East Asia
APEC Summit: Biden’s Bittersweet Meeting with Xi Jinping
On Wednesday, Nov. 15, US President Joe Biden hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Filoli Estate in San Francisco for a four hour one-on-one discussion. The meeting comes amidst the backdrop of this year’s Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit where leaders from twenty-one Asian-Pacific nations gather to discuss economic cooperation and trade integration.
Changes in Rhetoric to China's Women's Congress Push Patriarchal Values
A patriarchal agenda dominated China’s 13th National Women’s Congress this year. The Congress, held every five years, has largely symbolized the Chinese Communist Party’s dedication to gender equality and women’s rights.
Japan and South Korea Deepen Clean Energy Cooperation
As threats loom and energy resources grow scarce, Japan and South Korea find themselves increasingly pushed together - despite their historical animus.
Economic Meltdown: China Faces Capital Outflow
For the first time in twenty-five years, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into China has fallen below zero. That is, there is more capital currently leaving China for other markets, than there is foreign capital being invested into China, a phenomenon called capital outflow.
North Korea Sends Mass Munitions Shipments to Russian Military
As Ukraine struggles to keep the world’s attention on its struggle against Russian forces, one country has seemingly continued to pay attention: North Korea.
A New Chapter: Japan and South Korea Soften Relations
On Sunday Oct. 21, Japan, South Korea, and the US conducted their first joint aerial exercise near the Korean Peninsula. The exercise comes on the heels of revived tensions between North Korea and its two Northeast Asian neighbors, as well as continued efforts to soften South Korean-Japanese relations due to the growing threat of China.
The Plight of Japan’s Imperial Family
For years, Japan’s imperial family has struggled to find heirs. Now, the Japanese government hopes to reform the system, and in doing so, preserve a lineage that claims to have stood for over 2,000 years.
Belt and Road Forum: More Than Infrastructure
China continued its push for an alternative international environment at the third Belt and Road Initiative forum this past week. The conference took place from October 17 to 18, hosting two dozen world leaders and delegations from more than 100 countries, where they discussed the global infrastructure and development endeavor that began a decade ago.
China vies for Middle East Influence through Palestinian Support
In 1965, China became the first non-Arab nation to forge ties with the Palestinians. A couple decades later in 1988, China officially recognized Palestinian statehood.
Breaking Up the Unification Church of Japan
Last year’s assassination of the Japanese former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe launched a year-long examination into the Unification Church, ending on Friday, October 13, 2023, with the Japanese government officially asking the Tokyo District Court to legally dissolve the Church.
Taiwan Examines Israel-Hamas Conflict, Searching for Insight
Countries all around the world are watching the war between Israel and Hamas — and Taiwan is no exception.
China Ramps up Efforts to Tackle its Population Crisis
On Tuesday October 10, 2023, Chinese state media announced the CCP’s plan to conduct a nationwide survey to “monitor China’s population developmental changes and provide a basis for the Communist party… to formulate… population related policies.” The survey comes as China begins to see its long-growing population begin to shrink for the first time in six decades.
The Increasingly Active Foreign Policy of Japan
On April 3rd and 4th, South Korea, the U.S., and Japan held a joint military drill in the sea of Japan.
Russian and Chinese Presidents Meet Despite ICC Warrant
Chinese President Xi Jingping left Russia on the 22nd after holding two days of in person discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, ending the 40th occasion the two leaders have met in person in the past decade.
Korean President Yoon Meets with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida
President Yoon Suk-yeol flew to Tokyo to meet Prime Minister Kishida on March 16th, which is the first official Korea-Japan summit in 12 years.
China Floats Politically Charged Mediation in Ukraine
Feb. 24 was an auspicious day in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict; the date marked one year since hostilities, and nine years since the Russian partition of Crimea. On that day in 2023, China made its first major offer of mediation to the embattled nations.
Possible Arrest of Lee Jae Myung and the Fate of the Korean Democratic Party
President Yoon of South Korea approved the request to arrest Korean Democratic Party leader Lee Jae Myung on February 20th.
Nationwide Protests set China to loosen COVID restrictions
A fire in a high rise building in Urumqi, China sparked rare nationwide protests against the state’s harsh coronavirus restriction policies.
North Korea Launches Another Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Test
This Friday, North Korea launched a new Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) that is reported to be its strongest yet. The missile, speculated to be Hwasong-17, is reported to have landed near the waters of Japan’s northernmost island Hokkaido.
Increased Political Polarization among Korean media and the Fall of MBC
Korea’s political landscape has become increasingly polarized since President Park’s political scandal and President Moon’s inauguration before Yoon took hold of office this year.