Asia

Three independent UN human rights experts, including Professor David Boyd (SPPGA; IRES) expressed deep regret over Japan’s decision to discharge potentially radioactive Fukushima nuclear plant water into the ocean, impacting millions across the Pacific.

Professor Heidi Tworek (SPPGA; History) provides a stirring account of how Taiwan was able to adopt a unique communication strategy to swiftly tackle the pandemic and breaks down six lessons Canada could learn from.

In its 14th five-year plan, China laid out its vision for how the country’s post-pandemic recovery can help assert its economic rise. Professor Paul Evans is quoted in The Logic on the US-China power struggle.

SPPGA Professor Paul Evans describes the relationship between China and Canada as a “painful moment,” and believes that a new and more active way of engaging discussion surrounding China is important for redefining the bilateral relationship.

In recent months, public reports detailing potential human rights abuses in Tibet have come to light. Now Canada must determine its position on Tibet, says MPPGA student Nicolas Jensen, despite the existing strain on the Canadian-Chinese relationship.

Complete transition to cooking gas reduces gender inequality by improving women’s respiratory health. Professor Milind Kandlikar’s (SPPGA; IRES) co-written paper says that improving the affordability, supply and reliability of clean fuels should be a key focus.

Professor Paul Evans comments on the new Canadian-led international declaration denouncing state-sponsored arbitrary detention of foreign nationals for political purposes (Cantonese).

“The Canadian prime minister was using his father’s playbook when it came to China. But the game has changed.” Professors Paul Evans and Yves Tiberghien (SPPGA Faculty Associate; Political Science) share their insights.

Mongolia’s success in curbing the pandemic has highlighted the wasted economic potential of its abundant livestock resources, which SPPGA Professor Julian Dierkes says needs drastic branding and quality control improvements.

Political Science Prof. Yves Tiberghien (SPPGA Faculty Associate), comments on the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, highlighting the trade battle between the US and China, and the pressing issue of the two Michaels.

The Calgary Zoo says goodbye to its two pandas due to a shortage of bamboo. Prof. Paul Evans comments on the departure of the pair that symbolized the friendship between Canada and China as they return to Beijing.

The detention of Chinese-born Australian journalist Cheng Lei has highlighted the risk to foreign nationals from so-called “hostage diplomacy”. SPPGA Professor Paul Evans asserts that detention is a cruel and counterproductive tactic in the South China Morning Post.

Lawyers for Huawei’s CFO Meng Wanzhou urged Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes to release 37 key documents that could show that the RCMP violated Meng’s rights when they arrested her in 2018. SPPGA Professor Paul Evans speaks with The Logic.

“Myanmar’s use of colonial-era administrative boundaries as the basis for electoral constituencies creates a staggering degree of malapportionment that meets or exceeds the world’s highest levels,” Professor Kai Ostwald (SPPGA & Political Science) and UBC PhD student Constant Courtin state in ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute (ISEAS).

Professor Timothy Cheek (SPPGA; UBC Department of History; IAR) was quoted about Reading the China Dream, a website that gives voice to a stream of Chinese political thought that is probably more influential than liberals thought.

Last Friday, Mongolia held its 8th regular parliamentary election. Bulgan Batdorj (SPPGA staff; incoming UBC Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability PhD student) provides a breakdown of the Mongolian People’s Party’s landslide victory and what it could mean for the country’s future.

Chinese and Indian soldiers were killing each other in a bloody border clash. Hong Kong passed a new security law that empowers Beijing to potentially arrest and detain anyone. In the wake of controversy, SPPGA Professor Paul Evans asks, “What does it mean to be a friend of China?” in New Bloom.

The US Department of State announced on June 3 about the launch of its Mongolia project aimed to elevate the role of women and youth in civil society and the political process. East-West Center in Washington cites a study from our MPPGA Mongolia research team at UBC.

Against the backdrop of accumulating voter frustration towards established political parties, the 2020 Mongolian election sparks a surge of new candidates for parliament. SPPGA Associate Professor Julian Dierkes shares his insights on the unexpected shift in Mongolia’s political culture and the socioeconomic concerns in various media outlets.

Find a compilation of SPPGA Visiting Professor Wenran Jiang’ media appearances from various news outlets speaking on the Huawei Extradition Ruling. Media appearances range from May 27 onwards.

Multiple news outlets featured Professor Yves Tiberghien (UBC Political Science; SPPGA Faculty Associate) about how the court decision on Meng Wanzhou’s extradition will affect Canada’s relationship with China and the U.S.

Voter frustration has led to a surge in new candidates running in Mongolia’s June 24th parliamentary election, say SPPGA Professor Julian Dierkes and Bulgan Batdorj (SPPGA staff; incoming UBC Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability PhD student) Read more at The Diplomat Magazine.

How do Mongolian youth view democracy? How does that impact youth civic engagement? An MPPGA student research team heads to Ulaanbaatar’s Nalaikh District and shares findings from their youth engagement study in The Diplomat.

Researchers say images, documents sent between international users are being used to train the app’s censorship algorithm. SPPGA Professor Paul Evans comments for CBC.

Diaspora communities often play an important role in responding to disasters in their home countries. SPPGA Associate Professor Sara Shneiderman (UBC Anthropology) cowrites the first ever scholarly introduction to the Nepali community of BC.