In The News

China Debates Its “Peaceful Rise” Strategy

Evan S. Medeiros June 22, 2004
Will the 21st century see China become a strong but benevolent superpower? Since late 2003, top-level Chinese officials have used the term 'peaceful rise' to describe an ideal growth plan for Chinese economic, political, and military expansion. Whatever the future evolution of this blueprint for Chinese development, says political scientist Evan S. Medeiros, it is noteworthy that the...

Korean Businesses Ride Russian Economy

Kim Jung-min June 18, 2004
South Korean businesses' early entry into the Russian Federation and their aggressive manner in marketing seem to have paid off. Korean products have gained brand recognition among Russian consumers and are nowadays often put on the top shelves in stores around the country, some even earning the prestigious Narodnaya Marka title for "National Brands" from the government. Indeed, as...

The War on Terror Yet to Be Won in Southeast Asia

Zachary Abuza June 15, 2004
Since the much-hyped global ‘war on terror', the human rights situation in Southeast Asia has taken a turn for the worse. In the name of fighting Islamic terrorist groups in the region, says political scientist Zachary Abuza, governments are using state power to repress political opposition by targeting political dissidents and making widespread arrests without trial. Malaysia and Singapore...

U.S. Nuclear Inquiry Finds China-Iran Link

June 15, 2004
An American congressional commission responsible for investigating security and economic issues in the US-China relationship is giving Bejing poor marks on cooperation and honesty. The commission charged yesterday that China is transferring nuclear technology to Iran in exchange for much-needed oil. It also said China continues to allow North Korean missiles and nuclear technology to traverse...

'Radical' A-Mei Cancels Show in China

Chiu Yu-tzu June 14, 2004
Do pop artists' politics matter? Some students in China apparently think so. As Taiwanese pop singer A-Mei prepared to take the stage in the Chinese city of Hangzhou last weekend, local university students – her natural fan base – unfurled banners protesting her presumed support of Taiwanese independence. A-Mei is not alone, however. Other Taiwanese pop singers, who generally enjoy...

Islamic Finance: Banks Have Their Work Cut Out

Siow Li Sen June 10, 2004
Islamic finance is growing at an estimated 15 per cent a year, reports this Straits Times article, but bankers in Singapore are doing little to seize the opportunity for growth. Islamic banking is popular in some Southeast Asian countries because of its certainty and principles, which prohibit usury, or the charging of interest on loans; its ethical and equitable mode of finance is derived from...

Asia ‘Needs Own Energy Resources’

Pennapa Hongthong June 9, 2004
A lack of domestic energy security has prompted discussion amongst Asian nations about a regional strategy on energy resources. At the Asia Development Research Forum, which concluded yesterday, researchers encouraged the region’s policy makers to develop domestic energy sources. Rather than depend on foreign imports, the focus should be on developing new and renewable energy resources. China’s...