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Tag Archives: Japan

Beijing Attempts to Stifle South China Sea Discussion at ASEAN

Beijing Attempts to Stifle South China Sea Discussion at ASEAN

Beijing attempted to quash any mention of the South China Sea dispute prior to Tuesday’s meeting in Kuala Lumpur of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

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How Beijing’s Foreign Policy Can Backfire on its Tourists

How Beijing’s Foreign Policy Can Backfire on its Tourists

Being a Chinese tourist these days is not easy.

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Unleashing the Patriotic Dragon

Unleashing the Patriotic Dragon

An exhibition to commemorate the World War II victory over Japan is Beijing’s latest attempt to prop up nationalism and is part of a greater effort at patriotism that could eventually backfire.

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U.S. Confronts China Over Airspace in South China Sea

U.S. Confronts China Over Airspace in South China Sea

I had not given much thought to the flight plan of the airline I recently booked to go back to the U.S. from Vietnam, but recent events in the airspace over the South China Sea prompted an online search. As I discovered, my commercial flight will be flying not far from where a U.S. surveillance plane was warned on Wednesday to leave by a Chinese radar operator.

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Rising Sun: The Case for Japan’s Military Normalization

Rising Sun: The Case for Japan’s Military Normalization

As Japan pushes into the 21st century, younger generations have lost the emotional connection to the memories of the war and the political philosophy that developed in its wake.

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Will China’s New Bank Undermine the World Bank?

Will China’s New Bank Undermine the World Bank?

While these institutions have made some headway in meeting the infrastructure needs of Asian countries, some critics of the World Bank and ADB argue they are slow and bureaucratic, and impose stifling environmental and social constraints which deter investment.

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New Delhi Reacts to China’s Military Buildup

New Delhi Reacts to China’s Military Buildup

Beijing’s announcement on Thursday of a 10 percent increase in military spending, to $145 billion, marks the fifth consecutive year of double-digit increases, and is not without significant repercussions in Asia.

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Fairness, Equity and Revenge

Fairness, Equity and Revenge

Jordanian pilot Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh was executed in an extremely brutal manner by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) last week after negotiations between it and the Jordanian government failed.

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Conflict in the East and South China Seas: A Wikistrat Simulation

Conflict in the East and South China Seas:  A Wikistrat Simulation

Last week saw yet another meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which was hosted by Myanmar President Thein Sein on Nov. 12 and 13. ASEAN nations had initially hoped for further progress on territorial issues related to the East and South China Seas, yet once again came away with little agreement from Beijing.

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China and Southeast Asia 2035: A Wikistrat Simulation

China and Southeast Asia 2035: A Wikistrat Simulation

As the largest trading partner of all Southeast Asian countries, China has long exerted enormous influence over the economic and political agendas of governments throughout the region.

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Vietnam Steps Up Efforts to Protect Fishing Fleet

Vietnam Steps Up Efforts to Protect Fishing Fleet

In a time of heightened tensions between Asian nations with claims to the waters of the East and South China Seas, the deployment of an offshore oil rig back in May by Beijing in disputed waters with Vietnam was not going to be an event without ramifications. The rig’s deployment by the Chinese National Offshore […]

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A Soft Power Stumble

A Soft Power Stumble

Ever since it became a rising economic power, China started to realize the need for soft power in order to increase its global competitiveness.  In Africa, Beijing found itself competing with Western companies backed by development agencies imposing good governance and human rights restrictions.  Beijing sought to appeal to some African nations by offering to […]

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Beijing’s A La Carte Approach to Foreign Policy

Beijing’s A La Carte Approach to Foreign Policy

Following the largely negative international reaction to its latest aggressive actions in Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam, Beijing may be trying a new approach in settling longstanding territorial disputes with its neighbors.  On Monday, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced China is prepared to resolve its border disputes with India by peaceful means, “Through years […]

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China Reactions to Obama’s Asia Tour: Overwhelmingly Negative

China Reactions to Obama’s Asia Tour: Overwhelmingly Negative

Reactions to President Obama’s recent Asian tour in China’s state-run media have been overwhelmingly negative. This should come as no surprise to anyone. Of particular irritation to China were a U.S.-Japan joint statement confirming that the allied nations’ security treaty applies to all territories administered by Japan, including the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands, and a U.S.-Philippines […]

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Moscow Takes Ukraine, Beijing Takes Mongolia?

Moscow Takes Ukraine, Beijing Takes Mongolia?

map: ChinaSmack Tensions escalated in eastern Ukraine on Thursday, as Ukrainian forces killed up to five pro-Moscow separatist rebels, and Russia launched army drills near the border in response, raising fears its troops would invade. The Ukrainian action took place to recapture territory from the rebels, who have seized swaths of eastern Ukraine since April […]

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