Though Asia is riddled with flashpoints, alarmists tend to overlook the level of dialogue, such as this meeting in Beijing between the US and Chinese navy chiefs, Ray Mabus and Zhang Jianchang.
Official US Navy Imagery/Flickr
One hundred years ago, Europe stumbled into an unexpected and utterly devastating war. It was unexpected for two reasons: the diplomatic mechanisms set up after Napoleon’s defeat had kept the continent…
A truck carries anti-government protesters to ministry offices in a bid to shut them down. A similar protest at Government House last week resulted in several deaths.
EPA/Rungroj Yongrit
I walk from my apartment of a morning along a small street, on which local police supposedly provide protection but are not to be seen. The street enters a main road leading to the largest rally site in…
Foreign minister Julie Bishop has reportedly asked the Cambodian government if it would resettle some of the asylum seekers who arrive in Australia by boat.
EPA/Mak Remissa
Amid the ongoing bad news about Manus Island has come the revelation that the Australian government has approached Cambodia with a view to resettling some asylum seekers in the impoverished nation. So…
The United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) report into human rights abuses in North Korea, released on Monday by panel chairman Michael Kirby, highlights the impact of the government’s extreme…
The face of Aotearoa – New Zealand – is changing. How? And why?
AAP/Sarah Robson
Historically, geographically, culturally – there are many points of comparison between Australia and its neighbour to the east, New Zealand. But there are notable differences. This week, The Conversation…
While protesters still turned out in smaller numbers in Bangkok on Thursday, they have clearly failed in their key goal of stopping the election.
EPA/Nyein Chan Naing
In early November, the Pheu Thai government rammed through amnesty legislation that included last-minute changes to enable former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to return to Thailand without fear of…
Within eight months of taking office, South Korean president Park Geun-Hye embraced her predecessor’s green growth strategy and now champions the so-called Green Growth 2.0 policies.
EPA/Kim Min-Hee
Like Australia, South Korea had a change of government last year. And like Australia’s, Korea’s new government was keen to distance itself from its predecessors’ legacies – particularly its “Green Growth…
A whistle-blowing demonstrator joins the “Bangkok Shutdown” rally, continuing months of anti-government protests.
EPA/Rungroj Yongrit
The position being put by Thai anti-government leader Suthep Thaugsuban is that democracy is not at present supportable in Thailand and, indeed, may never have been supportable. Somehow, Suthep suggests…
A Buddha statue overlooks a village ravaged in a violent conflict with Muslim Rohingya residents of Rakhine state in western Myanmar.
EPA/Nyein Chan Naing
Myanmar is the “new frontier” of the Asia-Pacific region. With its large potential markets, abundant natural resources and strategic position, competition for control of the anticipated revenues intensifies…
Jetstar Hong Kong remains grounded, as it awaits government approval.
danzden/Flickr
The downgrade of Qantas’ credit rating to junk status by Standard & Poor’s has sparked serious concern for the future of the airline. But the fact is the airline industry has largely been unprofitable…
The protests in Thailand are the latest spasm in a long struggle.
PA
There has been much coverage of Thailand’s protests, with stories of the Yellow Shirt (PAD) and Red Shirt (UDD) saga popping up around the globe. Yet there is a conspicuous lack of discussion about what…
Our narrow view of Asian education is preventing us from improving our own education system and learning from Asia’s success.
Reading image from www.shutterstock.com
International test results on maths, reading and science literacies, released this week, continue to show one thing for sure: the outstanding performance of Asian education systems. Each time the results…
The ongoing anti-government street protests in Thailand are aiming to regain the capacity to direct change and maintain political control.
EPA/Narong Sangnak
In recent days, royalist demonstrators have hit the streets in Thailand, seeking to oust another elected government. Violence has again rocked the capital of Bangkok, where some 100 people have been injured…
What has the international response been to China establishing an Air Defence Identification Zone over the East China Sea?
EPA/Hiroya Shimoji
Last week, China announced the creation of a new Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the East China Sea, encompassing the disputed Senkaku Islands. The move has significantly escalated tensions…
All parties are posturing for influence.
Fotopedia
US Vice President Joe Biden’s trip to Asia next week could not come at a more timely moment. It is the first high level visit since President Obama cancelled his trip during the government shutdown in…
Taking dictation: David Cameron vists Kazakh President Nazarbayev.
Leon Neal/PA
Why do states and societies collapse? Efforts to explain the hugely complicated conflicts in Syria and Libya have understandably placed heavy emphasis on these nations’ ethnic or tribal diversity. Writers…
China’s one-child policy, however controversial, should be given some of the credit for positive outcomes such as rising levels of education.
EPA/Diego Azubel
The recent announcement that China’s one-child policy will be partially relaxed will be celebrated worldwide by libertarians, human rights activists and, most importantly, Chinese couples who have longed…
Silvio Berlusconi’s grip on power in Italy - albeit a hold that is slipping - has relied heavily on using his own media empire to exploit the political system.
EPA/Angela Carconi
While Australians face the possibility of the first-ever Senate by-election, as well as stormy sittings of a new parliament wrangling over the pro and cons of scrapping a carbon tax, 16,000 kilometres…
East Asia could see lower demand for goods as China refocuses on domestic consumption.
EPA/Rolex Dela Pena
East Asia’s growth is slowing as China focuses on domestic demand growth from weaker exports, according to a World Bank report released last week. But East Asia will still grow faster than other regions…
Much has changed from the first Colombo plan, but Australia’s engagement with Asia should start at home.
Asia image from www.shutterstock.com
Now it’s in government, the Coalition says one of its top priorities is international education. Along with policies to encourage international students to study here, Australian students, too, will be…