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Tokyo 2020 Olympic Stadium Draws Fire

dezeen_Japan-National-Stadium-Zaha-Hadid-Tokyo-2020_1_784.jpg New Olympic Statium (http://www.dezeen.com)

Zaha Hadid’s design for the 2020 Olympic came under fire from Japanese architects this year resulting in changes in the original design. A group of Japanese architects led by award winning Fumiko Maki attacked Hadid’s proposed building as being too big, too expensive and poorly designed. The architects led by Maki included Toyo Ito, Kengo Kuma and Sou Fujimoto.

On 8 July 2014 dezeen magazine reported that the Japan Sports Council had reduced the budget for the stadium from 300 billion Yen to 189 billion Yen. Zaha Hadid Architects responded by adapting the design to make materials more cost efficient.

The national stadium is not the only venue that is being re-thought. The construction of 10 other venues are now being reviewed due to rising labor and construction costs. The use of existing facilities is being proposed as a cost-cutting alternative. On 19 November 2014 Reuters reported that, IOC Vice President John Coates urged Japan to move events outside the city to cut spending. Such moves would go against Japan’s Olympic bid proposal calling for no venue to be more than 8km from the Olympic Village.

It is likely that some solutions will be arrived at in meetings to be held in Japan in early 2015. Whatever the outcome, it is clear that is back to the drawing board for the 2020 Olympics.

Asian Waters— China’s Busy Bohai Sea Region

China’s Bohai Sea Region (NASA)

by David Parmer

Viewed from space, the Bohai Sea region could be seen as an emerald dragon penetrating the Asian landmass. And that impression of power and energy is certainly borne out at ground level. The Bohai sea, the innermost gulf of the Yellow Sea is said to be one of the busiest seaways in the world. Whatever is happening in North China or will happen in North China is connected with the Bohai Sea.

640px-Seaways_Plan_for_the_Bohai_Sea.svg.png (Map: Wikimedia)

To the north and east of the Bohai Sea is the Sea of Japan, to the south is the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea. The sea (and until recently often referred to as a “bay”) has its opening through the Bohai Strait which runs between the Liaoning peninsula on the north and the Shandong peninsula on the south. The Bohai Sea is the ocean outlet for North China and West China, and is the commercial hub known as the Bohai Sea Economic Zone, which could be thought of as stretching west, past Beijing all the way to Inner Mongolia and as far north as China goes. The Bohai Sea is bordered by Shandong, Liaoning, and Hebei provinces and by the municipality of Tianjin. Prominent cities include Tianjin, Tangshan, Yantai and Dalian.

C118X0325H_2013資料照片_N71_copy1.JPG

A variety of industries make the Bohai Sea region the powerhouse of North China that it is. These include fisheries, shipbuilding, transportation, hydropower, salt making and oil and gas. Oil fields include Shengli, Suizhong 36-1and Gudao. In addition, several rivers flow into the Bohai Sea including the Yellow ,Hai, Liao and Luan.

Development of the region is not confined land: a plan has been put forward to build the world’s longest (123km) undersea tunnel connecting Dalian on the Liaoning peninsula to Yantai on the Shandong peninsula. This would cut travel time from eight hours to just under one hour. Construction costs and technology are under discussion but all indications suggest that the plan is a go for the not so distant future.

With so much development and constant traffic it is understandable that there are environmental concerns for the Bohai Sea area. Negative impacts that have been cited include pollution in Bohai Bay, loss of wetlands and a decrease in fish catches. These notwithstanding, it looks like the Bohai Sea and its surrounding area will only increase in importance to its region and to the overall Chinese economy.

http://www.unep.org/dewa/giwa/areas/reports/r34/regional_definition34b_giwa_r34.pdf

http://www.pemsea.org/profile/pollution-hotspots/bohai-sea

Hong Kong Unrest, Taiwan Elections—How Will Beijing React?

by David Parmer

This past weekend saw Taiwan’s ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party take a major beating from the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The landslide win by the DPP lead to the resignation of Prime Minister Jiang Yi-hua. The ruling KMT has had increasingly warm relations with Beijing, and noticeable successes in trade, banking and tourism. However, the DPP’s gains suggest that the Taiwanese people are not entirely happy with the KMT, and this election was their chance to bring the ruling party’s mandate into question. One factor that might have influenced voters is the ongoing Occupy movement in the Hong Kong SAR. Far from over, the movement still has support and has gotten no satisfaction regarding its demands regarding the 2017 elections in Hong Kong with regard to candidate approval by Beijing. Taiwan has its own presidential elections in 2016, and the results of the nine-in-one election of November 2014 do not bode well for the KMT. So Beijing has the possibility of continued strife in Hong Kong, and the possibility of an unacceptable (anti-PRC) government in Taipei. The next 24 months will be a time to watch. How will Beijing react? Or will it take proactive steps to deal with these two situations on its periphery? Please log in and give us your thoughts.

Taiwan Elections 2014: DPP Scores Big Win

Taiwan DPP Victory 29 Nov. 2014

DPP Chair Tsai Ing-wen Announces Victory in 2014 Election (Photo: DPP)

Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) scored a decisive win over the ruling Nationalist Party (KMT) this weekend. The nine-in-one elections saw the opposition victorious in Taipei, Taoyuan and Greater Taichung. This election was the first time that the KMT had lost Taipei since 1998.

As a result of the election, Prime Minister Jiang Yi-huah resigned. President Ma Ying-jeou accepted Jiang’s resignation, apologized for the defeat and vowed to fight on. Observers seen the local election results as a referendum on Ma’s presidency, and a possible barometer for the 2016 presidential elections.The dismal showing by the KMT suggests that a majority of the Taiwanese people are not happy with KMT policies, particularly its ongoing relationship with Beijing.

Taipei Times: Premier Quits After Landslide Defeat:

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2014/11/30/2003605651

DPP Chair’s Remarks on Victory:

http://english.dpp.org.tw/the-taiwanese-people-have-spoken/

U.S. Secretary of Defense Hagel Steps Down

(Photo: Def. Gov.)

U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel resigned on Monday November 24th. Hagel had held the position for two years, and will stay on until a successor can be found. Hagel is President Barak Obama’s third secretary of defense. His predecessors were Robert Gates and Leon Panetta. Reports state that Mr. Hagel never really became a member of Mr. Obama’s inner circle, and that he had differences with the National Security Council’s Susan Rice. Since the rise of Islamic State, the U.S. Defense policy has taken a different course than when Mr. Hagel was appointed. His management skills have also been called into question.

Looking at the situation, who do you think will, or should replace Mr. Hagel, and will there be a major shift in U.S. defense policy? Please log in and post your answers here.

Person of Interest: Narendra Modi, India’s 15th PM

by David Parmer / Tokyo

“However advanced the technology may become, life is impossible without humanity, and that’s why we need a combination of science of thinking and art of living” Indian PM N. Modi in Japan

Narendra Modi became India’s 15th Prime Minister on 26 May 2014. It was a long road to the top, and one characterized by incessant hard work and self-transformation. Modi came from a modest home in India’s Gujurat state. He was reported to be an average student with a flair for rhetoric. While still a pre-teen he became interested in politics, and served a long political apprenticeship with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or National Volunteer Organization, an Hindu patriotic organization.

In his teen years he travelled throughout his country, often visiting Ashrams or religious schools, but he eventually returned to politics as a full-time RSS worker. Modi then became involved in Gujurat politics and finally rose to the position of chief minister. During this time he joined the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP). In 2001 Modi was named chief minister of Gujurat, a position that he held until he was elected PM in 2014. In 2002 the notorious Gujurat riots occurred in which ethnic Hindu-Muslim violence resulted in the death of hundreds and possibly thousands of people. Modi was cleared of responsibility by the courts, but many continue to hold him responsible for the violence. During his tenure as chief minister of Gujurat Modi emphasized economic development. In 2014 he won a clear majority as BJP supported prime minister.

Modi is an interesting and complex character. He is a writer and poet with a flair for effective use of social media. On his website you can download some of his eBooks including:

Engaging the world
Make India Win
Fast Track Diplomacy
Digital Gujarat

Modi is a vegetarian who practices yoga and says he relaxes by working. A smart dresser, Indian media reports that he studied Public Relations techniques overseas. And he is nothing if not ambitious and forward looking. If there is such a thing as Indian soft power, PM Modi is its rock star. While he claims that he is not trying to counter Chinese influence, he is often traveling and meeting with regional and world leaders. India will hold a summit of 12 Pacific island nations in 2015, and President Barack Obama will be chief guest at India’s 66h Republic Day on January 26, 2015.

So the question is this: Is Mr. Modi what he seems to be? Is he an Indian nationalist who has become an internationalist? Is the evolution of Narendra Modi from local Hindu politician to world leader complete, or is he just getting started? Perhaps Mr. M. is the right man at the right time for India, for the region and the world. Let us hope so.

Narendra Modi ebooks online

http://www.narendramodi.in/category/ebooks/

Photo: Narendra Modi via flickr

UN Vote Puts DPRK Back In The Spotlight

Mr. Kim ( KCNA)

The United Nations General Assembly Human Rights Committee voted (119-19) on November 19th to refer North Korea to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

The DPRK’s allies, Cuba, China and Russian voted against the draft resolution. Before the resolution could be sent to the World Court, it would have to have the United Nations Security Council approval, and observers say that there is little chance for the resolution to be approved. The question is how the North will react to the UN resolution? Will it be seen as an insult, or a provocation, or an excuse to continue its nuclear program? Will the North react with an “incident” like the capture of a vessel, shelling the South, or increasing its propaganda efforts? Log in and give us your thoughts on this question.

China Unveils J-31 Stealth Fighter At Zuhai Airshow

PRC Stealth.jpg

Chinese J31 Stealth Fighter (Photo: SinaBlog)

China showed off its new J-31 stealth fighter at the biennial Zuhai Air Show last week. Known as the “Falcon Eagle”, the J-31 is China’s answer to America’s Lockheed Martin F-35. Built by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) this fifth generation fighter aircraft uses Chinese technology and is powered by Russian Klimov RD-93 engines. The J-31, like the F-35 is capable of being used on aircraft carriers. This would make it a prime candidate for China’s expanding naval aviation capability.

Of note at the Zuhai show was a scale model of the Shenyang FC-31, an export model of the J-31 produced by AVIC’s subsidiary Shenyang Aviation Company. According to experts, the FC-31 shows modifications not seen on the flying model of the J-31. The big question is who would be in the market for the FC-31. What countries have the need and could afford to add an advanced stealth fighter to their lineup? Pakistan is often cited as a possible customer for the J-31 to counter Indian acquisition of its own stealth fighter.

Recently, China has been criticized for being opaque in its defense capabilities and expenditures. The introduction of the J-31 in public might not have been designed to foster transparency, but it did give observers a first-hand look at what China is up to in the sky.

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20141115/DEFREG03/311150035/With-J-31-Flight-China-Makes-Statement

Abe-Xi “Summit” At APEC 2014

The Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation forum will meet in Beijing from November 9-10, 2014. This has been decided. What has not been decided, and what is potentially one of the bigger news events of the year is whether Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinxing will meet or not. Relations between Japan and China have been frosty since 2012 with the Senkaku/Diaou Islands issue constantly on the boil. From the Chinese side there is also the issue of Abe’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine. Apparently there is much last-minute negotiating between the foreign ministers of both countries to see if the meeting can be made to happen. So the questions are: Will the meeting happen? Can any significant breakthroughs be made if it does happen? Please log in and give us your thoughts on this question.

On The Silk Road Again

(Photo: Wikimedia)

by David Parmer

Just about a year ago (November 2013) RG21 took a look at the development of the New Silk Road, (http://research-group21.com/admin/mt.cgi?__mode=view&_type=entry&blog_id=3&id=98) the revival of the ancient route linking the Orient and Occident. China is now giving focused attention to this project, and so this week we will bring you an update on developments.

China’s Xinhua News agency reported on November 8, that President Xi Jinping had pledged $40 billion for a New Silk Road Fund to link China and Europe. The fund to be overseen by Chinese banks, notably China Development Bank would promote the development of railways, ports, roads, pipelines and ports and related infrastructure.

The plan calls for not only a land-based Silk Road, but a maritime one as well. The land route would begin in Xi’an and end up in Europe, while the sea route would start in Guangdong province and terminate in Venice.

New Silk Road (Xinhua via Diplomat)

The plan is bold and ambitious, but not without its dangers. The vulnerability for the land route lies in its traversing so many countries, subject these days to wars, revolutions and changes of government. A large section of the route goes through Russia which has ongoing tensions with Europe over Ukraine. Logistically, problems of customs clearance and different railroad track gauges need to be addressed. It seems that while the world is focusing on the Middle East and Iraq, China is taking a long term view that may just alter the face of global trade in modern times as did the original Silk Road in ancient times.

Xinhua : http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2014-11/08/c_133774993.htm

Financial Times: http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/e8664a0e-44dd-11e4-9a5a-00144feabdc0.html