2003-2004

[ News ] [ Papers ] 

North Korea Crisis

EU Arms Embargo

~ 2001 ; 2002 ;

China, India Co-operate in Oil Deal
(China Daily, Dec. 22, 2005) State-owned China National Petroleum Corp and India's Oil and Natural Gas Corp have provisionally agreed to buy a Canadian oil company's 37 per cent stake in Syrian oilfields for US$581 million.

East Asia Stages Inaugural Summit
(BBC News, Dec. 14, 2005) Leaders from 16 nations gathered in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday to hold the inaugural East Asia Summit.

Rising China Seen Keeping Low Profile at WTO Talks
(Reuters, Dec. 12, 2005) China is a rising trade colossus with more farmers than any other country in the world, but it is expected to keep a low profile at world trade talks as negotiators debate contentious agricultural reforms.

China Says Growth Poses No Danger to Neighbors
(Reuters, Dec. 12, 2005) China's rapid economic rise spells an opportunity, not a threat, to the rest of East Asia, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao reassured leaders from neighboring countries.

Australia Inks Asia Pact, Rejects "Puerile" Remark
(Reuters, Dec. 11, 2005) Australia signed a peace treaty with its Southeast Asian neighbors and rejected what it called puerile comments about it being America's deputy sheriff in the region.

Hu to Launch Diplomatic Offensive in Europe
(AFP, Nov. 8, 2005) President Hu Jintao arrives for a two-day state visit to Britain, the first leg of his 10-day European tour that will also take him to Germany and Spain. Economic issues are likely to dominate Mr Hu's first trips to all three countries.

Russia to Boost Oil Shipments to China, Collaborate on Space Exploration (AFP, Nov. 5, 2005) Russia has pledged to almost double its annual oil shipments to China and to expand the two countries' cooperation on gas and space projects.

Chinese, Vietnamese Leaders Agree to Promote All-Round Cooperation (People’s Daily, Nov. 1, 2005) Chinese and Vietnamese leaders agreed in Hanoi to make joint efforts to promote good-neighborliness, friendship and all-round cooperation between their two countries.

West Is Welcome in Asean Plus 3: China
(Straits Times, Nov. 1, 2005) In a bid to soothe American fears of East Asia becoming a closed regional bloc, China said it welcomes Western countries to play a role in the future East Asian economic community.

Chinese Warns Ottawa over Taiwan Bill
(Globe and Mail, Oct. 13, 2005) The Chinese ambassador to Canada warns of "very serious consequences" if the minority Liberal government cannot kill a Conservative bill that would strengthen Ottawa's ties with Taiwan.

China's Hu Forges Strategic Partnership on Canada Visit
(AFP, Sep. 10, 2005) Chinese President Hu Jintao is to begin day three of his first official North American tour after forging a "strategic partnership" with Canada and signing a raft of trade and cooperation accords.

Hu Visits Canada with Oil and Trade Agenda
(AP, Sep. 9, 2005) China was eager to buy Canadian natural resources to feed its burgeoning economy and uranium for the 40 nuclear reactors it planned to build by 2020 to generate electricity.

India, China to Sign Mou on Intelligence Sharing
(Asia Pulse, Sep. 7, 2005 ) India and China will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in intelligence sharing and exchange of security-related information.

China and India Vie for Kazakhstan Oil
(NYT, Aug. 16, 2005) Chinese and Indian state-owned oil companies are trying to buy a Canadian company with oil fields in Kazakhstan, in the most direct competition yet for energy between Asia's most populous countries.

New Regional Body Founded in Taiwan
(Taiwan News, Aug. 15, 2005) President Chen Shui-bian urged the newly-formed "Democratic Pacific Union" to act as a catalyst for the emergence of a new balance of power in the Pacific Ocean for democracy, peace and prosperity.

Australia Eyes China Uranium Sales
(CNN.com, Aug. 8, 2005) Australia plans to negotiate a nuclear cooperation agreement with China so uranium sales can begin, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said.

U.S. Seeks Written Apology from Israel over China Weapons Deal (AP, July 28, 2005) The United States has demanded a written apology from Israel and tighter restrictions on Israeli weapons exports as conditions for lifting military sanctions.

Taiwan Concerned with Regional Stability: Chen
(TT, July 27, 2005) Stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific can be ensured by cross-strait goodwill and dialogue, and a partnership between Taiwan and Japan, President Chen Shui-bian said.

US Says Pact With India Not Directed at Third Countries
(Asia Pulse, July 21, 2005) The United States has said the new partnership with India is a reflection of its "growing role, power and influence" in the world and is not directed at any third country, including China.

Bush, Australia's Howard, Stress Economic Relations With China (Bloomberg, July 20, 2005) President George W. Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard hailed expanding economic ties with China and praised that country's diplomatic efforts with North Korea.

MOFA Says Talks with Japan to Skip Diaoyutai Issue
(Taiwan News, July 20, 2005) A Taiwanese official confirmed that the 15th round of Taiwan-Japan fishery talks scheduled for next Friday will set aside the dispute over the sovereignty of the Diaoyutai Islands and focus only on specific fishery issues that have plagued the two countries for decades.

China Wants Peaceful Links with S-E Asia
(Straits Times, July 6, 2005) China's Premier Wen Jiabao reassured the country's South-east Asian neighbours that it would pursue peaceful development and better cooperation with them.

China, Russia Warn of World Domination
(AP, July 2, 2005) Russia and China warned other nations Friday against attempts to dominate global affairs and interfere in the domestic issues of sovereign nations in what appeared to be a veiled expression of their irritation with U.S. policy.

Taiwan Act Raises Chinese Ire with Ottawa
(CTV, Canada, June 16, 2005) Introduced by Conservative MP Jim Abbott in April, the so-called Taiwan Affairs Act would upgrade Canada's relations with Taiwan. The bill also opposes China's use of military force or economic sanctions against Taiwan.

China, Russia Agree on Border After 40 Years of Talks
(Bloomberg, Jun. 3, 2005) China and Russia reached a final agreement yesterday on their eastern border, putting an end to 40 years of negotiations, China's foreign ministry said according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

Poll: Australia Against Taiwan War
(CNN.com, Mar. 29, 2005) Australians are against following the United States into a war with China over Taiwan, according to a new poll on Australian attitudes.

Taiwan War Could Trigger ANZUS Pact
(The Australian, Mar. 14, 2005) The nation's ANZUS military pact with the United States could be invoked if conflict erupted between China and Taiwan, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said.

China, India Move Closer in Trade
(Asia Times, Feb. 11, 2005) Trade between China and India has hit a record, touching US$13.6 billion in 2004, up by 79% over 2003. China thus becomes India's second-largest trading partner.

MOFA Says It Welcomes E.U. to Play Bigger Role in Cross-Strait (CNA, Feb. 8, 2005) Taiwan welcomes the European Union to play a bigger role in cross-Taiwan Strait issues and hopes that the international community can voice its opposition to Beijing's proposed "anti-secession" law.

China, India Deepen Defense Ties
(Reuters, Dec. 29, 2004) China and India have agreed to deepen defense cooperation during a visit by Indian army chief N.C. Vij, a sign of warming relations between the giant neighbors and former foes.

China, Russia Plan Joint War Games
(AP, Dec. 14, 2004) China and Russia will hold their first joint military exercise next year, the Chinese government has announced, and President Hu Jintao is calling for further expansion of the rapidly growing alliance.

EU Not Lifting China Arms Embargo
(Straits Times, Dec. 9, 2004) China was dealt a blow when the European Union reiterated it was not ready to lift a 15-year weapons embargo against it. But EU officials expressed hope that the ban may be lifted next year.

China Signs Trade Pact With ASEAN
(AP, Nov. 30, 2004) China moved  to expand its influence in a region long dominated by the United States, signing an accord with Southeast Asian nations aimed at creating the world's largest free trade area by 2010 -- a sprawling market of nearly 2 billion people.

Maritime, Energy Issues on China's Asean Agenda
(Straits Times, Nov. 25, 2004) China will raise the issue of energy cooperation at its summit with Asean amid disputes with some of the grouping's member countries over maritime resources.

Chinese Move to Eclipse U.S. Appeal in South Asia By Jane Perlez (New York Times, Nov. 18, 2004) The center is part of China's expanding presence across Southeast Asia and the Pacific, where Beijing is making a big push to market itself and its language, similar to the way the United States promoted its culture and values during the cold war.

Singapore Disappointed over Flag-Burning Incident
(AP, Oct. 3, 2004) Singapore's government expressed disappointment after pro-independence demonstrators in southern Taiwan burnt the city-state's national flag.

Taiwan FM Says No Plan to Apologize to Singapore for 'Booger' Comment (AFP, Sep. 29, 2004) Taiwan Foreign Minister Chen Tan-sun has said he has no plan to apologize to Singapore for derisively calling the small city-state "a country the size of a booger".

Hawke Backs Downer on Taiwan
(The Australian, Aug. 28, 2004) Former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke has strongly backed Alexander Downer's warning that the US could not expect Australia to automatically side with Washington if China attacked Taiwan.

China Warns Singapore Officials Against Future Visits to Taiwan (AFP, Aug. 26, 2004) China has warned Singapore officials against visiting Taiwan again after a "private and unofficial" trip by the city-state's new leader just weeks before he took office strained ties with Beijing.

Singapore PM Sets out Taiwan Stance
(Reuters, Aug. 23, 2004) Singapore will not support Taiwan if China attacks the island in retaliation for any push for independence, Singapore's new Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said.

Taipei Raps Downer for 'Wrong Message' to China
(Straits Times, Aug. 21, 2004) Taiwan rapped Australia for sending the 'wrong message' to China following Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer's comment that Canberra had no obligation to side with the United States in the event of a cross-strait war.

Downer Denies War Speculation
(Melbourne Herald Sun, Aug. 19, 2004) Australian foreign Minister Alexander Downer has rejected claims he had speculated on what position Australia would take if war broke out between China and Taiwan.

China Warns Pacific Nations against Siding with Taiwan
(AFP, Aug. 11, 2002) China has warned Pacific nations against caving in to Taiwan's "dollar diplomacy", cautioning it would be against their interests to establish ties with Taipei over Beijing.

China Rejects DPM Lee's Reasons for Taiwan Visit
(Straits Times, July 23, 2004) Chinese Foreign Ministry says the visit damaged China's core interests and harmed foundation of ties with Singapore.

UK Urges Peaceful Taiwan-China Talks
(Central News Agency, July 13, 2004) The United Kingdom would welcome any efforts by the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to reduce tensions and to find a mutually acceptable basis for a resumption of peaceful dialogue.

Singapore's Lee Wraps Up Visit
(Taiwan News, July 13, 2004) Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong held a one-hour summit with President Chen Shui-bian in the presidential office, ignoring China's "strong dissatisfaction" and protest against his visit.

Singaporean Minister on Low-Key Visit
(Taipei Times, July 12, 2004) Lee Hsien Loong, who is slated to be appointed as Singapore's prime minister next month, is expected to meet President Chen Shui-bian.

Aus Opposition Calls for Govt to Increase Pressure on Taiwan
(Australian Broadcasting Cooperation, July 11, 2004) Australia's Federal Opposition has called on the Howard Government to increase diplomatic pressure on Taiwan over its desire to declare formal independence from China.

U.S. Moving on Pullout from Tense Korea DMZ
(AP, June 11, 2004) The U.S. military is already moving to pull out almost all its troops from their most high-profile outpost on the tense border with North Korea.

Pacific Rim Leaders Sound Warning on Oil
(AP, June 10, 2004) Pacific Rim nations face a growing gap between their energy demands and supplies and must find ways to ensure long-term stability and avoid short-term disruptions from terror attacks and other threats.

Taiwan Warned Against Raising Tensions in South China Sea
(Asia Pulse, May 3, 2004) Manila has warned Taiwan against raising tensions in the South China Sea after receiving reports that Taiwanese patrols have encroached in Philippine-claimed territories in the Spratlys.

Vietnam Condemns Taiwan over Spratlys Construction as Tension Mounts (AFP, Mar. 31, 2004) Vietnam warned Taiwan that it would have to face the consequences of carrying out construction work on an island in the disputed Spratly archipelago.

China, Taiwan Urged To Resolve Dispute, Not To Drag Philippines (Daily Tribune, Dec. 4, 2003) Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople has urged China and Taiwan to peacefully resolve their dispute and appealed to its leaders not to drag the Philippines into the conflict.

Hong Kong Democracy Movement Posts Gains
(WP, Nov. 24, 2003) Hong Kong's democracy movement scored a major victory against the territory's pro-Beijing parties in local elections.

Chinese Markers Taken Out in Spratlys
(ABS-CBN News, Nov. 12, 2003) Philippine Armed Forces chief Gen. Narciso Abaya assured the people that the military had already removed the Chinese markers installed at Philippine-held islands in the disputed Spratlys.

India, China to Hold Naval Drill on Nov 14
(Xinhua News, Nov. 6, 2003) India and China will hold their first-ever joint naval exercises off the Shanghai port on November 14 in which frontline warships of the two navies and aircraft and helicopters will take part.

Vietnam Protests Taiwan Action over Spratlys
(Reuters, Nov. 1, 2003) Vietnam said Taiwan had violated Vietnamese sovereignty by driving Vietnamese fishing boats away in the Spratly islands and the confrontation caused instability and could endanger peace.

Japan and China Battle for Russian Oil Supplies
(AFP, Oct 27, 2003) Energy-hungry Asian rivals China and Japan are locked in a fierce struggle for supplies of Russian crude, allowing Russia to bargain hard as it chooses where to build a pipeline from its Siberian oil fields.

China Lobbies Australia to Help Reunify Taiwan
(Reuters, Oct. 24, 2003) China lobbied Australia to play a role in Beijing's campaign to bring Taiwan back within Chinese territory, arguing this was needed for the sake of regional stability.

Australia, US to Work for Peace in Taiwan Straits: Bush
(ABC News, Oct. 23, 2003) "Today America and Australia are working with Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore and other nations to expand trade and fight terror and keep the peace in the Taiwan Straits."

China and Southeast Asia Sign Wide-Ranging Non-Aggression Pact (AFP, Oct. 8, 2003) Foreign ministers of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and of China signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

China-India Resolve Border Issue in Cyberspace
(Reuters, Oct. 8, 2003) A decades-old row over the status of Sikkim, which is a part of India but has long been disputed by China, ended after a meeting between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Indian counterpart.

ASEAN and China Launch First Stage of Free Trade Plan
(AFP, Oct. 7, 2003) Southeast Asian nations and China agreed on a special tariff-busting programme to kickstart their grand plan to set up the world's largest free trade area (FTA).

China to Sign Amity Treaty with Asean
(Straits Times, Sep. 27, 2003) China will seek to consolidate its political and economic ties with Asean and speed up negotiations for a free trade zone at an upcoming summit of the grouping,

China to Work with Russia to Enrich Strategic Cooperative Relations: Hu (People’s Daily, Aug. 6, 2003) Chinese President Hu Jintao said that China is ready to work with Russia to add to the "strategic cooperative partnership" between the two countries.

China Sends Letter to North Korea's Kim, Urges Talks
(AFP, July 15, 2002) China showed growing signs of impatience with North Korea, urging a swift restart of nuclear talks following President Hu Jintao taking the unusual step of sending a personal letter to Kim Jong-Il.

China Ratifies Treaty Banning Use of Force in Asean Disputes
(AFP, June 30, 2003) China has ratified a treaty prohibiting the use of force in resolving disputes with Asean nations. China is the second non- member of Asean after Papua New Guinea to sign the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

China Proposes New Asia Pacific Security Forum
(ABC News, June 19, 2003) China has proposed the creation of a security forum involving military personnel from Asia Pacific countries, saying it would aim at giving equal attention to the security concerns of each country involved.

China, Russia, Central Asian Nations Meet to Strengthen Ties
(AFP, May 30, 2003) Leaders of mainland China, Russia and four Central Asian nations warned against unilateral action in the war on global terror and pledged closer ties as Moscow seeks to counter U.S. influence in its traditional backyard.

The East Asian Model to Creating a Regional Community By Yiyi Lu and Chris Hughes (Straits Times, Dec. 24, 2005) Rather than stumbling blocks, all these issues can actually serve as catalysts for regional cooperation in East Asia at the present stage.

Future of E. Asia's New Institutions By Ralf Emmers
(Straits Times, Dec. 20, 2005) The inaugural meeting of the East Asia Summit (EAS) is an important event for the region. Some trends characterize the East Asian multilateral architecture when examined from a security perspective.

False Dawn in East Asia By Baradan Kuppusamy
(Asia Times, Dec. 17, 2005) Leaders billed this week's inaugural East Asia summit as the dawn of a new era, but critics, pointing to the sheer diversity among member states, say it will end up as yet another talk shop.

Asian Leaders Search for Common Interests, in America's Absence By Seth Mydans
(New York Times, Dec. 15, 2005) Japan and China were not talking. Russia was talking to everybody. Australia was fending off bad press. The Philippines was denying coup rumors. India was offering to teach English. And the United States, for once, was looking in from the cold.

ASEAN and China Form Strategic Partnership By Jusuf Wanandi
(Jakarta Post, Dec. 15, 2005) A new era has dawned in East Asia. ASEAN and China have forged a Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity. The strategic partnership is a means to making an effective contribution to regional and global peace and prosperity.

East Asian Summit Marked by Discord By Edward Cody
(Washington Post, Dec. 14, 2005) Sixteen Asian leaders held a groundbreaking summit Wednesday designed to promote regional economic and security cooperation outside the traditional umbrella of U.S. military power and political leadership.

As an Asian Century Is Planned, U.S. Power Stays in the Shadows
(New York Times, Dec. 13, 2005) The focus was on Myanmar Monday as a regional summit meeting began here, but the broader view was on the evolving shape of Asia as economies grow and alliances shift in the decades to come.

Asean's Vision 2020
(Straits Times, Dec. 12, 2005) ASEAN has an ambitious vision of turning itself into an integrated community by 2020, and the job of drafting the document that will set its direction has fallen on a group of 10 'wise men'.

Great Game Plays on in Asia By Sheng Lijun
(Straits Times, Nov. 28, 2005) A set of geopolitical games is unfolding in post-9/11 East Asia. Together, they might even be called the Great Game. First, there is that between China and the United States.

Beijing's Role in Saarc Expansion Unsettles Delhi By Kripa Sridharan
(Straits Times, Nov. 23, 2005) The 13th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) summit was held in Dhaka on Nov 12-13. India must decide how to deal with China's presence as an observer in South Asia group.

Asia's Allure Lies in Soft Power By Joseph S. Nye
(Straits Times, Nov. 16, 2005) The soft power of Asian countries, then, lags behind that of the US, Europe, and Japan, but it is likely to increase.

The US Sway over EU's China Policy By Sunanda K. Datta-Ray
(Straits Times, Nov. 16, 2005) Chinese President Hu Jintao's state visit to Britain has left British Prime Minister Tony Blair's government in something of a quandary that reflects a fundamental conflict between Europe and America over dealing with the Asian giant.

Asia Surges at the Expense of American Commercial Ties By Tyler Marshall (Los Angeles Times, Nov. 7, 2005) As the Bush administration struggles to combat the threat of international terrorism, a far quieter force is challenging America's global influence: the growing economic clout of Asia.

China and India: Giants Unchained? Not So Fast By Pranab Bardhan (International Herald Tribune, Nov. 3, 2005) While there is no doubt about the great potential of these two economies, severe structural and institutional problems will hobble them for years to come.

Challenges for an Asean Charter By Amitav Acharya
(Straits Times, Oct. 24, 2005) The forthcoming Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur in December is likely to appoint an Eminent Persons' Group (EPG) to guide the development of an Asean charter. The charter is intended as a step towards the establishment of an Asean Community by 2020.

US Tries to Unravel East Asia Summit Puzzle
(Agence France Presse, Oct. 23, 2005) The United States calls it a "black box" but beyond the mystery of the upcoming inaugural East Asia Summit is anxiety over the future direction of the forum in a region where China is stamping its mark.

Asia's Space Race By Jim Fredrick
(TIME, Oct. 17, 2005) Three decades after the U.S. beat the Soviet Union to the moon, China and Japan have launched rival space odysseys of their own.

Seabed Petroleum in Northeast Asia: Conflict or Cooperation?
(Woodrow Wilson Center, 2005) With its energy needs steadily multiplying, Northeast Asia will require ever increasing petroleum imports for its economic expansion and survival. Selected working papers by conference participants from China, Japan, and North and South Korea are included.

Key Role for South Korea in East Asian Security By Edy Prasetyono (Straits Times, Sep. 19, 2005) With its economic power and its strategic location between Japan and China that makes it acceptable to other nations, cooperation with Asean will increase Seoul's strategic weight.

India and China: Rivals or Fellow 'Tigers'? By Marianne Bray
(CNN.com, Sep. 15, 2005) In recent years the leaders of Mumbai decided it would be a good idea to emulate China's glittering commercial capital of Shanghai. They reasoned that the cities had many similarities.

'63 Tapes Reveal Kennedy and Aides Discussed Using Nuclear Arms in a China-India Clash (New York Times, Aug. 26, 2005) In May 1963, President John F. Kennedy and his aides discussed the feasibility of using nuclear weapons in the event China attacked India for a second time.

In Asia's Chinese Diaspora, Are Loyalties Divided? By Michael Vatikiotis (International Herald Tribune, Aug. 24, 2005)For millions of ethnic Chinese living in Southeast Asia, the anniversary this year of Admiral Zheng He's maiden voyage is an occasion for introspection about their place and identity in a world affected by the growth of China's power.

China, Russia Forge Closer Ties
(Asia Pulse, Aug. 3, 2005) China and Russia will hold their first joint military exercises from August 18-25, according to China's Ministry of Defense. This historic event has far-reaching political and military implications.

Asian Security Put at Risk by Taiwan's Exclusion from ASEAN Regional Forum: Analysts (Agence France Presse, July 30, 2005) Asia's main security gathering, which convened in Laos, has a gaping hole because it does not include Taiwan, one of the region's most worrying flashpoints, analysts said.

China’s Asian Ambitions By Axel Berkofsky
(Far Eastern Economic Review, July/August 2005) If one is to believe the rhetoric recently coming out of Washington, that is precisely what Beijing is aiming to achieve through the 2005 East Asian Summit.

Rice May Miss Asia Security Summit
(AP, July 22, 2005) When Asia holds its key annual security meeting on perils ranging from nuclear bombs to rights abuses, the top U.S. diplomat will miss the meeting for the first time in over 20 years but Australia will likely embrace a friendship treaty with its Asian neighbors.

China Knocking on Russia's Door By Sergei Blagov
(Asia Times, July 6, 2005) Russia and China lashed out at perceived US unilateralism by issuing a declaration demanding a curb on outside interference in nations' internal affairs.

China and India: Giants on the Move By Ngiam Tong Dow
(Straits Times, July 4, 2005) The redoubtable Deng Xiaoping opened China to the world in 1978. India, on the other hand, had been the world's largest democracy all along. Yet, until very recently, India lagged behind less well-endowed countries.

Northeast Asia Puts a Face on Its Future By Brad Glosserman and Scott Snyder (Asia Times, July 2, 2005) There is deeply embedded emotionalism in Chinese public responses to recent Japanese actions on the questions of history and territorial disputes.

Can A New Trio Shoulder America's Burden in Asia? By Sunanda K. Datta-Ray (International Herald Tribune, June 25, 2005) For all that India, China and Russia seek greater recognition of their Asian claims, however, they would hate nothing more than to be thought of as ganging up on a United States that none of them can do without.

Chinese Energy Strategy in Latin America By Chietigj Bajpaee
(China Brief, the Jamestown Foundation, June 21, 2005)Latin America, which has traditionally come under the U.S. sphere of influence, caught the attention of China following the significant growth potential of its energy resources.

Toward an 'Asian Union'? By Philip Bowring
(International Herald Tribune, June 18, 2005) The East Asia Summit could promote political dialogue. America's exclusion should help keep it focused on Asian issues rather than global ones.

Shangri-La Is More Than An Ideal By Philip Yang
(Taipei Times, June 15, 2005) Finding answers to the questions of how Asian countries should deal with the lessons of history and how the two sides of the Taiwan Strait should maintain peace and stability is not only the responsibility of decision-makers, it would also bring us to the Shangri-La we are all dreaming about.

Annual Security Forum in Singapore Ends By Christopher Torchia (AP, June 5, 2005) Malaysia talked about piracy, the Philippines explained its guerrilla problem, Japan and South Korea fretted over North Korean nuclear weapons, and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld wondered why China is spending so much on its military.

U.S Warns of Asian Nuclear Arms Race
(Internaional Herald Tribune, June 4, 2005) The development of a nuclear weapon by North Korea would put pressure on Japan and South Korea to consider building their own nuclear arsenals, the U.S. ambassador to Japan said.

China, India, Russia to Join Forces to Boost Regional Security
(AFP, June 2, 2005) China, India and Russia will join forces to boost regional stability and energy supplies, foreign ministers of the three countries declared at the outset of a summit in Vladivostok in Russia's Far East.

India Looks to China, Not Just U.S. By Martin Sieff
(UPI, May 27, 2005) The warm and successful visit of China's top military officer to New Delhi has confirmed the lesson of the F-16s sale to Pakistan: India under its Congress government puts detente with China above partnership with America.

Philippine Strategic Paradigm on China and Taiwan By Jose P. Leviste Jr. (Inquirer News Service, Apr. 26, 2005) How Manila will position itself diplomatically in the face of the widening political rift between Beijing and Washington on Taiwan is a case in point that becomes even more relevant with the upcoming visit to Manila of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

China and India: Rivals or Partners? By Pramit Mitra and Drew Thompson (Far Eastern Economic Review, April 2005) The recent visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to New Delhi comes at a time when India is increasingly paired with its larger Asian neighbor as an emerging economic and military power.

Feuding Risks for East Asia By Eric Teo Chu Cheow
(Japan Times, Apr. 22, 2005) Southeast Asian countries view the recent Sino-Japanese and South Korean-Japanese feuds with interest and deep concern for possible implications in four areas.

The China Factor in Australia-U.S. Relations By Mohan Malik (China Brief, Jamestown Foundation, Apr. 12, 2005) The possibility of a U.S.-China confrontation over Taiwan could confront ANZUS with its greatest challenge and is seen as having the potential to divide Australia and the United States.

India, China Hoping to 'Reshape the World Order' Together By John Lancaster (Washington Post, Apr. 12, 2005) India and China announced a new "strategic partnership", pledging to resolve long-standing border disputes and boost trade and economic cooperation between two rising powers.

China, India Eye Energy Needs
(Reuters, Apr. 3, 2005) Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visits India this week with the race between the world's two most populous nations to secure the energy they need to fuel their growing economies likely to be on the agenda.

Europe Wants China Sales but Not Just of Weapons By Mark Landler (New York Times, Feb. 24, 2005) Much more is at stake in Europe's decision than whether it sells French fighter jets or German submarines to Beijing - namely broader commercial ties and some genuine diplomacy.

Japan and Russia, With an Eye on China, Bury the Sword By James Brooke (New York Times, Feb. 13, 2005) The Russian general gamely tried on a samurai helmet. The visiting Japanese general donned a Russian fur hat. Together, they watched Russian tanks maneuver across the snow-covered terrain.

China and India Open 'Strategic' Talks By Ravi Velloor
(Straits Times, Jan. 25, 2005) India and China began a landmark 'strategic dialogue' on issues as varied as the US role in Asia, threats from terrorism and smoothing the inevitable competition for natural resources fuelled by the demands of their expanding economies.

Europa: EU vs. U.S. vs. China: Partnership Paradoxes By Richard Bernstein (International Herald Tribune, Jan. 21, 2005) Probably the next big strategic difference between Europe and the United States- China, which, in the official European view is a "strategic partner," even as Chinese-American rivalry looms.

US Fury over EU Weapons for China By Anton La Guardia
(Telegraph, Jan. 15, 2005) America is waging an intense behind-the-scenes battle to stop the European Union lifting its 15-year-old arms embargo against China.

Chinese Oil Hopes Dashed by Russian Pipeline Decision
(Straits Times, Jan. 6, 2005) Russia's decision to build an oil pipeline from Siberia to the Pacific Ocean to facilitate exports to Japan has dashed China's hopes of importing an extra 80 million tonnes of oil a year.

At Last, Asia Is Taking Shape By Brad Glosserman
(Japan Times, Dec. 13, 2004) For generations, East Asia has been identified as a geographical entity -- it was a region on a map -- but it lacked a coherent identity beyond that. That is changing.

Doing the Asean Sidestep By Philip Bowring
(International Herald Tribune, Dec. 3, 2004) The most telling aspect of this mix of multi- and bilateral meetings was that the focus was more on the non-Asean dialogue partners than on the issues of Asean itself and its members.

Australia Towing China's Line: Taiwan
(Australian Associated Press, Nov. 28, 2004) Taiwan accused rival China of rallying Australia to meddle with its newly forged ties with Vanuatu after Canberra allegedly urged the tiny Pacific nation to stick to Beijing's "one China" policy.

The US, Taiwan and the PRC: Managing China's Rise -Policy Options for Australia By Hugh White (Asialink, Nov. 2004) Australia should take advantage of the warmth between them to propose that the US and China negotiate an explicit agreement over the future of Taiwan.

Asia Sees Chance for Fresh Bush Start But Risks Too
(Reuters, Nov. 4, 2004) Opinions differed sharply across Asia on President Bush's re-election, but one common theme that emerged was for him to soften his perceived unilateralism to help solve crises across the region.

As U.S. Influence Wanes, A New Asian Community By Jane Perlez (New York Times, Nov. 4, 2004) As Washington prepared to begin a new administration, it is hard not to notice the legacy of America's shrinking influence in Asia over the last four years.

China's ASEAN Strategies By Eric Teo Chu Cheow
(Japan Times, Oct. 15, 2004) Beijing seems intent on pursuing a more active diplomacy around its southern periphery in Southeast Asia.

China to Tighten Hong Kong Reins By Willy Lam
(CNN.com, Sep. 13, 2004) Beijing is expected to come up with tougher ways to ensure control over Hong Kong despite the fact that democratic politicians got nowhere near half the seats in the 60-member Legislative Council in Sunday's hotly contested polls.

We Must Stand Up for Taiwan By Bruce Jacobs
(The Age, Aug. 28, 2004) As a middle-ranking world power with special importance in the Asia-Pacific region, we must stand up and clearly state our position to all sides without fear or favour.

China Fears Once and Future Kingdom By James Brooke
(New York Times, Aug. 25, 2004) Highlighting history's weight in modern Asia, China and South Korea, two of the region's closest economic partners, tried to patch over the sharpest crisis in 12 years of diplomatic relations.

A Little Red Dot and Tension Across the Taiwan Strait By Lee Hsien Loong (Straits Times, Aug. 23, 2004) Cross-strait tension is potentially the most dangerous problem for Asia. Hence a 'One China' policy isn't just China's core interest; it's in Singapore's interest too.

Will S-E Asian States Be Forced to Take Sides? By Michael Richardson (Straits Times, Aug. 19, 2004) The crisis South-east Asia fears most would be one between China and the US over Taiwan.

A Diplomatic Offensive By Michael Vatikiotis
(Far Eastern Economic Review, Aug. 5, 2004) In Southeast Asia and throughout the Pacific, China is trying to increase its influence in military and strategic affairs. The idea may be to displace the U.S. in regional security matters.

Drawing the Line with China By Brahma Chellaney
(Japan Times, July 30, 2004) India and China have held regular border-related negotiations since 1981 in the longest such process between two nations since the end of World War II.

Europe Dragged into Cross-Strait Dispute By Jonathan Eyal
(Straits Times, July 11, 2004) Both by accident and design, the 'old continent' is caught up in the China-Taiwan saga. Unlike the US, however, Europe never had much influence over either China or Taiwan.

Asian Democracy Blooms as China Watches By Robert Marquand
(Christian Science Monitor, July 8, 2004) When China's leaders peer beyond their borders, they see a similar phenomenon in almost every direction, something they aren't particularly enthused about: people voting.

ASEAN Regional Forum Shows a Sign of Change
(Asahi Shimbun, July 6, 2004) The ASEAN Regional Forum has matured into a grouping that can help stabilize Asia as a whole by involving North Korea as well as big powers out of the region, such as the United States, China and Japan.

Asean Doesn't Want Taipei to Destabilize Region By Larry Teo
(Straits Times, June 22, 2004) ASEAN does not want Taiwan to rock the boat and jeopardize stability in the region. And should war break out between the island and China, the 10-member regional grouping would remain neutral.

Shanghai Group Aims to Keep US in Check By Sergei Blagov
(Asia Times, June 19, 2004) An emerging organization that embraces Russia, China, and Central Asian states has indicated its concern over American unilateralism in the region.

U.S. Troop Pullouts: There's a Political Message, Too By Richard Halloran (Japan Times, June 17, 2004) Donald Rumsfeld said June 5: "We want to have our forces where people want them. We have no desire to be where we're not wanted."

China Woos Influence with Softer Style By Frank Ching
(Japan Times, June 10, 2004) Southeast Asia has long been an arena for contention between the U.S. and China. China is clearly ahead in the race.

Japan-U.S.-South Korea Joint Declaration on Security: A New Framework for a New Era By Yoichi Funabashi (Asahi Shimbun, June 8, 2004) If the three countries strengthen cooperation, it could split the six-party talks into China-Russia-North Korea and Japan-U.S.-South Korea camps.

Brookings Northeast Asia Survey 2003-04
(Brookings Institution, 2004) At the beginning of 2003, a cloud of tension and uncertainty hung over Northeast Asia.  Among the world's current potential flash points, the China- Taiwan cross-Strait stand-off is unique.

What's Next as ASEAN+3 Integrates? By Yoshihiro Iwasaki
(Japan Times, May 12, 2004) The question is no longer whether the region should integrate, but rather when, how quickly and in what areas.

China Will Be the Big Loser in Crackdown on HK By Ching Cheong
(Straits Times, May 6, 2004) The damage inflicted on Hong Kong by a series of measures to curb the burgeoning demand for democracy there might prove irreparable and costly to the whole Chinese nation in the long run.

China-Japan-India Axis Strategy: An All-Round Economic& Political Cooperation (People’s Daily, Apr. 29, 2004) Compared with East Asia regional cooperation of great concern to the people, the suggestion on China-Japan-India strategic cooperation cannot but be regarded as a new thinking.

Polls to Change Face of Asia By Ralph Cossa
(Japan Times, Apr. 28, 2004) This year contains a number of presidential and parliamentary elections that promise to change the political face of Asia. Taiwan: a too-close shave.

Asia Isn't Ready for Nato-Style Alliance By Siimons S.C. Tay
(Straits Times, Apr. 22, 2004) Are Asians ready and able to provide for their own security? The present answer is clearly, no. What is clear is that political will, military capability and American attention remain essential to the equation of peace in the region.

East Asia Ready for Growth Spurt
(CNN.com, Apr. 20, 2004) East Asia is poised to grow at more than 6 percent this year -- its fastest pace since the start of the global slowdown in early 2000, the World Bank says.

Building a Regional Security Mechanism By Pang Zhongying
(Pacific Forum, Apr. 9, 2004) China increasingly shows interest in a six-party-talks-based regional security arrangement, so it is not impossible that some China-related security problems, such as the Taiwan issue, could be discussed at the regional level rather than just bilaterally.

Building Regional Security System By Pang Zhongying
(China Daily, Mar. 26, 2004) Now is the right time to promote the establishment of a Northeast Asian regional security mechanism.

NAATO: Blueprint for Asian Security By Jayanthi Iyengar
(Asia Times, Mar. 9, 2004) As the United States plans to shift its forces in Asia, coming up with a blueprint for Asian security is an urgent but complicated and divisive prospect.

China Plays Diplomat in Nuclear Dispute
(AP Press, Feb. 25, 2004) Beijing became the focus of the diplomatic world as delegates from six nations took seats around a Chinese table to resolve the North Korean nuclear standoff.

Asia's Security Depends on Opportunities for All By Surin Pitsuwan
(Straits Times, Jan. 15, 2004) Traditional security concerns - from the Taiwan Strait and the Korean peninsula, to the fragility of law and order in Indonesia - are hovering ominously over the entire region.

No East Asian Card Too Wild By Brad Glosserman
(Japan Times, Jan. 4, 2004) The East Asia analysis posits three "broad trends" shaping the region: First, Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia will develop along divergent paths.

Seeking Security, the East Asian Way By Amitav Acharya
(Straits Times, Dec. 30, 2003) East Asia's security architecture today has two important characteristics. The first is the resilience of America's postwar bilateral defence arrangements. The second is the weakness of the region's fledgling multilateral security experiments.

Naval Ship Spending to Increase in Asia Pacific, Defense Experts Say (Agence France Presse, Nov. 11, 2003) Governments in the Asia Pacific will spend a combined US$14 billion on new naval ships in 2009, double the figure for this year.

China's Charm Offensive in Southeast Asia By Amitav Acharya
(International Herald Tribune, Nov. 8, 2003) It's a time of hype in China-Southeast Asian relations. China's role in Southeast Asia, however, requires a more careful and long-term assessment.

A Visitor From China Eclipses Bush's Stop in Australia By Jane Perlez (New York Times, Oct. 25, 2003) The biggest difference was in style, with an almost complete role reversal of what might be expected. The Chinese leader was gregarious; the American president, aloof.

China on the Rise, Japan on the Wane in Region
(Straits Times, Oct. 22, 2003) China, not Japan, was being looked to as the regional powerhouse at the Apec gathering here.

Asian Leaders Find China a More Cordial Neighbor By Jane Perlez
(New York Times, Oct. 18, 2003) More than 50 years of American dominance in Asia is subtly but unmistakably eroding as Asian countries look toward China as the increasingly vital regional power.

China's Plans for a Regional Security Forum By Jaewoo Choo
(Asia Times, Oct. 17, 2003) There is a strong possibility that the six-party forum that was inaugurated in Beijing in August will expand into an institution with as many as 10 representatives.

ASEAN Summit: Taking the Helm By John McBeth
(Far Eastern Economic Review, Oct. 16, 2003) For China, Asean is a useful international showcase for its own stated good intentions. In reality, no one believes that fear of China as a future military power has evaporated. It's more that economics is the priority.

China Promises More Investment in Southeast Asia
(NYT, Oct. 8, 2003) The prime minister of China, Wen Jiabao, announced that his government would encourage greater investment in the region by Chinese companies.

Towards an Asean Security Community By Leonard C. Sebastian and Chong Ja Ian (Straits Times, Oct. 7, 2003) ASEAN leaders are expected to lay the foundation for the establishment of an Asean Security Community, to complement the Asean Economic Community.

Threats to Asia's Stability -- And a Potential Solution By J. Ørstrøm Møller (National Interest, Sep. 2003) Møller examines the future of Asia and warns of two potential pitfalls: Japan and Islamism.  Møller urges the U.S. to promote greater trade and cooperation throughout Asia and, for its own sake, be willing to share power.

Three of a Kind: India, China and Russia By Sultan Shahin
(Asia Times, Sep. 27, 2003) As the foreign ministers of India, China and Russia meet this week in New York as part of a trilateral process that began two years ago, diplomatic observers and analysts are busy appraising the strategic implications of their growing affinity.

South China Sea: It's Not All About Oil By Alan Boyd
(Asia Times, Sep. 6, 2003) Any illusions that Beijing's stance on the ownership of the hundred oil-rich atolls in the South China Sea might have been weakening have been firmly laid to rest with its offer of shared drilling rights.

India, China Reach for the Moon By Jayanthi Iyengar
(Asia Times, Aug. 14, 2003) China and India, both in the throes of heady economic expansion and apparently buoyed by their political and military progress are building separate outer space projects in a race to the moon.

Southeast Asia-China: Threats, Opportunities By Eddie Leung
(Asia Times, Aug. 2, 2003) Once again, China is feared - this time not for exporting communism, but rather deflation. With its cheap labor costs, increasing productivity, and mastery of modern technology, China is fast becoming the factory of the world.

As U.S. and North Korea Glower, China Pushes for Talks By Joseph Kahn (New York Times, July 16, 2003) Beijing has grown uneasy about the lack of progress toward a peaceful settlement of the dispute and is viewed by some Western diplomats as increasingly willing to use its leverage to make North Korea negotiate.

East Asian FTA? Dream on! By David Wall
(Japan Times, July 2, 2003) Presidents Roh Moo Hyun of South Korea and Hu Jintao of China agreed to push for a summit declaration on the establishment of a free trade area among South Korea, China and Japan.

ASEAN to Work with China, Japan, South Korea for Energy Security (Agence France Presse, July 4, 2003) ASEAN energy ministers pledged to intensify efforts to diversify energy sources and cooperate with China, Japan and South Korea to boost energy security in the region.

South China Sea: Pact Won't Calm Waters By Alan Boyd
(Asia Times, July 2, 2003) China's decision on the weekend to ratify a key Southeast Asian security protocol is unlikely to ease tensions in the oil-rich South China Sea until rival claimants are ready to let economic pragmatism hold sway over national pride.

US for Closer Military Ties with India
(Indian Express, June 4, 2003) The US Defence Department has recommended viewing of India as a strategic partner of US and selling modern American technology and equipment to ensure interoperability between the two countries to meet any regional crisis or crisis.

Russia and China Bound by Uneasy Ties By Ching Cheong
(Straits Times, June 3, 2003) Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Russia allowed the two powers to consolidate their relations, synchronise their world views and build a united front against a world dominated by the United States, the world's only superpower.

Singapore: Engaging the U.S. With Trade By Trish Saywell and Murray Hiebert
(Far Eastern Economic Review, May 22, 2003) A new free-trade deal between Singapore and the U.S. could benefit all of Asean and keep America involved in the region.

FTAs Will Ensure US and Asia Remain in Happy Embrace By Goh Chok Tong
(Straits Times, May 9, 2003) A web of inter-locking FTAs is a potential means of realising the positive benefits of cooperation with the US, and maintaining America's central role in a broader trans-Pacific community.

In Beijing, Diplomatic Opportunities Abound By Francesco Sisci
(Asia Times, Apr. 19, 2003) There is the possibility of a creation of new constellation in East Asia, with stronger cooperation among the United States, China and Japan. In this new regional geopolitical realignment, however, India must be included.

Beijing's Help Led To Talks By Karen DeYoung and Doug Struck
(Washington Post, Apr. 17, 2003) The Bush administration's decision to meet with North Korea next week in Beijing was made in response to China's increasingly cooperative role in the North Korean crisis.

U.S.-ROK Alliance in Crisis By Robyn Lim
(Japan Times, Mar. 29, 2003) America's alliance with South Korea is in crisis. That's because the two parties no longer see the North Korean problem through the same lens.

ASEAN Counting on China By Eric Teo Chu Cheow
(Japan Times, Mar. 22, 2003) A smooth political transition in China will guarantee ASEAN continuous economic opportunities, especially as negotiations get under way for an ASEAN-China free-trade area.

The Rise of Regionalism in Asia By Razeen Sally
(Taipei Times, Feb. 8, 2003) An East Asian economic bloc forming around either China or Japan now seems plausible. Will all this deal-making sideline the region in the WTO?

U.S. Forces Are Needed in Northeast Asia By David I. Steinberg
(International Herald Tribune, Jan. 14, 2003) The Bush administration needs to end the tension that contributes to anti-Americanism in South Korea. And Japan needs to be reassured that America is not abandoning its forward presence in Northeast Asia.