In The News

Go Back to RCEP: Times of India

Nayan Chanda November 18, 2019
As strong emerging economies, India and China understand smaller Asian markets. For example, India manufactures more than 90 percent of the three-wheel auto rickshaws sold in 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations Despite such success and high expectations for the Modi government, India resists opening its economy to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP. “After seven years...

Scarborough Shoal: Rappler

Jose Antonio A. Custodio November 14, 2019
China has repeatedly harassed foreign ships in the South China Sea. “The harassment of the Liberian registered tanker the Green Aura by Chinese naval and coast guard elements off Scarborough Shoal has generated a huge amount of debate and discussion, especially with regard to the manner in which the Duterte administration attempted to sweep it under the rug,” reports Rappler. “The man of the hour...

Australia Burns: Sydney Morning Herald

David Crowe and Max Koslowski November 13, 2019
Terrifying fires are breaking out in Australia, and leaders are divided over bushfire policies, with some pointedly avoiding action on climate change. Instead, they suggest the government could reduce hazards with more controlled fires in national parks. More than 90 percent of climate research points to coal and other fossil fuels as the reason for rising temperatures fueling floods and...

India Steps Back From RCEP Trade Pact: Reuters

Matthew Tostevin November 7, 2019
China has joined with ASEAN, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand to develop the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP. If successful, RCEP, could become the world’s largest trade agreement. The agreement gradually reduces tariffs and streamlines export requirements, reports Matthew Tostevin for Reuters, and “offers an incentive for companies to build supply chains within...

Japan-Russia Territory Dispute: Wall Street Journal

Ann M. Simmons and Chieko Tsuneoka November 5, 2019
Russia and Japan launched a new program aimed at resolving a territorial dispute that has lingered since 1945 when the Soviet Union seized the islands of Kunashir and Iturup. Japanese with no ties to the islands boarded a ship for a visit. One scholar suggests that the trip may have been more symbolic with differences between Russia and Japan still wide. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and...

Morrison Targets Australia Climate Groups: The Age

David Crowe November 4, 2019
Australia is the world's top coal exporter and the country also endures severe consequences of climate change with wildfires, drought and rising seas, according to its own government reports. Yet the prime minister proposes a law to limit free speech and block climate protests. “Prime Minister Scott Morrison is being transparently political in targeting climate groups like Extinction...

Breaking Movie Boundaries: Wall Street Journal

Joe Flint October 30, 2019
The Hollywood movie “Green Book” has enjoyed a surprising box-office success in China, showing that superhero and action films aren’t the only content that do well with Chinese audiences. Over the past decade, Hollywood has embraced the fast-growing demand of the Chinese market. However, there are still sensitivities over how US films are edited for presentation and approval by China’s censors....