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Scramble for the South China Sea’s Shoals

Scramble for the South China Sea’s Shoals

The Spratly Islands in the South China Sea are a hotspot of territorial disputes—particularly between the PRC and the Philippines. The discovery of potential oil reserves, along with overlapping exclusive economic zones (EEZs), has fueled tensions—leading to militarization and a growing frequency of skirmishes. Despite international condemnation and calls for cooperative resource management, the lack of a capable legal framework jeopardizes regional stability and the free flow of global trade.

AsiaBy Peter BartoOctober 8, 2024#Philippines, US, UNCLOS, Navy, Maritime, Indo-Pacific, SierraMadre, Shoal, PRC, EEZ

Post-Olympics Analysis of the Surfing Dispute in Tahiti over Environmental Degradation and Colonial Impact

Post-Olympics Analysis of the Surfing Dispute in Tahiti over Environmental Degradation and Colonial Impact

Discussing the Olympic games and the controversy surrounding the international surfing competition. Analysis of the sustainability of sports tourism with a case study on environmental impact and the use of colonial overseas holdings for the Olympics.

AsiaBy Isaac KillileaOctober 8, 2024Climate Change, Sports Tourism, Oceania/Pacific Islands, Olympics, Ecology

South Korea Plays Cupid in Hopes of Raising Birth Rates

South Korea Plays Cupid in Hopes of Raising Birth Rates

South Korea’s struggle with record-low fertility rates prompts the government to develop innovative solutions. In the fight to reverse this trend, the South Korean government has organized mass blind-date events with hopes to spark love connections and, ultimately, more births. Despite a large number of critics who called to the government for more direct support for mothers, these gatherings are gaining momentum, underscoring the nation’s determination to address its demographic crisis. As birth rates continue to decline, South Korea’s approach offers a unique perspective, highlighting the need for multifaceted strategies to address this intricate issue. While these matchmaking events still need to prove its lasting results, they signify a creative response that contributes to the larger issue of a drop in global fertility rates.

AsiaBy Elise ChoiMay 11, 2024South Korea, Fertility rates, Birth rates, Demographic crisis, Work-life balance, Blind dates, Matchmaking events

The Fall of a Giant: How Evergrande’s Liquidation is Impacting China’s Economy

The Fall of a Giant: How Evergrande’s Liquidation is Impacting China’s Economy

China has experienced a spell of economic growth that is unique to global history, beginning in the late 1970s and continuing into the present day. For the past two decades, China’s real estate sector has cemented itself as a reliable driver of economic growth, but that saga has concluded with the fall of the Evergrande Group. Evergrande serves as an apt vessel to explore the collapse of a once dominant property sector, with this article seeking to analyze the causes of the group's fall as well as explain the greater impacts felt by China’s domestic economy.

AsiaBy Benjamin O'BrienApril 12, 2024economy, real estate crisis, china, debt, evergrande

A Peek into China’s Property Crisis: How It Happened and What It Suggests About China’s Domestic Economy & Xi’s Legitimacy

A Peek into China’s Property Crisis: How It Happened and What It Suggests About China’s Domestic Economy & Xi’s Legitimacy

The arrest of Evergrnade’s chairman, Xu Jiayin, sheds light on the complexities behind China’s domestic property market collapse. The intertwined history of China’s rapid economic growth, its unique property laws, and pandemic-induced challenges led to a high-risk bubble that not only damages the domestic economy but also questions the legitimacy of Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party.

AsiaBy Selina HApril 8, 2024property crisis, china, real estate crisis, china economy, xi jinping

The Transformative Role of Japanese Civil Society in Disaster Relief

The Transformative Role of Japanese Civil Society in Disaster Relief

The Noto Earthquake in 2024 wasn’t as devastating as predicted. The limited casualties not only reflects Japan’s seasoned disaster response but also unveil the role of the Japanese civil society in disaster relief. The significant and positive role that the Japanese civil society plays in disaster relief can serve as a useful case study for countries that are prone to natural disasters.

AsiaBy Selina HFebruary 23, 2024Japanese Civil Society, Civil Society, NPO, NGO, disaster management

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says the country is no longer interested in reunification efforts with South Korea.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says the country is no longer interested in reunification efforts with South Korea.

Last year marked the 70th anniversary of the truce between the two nations; however, peace on the Korean Peninsula grows more precarious each day. Recent events, including North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s stark declaration of South Korea as the “principal enemy” and the symbolic dismantling of a major statue representing reunification efforts, have cast a shadow over hopes of stability in the region. With Pyongyang’s aggressive rhetoric and provocative missile tests, paired with South Korea amping up military tests with the U.S., the Korean Peninsula is, once again, seized by tension. As the world grapples with the implications of North Korea’s recent stance, calls to prevent further escalation have never been more urgent.

AsiaBy Elise ChoiFebruary 13, 2024North Korea, reunification, regional tensions, nuclear weapons

Rempang Eco-City: Cost of Grand Development

Rempang Eco-City: Cost of Grand Development

Indonesia made a deal with China to create an Eco City with a giant Chinese-owned glass factory at the center, but the deal has garnered criticism from residents who are being forced to leave their homes.

AsiaBy Tammy DongNovember 27, 2023environment, protests, indonesia, authorities

Russia’s Expanding Role in the Korean Peninsula: How the War in Ukraine is Affecting Policies a World Away

Russia’s Expanding Role in the Korean Peninsula: How the War in Ukraine is Affecting Policies a World Away

In the midst of the protracted Ukraine conflict, which defied earlier predictions, Ukrainian forces stood resolute for over 18 months. As resources begin to dwindle, Putin turns to North Korea's support in a confidential meeting on September 13, 2023. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to back Russia, hinting at military cooperation. Thus, this exchange raises concerns about Russia potentially providing advanced technology in exchange for North Korean munitions. This intriguing alliance could reshape the future of South Korean, Russian, and North Korean relations, as historical ties of the Korean Peninsula to Russia and the potential revival of alliances have profound implications for global stability. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yul speaks to the UN, warning the assembly of the uncertainty surrounding these authoritarian leaders and the escalation of conflict with this growing alliance.

AsiaBy Elise ChoiNovember 9, 2023North Korea, Korean War, Russia-Ukraine conflict, regional tensions, Cold War

No Farmers, No Food

No Farmers, No Food

India is often labeled as the world’s largest democracy, but the very fabric of its democratic structure has been in question for many years. The contentious farmers’ protests in Delhi, primarily supported by Punjab, epitomize this struggle. The agricultural laws passed by Modi’s administration, are beneficial on paper, but in reality remove the safety net that farmers count on, leaving them vulnerable to corporate exploitation. In response, peaceful protests have been ongoing since 2020 have been met with excessive force, internet shutdowns, and further acts of intimidation, thus raising concerns about India’s future as a democratic nation. This is an ongoing issue that India faces, and the peaceful protests upheld by farmers serve as a reminder that it is vital to protect and uphold the civil liberties of all those in India as well as democracy itself.

AsiaBy Jasmin KaurOctober 12, 2023India, agriculture, civil liberties, Narenda Modi, peaceful protests, authoritarianism

China and the Philippines: Lasting Tensions in the South China Sea

China and the Philippines: Lasting Tensions in the South China Sea

For decades, the South China Sea has been a hotbed for regional tensions as various countries have competing claims on different areas and geographic features of the sea. Relations between the Philippines and China have been particularly soured by frequent standoffs in this dispute.

AsiaBy Tammy DongOctober 6, 2023South China Sea, ASEAN, China-Philippines relations, territorial disputes, UNCLOS

The U.S. Has a Deep-Rooted Sinophobia Problem

The U.S. Has a Deep-Rooted Sinophobia Problem

American protectionism against China was born out of, and continues to propagate, an antagonistic relationship that is only further intensified by the U.S.’s longstanding problem with systemic racism, culminating in an unfortunate increase in hate crimes and racism against Asian people in America. The present conflict may be international in nature, but it has serious domestic consequences.

AsiaBy Alex BrumfieldMay 27, 2023China, united states, Racism, asian american, asia, xenophobia, Trump, COVID-19, trade, trade war, trade relations

Singapore the Closer

Singapore the Closer

Amid rapidly escalating tensions between the United States and China, many countries around the world find themselves holding their breaths in anticipation of the course that these contentions will take. Amidst this uncertainty, Singapore, a small nation caught between both powers has emerged as a potential mediator of possible conflict.

AsiaBy Divyata GovilaMay 25, 2023Singapore, Indo-Pacific, United States, China, Beijing, Small states, mediator, negotiation

China’s Lianghui: Its Implications of a Shakier Sino-U.S. Relationship

China’s Lianghui: Its Implications of a Shakier Sino-U.S. Relationship

The Chinese Community Party (CCP) National Advisory Committee and parliament met in March for their annual meetings, also known as the lianghui (“two-sessions”). The meetings themselves are public displays, rather than substantive policy meetings that pose any drastic implications for the future of China. Nevertheless, these two sessions established that President Xi Jinping will not budge in his foreign policy agenda.

AsiaBy Helen RothMay 25, 2023China, PCR, Chinese Community Party, CCP, Xi-Jinping, foreign policy, Western powers, East Asia, Taiwan

Overcoming Conflict: Japan and Korea Restore Diplomatic Relations

Overcoming Conflict: Japan and Korea Restore Diplomatic Relations

On March 16, 2023, Japan and the Republic of Korea convened their first summit in 12 years, with the objective of reestablishing trade relations, intelligence sharing, and diplomatic ties in the context of a fraught historical relationship. The summit sought to address unresolved issues and promote collaboration amid increasing regional concerns, signifying a new chapter in the bilateral relationship between these two nations.

Of Factions and Friends

Of Factions and Friends

India and Australia have significantly strengthened their relationship in recent years, with both nations being key members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. As they seek to expand trade and deepen military cooperation, their mutual interests in containing Chinese aggression and maintaining a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region drive the partnership, despite India's complex relations with Russia and China.

Japan’s Sanction on China Semiconductor Industry

Japan’s Sanction on China Semiconductor Industry

The U.S. and Japan, once rivals in the semiconductor industry, are now cooperating to counter China's rise in the sector. The two nations are working together on export controls, with the U.S. banning chip exports to several Chinese companies and Japan recently agreeing to similar measures, though potential limitations and countermeasures from China may affect the effectiveness of these efforts.

Nuclear Weapons: The Unfortunate Solution to South Korean National Security

Nuclear Weapons: The Unfortunate Solution to South Korean National Security

South Korea is facing a dilemma about whether to possess nuclear weapons due to North Korea's continuous military advancements and nuclear pursuits. The failure of South Korea's conventional deterrence system and the actions of China and Russia have increased the urgency for South Korea to bolster its national security, even if it means breaking prior agreements.

The Political Propensity for Peace

The Political Propensity for Peace

Recently, Japan’s new policy pertaining to military investment has been met with a slew of concern, as many continue to hypothesize whether it will pose a threat to global peace. The Japanese government’s own perspective toward the maintenance of peace in today’s world, itself, raises questions about how reliable interdependence is moving forward.