Regional Issues

2007

~ 2001 ; 2002 ; 2003-2004 ; 2005-2006

Beijing Quashes HK Vote Hopes
(The Australian, Dec. 31, 2007) Hong Kong must wait for another decade for the opportunity to elect its own chief executive and it will be 2020 before it can have a fully elected legislature, China ruled at the weekend. The rulings sparked outcry accusing the Government in Beijing of ignoring the wishes of Hong Kong's seven million people.

Africa: China Cashes In
(Agence France Presse, Oct. 28, 2007) China's government may have high-profile political and strategic reasons for seeking closer ties with Africa, but its companies are on the continent mostly for the money, analysts say.

India, China to Set Up New Working Group on Border Issue
(Hindustan News, Oct. 26, 2007) India and China have decided to set up a working group that will prepare a framework to resolve their decades-old border dispute. India and China would shortly hold a counter-terrorism exercise involving their armed forces.

Taiwan Issue Fails to Make Agenda of Trilateral Talks
(Taiwan News, Sep. 9, 2007) Taiwan was not a topic covered in the trilateral breakfast discussion between the United States, Japan and Australia yesterday morning, but the heads of state and government of the three powers agreed on the need for "positive engagement" with China for the sake of regional stability and development.

Australia and China Upgrade Security Ties, Ink Energy Deal
(AP, Sep. 7, 2007) China and Australia upgraded their security ties, announcing annual talks on international issues and overseeing a new energy trade deal that underscores their flourishing economic relations.

China, Russia, Central Asian Leaders Meet in Security Summit
(AFP,, Aug. 16, 2007) The leaders of China, Russia and four Central Asian states met in Kyrgyzstan to build on growing military and political ties and to counter Western influence in the strategic region.

Vietnam, China clash again over Spratlys
(Straits Times, July 19, 2007) Tension is growing between China and Vietnam over control of the Spratly Islands after another violent clash in the oil-rich offshore region. A group of Vietnamese boats fishing in waters near the Spratlys, 350km east of Ho Chi Minh City, came under fire from Chinese naval vessels on July 9.

Australia's Nelson Says Japan Defense Pact Isn't Aimed at China
(Bloomberg, July 10, 2007) Australia doesn't view China as a threat and its recently signed defense cooperation agreement with Japan shouldn't be seen as an effort to ''contain'' China, Australian Defense Minister Brendan Nelson said.

India and China to Hold Joint Military Exercises
(AP, May 30, 2007) India and China, which fought a war in 1962, have decided to start periodic joint military training exercises, the Indian Defense Ministry said. The decision was made during Indian army chief J.J. Singh's week-long visit to China.

Singapore PM Warns US over China
(BBC, May 5, 2007) Singapore's prime minister has urged the US to maintain ties with both China and Japan because south-east Asian nations do not want to "choose sides".

India Says Border Talks with China "Friendly, Constructive"
(AFP, Apr. 24, 2007) India has said that talks to resolve a longstanding border dispute with giant northern neighbor China were "friendly" and "constructive" and would be continued at a later date.

China, Russia Sign $4.3 Bln Trade Deals
(DPA, Mar. 28, 2007) Russian and Chinese companies inked deals worth 4.3 billion dollars Tuesday, as Chinese President Hu Jintao marked day two of a visit to Moscow that has stressed trade ties and geopolitical cooperation.

China's Hu in Russian State Visit
(BBC, Mar. 26, 2007) China's President Hu Jintao is starting a three-day state visit to Russia aimed at promoting trade and energy ties.

Taiwan Leader Urges EU to Keep Arms Embargo on China
(AFP, Mar. 14, 2007) Taiwan President President Chen Shui-bian on urged the European Union to maintain its arms embargo on China, saying Beijing's military buildup posed the biggest threat to regional peace.

Hu's Third Visit to Africa Keeps Close Ties Going
(Straits Times, Jan. 25, 2007) President Hu Jintao will visit eight African countries, including major trading partner South Africa and geopolitical flashpoint Sudan, to cement ties not long after Beijing held a successful China-Africa forum.

China and EU Launch Partnership Talks
(AFP, Jan. 18, 2007) China and the European Union began negotiations on broadening an existing economic and commercial treaty into other fields such as the environment.

Asian States Sign Key Energy Deal
(BBC, Jan. 16, 2007) Leaders at an East Asian summit have signed an agreement to promote energy security and find alternatives to conventional fuels. The agreement was signed by 10 South East Asian nations, China, Japan, New Zealand, India, S Korea and Australia.

China Deal Starts Flurry of Asia Summits
(AFP, Jan. 14, 2007) Southeast Asian leaders have signed a much-awaited economic cooperation deal with China at a summit as the bloc held a flurry of talks on trade and security across the region.

Australia to Sell Uranium to China
(AP, Jan. 5, 2007) Australian uranium exports to China could begin as early as next month after the two countries ratified key nuclear safeguards agreements this week, Australia's foreign minister said.

Full Democracy for Hong Kong Questioned
(International Herald Tribune, Dec. 31, 2007) The goal of full democracy for Hong Kong is far from guaranteed, despite a pledge by China to permit voters here to directly elect their chief executive and legislature beginning in 2017, democratic politicians and analysts said.

Space - Asia's New Military Frontier By C. Raja Mohan
(Straits Times, Dec. 22, 2007) The missile defense tests this month by Japan and India make 2007 a significant milestone in the evolution of Asia's military space capabilities. The year, we might recall, began with a dramatic testing of an anti-satellite (Asat) weapon by China in January. Popular attention has been riveted on the Asian race to the moon, as Japan and China launched lunar orbiters in 2007. The year has also seen India and South Korea announce ambitious plans for lunar exploration.

The End of a Sino-EU Love Affair
( Straits Times, Nov. 28, 2007) For decades, nothing stood in the way of better relations between China and the European Union (EU). But, as the EU and China sit down today for their 10th bilateral annual summit in Beijing, the mood cannot be more different: A raft of trade and political issues has soured the relationship.

ASEAN, Scared of China, Looks to Integrate Economy
(Reuters, Nov. 18, 2007) Southeast Asian countries are pushing ahead with regional free trade as they are scared of being left behind by Asia's economic powerhouses, China and India. The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), set to sign a charter next week in a step towards economic integration by 2015.

What's Behind Asia's Moon Race?
(Christian Science Monitor, Oct. 25, 2007) As the rocket carrying China's first lunar probe blasted off, it left in its wake a vapor trail of questions about the nature of Asia's new space race. Japan launched its own moon orbiter last month. India plans to send a similar satellite up next year. The dawn of the Asian space age, however, has been darkened by suspicion, instead of cooperation.

Caution by Junta's Asian Neighbors Reflects Their Self-Interest By Edward Cody (Washington Post, Sept. 28, 2007) The United States and Europe have fiercely criticized Burma's military rulers for clinging to power during another round of pro-democracy protests, this time led by unarmed monks. But closer to home, the junta's Asian neighbors and trading partners -- China chief among them -- have walked a distinctly more cautious line, expressing distress over the violence and, after long hesitation, renewing calls for reconciliation and eventual transition to democracy.

Asia Rising: Lost in the Pacific Ocean By Robert D. Kaplan
(International Herald Tribune, Sep. 21, 2007) The ultimate strategic effect of the Iraq war has been to hasten the arrival of the Asian Century. While the American government has been occupied in Mesopotamia, and our European allies continue to starve their defense programs, Asian militaries - in particular those of China, India, Japan and South Korea - have been quietly modernizing and in some cases enlarging. Asian dynamism is now military as well as economic.

Time to Break New Ground By Barry Desker
(Straits Times, Sep. 7, 207) This week's Apec Leaders' Meeting in Sydney could mark a turning point. Apec is trying to remain relevant to its members. It risks being overshadowed by the newer, more vibrant East Asian Community (EAC) and East Asian Summit (EAS) groupings.

Abe's Grand Plan: An Asian Democracy Club
(Reuters, Aug. 23, 2007) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called for a 'broader Asia' partnership of democracies that would include India, the United States and Australia, but leave out the region's superpower, China. But in a sign that New Delhi is keen not to upset Beijing, Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon warned on Monday against a 'zero sum game' with China.

What Asia Has Learnt By Janadas Devan
(Straits Times, July 2, 2007) What were the lessons of the Asian financial crisis - and has the world learnt those lessons? Lesson No 1: Connecting to super highways is all well and good, but it would be prudent to have speed bumps. Lesson No 2: Government matters, regulatory oversight is essential, the rule of law is crucial.

Democracy Takes Backseat to Asian Economic Growth By William Pesek (Bloomberg, July 2, 2007) In the age of globalization, capitalism often widens the gap between rich and poor, even undermining the push toward democracy It's more a recognition that democracy can have its limits when it comes to economic policy making.

A Balm for Tokyo's Nerves? By Robyn Lim
(Straits Times, June 5, 2007) Australia, by strengthening its security cooperation with Japan, is hoping to moderate Tokyo's inevitable rearmament by embedding it within a wider framework. Thus, Australia hopes, Japan will be less likely to go its own way.

A New Model of Cooperation By Robert Beckman
(Straits Times, June 4, 2007) In recent years, the South China Sea has been relatively calm, a major reason being that China agreed in 1995 to discuss the disputes at the multilateral level with Asean. The result was the Asean-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which was signed by both parties in 2002.

Beijing, Taipei vie for Caribbean Support By Carol J. Williams
(LA Times, Apr. 30, 2007) China has begun outbidding Taiwan for the islands' allegiance, compelling some to switch sides and embrace its policies. None of the remaining Taipei backers appears at imminent risk of changing China tactics, although all have been approached by Beijing with aid and investment offers.

China's Footprint in Pakistan By Henry Chu
(Los Angeles Times, Apr. 1, 2006) Officials in countries such as India and the United States are eyeing the port, Gwadar, warily, seeing more there than mere commercial value.

Meanwhile: China Changes, Not Hong Kong By Philip Bowring
(International Herald Tribune, Feb. 12, 2007) What's changed in Hong Kong since Britain handed the territory over to Beijing 10 years ago? Hong Kong has hardly changed at all. The People's Liberation Army is almost invisible in its barracks, but Beijing's shadow lies across the government.

Hu Defends China's Role in Africa
(Washington Post, Feb. 8, 2007) Chinese President Hu Jintao sought to reassure Africans that his country's aggressive investments in oil, copper and other natural resources do not amount to a new wave of colonialism, saying China would "not do anything harmful to the interests of Africa and its people."

Asia and the Rule of Law By Dominique Moisi
(Straits Times, Jan. 26, 2007) Chinese rule of law is necessary for creation of Asian community similar to European model. The rule of law is the equivalent for Asia today of what democracy was for Europe yesterday.

Green Light for Study on 16-nation Trading Bloc
(Straits Times, Jan. 16, 2007) Leaders of 16 countries across Asia gave the nod to a feasibility study that could pave the way for a trading bloc of three billion people - half the world's population.

Asian Leaders Talk Security Under Threat of Bombs
(Reuters, Jan. 8, 2006) Leaders of 16 Asian nations aim to seal agreements on counter-terrorism, energy and trade this week at a summit in the central Philippines clouded by bomb threats and regional insecurity.

China Courts Africa With Aid, Projects
(Associated Press, Jan. 4, 2007) China has found a seemingly limitless market in Africa for its cheap goods. And oil-rich countries like Nigeria and Angola provide the natural resources China needs to sustain its rapid growth.