カテゴリー: 議論の場

Border disputes on land and sea are common in almost all quarters of the globe. Countries large and small lay claims to territories that their neighbors also call their own. In an increasingly-complex and interdependent world, how do you think such disputes should be decided? Should the parties involved try to sort it out themselves, or should all such disputes be referred to a world body such as the International Court of Justice? Can such territorial disputes ever be settled, or will history be the ultimate arbiter? Please post your comments below.

Visits this year by Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Barack Obama have focused attention on African development for the 21st century. Will Africa be transformed by the end of this century, or are its problems so complex that a longer time will be required? What do you think? Please post your thoughts below.

Park Geun-hey, president of the Republic of Korea is visiting China from June 27-30, 2013. After meetings with China’s president, Xi Jinping, President Park with travel with 71 Korean business leaders to Xian in northwest China. Early reports of the Xi-Park meeting suggest agreement on many points as well as the possible establishment of a two-nation free trade zone.  The question is what will be the long term effect of these meetings?  Will China mitigate its support of its long-time ally in the north in favor of a more-balanced approach to both Koreas?  Or are the Xi-Park talks designed to move the DPKR back to the negotiating table at a new round of six-party talks? Will there be real substantive change on the Korean peninsula thanks to President Park Geun-hey’s trip, or simply business as usual? Post your thoughts here.

With tensions running high in East Asia over a variety of territorial, nuclear and military issues, do you think this is a good time to visit China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or the Southeast Asian countries? Is there any real danger in visiting these countries, or is it just a question of media attention on regional tensions? What do you think? Please post your comments below.

2013 has been a year of accusation, denial and counter-accusation in the area of cyber spying. American sources, notably a report in February 2013 by Internet security company Mandiant target China for cyber-spying. On Friday June 14^th, in an interview with the South China Morning Post, former NSA contractor Edward Snowden claimed that the U.S. has been hacking Hong Kong and China computers since 2009.  So who is doing what to whom? And what can be done about it?

Please post your thoughts on this topic below.

Analysts say a trade war is looming between China and the EU

The EU imposed tariffs on Chinese solar panels on Tuesday June 4^th, and the next day China launched an anti-dumping probe into European wines. Germany is said to be working to avoid such a situation, but can some kind of compromise be reached before positions harden? What effects will Chinese sanctions on European wines have, and will a trade war add an even greater stress on struggling European economies? Please post you thoughts below.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President will hold a two-day summit in California on June 7 and 8.  The U.S.- China relationship has been described as being at a critical juncture. While both countries will benefit from a strong and cooperative relationship, various issues of contention cloud the potentially sunny relationship. Issues likely to be discussed during the meeting include:

• North Korea’s nuclear threat
• U.S. accusations of cyber-spying
• Diaoyu/Senkaku dispute
• Currency and trade issues

This week’s question is: What can we expect from this meeting?

• A major breakthrough or agreement
• Real progress on substantive issues?
• General agreements and promises of future meetings?

Please post your thoughts on this meeting and let us know your opinion.

 

 

2013, the year of the snake has already seen tensions on the Korean peninsula the hottest in recent memory. North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs have worried her neighbors in the region. Some see this as North Korea’s Kim Jung-un consolidating his power and proving himself as a leader in time of crisis. Others see it as a cycle, with tensions now returning to the low point of the cycle.

Question: What is your opinion regarding the second half of 2013?

Do you think:

A) Tensions will again rise to a new high later this year

B) Tensions will remain about the same as now

C) Tensions will ease and genuine dialogue such as Six-Party Talks will resume.

Please post your comments here. (DP)

1.「論壇誌」アベノミクス、好発進の先　http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/book/news/20130501-OYT8T00434.htm?from=os4　（YOMIURI ONLINE)

2.アベノミクスで日本復活は嘘か http://president.jp/articles/-/9326 （PRESIDENT Online)

3.”安倍经济学”的”三支利箭”能否挽救日本经济? http://finance.chinanews.com/cj/2013/05-05/4787316.shtml (中国新闻网)

4.”安倍经济学”何去何从? http://cn.nikkei.com/columnviewpoint/columns-b/5458-20130506.html (日经中文网)

5.Could “Abenomics” become a model? http://on.aol.com/video/could-abenomics-become-a-model–517680510 (AOL On Business)

6.Can “Abenomics” fix Japan ailing economy? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21528841 (BBC NEWS ASIA)