aid, China can also secure
valuable infrastructure and natural resource deals - and usurp American
influence in the region. - Brian McCartan (Apr
29,'09)
SUN WUKONG Corruption taints police heroes
A corruption investigation into the dealings of China's richest man has
uncovered the dubious role played by at least four high-ranking police
officials. That two of them were the heroes who cracked Hong Kong's most
notorious kidnapping cases either highlights how rampant official corruption
has become in China, or how far the nation is willing to take its new
anti-graft crusade. - Wu Zhong (Apr 29,'09)
Eileen Chang's fractured legacy
In her lifetime, Chinese icon Eileen Chang could not bring herself to publish
the autobiographical Little Reunion, written under the pain-filled
shadow of her ex-husband. That it was published this year and is flying off the
shelves is an odd fate for the writings of an elitist, introspective and
apolitical author who penned her greatest works in Shanghai in the 1940s and
died alone in Los Angeles in 1995. - Peter Lee
(Apr 28,'09)
China tires of Pyongyang's antics
Despite their close ties, China can only take so much of North Korea's
"reckless and provocative" acts before seriously reviewing the relationship.
Beijing has broader, more pressing issues to deal with and Pyongyang is
unlikely to grow in strategic importance. The first step China may take is
"proactively" using its economic leverage with the Hermit Kingdom. - Shen Dingli
(Apr 27,'09)
Falungong silent in China, thriving
abroad
Saturday's 10th anniversary of mass demonstrations in Beijing by the Falungong,
a professed spiritual movement devoted to anti-government resistance, is
expected to pass silently. China's crackdown on a group it labels an "evil
cult" has clearly worked at home, but overseas its appeal flourishes. - Kent
Ewing (Apr 24,'09)
BOOK REVIEW Ungainly friendship Axis of Convenience by Bobo Lo
China and Russia's strategic partnership is at its apex, but they are unlikely
to forge a new anti-Western axis any time soon, as historical distrust and
their divergent relationships with the United States and Europe are a constant
limiter. Geopolitical games for control of Central Asia and the energy trade
also loom as areas of conflict, argues the author of this concise analysis. - Sreeram
Chaulia (Apr 24,'09)
Jets on the cheap
The Chinese government denies hacking into US computers to download screeds of
information on how to build a F35 Joint Strike Fighter. Still, hacking is
probably cheaper than developing a US$300 billion warplane project from
scratch, the preferred US route to military dominance.
(Apr 24,'09) Martin J Young surveys the week's developments in computing, gaming and
gizmos.
Ulaanbaatar, the city of the steppes
The otherworldly sound of throat singing and the aroma of fermented mare's milk
still fill the streets of Ulaanbaatar, signs that Mongolia's capital has a
strong sense of history. As aging Soviet landmarks are dwarfed by office blocks
and Irish pubs spring up, it's also clear the city of the steppes is embracing
a new era of cosmopolitanism. - Matthew Crawford
(Apr 23,'09)
China at a crossroad: Right or left?
A new political spectrum is taking shape in China. The "neo-leftists" are
gaining widespread public support for fighting official corruption and wealth
distribution gaps, while the opposing "rightists" believe in capitalist-style
economic reforms and "opening up". Drawing on past lessons, the government will
likely reject the extremes and take the middle road. - Jian Junbo
(Apr 23,'09)
The Chinese are not happy The book China Is Not Happy, written by a group of
Chinese nationalists, has become a best-seller - but not for the reasons the
authors intended. Rather than whip up resentment at the way in which foreigners
are perceived to disdain China, the book has struck a chord with ordinary
people weighed down with myriad domestic problems. (Apr
22,'09)
China unveils its new naval clout
Beijing will mark the 60th anniversary of the naval branch of the People's
Liberation Army on Thursday by flexing its newfound nautical muscle alongside
vessels from 14 other countries. The gala, four-day fleet review attended by
naval dignitaries from around the world in the northern port city of Qingdao
will show off once-secret nuclear submarines and may launch a new role for
Beijing in the world's waters. - Wu Zhong (Apr
22,'09)
Racism and retrenchment for Filipinos
Some call it satire, but Filipinos aren't laughing at articles poking fun at
the nation's army of overseas workers. In the latest incident, thousands of
workers took to the streets in Hong Kong to express their concern that the
printed word may turn into real abuse and discrimination. - Cher S Jimenez
(Apr 21,'09)
SUN WUKONG No accounting for China's accountability
A top food safety official has been promoted after initially being given a
"gross" demerit for his involvement in China's melamine-tainted milk scandal.
The "quiet" appointment is similar to others after mine disasters and
mysterious deaths that expose the fragility of the country's accountability
system. - Wu Zhong (Apr 21,'09)
London caught in a China vibe Despite their city's historic Chinese community, for years the
closest Londoners came to this culture was chicken chow mein and egg rolls.
Now, there's a newfound fascination - the West End's Chinatown is set for a
major revamp, and even Prince Charles - heir to the British throne - is
"mending bridges". - Daniel Allen (Apr
20,'09)
SPENGLER Why the West is Boyle'd
The day is gone when a smile and a shoeshine will get you a shot at the
American dream, but a smile and a song can still get you a chance at instant
stardom. Now, more than ever, audiences in the West validate their own
mediocrity by crowning stars-for-a-day. That is the message of hope that Susan
Boyle bears to the beleaguered Anglo-Saxon world. Meanwhile, in China, 60
million children are learning music the hard way. (Apr
20,'09)
Cash-rich China courts the Caspian
China on Thursday agreed to loan Kazakhstan US$10 billion in return for the
right to take a big stake in the Central Asian country's energy sector. This
follows similar initiatives with Russian energy giants and the financing of a
gas pipeline from Turkmenistan via Uzbekistan to China. The global financial
crisis has provided cash-rich Beijing with opportunity, and it is grasping it
with gusto. - M K Bhadrakumar (Apr 17,'09)
In China, white man loses mojo
Matchmaking surveys have shown that since the financial crisis, Chinese women
have begun seeing white men in a new, less-alluring light. In Hong Kong, dates
for Western men have grown scarcer as incomes of urban women rise. And it's no
boon for local men, as the Chinese penchant for sons may create a lonely hearts
club some 32-million strong. - Kent Ewing (Apr
17,'09)
China wary of US-Myanmar 'detente' Attempts by the United States to regain influence in Myanmar
will inevitably pose a threat to China, which has taken advantage of past US
hostility to the isolationist state to cultivate deep economic and political
ties. The power balance in Southeast Asia could also be upset, leading to
conflict reminiscent of darker days. - Jian Junbo(Apr
16,'09)
China juggles its future in
Africa
The myth that China is merely in Africa for its resources is as false as the
myth that China will soon need to retreat from the continent due to the global
recession. Beijing is there for soft power, new markets and nurturing a new
diaspora, while the downturn will merely sap the West's viability as a
competitor. - Bright B Simons (Apr 15,'09)
New branches of nationalism in China
Public anger in China has been aroused at a Chinese mother and daughter for
wearing kimonos next to Japanese cherry trees, while a new book plays on
nationalist fears over the West. The incidents have opened a divide in the
Middle Kingdom between those happy with zealous nationalism and those
advocating a more rational approach. - Stephanie Wang
(Apr 14,'09)
BOOK REVIEW Boiling over in bubble Beijing China High: My Fast Times in the 010 by ZZ A buzzing, psychedelic narrative of the author's misadventures in sex and
drugs as a brash Shanghai-born, American-schooled entrepreneur haunting the
tragically hip, neon-drenched world of Beijing's club scene, this hallucogenic
tale has more than a hint of the bizarre. It's also a tale of hubris, as the
perpertrator's subsequent descent into the rigors of the Middle Kingdom's
"vile" prison system hints at a modern morality tale. - David Wilson
(Apr 9,'09)
Cyber-skirmish at the top of the world
The vast computer spy network that infiltrated the Tibetan government in exile,
while remarkable, is just the tip of a never-ending cyber-war being waged
between online activists and governments like China's. With technical terms
such as "honeypots" and "rubber hoses" - and with the use of pornography - the
game is just as complex, and potentially just as deadly, as real-life
espionage. - Peter Lee (Apr 7,'09)
CHINA DOWN UNDER Australia's new and powerful friend
As a passionate China enthusiast, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is in a
unique position to educate his people about the importance of the Middle
Kingdom's rise. But as he fosters deepening trade, labor and other links, Rudd
is fearful of being seen as ignorant to Australians' suspicions at being
brought closer to an "opaque and authoritarian regime" they still distrust. - Purnendra
Jain and Gerry Groot (Apr 6,'09)
China's embrace hits a raw nerve
A flurry of proposed Chinese investments in Australia's resources had already
provoked controversy before an April Fool's Day prank that a Chinese consortium
planned to buy Melbourne Cricket Ground added to tensions. The public's
hypersensitive reaction ignores the fact that Beijing offers much-needed
capital, and Canberra needs this market for its resources. - Simon Roughneen
(Apr 6,'09)
Manhunt is on for Mekong Robin
Hood Naw Kham, an ethnic Shan rebel and riverine crime boss, is now
wanted dead or alive by four governments for his brazen extortion rackets and
lucrative drug trafficking in the notorious Golden Triangle. Yet his daring
hit-and-run attacks on unpopular Chinese commercial interests have made him a
folk hero with the region's impoverished residents. - Brian McCartan
(Apr 6,'09)
China gets assertive as US ties grow Last week's meeting between Chinese President Hu Jintao and US
President Barack Obama ended with the expected commitment to bilateral economic
cooperation, but what was notable was China's demonstration of increased
confidence. Cooperation in areas like the military, however, continues to lag
in the face of mutual suspicions. - Jing-dong Yuan
(Apr 6,'09)
Tale of two lamas: The battle for Tibet's
soul China's 19-year-old answer to the Dalai Lama has emerged from
hibernation, showing that he is capable of extolling the virtues of Beijing in
three languages. Yet the central government doesn't really need its lama puppet
on a string; it's doing just fine marginalizing the Dalai Lama by using the
tanking global economy to threaten nations which dare support the aging exiled
leader. - Kent Ewing (Apr 3,'09)
China still feeling vulnerable
For all China's increased presence on the global stage and demands for a
greater say in financial institutions, some in the country warn that its
weaknesses should not be overlooked. (Apr 3,'09)
Lunar prize sets Asian hearts racing
Space expertise from across Asia is falling into place for the US$20 million
Google Lunar X Prize competition. Teams have formed in China and Malaysia,
while European and United States-based teams are drawing support from India,
Japan and elsewhere for what promises to be a remarkable race. - Peter J Brown
(Apr 2,'09)
US sees devil in cross-strait detente
Despite blossoming China-Taiwan ties, the United States is "celebrating" its
controversial resolution pledging military defense for Taiwan against an
invasion from the mainland. Far from being aimed at reassuring Taipei, the move
is designed to keep cross-strait tensions high, as this status quo is vital to
US interests. - Jian Junbo (Apr 1,'09)
SUN WUKONG No holiday for China's renegade regions
Beijing has handed a rare rebuke to regions that unilaterally attempted to
reinstate "Golden Week" public holidays. The reaction over the seemingly
trivial issue highlights the fear that any crack in the leadership's supreme
authority will lead to chaos, even though a little regional autonomy could go a
long way to improving lives. - Wu Zhong (Mar
31,'09)
US cries Chinese wolf The US Defense Department's annual report on China's military
power, though informative, failed to raise any alarms, much to the chagrin of
America's politico-military-industrial sector that has been looking for a
reason to justify the US's huge annual military and security expenditures. Even
the passages warning of threatening Chinese military developments are
unconvincing. - David Isenberg (Mar 30,'09)
Presidents looking for answers
Chinese President Hu Jintao and his US counterpart Barack Obama have a lot to
talk about when they meet for the first time next week, with Taiwan and Tibet,
as always, featuring high on the agenda. Priority, though, will go to the
global financial crisis, and any measures they agree on could well be
determined by the personal relationship the leaders manage to strike up. - Shen
Dingli (Mar 27,'09)
China, Philippines stoke island
tensions
New moves by the Philippines to stake a maritime claim to some of the hotly
contested Spratly islands have angered Vietnam and China, with the latter
promptly sending a patrol ship to the area. The Philippines says there is
nothing to worry about, but even its opposition lawmakers have their fears. - Joel
D Adriano (Mar 26,'09)
Sino-EU ties hijacked by Tibet issue
Much to China's annoyance, the European Union has called for "real autonomy"
for Tibet and suggested that Beijing resume dialogue with the Dalai Lama. This
fits in well with the EU's penchant for thrusting European values onto other
countries, yet it could be a smokescreen for a longer-term strategy. - Jian
Junbo (Mar 26,'09)
SUN WUKONG Dark days for China's whistleblowers
China's leaders - fearful of public unrest amid the global financial crisis -
have again promised more crackdowns on official corruption. Despite people's
anger, they remain reluctant to report graft, with a number of high-profile
deaths, attacks and detentions highlighting the consequences of tipping off
authorities - Wu Zhong (Mar 25,'09)
Calls for Chinese pardons grow
With the People's Republic of China set to celebrate its 60th birthday, many
people want Beijing to re-adopt the imperial practice of issuing special
prisoner pardons. Such a move would greatly improve the country's image, but it
seems low on Beijing's agenda. - Verna Yu (Mar
24,'09)
Chinese prisons: Horror and reform
Countless deaths take place in China’s prisons every year, but it was the
outlandish claim that an inmate died during a game of hide-and-seek that
sparked public outrage. In response, Beijing has promised to reform its penal
system, though the proposals will have to go beyond monitoring and inspections
for lasting change to be made. - Kent Ewing (Mar
23,'09)
China unruffled over North Korean launch
North Korean Premier Kim Yong-il returned from his visit to China at the
weekend confident that Beijing remains the North's staunchest ally and will not
pressurize it to abandon its rocket launch. China avoided strong words as it
feels the whole affair is merely a smokescreen to provoke the United States
into concessions. (Mar 23,'09)
Fireworks finale for Macau's Ho The strict anti-subversion legislation Macau's chief executive
Edmund Ho Hau Wah has pushed through in his last year in office has raised
fears in Hong Kong that it will soon be enacted there. Hong Kong's
pro-democracy movement is threatening action, while Beijing is distancing
itself from Ho - factors that could lead to him going out with a bang. - Augustine
Tan (Mar 19,'09)
China's corruption goes from covert to
overt China's already graft-weary public is outraged by the attempts
of local governments to effectively "legitimize" corruption. At least dubious
deals traditionally took place behind doors, now allowances for massages and
spa visits are being openly discussed. - Stephanie Wang
(Mar 19,'09)
A middle path opens up to Nepal
China wants to renegotiate its friendship treaty with Nepal, in part to
accommodate the ongoing Tibet problem. The move is also being interpreted as a
signal to India over Delhi's designs in the region. Kathmandu feels caught in
the middle, but just as the country acts as a passage for the rivers that flow
from China to India, Nepal stands to make considerable gains by being a bridge
between it two big neighbors. - Dhruba Adhikary
(Mar 19,'09)
No Chinese rockets for US satellites -
yet United States policy has kept US satellites off Chinese
rockets for more than a decade. Now, many US space companies want to change the
rules. The Japanese may not be too pleased in the process. - Peter J Brown
(Mar 18,'09)
SUN WUKONG Damaged hopes for Shanghai Expo
The Chinese government's low-key buildup to next year's Shanghai Expo has
raised speculation that the city has lost influence since the decline of the
so-called "Shanghai clique". However, a more likely reason is that Beijing
wants to dampen expectations due to some harsh lessons learned from last year's
Olympic Games. - Wu Zhong (Mar 17,'09)
China-Nepal ties reach new heights Nepal's strong-armed suppression of pro-Tibetan independence
protests on March 10 highlighted its growing relations with historical ally
China, which Kathmandu sees as a vital counterbalance to India's influence.
Beijing sees the Himalayan state as key in its competition with Delhi for
regional dominance, while Nepal needs friends to face spiraling ethnic and
political conflict. - Justin Vela (Mar
16,'09)
China-US spat a drop in the ocean Tensions remain high between the United States and China over
a much-publicized confrontation on the South China Sea, but the brush is
insignificant in the broad context of ties between the countries. The incident
is, though, a signal that Beijing will no longer be bullied in its own
backyard. - Jian Junbo (Mar 13,'09)
India frets over Obama's Chinamania
The Barack Obama administration's overtures to China for a qualitatively new
relationship as a global partner have left Indian strategists with a bad
feeling that they've been had. The hard truth is that Delhi currently has
nothing to offer in comparison to Beijing. Yet in their peevishness, Indian
policy-makers are missing a golden opportunity. - M K Bhadrakumar
(Mar 13,'09)
China keeps Tibetan chaos at bay
Beijing's heightened security measures in Tibet appear to have done the trick,
as the 50th anniversary of the failed uprising against China passed relatively
peacefully. As for the Dalai Lama's accusations that Beijing has turned his
former home into a "hell on Earth", it reminded the world to keep out of
Chinese affairs. - Saransh Sehgal (Mar
12,'09)
China's cyber-activists spin a risky web
China's online rights advocates evade daily surveillance, website-blocking
software and cyber police to bring news of abuses to the world. It will be an
uphill battle, though, to break the state's monopoly on news. - Verna Yu
(Mar 11,'09)
SUN WU KONG China's renegade patriot faces backlash Given the tenuous state of China-France relations, the Chinese art dealer
who last month sabotaged the auction in Paris of two looted Chinese bronze
heads must have thought he would be hailed as a national hero. Instead, the
stunt has badly backfired, with the public and the government condemning him
for hurting China's image. - Wu Zhong (Mar
10,'09)
Ambiguity keeps cross-strait thaw alive
It has been nine months since the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang took office in
Taiwan, and already remarkable displays of detente are taking place in the form
of economic, social and cultural exchanges. As for the particularly sensitive
issues, both sides agree to disagree. - Erdong Chen
(Mar 9,'09)
Gandhi's glasses and a rabbit's head
As in China over the auction of two looted bronze fountainheads, the auction of
Mahatma Gandhi's personal items has sparked national outrage in India. The
artefacts involved in both cases are symbols of an inglorious colonial past,
and many see the sales as a commercialization of their heritage by the Western
art collection business. - Sreeram Chaulia (Mar
5,'09)
Taliban force a China switch
China's regional allies, especially Pakistan, that have traditionally policed
Uyghur militants on its behalf, are in danger of being marginalized by a
powerful and assertive Taliban movement apparently less willing to defer to
Beijing. As a result, China is upgrading its direct contacts with non-Taliban
sectors, including Islamist political parties and intelligence forces. - Peter
Lee (Mar 5,'09)
NORTH KOREA AIMS HIGH, Part 2 Iran eases Pyongyang's launch
North Korea knows that launching a satellite - no matter how small - means it
is not a ballistic missile test. Iran has already demonstrated that this is a
very sound approach. - Peter J Brown (Mar
4,'09) This is the concluding article of a two-part report. PART 1:Beijing frets over Pyongyang's
launch
SUN WUKONG A revolutionary rallying cry for students
Beijing, fearing public unrest as unemployment rates rise to new heights, is
calling on the words of Mao Zedong as a part of its efforts to find jobs for
university graduates. This includes encouraging them to go to work in the
countryside and lower their job expectations. - Wu Zhong
(Mar 2,'09)
Mugabe's Hong Kong hideaway
As Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe finds himself unwelcome in all but a few
developed countries, his ties to Hong Kong are becoming increasingly prominent.
With a multi-million dollar fortress in a gated community, a diamond-cutting
business and support from Beijing, the Mugabe family is laying deep roots. - Augustine
Tan (Feb 27,'09)
New US tone, same old issues Though United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's
Asian tour did assure regional powerhouses of Washington's commitment to
changing its foreign policy tone, its actual approach to the issues remains the
same. The US is still figuring out how to convince North Korea to return to the
negotiation table, while also taking a pragmatic approach to a rising China. - Jing-dong
Yuan (Feb 26,'09)
China closes the door on Tibet
Tibetans on Wednesday marked the beginning of their New Year - Losar - with
their troubled Himalayan region sealed off from foreign journalists and
tourists. Beijing fears a repeat of last year's riots in the Tibet Autonomous
Region, but while containment might work in the short term, Tibetans can be
expected to rise at a later date. - Kent Ewing
(Feb 25,'09)
Beijing won't trade art for rights in
Tibet
Promises from Yves Saint Laurent's former partner to return two pillaged
Chinese relics up for auction in Paris in exchange for a free Tibet have been
met with much indignation in China,
which views the stolen treasures as a reminder of past humiliations by Western
powers. Beijing's strategy of whipping up nationalist sentiments to recover
lost artworks does have a downside, however. (Feb
25,'09)
China breaks its silence on Afghanistan Beijing has spoken out about the Afghanistan "problem" in a
state newspaper commentary that might have made cautious former leader Deng
Xiaoping wince at its audacity. Apparently, the Middle Kingdom has no problem
with the United States reinforcing its presence in what it called the "tomb of
empires". Instead, China will focus on securing its own position and biding its
time - and that's a strategy Deng could surely appreciate. - M K Bhadrakumar
(Feb 24,'09)
SPEAKING FREELY Beijing's diplomatic blitz gathers
pace
China's top leaders have embarked on a frenetic globe-trotting tour, visiting
countries in Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East -
all within the span of a few weeks. Though the trips undoubtedly serve China's
national interests first, the country has become an indispensable player in
world affairs in the new "Chimerica" era. - Zhiqun Zhu
(Feb 24,'09)
THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN SPACE, Part
2 Nations get the message
While a new cloud of space debris hovers overhead following the collision of a
Russian and a US satellite, work is well underway on a new international code
that could greatly reduce the chances of such incidents happening again. - Peter
J Brown (Feb 24,'09) This is the second article of a two-part report. PART 1:Collision
puts new Asian satellites at risk
China haunted by Khmer Rouge links
The specter of the past Sino-Khmer relations being raised by Cambodia's Khmer
Rouge trials are certainly not welcome in Beijing, which supported the
ultra-Maoist regime to the point of invading Vietnam in retaliation for
overthrowing Pol Pot. But that was then, and now China's vital trade and
transport links with Cambodia, Vietnam and the rest of Southeast Asia are
likely to keep red-scarved skeletons in the closet. (Feb
20,'09)
Succession worries unsettle Tibetans
As the Dalai Lama enters his 50th year in exile, Tibetans are concerned about
the future of the "Free Tibet" movement on their spiritual leader's passing.
The issue of a successor is wide open, and even when a boy is finally chosen,
it will be years before he is ready to lead his people. Meanwhile, the Tibetan
Youth Congress is anxious to pursue a less peaceful path to independence. - Saransh
Sehgal (Feb 19,'09)
Deciphering the Sino-Africa saga
Rather than over-analyze China's geo-economic posturing in the wake of
President Hu Jintao's Africa visit, a better approach to unscrambling the
driving currents of Beijing's grand designs would be to focus on the incentives
of some of the individuals involved. A look at Hu's dining companions would be
a good start. - Bright B Simons (Feb 18,'09)
Hong Kong media tied in red tape
The party's over for Hong Kong's reporters who enjoyed greater freedoms in
China following last year's Olympic Games. Fearful in this politically
sensitive year, Beijing has slapped fresh regulations on the Special
Administrative Region's media that essentially amount to a load of red tape.
Most journalists say they'll do exactly what they did in the past: ignore them.
- Augustine Tan (Feb 17,'09)
New Tang Dynasty TV takes on China
New Tang Dynasty TV describes itself as the only independent Chinese-language
satellite television service to broadcast into China over the past five years.
It has been off the air for months, and wants everyone to know why. - Peter J
Brown (Feb 13,'09)
China's defense: The view from Taiwan
China's latest defense assessment claims Taiwan's attempts to seek "de jure
independence" have been thwarted, and that Beijing's threat perception in the
Taiwan Strait has been greatly reduced. Reading between the lines, it appears
China hopes to gradually erode United States influence over Taiwan by offering
it security promises, leading to an eventual reunification. - Cheng-yi Lin
(Feb 12,'09)
Shortcuts to learning Mandarin
As China's economic might and perceived future global influence grow, more and
more people are finding the need to learn Mandarin. Although the best way to
learn the complex language is still to surround oneself with native speakers,
an iPod and an Internet connection may now be a much cheaper and more
convenient way to become fluent. - Sherman So
(Feb 11,'09)
A new tone as Clinton comes
calling
By selecting East Asia as Hillary Clinton's first overseas trip as United
States secretary of state, a significant message has been sent about where US
foreign policy is headed under President Barack Obama. With stops in Indonesia,
Japan, South Korea and China, Clinton's trip will go a long way in showing
whether or not the new administration can deliver on its message of change. - Nehginpao
Kipgen (Feb 11,'09)
Beijing sets out on chaos offensive
As the Chinese government fights to resuscitate the economy, it faces the even
more daunting task of maintaining social stability, with issues like rising
unemployment and a number of upcoming sensitive anniversaries threatening to
spark violent dissent. In an effort to keep the forces of trouble at bay,
Beijing has publicized its tough take on the law-and-order situation. - Willy
Lam (Feb 10,'09)
Iran's new satellite challenges
China
When Iran launched its little Omid satellite in early February, it said it had
peaceful intentions. China has done nothing to support Iran's stance, and this
silence is not helping matters as Israel's war drums beat louder by the minute.
For Beijing, Omid represents an unusual opportunity, indeed a gift from Iran as
China seeks to play a bigger role on the world's stage. - Peter J Brown
(Feb 9,'09)
New steps in the Sino-American dance
If the George W Bush administration's diplomatic dance with China could be
characterized as a serene waltz, the early signs are that President Barack
Obama's will more resemble a boisterous ballet. US Treasury Secretary Timothy
Geithner has set an awkward tone and battlelines over human rights, Tibet and
Taiwan are emerging. The US's missteps come as Chinese President Hu Jintao's
"tour of confidence" in Europe is hailed as a diplomatic victory, shoe-throwing
apart. - Kent Ewing (Feb 5,'09)
Beijing wants it both ways in space
Two years after China's anti-satellite test, fragments of the target, an old
Chinese weather satellite, are still out there drifting in space. What is also
out there is a lot of lingering doubt and uncertainty about Beijing's
intentions. - Peter J Brown (Feb 3,'09)
China spreads its peacekeepers
China's participation in multilateral security arrangements has increased
dramatically in recent years, reflecting Beijing's aim to project a more
harmonious image beyond its borders while establishing acceptance of China as a
great power. At the same time, these peacekeeping activities give Chinese
forces valuable training should the need for real combat arise.
(Feb 3,'09)
Beijing strikes out against Tibet
China has embarked on a "strike hard" campaign to quash protests in Tibet, at
the same time promoting its own take on historic events to the masses. Stories
of "pre-liberation Tibet" are making the rounds, depicting a Medieval fiefdom
of suffering and torture. (Feb 2,'09)
ATol Specials
Shanghai, the becoming thing
China:
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By Francesco Sisci
Sinoroving
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Henry C K Liu
on the yuan
A 3-part series by Macabe Keliher
China-US: The Quest
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A series by Henry C K Liu
A 3-part series on the lamas of Tibet by Julian
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released Chinese film The Empire of Silver , the status quo is
China's political mantra. This applies also for Iran, where Beijing has
calculated that its interests will be best served if the turmoil over the
re-election of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad quickly passes. - Francesco Sisci
(Jun 24,'09)
SUN
WUKONG
Part 1:
purged Communist Party chief's efforts to avert what he called "a tragedy to
shock the world", they are a candid account of life in China's upper echelons.
Zhao also predicted some of the country's current problems, but his was a voice
that would not be heard. - Verna Yu (May
21,'09)
several counts. Not only has a potential rival for the 2012 elections been
sidelined, but the US's bipartisan voters and Republicans alike are pleased.
Beijing, too, welcomes the appointment of steely "Hong Bopei". - Ian Williams
(May 19,'09)
SPENGLER
PART 1: 
China,
which views the stolen treasures as a reminder of past humiliations by Western
powers. Beijing's strategy of whipping up nationalist sentiments to recover
lost artworks does have a downside, however. (Feb
25,'09)
