In The News

Hong Kong As a Clue to the Future China

Michael E. DeGolyer January 23, 2006
Since China gained control of Hong Kong in the 1997 handover from Britain, international observers have wondered whether Beijing would allow the island to retain its separate identity. In many ways, Beijing has indeed followed its promise of "one country, two systems," recognizing that Hong Kong's property rights and entrepreneurial spirit do much to fuel the economic growth of...

Unrequited Responsibility: Japan and Iran

Mindy L. Kotler January 20, 2006
Despite a range of proposals for handling the emerging crisis, Europe and China share US concern over Iran's defiance in developing its nuclear enrichment program, as well as recent disturbing remarks about Israel. But Japan, aspiring to become a member of the UN Security Council, has failed to join the international outcry. Instead of publicly condemning Iranian President's allegations...

Aussies Tackle Global Warming

Alan Goodall January 20, 2006
Amidst rising energy demand and a growing concern about environmental degradation, Australia is emerging as the new leader in the effort to combat global warming in the Asia-Pacific. At a meeting in Sydney last week, Australia along with India, China, South Korea, Japan and the US mapped out practical solutions to eliminate deficiencies of the Kyoto Protocol. The participants – who together...

China’s Tyranny Has the Best Hi-Tech Help

Jonathan Mirsky January 18, 2006
In China, searching for the word “democracy” on the Internet can lead to a decade spent behind bars. Chinese Internet users are subject to surveillance, content blocking and harsh punishment for posting or viewing forbidden material in what amounts to the largest program of state censorship ever implemented. The policy contradicts those who maintain that political reform will surely follow...

In Asia, English Is Useful But Mandarin Is Rising

Simon Montlake January 13, 2006
Given the innate capacity for language acquisition in schoolchildren, it makes sense to introduce immersion programs at a young age. In many Asian countries, elementary schools already instruct in English, a language seen as widely useful, especially for global business. Now Thailand has started programs to train students in Mandarin, perhaps equally practical in the growing inter-Asian economy....

Educating for the 21st Century – Part I

Sara Schlemm January 12, 2006
Two Yale students recently traveled to India and China, and in this series they write about how, through education, the two emerging countries are preparing for the 21st century. In the first part, Sara Schlemm explores why China seeks to raise the profile of its institutions by opening doors to more international students who wish to study in China. For years, China has seen many of its...

Status of WTO Protestors is Thorny Issue in Hong Kong

Keith Bradsher January 9, 2006
More than 1000 people were arrested after violent protests erupted at the WTO conference last month in Hong Kong, and most were released soon afterward. Labor and social groups describe the few who remain in custody, most from South Korea, as “political prisoners” and lobby for their release. The South Korean government insists its citizens should not take the fall for worldwide outrage....