In the lead up to the "25th Anniversary" of the Tienanmen Square Incident of 1989, we are hearing everything again of how a great sad chapter of Chinese history has been - and continue - to be covered up. A politically activist museum even opened in Hong Kong earlier this month. Old, tired politically activists are freshly interviewed by the major Western media outlets again … [Read more...] about Tiananmen and Freedom of Speech
A New U.S. China Diplomatic Row a la Devyani Khobragade?
Yesterday, the U.S. Justice Department indicted five Chinese nationals of the Chinese military, living in China, with cyber espionage in the U.S. against American companies. China has reacted emphatically, calling the allegations trumped up and hypocritical (see, e.g., this xinhua article). According to this Washington Post Report, The Justice Department has indicted five … [Read more...] about A New U.S. China Diplomatic Row a la Devyani Khobragade?
Two (Minor) Chinese Fishermen Returned from Phillipines Deny Poaching Sea Turtles
When the story of the Philippines Police arresting Chinese fishermen for illegally fishing sea turtles in Half Moon Shoal broke a few days ago, I immediately read saw in the news that families of fishermen highly doubt the veracity of that story since the fishermen did not leave with equipment to poach turtles... Well, here are a few more details from xinhua. QIONGHAI, … [Read more...] about Two (Minor) Chinese Fishermen Returned from Phillipines Deny Poaching Sea Turtles
On the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) Between the U.S. and Phillipines
The U.S. and Phillipines leadership would like to portray their new relationship as rosy, strategic and deep. On the street though, talking to the average Joe, one might get a very different impression. Billed as the cornerstone of growing US and the Philippines strategic partnership and of the U.S. pivot back to Asia, the Enhanced Defense Cooperation … [Read more...] about On the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) Between the U.S. and Phillipines
Obama Asia tour: US-Japan treaty ‘covers disputed islands’ – A Case of Dipping into One’s Savings to Live Large?
It's never good to dip into one's savings just to live large. Gluttony and largess - when one can ill afford it - is foolish ... and a sign of decadence. To me, the U.S. so-called pivot to Asia - emblemized by President Obama's trip to Japan - represents just that. The New York Times - even with its usual spin PR in over-drive - already calls the trip a "setback." In an … [Read more...] about Obama Asia tour: US-Japan treaty ‘covers disputed islands’ – A Case of Dipping into One’s Savings to Live Large?