In The News

Restrictions on Mainland Tourism to Taiwan: Caixin

Teng Jing Xuan August 1, 2019
Political tensions spill over to trade and other areas. China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism will allow Chinese mainland citizens to travel to Taiwan only with group tours. “Travelers from 47 Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou have been allowed to apply for permits to visit Taiwan individually under a program that began in 2011,” reports Teng Jing Xuan for Caixin. “Once...

China, Hong Kong Protests: South China Morning Post

Tammy Tam July 29, 2019
China’s state media have called for forceful action to stop protests in Hong Kong, and a government spokesman called eight weekends of protests that have disrupted the city "evil and criminal acts committed by the radical elements." Even so, the Chinese government is showing no sign of moving quickly despite escalating tensions and a "'let it be’ sentiment reflects the...

UK-Chinese Dispute Over Hong Kong: DW

July 4, 2019
Britain’s foreign secretary warned China against repression Hong Kong and China accused Britain of colonialism and interfering in a foreign matter. Britain handed control of the territory to China in 1997 with the condition that Hong Kong would be governed under the principle of “one country, two systems.” Jeremy Hunt said he expects the spirit of that agreement to be honored. Thousands of...

China and Hong Kong: South China Morning Post

Naomi Ng and Kimmy Chung July 2, 2019
“HK is not China.” The scrawled message on a pillar of Hong Kong’s legislative hall, stormed by protesters, encapsulates the city’s quarrel with China. Protesters oppose legislation allowing extradition of Hong Kong citizens to China for judicial proceedings. China could become impatient with Hong Kong’s leaders for not putting a quick stop to the massive protests attracting global attention, and...

US-Japanese Defense Pact: Japan Times

Tomohiro Osaki June 25, 2019
US President Donald Trump relies on equivocation and impulsivity during negotiations and staff planning – to mask his intentions, seek leverage, and keep adversaries and allies on edge. A report suggested that Trump suggested terminating the 1951 defense pact with Japan, calling it “one-sided.” Yoshihide Suga, chief cabinet secretary, pointed out that Trump issued a denial and the two countries...

Hong Kong Leader Yields to Protests: New York Times

Keith Bradsher and Alexandra Stevenson June 15, 2019
A series of protests, including a moving candlelight vigil by mothers of young protesters, convinced Hong Kong’s chief executive to back off from swift imposition of a law allowing extradition of citizens to mainland China. “It was a remarkable reversal for [Carrie] Lam, the leader installed by Beijing in 2017, who had vowed to ensure the bill’s approval and tried to get it passed on an unusually...

Modi and India’s Muslims? Al Jazeera

Sudipto Mondal June 9, 2019
In the aftermath of his party’s convincing election victory, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tried to push the issue of decreasing inclusion and representation by the substantial Muslim minority to the spotlight. History shows that the rise of the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, has led to increasing violence against Muslims in recent years. Muslim leaders do not trust Modi’s...