Media Engagement

The recovery phase of the COVID-19 outbreak provides room for governments to foster a sustainable ocean economy that eradicates fisheries subsidies that promote overfishing and over-exploitation. In an article published in the World Economic Forum, Professor Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries) calls for leadership and immediate actions from governments and the WTO to combat the threats faced by our ocean’s biodiversity.

While most Canadian leaders have taken a quiet approach towards Beijing’s early handlings of COVID-19, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney openly criticizes the CCP government for their ‘significant role’ in the current global public health and economic devastation. In this The Globe and Mail article, SPPGA Professor Paul Evans comments on Kenney’s ‘surprising and inflammatory remarks’, pointing out that an independent inquiry is necessary, but ‘at the right time and in the spirit of scientific discovery’.

The COVID-19 situation has brought on not only a global health crisis, but also one of the greatest economic challenges in modern times. This East Asia Forum article co-authored by Professor Yves Tiberghien (Political Science; SPPGA) examines the interconnectivity of the world’s economy and the impacts of the outbreak on the global economic architecture.

Under the new Perikatan Nasional (PN) government led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, concerns around Malaysia’s political and economic future have sparked a series of conversations. Professor Kai Ostwald (SPPGA; Political Science) is featured in an interview by The Diplomat, in which he shares his insights on Malaysia’s sociopolitical and economic trajectories following the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, and on the challenges faced by the country in light of the COVID-19 outbreak.

In light of foreign interference allegations against China and Russia made by Canada’s all-party National Intelligence and Security Committee, SPPGA Visiting Professor Wenran Jiang cautions against the generalization that overseas Chinese communities are tools of the PRC government in a The Globe and Mail article.

Professor Yves Tiberghien (Political Science Professor; SPPGA Faculty Associate; IAR Director) speaks to the outbreak of COVID-19 and its impact on the Chinese-Canadian community. Considering the rapid human flow in and out of Canada, Professor Tiberghien says it is prudent for travelers to take precautionary measures to avoid transmission, including self-isolating.

Associate Professor Sheryl Lightfoot (SPPGA; FNIS; Political Science) is quoted in a National Post article on indigenous perspectives in STEM fields. She cites Canada’s history as the root of the knowledge gap, as indigenous people were initially not accepted into many post-secondary subject areas.

With growing fear and tension around the novel coronavirus COVID-19, some Chinese businesses are falling victim to ungrounded accusations. Professor Yves Tiberghien (SPPGA Faculty Associate; UBC Political Science) speaks to the rapid spread of misinformation online, which could, in part, be due to mistrust between people, within the community, and with the government.

SPPGA Visiting Professor Wenran Jiang contributes to an article by The Star on the U.K. announcement to allow Huawei to be a part of its 5G network construction, despite being in direct conflict with Trump’s administration.

In an interview by CTV News, SPPGA Visiting Professor Wenran Jiang shares his insights on the ‘politically motivated’ arrest of Huawei’s CFO, Meng Wanzhou, stating that Canada is ‘stuck’ amid the diplomatic tensions between China and the United States, which has unfavorable repercussions on Canada’s economic and trade relations with China.

As the next impeachment trial for Donald Trump is expected to get underway Tuesday, CSDI Acting Director Gerald Baier says this will be a teachable moment for Canadians on the differences between the US and Canadian systems.

In a CBC News article, SPPGA Professor Paul Evans speaks to the ongoing Huawei incident, claiming that the 5G decision, Meng Wanzhou’s arrest and Huawei’s involvement in Canada are three separate entities and thus should not be considered as one.

In a story for the East Asia Forum, SPPGA Associate Professor Julian Dierkes examines the current political landscape in Mongolia, the state of Mongolian finances and the impacts of the recent constitutional amendments.

As Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou’s extradition hearing is set to begin, Professor Yves Tiberghien speaks to The Canadian Press regarding the power of the justice minister to halt the extradition process.

In a Maclean’s article, Professor Max Cameron (SPPGA Acting Director; Political Science) comments on the power-sharing agreement between the NDP and the Greens, and with much at stake, it is unlikely for either to stray from their partnership.

As the climate crisis continues, oxygen levels in oceans continue to deplete at an unprecedented rate. In an article with The Guardian, Professor Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA and The UBC Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries) advocates ending overfishing in order to restore ocean ecosystems.