In The News

Taiwan Averts a Crisis

Jonathan Fenby December 13, 2004
With polls predicting a win by the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian and Beijing threatening dire consequences, cross-Strait relations seemed headed for turbulence. However, to the relief of nervous observers, Saturday's legislative elections resulted in a victory for the opposition alliance led by the more conservative Kuomintang Party...

From Free Market to "Our Power"

Liam Salter December 13, 2004
Though enshrined in the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals, clean sustainable energy looks a long way off in much of Asia. Demand for coal in India and China has risen exponentially in recent years, fuelling fears of an imminent pollution crisis. Efforts to steer Asia away from the "hard energy path" – reliance on traditional energy sources – have met with only gradual...

China Blocks World Meeting on Workers' Rights

Joseph Kahn December 9, 2004
With its low cost environment, especially cheap labor, China has become the world's largest producer of manufactured goods. However, not only NGOs but increasingly foreign governments and business leaders have urged China to do more to protect workers' rights. China only allows government-controlled labor union. Recently Beijing appeared to be listening when Prime Minister Wen Jiabao...

North Koreans Eager to Cash in on Tourism

Joo Sang Min December 7, 2004
At the tourist resort Mount Kumgang near the South and North Korean border, South Koreans' consumerism is slowly changing their northern neighbors. North Korean military forces are a common sight at the resort, but here, their main job is to blaze roads for tour buses, and create photo-ops for South Korean tourists. Increasingly, North Koreans are finding it hard to resist the lure of hard...

Asia Holds the Key to the Future of GM Food

John Feffer December 2, 2004
Most media coverage of genetically modified (GM) food has centered on disputes between Europe and the United States. "But it is in Asia that the new techno-food will live or die," writes John Feffer. Asia is home to the largest consumer market, as well as the greatest number of farmers in the world. And it must now choose between accepting America's confidence in the safety and...

The Green Beast Is Out of Control

Miranda Devine December 2, 2004
The clout of environmental groups in influencing the decisions of multinational corporations may be greater than is appropriate. US-based animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), through widespread "greenmail" campaigning, has managed to change the policies of Abercrombie and Fitch, among other clothing companies, to the detriment of the Australian wool...

Australia's Howard Wants to Have the Cake and Eat It Too

Ross Peake November 29, 2004
Fresh off a convincing victory in recent elections, conservative Australian Prime Minister John Howard has stuck to an uncompromising approach to regional security issues. As the first Australian leader to attend a meeting of the Association of South East Nations (ASEAN), Howard managed to upset neighboring countries by refusing to sign a non-aggression treaty. This leaves Australia politically...