Community Affairs Consultants

September 11, 2014

HONG KONG:

Hong Kong's aspirations to democracy could ultimately be resolved by its residents answer to one question: Is Hong Kong a child of the communists or is it a full prospering adult state?

Once the residents of Hong Kong have decided this question, then the final evolution of the financial city could be determined. But until, as Beijing believes, Hong Kong is a child - and a child Hong Kong should remain despite its maturity. As reported by Reuters, Beijing's true attitude toward Hong Kong has been known for sometime, but just before Beijing redetermined that it would not grant universal suffrage to Hong Kong, China reiterated its policy that Hong Kong was a juvenile. Reuters reports that in a meeting on August 19 between China's Liaison Office director, Zhang Xiaoming and pro-Democracy legislators in Hong Kong, one legislator asked the communist whether Beijing would allow any democrat to run for the city's highest office. In answer, the Beijing mouth-piece replied to the legislator, Leung Yiu-chung: "The fact that you are allowed to stay alive, already shows the country's inclusiveness."

While Zhang's response demonstrated that Beijing and pro-Democracy seekers in Hong Kong will not find any common ground to the ultimate aspirations of the people of Hong Kong, the Beijing communist also conveyed Beijing's feelings that China has done enough for the democracy seekers by not killing them. Thus China wishes to keep Beijing as child, and only the people of Hong Kong could determine whether or not they will remain Beijing's perpetual children - unable and incapable of governing themselves, under the same consideration Beijing gives to the 1.3 billion Chinese under its realm.

September 10, 2014

THE SPRATLY ISLANDS, PHILIPPINES:

That the Philippines has been forced to sit idly while behemoth China conducts land reclamation projects on the waters of the Philippines, is unacceptable. As reported by the BBC, which has documented China's controversial land reclamation work on the disputed waters of the South China Sea, China has been dredging tons of rocks and sand from the sea floor onto the Johnson South Reef in the Spratly Islands which are within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

Asked about its continuous aggression on the South China Sea, China's foreign ministry claims: "China asserts indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands(Spratly Islands) and the adjacent waters, and China's activities on relevant islands and reefs of the Nansha Islands fall entirely within China's sovereignty and are totally justifiable."

Earlier this year, the Philippines provided pictorial proof as to China's actions on Philippine territory. Yet China has continued its claim to a large swath of the South China Sea in total disregard to international law. How should the Philippines respond? Should the Philippines wait until China has established a landing strip for its forces before acting?

September 09, 2014

INDIA:

When the Chinese President Xi Jinping visits India next week, Narendra Modi, India's Prime Minister, will get a chance to convey to the communist ruler that India's democracy intends to fulfill its development commitments to the Indian people. Moreover, while Modi could sign increase trade agreements with China, the Indian Prime Minister needs to inform Xi that India will not be contained by China and that India's growth will not be dependent upon China's will and whim.

Modi will be mindful of China's growth since the 1980s, when both countries, as reported by Reuters, were on economic parity. However, China's growth has outperformed India's four-fold since then. So while India will sign some cooperative economic pacts with China, Modi is not expected to link India's future growth to dependency on China.

September 08, 2014

VIETNAM:

That two communist brothers might never overcome their distrust of each other, is becoming more apparent in Asia. Vietnam, which witnessed behemoth China plant a deep sea oil drilling rig off its coast earlier this year and was rendered incapable to respond in kind, has now boosted its arsenal of sea power so as to answer any future threats from China.

Vietnam has taken deliver of two modern Russian submarines that had been ordered in 2009 and it is also about to take delivery of a third submarine in November, Reuters reports.

September 07, 2014

INDIA:

Touring Monsoon flood ravished regions of northern Indian on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the destruction of the raging flood waters and while promising the local governments federal help with the devastation, the newly elected prime minister must now understand more deeply the need for crucial infrastructural development in India. As the Associated Press(AP) reported officials as determining "the situation is extremely grim...we are not able to reach many people because the water is moving so fast," it all underscores the need for dams, roads, new housing and improved water and agricultural works in India. More than 300 people have now been confirmed dead from these recent Monsoon rains and floods across India and Pakistan.

September 06, 2014

INDIA AND PAKISTAN:

The death toll from Monsoon rains flooding regions of India and Pakistan has surpassed 200. And with these deaths, they raise the reality as to how powerful natural disasters are upon fragile and inadequate infrastructures. While natural disasters will continue to occur year after year, the events underscore the dilapidated infrastructural systems in both India and Pakistan.

In respect to India, the world's largest democracy, and with its recent election of the populist Narendra Modi as prime minister, countless opportunities exist for further development. So it would be fitting that the Indian government embark upon immediate plans to attract greater foreign investment to India. In paving this path to Indian development, the government must also act expeditiously to remove those blights upon Indian society of rape and of inequality so as to create a better life for Indians and to increase attractiveness to foreign investors.

Pakistan is at another transitional point in its history with protest calls for the government to resign, and in light of the monsoon deaths, Pakistan needs to put its house in order to reach some form of social and political stability before it could get to work to govern for the improvement of the lives of the Pakistani people.

September 05, 2014

INDIA:

Al Qaeda's announcement of a wing in the Indian Subcontinent and that this establishment would be good news to Muslims in Myanmar, Bangladesh and the Indian States of Assam, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, who could now be liberated from injustice and oppression, comes at at time when the terrorist group is facing stiff recruiting competition from the ISIL. In this recent move, al Qaeda is attempting to regain some attraction among youth in the region who might feel alienated by their traditional societies. Yet, though al Qaeda has announced this new grouping in India, I submit that the group's main focus is penetration across the Chinese border, where it has identified thousands of disenfranchised youth in far western China who might be more ripe for recruitment than the youth of India and elsewhere.

September 04, 2014

INDIA:

As if enough adverse matters effecting the development of South Asia are not already in place, now comes a fresh threat that Al-Qaeda has launched an Indian branch of its military group to "raise the flag of jihad" across South Asia. In response the Indian government has raised its national security alert.(more to come)

September 03, 2014

HONG KONG:

In denying universal suffrage to Hong Kong, did the Beijing communists breach the undertakings they gave in the 1984 handover agreement that saw Hong Kong deliver unto China in 1997? This is one of the questions a United Kingdom(UK) committee could answer as it carries out an inquiry into the ongoing tensions in Hong Kong. In typical Chinese fashion, Beijing is trying to stop the influential Westminster committee from carrying out the inquiry, the BBC has reported. The Chinese Foreign Affairs Committee has accused the British committee of carrying out a "highly inappropriate act which constitutes interference in China's internal affairs," the BBC report added.

But China fails to take into account that, the UK, as a co-signatory to the deal that gave Hong Kong to China, reserves the right to an ongoing interest in affairs in the city. Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Sir Richard Ottaway told the BBC that if it was true that a Chinese committee was nominating a "limited number of candidates" for an election, then, there did appear to be a "prima facie case" that China had breached the undertakings it gave in the 1984 handover agreement.

So while Beijing continues its attempts to impede full democracy in Hong Kong, it could become possible for an external entity to step up and to help to secure the democratic aspirations of the people of Hong Kong.

September 02, 2014

HONG KONG:

The first arrests of 19 pro-Democracy supporters in Hong Kong since last Sunday's Beijing denial of universal suffrage to the city, is but a prelude to more aggressive and intimidating acts by the Beijing communists, to stifle the last breaths of aspirations to democracy from the desires of the people of Hong Kong. Through manipulation and coercion, Beijing will over the next months attempt to preclude from Hong Kong most signs of the pro-democracy movement. Occupy Central with love, the main pro-democracy group, has already started to decrease the numbers of people expected to participate in any of its rallies for freedom.

Beijing has always demonstrated its ability to eradicate signs of democracy. Tiananmen Square in 1989 is the best study and Hong Kong could follow the same fate. Communists remain in power but not giving freedoms, but by taking rights, and with the recent actions against one of the pro-democracy group's biggest backers, Beijing has signaled that it will crush the aspirations to be free in Hong Kong.

September 01, 2014

HONG KONG:

Protests of China's will to undermine democracy in Hong Kong are beginning to take shape. Pro-democracy activists and politicians in the city have disrupted a speech by Beijing's Li Fei as he attempted to explain China's reasoning behind denying universal suffrage to Hong Kong. Li, a member of Beijing's National People's Congress, was in Hong Kong to speak before communist loyalist officials when he was heckled by Hong Kong residents.

Beijing's decision not to allow universal suffrage in Hong Kong is expected to spark more protests across the city in the months to come.

August 31, 2014

HONG KONG:

That the communists in Beijing have rejected the desire of the people of Hong Kong to attain universal suffrage in the selection of the city's leader, should come as no surprise. The fact that the National People's Congress(NPC) in Beijing earlier today refused to grant more freedom to the people of Hong Kong underscores the realization that communists do not grant rights, they take them.

Now Hong Kong residents will have to chart a Hong Kong path to more democracy since the NPC has determined that it wants to retain a sizable control over Hong Kong in limiting the selection of the city leader to a restricted list of Beijing loyalists.

August 30, 2014

HONG KONG:

China's claim that it will not tolerate foreign interference and the use of Hong Kong "as a bridgehead to subvert and infiltrate the mainland" amounts to an inverse reasoning of the chain of events and affairs that have led to Hong Kong's yearning for democracy. Beijing has failed to take into account the recent memory people harbor as to the sequence of events in Tiananmen Square in 1989. The violence inflicted upon those martyred who desired freedom is vivid and not a far. It is in protecting their beloved Hong Kong from descending into a Beijing that the voters of Hong Kong are rallying and demanding universal suffrage. It is for the opportunity to live by their own governance and not by one dictated by the Beijing communists that Hong Kong aspires.

No foreign land needs to agitate Hong Kong toward freedom because Hong Kong residents have already tasted and profited from the fruits of freedom. Hong Kong's growth has been facilitated by a high degree of freedom. Thus as Beijing attempts to force the city deeper under its control, it is the memory of Tiananmen Square and not the action of any foreign entity, that forces Hong Kong onto the ultimate path of freedom with or without Beijing's blessings. Beijing will try to impede and to avert the inevitable by the using many tactics, but the will of the people of Hong Kong will be the final determining factor in deciding the city's path to universal suffrage.

August 29, 2014

HONG KONG:

The first signs of communist acts to smother pro-Democracy supporters in Hong Kong are beginning to surface ahead of Beijing's endorsement or denial of full universal suffrage to the former British Colony. On Thursday, anti-corruption Hong Kong police loyal to Beijing, raided the home of the pro-Democracy movement's biggest financier, Jimmy Lai. Under the direction of the Independent Commission Against Corruption(ICAC), police executed a search warrant at Lai's home in search of bank and electronic records related to payments or donations made by Lai to Hong Kong's Labor Party, Reuters reported.

No to be intimidated by Beijing's actions, Lai said, "There's no doubt it only makes us more determined..." Occupy Central and other pro-Democracy groups in Hong Kong are awaiting this weekend's ruling from Beijing as to whether or not the communists will allow universal suffrage to Hong Kong. Should Beijing not agree to the terms of most of Hong Kong residents, pro-Democratic groups have planned large actions of civil protests.

August 28, 2014

EAST AND SOUTH CHINA SEAS:

That China's vow to respond to United States(US) military surveillance flights over international waters on the East and South China Seas amounts to a direct challenge to the US right to international waters, is a gross understatement. China's declaration amounts to a challenge to US security treaties with its allies on the East and South China Seas. Thus, Washington must respond in kind to any harassment by China on the seas.

While Beijing has rejected US facts that a Chinese fighter intercepted a US patrol plane, the statement by China's defense ministry spokesman Yank Yujun as reported by the Associated Press(AP), that China's military would closely monitor US flights and adopt appropriate measures, could be inferred as a direct challenge of US flights over international waters. Washington, obligated to defend its allies in Asia, must not yield to Chinese aggression and must respond in kind to China's actions.

August 27, 2014

TAIWAN:

Taiwan has had to scramble its jets in response to Chinese military aircraft violating Taiwanese airspace over the island's Air defense Identification Zone(ADIZ). As reported by the BBC, Taiwan's planes "followed them(the Chinese) closely to make sure they left." Taiwan stated twice on Monday, Chinese aircraft pierced its air space prompting the scrambling on Taiwanese jets in defense.

This recent incident demonstrates the independence nature of Taiwan away from any possible reintegration with mainland China. Economic relations remain desirable between the cross straits entities. Taiwan, just like Hong Kong and most recently Macau, has a deepening attitude toward greater democracy and away from communism.

August 26, 2014

HONG KONG:

By the end of this week, the path via which democracy to Hong Kong will come would be chartered in Beijing. The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress(NPC) of the communist party of China is in session this week in Beijing, and high on the agenda is the deliberation on a report from Hong Kong to revise the election methods used to elect the former British colony's chief executive. While Beijing favors a controlled and a communist endorsed set of candidates from which residents in Hong Kong will pick from, voters in the vibrant city have expressed a desire for universal suffrage to choose whomever they - the electorate of Hong Kong, should please from a selection of candidates by the people or by the local political parties in Hong Kong. The NPC started meeting on Monday and should conclude the session by August 31.

Should the terms of the people of Hong Kong not be met as to their election process, pro-democracy groups have planned large scale civil disobedience.

August 25, 2014

MACAU, HONG KONG AND TAIWAN:

That Macau has now joined Hong Kong in offering its people an informal poll to gauge support for democratic reforms, demonstrates a deepening trend among Chinese communists dominated regions, for a change. Similar tests of democratic reforms are also underway in Hong Kong and in Taiwan. This recent surprising move by the people of Macau, which has opened polling until August 24, underscores a growing desire for democracy away from communism in the Chinese territories. Over the next couple of years, aspirations of freedom will increase in the territories over Beijing's objections, but ultimately, the will of the people of the three territories will get an opportunity to accomplish what the martyrs failed to have accomplished at Tiananmen Square in 1989.

August 24, 2014

CHINA:

China has executed eight people in Xinjiang province on terrorism charges. Three of those killed were liked by the government to an attack in Tiananmen Square last October when a vehicle plowed into pedestrians before bursting into flames. These recent executions are additions to others China has publicly carried out in the region where it faces dissent from the ethnic Uyghur Muslim community. Uyghurs have complained of oppression at the hands of the Beijing communists as the majority Han population gain control over a greater swath of the means of production in the region.

China has responded to increase violent attacks by Uyghurs with heavy-handed security crackdowns. Yet, violent events of dissent continue against the government. The actions of the Uyghurs indicate that credible grievances exist, but Beijing has chosen a crush and eradicate approach to the Uyghurs, while Uyghur supporters have called for dialogue with the communists with a view to ameliorating the conditions of the Uyghurs. Thus far, attacks attributed to Uyghurs have utilized crude weapons as Beijing claims there are supported by overseas groups. There has been no prove to Beijing's claims of outside assistance to the Uyghurs and this is based solely upon the crude weapons used. Maybe, Beijing will open up communications with the Uyghurs, to avert a possible deepening conflict in the region.

August 23, 2014

EAST AND SOUTH CHINA SEAS:

At what point will Washington respond in kind to China's arrogance and boastful attitudes on the East and South China Seas? That Washington has had to file a formal complaint with Beijing over last week's intercept of a US Navy plane by a Chinese fighter jet in international waters, is becoming too often an event. As Pentagon Press Spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby has confirmed, the Chinese fighter conducted aerobic maneuvers around the US plane. This is not the first time that Chinese fighters have conducted such dangerous ploys around both US and Japanese patrol aircraft, and based upon the Chinese attitude, it will not be the last time. However, the degree of an accident or incident resulting from such action by the Chinese obviously increases with every incident.

August 22, 2014

INDONESIA:

It's been made official - the Indonesian Constitutional Court has upheld the election of former furniture salesman, Joko Widodo, as the next President of Indonesia. With the irreversible decision from the court, Widodo will be sworn in October, 20 as president. However, as Indonesia's economy has retracted since 2008, Widodo faces an uphill battle to return prosperity to Indonesia, a nation of 240 million people. But the popular ruler has an agenda that could address economic concerns and bring growth to his nation. That fuel subsidies make up close to three percent of Indonesia's budget, suggest that a reduction in such could re-budget monies to education and other programs, Widodo has advocated.

However, an increase in fuel prices is merited and Widodo's transition team has been busy lobbying the outgoing president to increase the prices before October. Should the outgoing administration honor the request, it could pave the way for a popular and smooth transition of the son of a wood seller to the Indonesian presidency. Yet, if all goes as Widodo expects, he could still confront some hurdles to his development agenda from the Indonesian Parliament, where his defeated presidential opponent, former general Prabowo Subianto, has much sway.

August 21, 2014

INDONESIA:

The Indonesian Constitutional Court is expected to rule at any time now to reaffirm the son of a wood-cutter, Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo, as the winner of the July 9 Presidential election. Though 'J0kowi' won the the election with 53 percent of the vote or by some eight million votes in the country of 240 million people, his surprising win and his humble beginnings, have spurred political elite and former general, Prabowo Subianto, the loser in the election, to challenge the victory charging voter fraud. Election officials have already certified 'Jokowi' the winner, but the country's constitutional court has the final decision and say on election matters. As the court sat in session earlier today, supporters of the Subianto were dispersed under tear by police after the crowd of about 2,000 tried to converge upon the court.

'Jokowi''s victory was substantial and the court is expected to confirm a fair election. Yet, of note is the sore loser antics of Subianto, who obviously felt an heir-apparent entitlement to the presidency. As the leader of a coalition that holds a majority of the seats in the Indonesian parliament, Subianto's actions suggests he might attempt to impede 'Jokowi's agenda to further develop Indonesia.

August 20, 2014

PAKISTAN:

The future political leadership and the stability of nuclear-armed Pakistan remain in the balance as the present government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif remains under mounting pressure to resign. While two opposition groups one led by former cricketer Imran Khan and the other led by cleric Tahir ul-Qadri, continue to occupy the streets of Islamabad, Qadri's group has taken its dissent farther to reach the doors of the in-session Pakistani legislature.

Qadri, according to the BBC, has urged his followers to stand guard of the gates of the Parliament and "...not allow anyone to enter or leave" the building "not even a mosquito...not even the prime minister." As the legislature sits in session blocked in by protesters, the Pakistani Army is calling for dialogue between the government and opposing sides. The Pakistani Court has summoned both Qadri and Khan to appear before the judiciary tomorrow. Will the army step in as umpire in the developing crisis?

August 19, 2014

HONG KONG:

In yet another example of Hong Kong's evolution to wean and ween itself from increased communist influence, the pro-Beijing president of Hong Kong's Law Society, Ambrose Lam, has resigned after a no-confidence vote against him from his democracy inclined group.

As reported by Reuters, the no-confidence vote against Lam, who has angered many with his pro-Beijing stance, has exposed a growing determination by lawyers in the former British colony to challenge perceived threats by Beijing to Hong Kong's judicial independence. That Lam, who has praised the communist party of China, supported statements from Beijing that 

Hong Kong judges needed to patriotic, proved to be just as much as his 8,000 member group would accept from an impartial judicial society. He then tendered his resignation to take effect immediately.

Hong Kong's legal system is based upon English law, unlike Mainland China's, which system appears very vague even to the best trained legal scholars. The legal system joins other parts of Hong Kong society that many want to retain and to improve upon and not to surrender to Beijing control.

August 18, 2014

SOUTH KOREA:

Now that Pope Francis has encouraged the faithful of southeast Asia with his just completed trip to South Korea, how will the remaining communists in the region react to his call for acceptance of the church as a partner and not a competitor?

Though religious freedom might hold out some prospect in a changing Vietnam, in China and in North Korea, there will be no willing efforts to relax religious freedoms. It's possible the Pope's overtures were not even heard by the people of China, but only by the government, which will not adhere to any of the Pontiff's calls. The mere fact that the communists in Beijing blocked travel of many Chinese Catholics wanting to travel to South Korea to see the Pope, underscores Beijing's strict opposition to total religious freedom. Moreover, that churches across China have come under recent attacks with authorities removing many crosses from places of worship, clearly demonstrates that Beijing will not budge or improve religious freedoms willingly.

North Korea has jailed westerners for simply leaving a Bible in a hotel room, so any hope of marked improved religious freedom there, sums naught.

August 17, 2014

HONG KONG:

Hong Kong, an unique political entity - that could bring democracy to a part of China, or descend into authoritarianism under continued control by the communists in Beijing, is having public rally involving tens of thousands of people in support of its local government today. Pro democracy movements have been active in Hong Kong demanding universal suffrage from the Chinese government that rules Hong Kong under the "one country, two systems" agreement. While close to a quarter of the City's registered voters have supported the efforts of Occupy Central, the main pro democracy group, to bring change to Hong Kong, many people - though recognizing the desire to wean Hong Kong from Beijing, prefer to adopt a more non confrontational approach to achieve change from Beijing. "We want to let the world know that we want peace, we want democracy..." Robert Chow, one of the organizers of today's rally was quoted by the BBC.

But will Beijing infer that the rallying of some 100,000, being pro-Hong Kong government, is an endorsement of Chinese rule?

August 16, 2014

PAKISTAN:

Anti-government protesters have now occupied central Islamabad in a call for the 15-month-old government of Nawaz Sharif to resign. Two oppositions sects, one led by former cricketer Imran Khan and the other by cleric Tahir ul-Qadri, have amassed 20,000 protesters in the streets of Islamabad. Some protesters are vowing not to leave the central district until the government resigns. How will the military react? A nuclear-armed Pakistan needs stability.

August 15, 2014

PAKISTAN:

Some version of the future of Pakistan will emerge from Jinnah Avenue in the capital of Islamabad this weekend. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is trying to cling to power against strong opposition from former cricketer Imran Khan and cleric Tahir ul-Qadri. Both Khan and Qadri have led protests to the capital of the mostly Muslim nation calling for the prime minister and his government to resign.

Khan and his followers are upset that the government did not investigate voting irregularities in the last general election. Qadri and his followers are fuming that the police in Pakistan have killed 22 of his followers and jailed thousands because the cleric wants the government to resign because of rampant corruption. High employment, power outages, high crime rates and violent extremism continue to grip Pakistan.

As both opposition groups amass on Jinnah Avenue in Islamabad to call for the government to resign, they do so under heavy security. Violence, according to Reuters, has already broken out along the route of Khan's march upon Islamabad from Lahore in the east.

Qadri's supporters are intent on occupying Jinnah Avenue until the government resigns. The Pakistani Army that some observers believe will stay neutral in the demonstrations, could emerge as the "umpire" over the political games in Pakistan.

August 14, 2014

PAKISTAN:

A tale of three Pakistans is emerging: Sharif's Pakistan; Khan's Pakistan and Qadri's Pakistan. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government while holding elected power, is under pressure from opposition groups at home. Former cricketer Imran Khan's opposition has been granted permission by the courts in Pakistan to stage a protest march against the government upon Islamabad from Lahore. In contrast cleric Tahir ul-Qadri has been denied a request to march. Both opposition groups want to see Sharif's government out of power, and in anticipation of protests over the next couple of days, the government has cordoned off sections of the capital to restrict protests. Whether or not both opposition groups march upon the capital, the next couple of days will be crucial in determining the future of nuclear-armed Pakistan.

August 13, 2014

JAPAN AND THE NORTHERN TERRITORIES:

As if China's assertions on the waters of southern Asia were not enough as a tension raiser and destabilizing enough to global security, Russia has now joined its bedfellow China in stirring up fresh tensions in Asia. Japan, a western ally, which has without reservations supported western sanctions against Russia for its meddling in Ukraine, now faces fresh tensions from Russia conducting military exercises on the disputed islands of Japan's Northern Territory.

Japan views the drills as totally acceptable and has protested to Russia which has some 1,000 troops and attack helicopters taking part in the exercises. These new exercises by Russia underscore the importance of western security treaties with Australia, Japan and others in the region so as to rebuff continued and future assertions by both China and Russia in Asia.

August 12, 2014

ASEAN:

A reduction of tension - the promotion of stability, on the waters of the East and South China Seas is possible. But for the unabridged passage of global trade to and fro over the seas be continued, China must drop its assertive actions upon both seas. Should China continue with past actions in raising tensions by breaching the territorial integrity of other nations’ coasts, then ASEAN nations must respond in kind to denounce China and to recognize that China’s behavior betrays the “good neighbor” doctrine toward adopting a multi-lateral code of conduct on the South China Sea as well as the East China Sea.

August 11, 2014

ASEAN:

ASEAN countries concluding a summit in Myanmar, have recognized contrary to China's bidding, that there has been an increase in tensions on the South China Sea. Thus the 10-nation group has "urged all parties concerned to exercise self-restraint and avoid actions which would complicate the situation and undermine peace, stability, and security in the South China Sea." Maybe, China would now rethink returning an oil rig to Vietnamese waters and maybe it would rethink erecting structures upon disputed isles on the South China Sea?

August 10, 2014

CHINA:

Briton Peter Humphrey and his American wife Yu Yingzeng have been sentenced to jail in China for conducting investigative work that is normal practice for other investigators across the world. Humphrey and Yu were charged with illegally obtaining person information on Chinese during the execution of their work as investigators. But under China's vague laws, anyone could be charged with something if the government deems it necessary that a person should be charged. Humphrey was sentenced to two-and-half-years and Yu to two-years. Chinese officials have said that Humphrey will be deported, but no word has come as to Yu's final position.

August 9, 2014

ASEAN:

"Someone has been exaggerating or even playing up the so-called tension in the South China Sea," China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said while adding that China doesn't "agree with such a practice". Wang's statement sums up China's attitude and view of how it would like the world and its neighbors to reason, just as the communists have conditioned the people of China to reason: that Beijing is innocent in all actions and the reality of its acts are not real events, but a figment of imagination.

But Foreign Minister Wang must understand that the world outside of China is capable of rational thoughts free of communists reprisals and punishments unlike the people of China.

As ASEAN meets in Myanmar at a Regional Forum of the 10-nation group that encompasses much of the South China Sea, some members are calling for a "freeze" or a "cessation" of provocative acts in the region with a view to reducing tension and creating stability. China, which has claimed most of the Sea despite claims by the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia, has heightened tensions in the region by sparring with the Philippines over claims and recently with Vietnam by moving an oil drilling rig into waters off Vietnam's coast.

But if China's Wang's statement is accepted, one would believe that China is innocent as to the explicit and the direct raising of tensions on the South China Sea. China is guilty. Not only on the South China Sea, but also on the East China Sea where it is at odds with Japan over disputed territory.

And Wang's statement about tensions on the South China Sea demonstrates that China does not even agree with its own actions on the seas. Yet, Wang has sought to influence ASEAN members not to act on a code of conduct of the seas so that China could continue its assertions against its weaker neighbors, while also continuing a campaign to place China's stamp on as much territory as possible on the seas before any International arbitration could be held. Moreover, China's desire to place lighthouses on a number of disputed isles on the South China Sea is but another ploy by Beijing to grab more territory against the claims of neighbors. So a "freeze" or a "cessation" of provocations will not augur well with China, so the communists will seek to get ASEAN not to act. But ASEAN must act and act now. There must be regional and international rules on the seas of Southeast Asia.

August 8, 2014

CHINA:

The Chinese trial of Briton Peter Humphrey and his American wife, Yu Yingzeng, for illegally obtaining private information on Chinese as part of their jobs as investigators, spotlights a deepening crisis international firms face and will continue to face for doing business in China. The details of the charges and trial of Humphrey and Yu can be had at Reuters, the Associated Press, the BBC, CNN and other news outlets.

But I submit that China's prosecution of this couple has one of two purposes: 1) China has made enough wealth from foreign firms and now seek to protect and grow their home-grown companies; 2) China believes it could use these convictions as leveraged for someone in or headed to either British, American or Canadian custody, thus as a retaliatory tool.

My preferred inference names the first proposition. Given China's recent treatment of tech giants Microsoft and Apple, China has indicated that under the cloud of suspicion, it will undermine the influence of these companies upon the Chinese market. China's investigation into GlaxoSmithKline is yet another form of Chinese intimidation of international firms for practices that are common place among Chinese firms and had been allowed for international firms before China made its wealth. But much pity cannot be spent to these firms for they have allowed profits and greed to lead them into this pitfall in China.

Many of China's laws are vague and ambiguous and because of this, it allows the communists to skirt laws and to fully impose them whenever there is an intrinsic advantage for China. International firms could now face Chinese scrutiny at anytime unless they are willing to give something of value to China in return: possible intelligence. To this end, and against China's sad human rights record, it's time international firms forgo some profits in China and seek other developing markets that are more receptive of investment dollars.

Peter Humphrey and Yu Yingzeng are signalling pawns of what the international business market in China will look like in the future. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, India, Vietnam, Mexico, Haiti and a number of other countries are all seeking investments.

August 7, 2014

CAMBODIA:

That justice to the one-million plus victims of the Khmer Rouge terror in Cambodia in the 1970s, would have to wait 30-plus years, amounts to justice denied to the hundreds of thousands who suffered so tragically at the hands of the Maoists. Yesterday, a United Nations(UN) tribunal in Cambodia convicted two geriatric Khmer Rouge leaders for crimes against humanity committed during the bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge from 1975-79. Nuon Chea, 88, a Pol Pot deputy and 83-year-old Khieu Samphan, the regime's head-of-state, were both sentenced to life in prison. But the fact that the sentences have come so long after the actual atrocities, amounts to a denial of justice, for both of them - long-in-tooth, are ailing and will be dead soon, thus what sense of justice could their victims and kin have gained? As reported by the BBC, Khmer Rouge survivor Youk Chang admitted the verdicts were "a little too late for many", but the survivor said the trial was vital.

International courts of justice must be allowed all accords expeditiously to carry out the functions of justice for the victims of war. Justice should never be delayed. Too often as has been the case in Cambodia and other cases involving war criminals of World War II, war criminals have been allowed to live full and flourished lives after their crimes only to be brought to justice during the final pulses of their lives, evoking pity and compassion from those they denied such kindness in the years of their rules. Justice must always be swift and exacting.

August 6, 2014

INDONESIA and MALAYSIA:

Should a rising communist China continue its aggressive assertions onto the South and East China Seas, Indonesia and Malaysia, will both emerge as the two catalytic buffers to China's expansion. The developing strategic economic nations of Indonesia and Malaysia represent the tipping point of any balance of power in the region. Should these two nations form a more cooperative regional security relationship with Japan and the Philippines and perhaps Vietnam, in a bid to sustain stability in the region, their efforts will be sum enough to nullify any aggressive actions by China. But China will seek to create rifts among the nations by dangling packages of carrots of trade. How best these nations take hold of the ideals of peace, stability and democracy will determine the long term economic wealth and development of Southeast Asia.

The major religion of both Indonesia and Malaysia being Islam, will be more than sufficient to establish a strong bond between these two. China's treatment of all religions within its mainland should serve as evidence to both Indonesia and Malaysia that the freedoms of their people and their historic religious practices, would have to be thoughtfully considered as alliances are established and reaffirmed on the East and South China Seas.

August 5, 2014

CHINA and BANGLADESH:

Recently, a wave of violence has re-emerged in China's western province of Xinjiang - home to the Uyghur Muslim minority. As is often the case in China, actual numbers as to deaths, injuries and impartial details relating to incidents, are slow to emerge and highly suspect, especially originating in Xinjiang after Chinese censorship. But this much is known: scores of people, most of them Uyghurs have died in the past week in violent confrontations with security authorities. Of one event of note of the growing number of incidents was the assassination of Imam Jume Tahir - a pro-Beijing installed religious leader of the Uyghur people. Liked by Beijing, but disliked by many Uyghurs for his pro-Beijing stance, Imam Tahir was reportedly killed by extremist Uyghurs. The assassins were reportedly killed or captured by police.

But despite the many stories, events, incidents and the unfortunate many deaths, one thing is certain: Beijing has a problem in Xinjiang - a problem it thought it could kill, jail and suppress through brute force. That has not been the case. So Beijing, has resorted to blaming the continued violence despite its heavy-handed crack down and presence in the province, on extremists inspired by overseas terror groups. While any resort to violence by a people must be condemned, the communists in Beijing have failed to accept that events in Xinjiang demonstrate that the minority Uyghurs believe they have legitimate non addressed grievances. And Beijing's attempt to beat them into submission is spanning greater radicalized resistance. The claim that the Uyghurs are inspired by overseas extremism if true, should be of much concern, yet of some ease to the communists that the outside influence has amounted to mere inspiration, and actual assistance. Thus, Beijing still has time to address the concerns of the Uyghurs and to establish a workable peaceful dialogue to ensure the long term security and stability of Xinjiang. But Beijing needs to peacefully engage the Uyghurs now. Thus far, the weapons used by attackers have been crude bombs, knives and swords, should there be any radical change in the type of weapons used, then Beijing would have to come to terms with the reality that events in the province have reached an acute stage.

In Bangladesh, 125 people and probably more are presumed dead after a ferry operating on one of the country's many waterways, capsized on Monday 20-miles from the capital, Dhaka. The vessel has not yet been located but 110 people were either rescued or swam to shore following the accident. The M.V. Pinak ferry capsized on Monday with between 200-350 people on board. The ferry had a capacity maximum of 150 passengers, but as is too often the case in Third World and developing countries, no mechanism was in place to document the actual numbers aboard that ferry or any other in operation.

This tragic event underscores the need for developing countries to develop, to enact and to enforce basic civilian safety mechanisms to avert such deadly preventable incidents. Too often from Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa to Asia, gross preventable safeguards as flaunted that inevitable lead to unnecessary losses of lives. The scenes are too familiar and have become too common place: four riders of a motorcycle designed for two; 80 passengers in a bus approved to carry 50; scores of riders travelling atop trains; overcrowded boats with no kept passenger lists; and the like. The lack of the enforcement of civilian safety codes have become so commonplace in many jurisdictions, that residents automatically assume that the dangerous mode under which they imperil themselves and others day in and day out, have become so sociably acceptable, that many belief their actions are not illegal.

As we mourn the Bangladeshi and other victims of accidents, developing nations must be prodded to enforce their civilian safety codes.

August 4, 2014

CHINA, INDIA and NEPAL:

Today, in China, India and Nepal, the natural effects of the environment impacting upon fragile settlements are being felt. In the mountainous region of Zhaotong, Yunnan province in southwestern China, 398 people have been confirmed killed and some 1,800 injured in a 6.1 magnitude earthquake which struck the region on Sunday. Thousands of rural residents have been rendered homeless because of the natural disaster that has destroyed 12,000 homes and damaged another 30,000. The Beijing government has deployed 2,500 troops in the region to aid in recovery, but reports indicate that relief is severely hampered by the hilly terrain and the amount of rubble caused by crumbling structures.

It is monsoon season across Asia, and the natural yearly meteorological phenomenon that is welcomed for agriculture purposes to bring desperately needed rains to irrigate of crops, is often associated with wide spread natural disasters of floods and landslides. Last week 108 Indians died in a western state in a landslide precipitated by the monsoon. Earlier today, Indian authorities in the eastern state of Bihar, have been evacuating 125,000 people because of a high risk of an impending flood from a landslide in Nepal. So far, 60,000 Indians have been evacuated into 120 camps because of a landslide in Mankha, Nepal, on Saturday that killed a confirmed 19 Nepalese with 150 missing with no hope of surviving. The landslide, which occurred along a river in Nepal close to the mountainous border with India, dammed the river creating a large lake behind the slide debris. That lake is swelling and it is feared that it will soon overrun its banks causing flooding into India where some 125,000 people reside in its possible path. Another landslide in Nepal this morning killed four people and six are missing.

We offer our sincere prayers to all the victims of these natural disasters.

In light of these natural disasters and the almost certainty that there will be more events, governments of prone regions need permanent policies and studies to address the strengthening of structures, sound arbor management, environmentally friendly agricultural techniques and in many cases possible relocation of residents from prone areas. While there will be natural disasters, all humanly possible safeguards should be taken to protect human life even if it means a reduction of a country's military budget to re-appropriate monies to hedge against the impact of natural disasters.

August 3, 2014

JAPAN and VIETNAM:

Facing a rising and an assertive China on the East and South China Seas, smaller nations with disputed territorial claims with the Chinese communists, are forging ahead with the building of stronger alliances in an effort to counter future aggression. Last week, Japan and Vietnam - two countries with active territorial disputes with China, took a closer step to greater regional security cooperation, when Japan gave Vietnam six naval patrol ships valued at some $5 million. The gift made in Hanoi by visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida to his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh, fulfills an earlier promise Japan had made to Vietnam.

Last November, China demarcated the East China Sea in an unilateral action that heightened tensions with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan since the action was done outside of international law. The United States(US) has failed to recognize China's unilateral action. China's created Air Defense Identification Zone encompassed the Japanese administered Senkaku Islands, to which China also claims on the East China Sea. In May of this year, China moved the deep sea oil-drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 within the exclusive economic 200-mile zone of the Vietnamese coast. Vietnam protested. China did not yield. Chinese and Vietnamese ships and fishing vessels jostled and bumped each other on the waters close to the rig. Anti-China sentiment rose sharply in Vietnam where Chinese nationals and businesses were attacked by angered Vietnamese.

Also earlier this year, Chinese ships attempted to prevent vessels from the Philippines from re-supplying a Philippine ship off a shoal on the South China Sea claimed by the Philippines and counter claimed by China. This action involving the Philippines came after that country had sparred with China over other shoals.

With Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam having a common antagonist, China, the three countries have considered mutual cooperation toward regional security. While the US entered into a greater security pact with the Philippines when President Barrack Obama visited this Spring, and with Japan being a security ally of the US; these two nations have a greater degree of security in defense of a probable offensive from China. But Vietnam - once China's communist brother, lack any measurable security agreements with any other nations. Sensing Vietnam's vulnerability to behemoth China, Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam have considered avenues to regional security.

Though China has since removed the oil-rig from Vietnamese waters claiming that it completed its task, some observers believe China's withdrawal is temporary forced by the typhoon season. So with Japan's gift to Vietnam, that country now has a larger naval fleet with which to patrol its territory.

August 2, 2014

INDONESIA:

In a recent presidential election in this rapidly developing country, Indonesians re-affirmed their acceptance of democracy by electing with 53 percent of the vote, Joko Widodo, a former furniture maker and the son of a wood-seller. What has made Joko's rise so significant is the strong support the former governor of Jakarta enjoys among Indonesia's urban and rural youth.

Born in a small village, the 52-year-old new President was twice elected mayor of the city of Solo in 2005 and 2010, when he gained some 90 percent of the votes cast. In 2012, the slender-built Joko was elected governor of Jakarta. In the 2014 presidential election, Joko campaigned as a proponent of increased technology. He has promised to implement "e-governance" across Indonesia to help cut bureaucratic corruption, according to the BBC. Viewed as a clean political who is in touch with Indonesia's masses, Joko in winning the presidential election, broke the historical domination of Indonesia's leader of coming from the political elite and military. His defeated opponent in the 2014 election was former general, Prabowo Subianto - associated with the traditional elite, and backed by Indonesia's media tycoons, but with many unanswered questions of human rights abuses hoovering over his head.

Stunned by his defeat, Prabowo, in an attempt to save-face, has alleged discrepancy and has vowed a constitutional fight with a large team of lawyers. But observers in Indonesia have confirmed that Joko has been the overwhelming people's winner. Fears that the disputed result might trigger violence have not materialized as Indonesians embrace the rule of law and confidence in their newly elected leader, Joko. Moreover, on August 21, Indonesia's Constitutional Court should rule to reaffirm Joko as the legal winner of the election. The decision of the court cannot be appealed. With Joko as leader, Indonesia is set to continue its economic and social development.

Joko's election demonstrates the strength and the courage of the people of that emerging economy to accept the principles of democracy and of equality to have elected one of their peers to lead them onto the next stage of Indonesian development.

August 1, 2014

Tomorrow, this post will debut. It is our replacement for China Today so that we may pay more attention to all the countries of Asia. For the past year and more, we have paid too much attention to China, and in doing so, and because of our limited budget, time and editorial space, we have failed to include analyses of other Asian nations worthy of examination. Thus, we will debut Asia Today to accord attention to issues, affairs, developments and achievements of all Asian nations. Many residents of Asia are embracing democracy, freedom, equality and the rule of law. We aim to encourage and to support them like the rise of the son of a wood-seller elected President of Indonesia. We hope you continue to join us on this journey to promote democracy and freedom. Peter Boyce, Washington, D.C., 08.01.2014.