China's military challenge   

Will China's development of new weapons counter the dominance of U.S. forces in the Asia-Pacific region — in space, at sea and, most recently, in the air? (The Japan Times)

(click on the headline to continue)  

Changing states of mind   

Chinese President Hu Jintao will pay a state visit later this month to Washington where he will hold talks with US President Barack Obama. The balance of power between China and the United States has undergone significant changes since Hu's first visit in 2006. Now China has surpassed Japan as the world's second-largest economy, while US belief in its own superiority has been undermined by protracted anti-terrorism campaigns, the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s, the polarization of domestic politics and rising dissatisfaction from low-and middle-income groups. (China Daily)

(click on the headline to continue)  

No Room For Complacency   

UNFPA's State of World Population 2010 and UNDP's Human Development Report 2010 were recently released and there is good and bad news for Asia. The good news is that women are giving birth to fewer children, babies born in most countries survive to celebrate their first birthday and indeed can expect to live longer than any time in history, and contraceptive use is as comparable to the developed world. With a young population, and thus a large number in the productive compared to the dependent ages, Asia is in an ideal position to reap the demographic dividend. And its economic boom is its crowning glory. But there is bad news too. Asia's averages are misleading, and conveniently cover up the inequities that persist within countries, between regions, between rich and poor, and between men and women. (The Times of India)

(click on the headline to continue)  

Vietnam Presses the Flesh in Asia   

But are its efforts to bolster ties with the US and Asian nations only about containing China—and protecting its territorial interests? (The Diplomat)

(click on the headline to continue)  

India’s moment of truth   

Like China, India emerged largely unscathed from the impact of global financial meltdown to grow at an impressive 6.7 per cent in 2008-09. This was a performance that ranked second only to China’s: although lower than the 9 per cent growth achieved in the three years immediately before. In 2009-10, the growth rate was 7.2 per cent and it appears likely to be over 8 per cent in 2010-11. (East Asia Forum)

(click on the headline to continue)  

Let the debate begin   

Past attempts to amend the Constitution failed because of widespread public suspicion that such change was meant to achieve no higher purpose than to prolong the stay in office of the incumbent president, from Fidel Ramos to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Today the pendulum has swung the other way, with President Benigno Aquino III disavowing any desire to remain in Malacañang even one minute longer than his term requires—a promise everyone can believe from the most reluctant candidate for the highest office Filipinos have ever known—and yet the prospect of Charter change remains as remote as ever. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

(click on the headline to continue)  

Can Indonesia turn ASEAN into a global player?   

For the record, 2011 will be an exciting year for ASEAN – based on the must-do list the new ASEAN chair has vowed to accomplish at regional and international levels. In its second week, Indonesia has taken the chair with a confidence and relish rarely witnessed in ASEAN’s over four-decade history, coupled with a blueprint to push the grouping into the global limelight. Jakarta’s enthusiasm has already drawn praise from the secretary-general of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, who complimented the chair’s preparedness to be “engaged, proactive, using the ASEAN platform to enhance ASEAN’s profile in the global arena”. (The Nation)

(click on the headline to continue)  

Right now, India should not get distracted by geopolitical issues   

Kishore Mahbubani, dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore and a China expert, is in New Delhi to attend the ninth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas—an annual gathering of the Indian diaspora. In an interview, he spoke about India’s engagement with China and South-East Asia. (Live Mint)

(click on the headline to continue)  

Will the (Six)Party Resume?   

After an extremely tense ending to 2010, one that brought the two Koreas to the brink of war, in the first days of 2011 East Asia has experienced unusually intense diplomatic activity – Mr. Bosworth, President’s Obama special envoy for North Korea traveled to Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing, Chinese and Japanese Foreign Ministers visited the U.S., while the U.S. Defense Secretary held talks in China.  One of the major topics discussed was how to prevent further escalation of the conflict in Northeast Asia. These meetings served as a preparation ground for Chinese President’s Hu visit to the U.S., beginning January 19.

China's Confucius Institutes: Crossing the River by Feeling the Stones   

Many observers view China's overseas Confucius Institutes as the most visible symbols of China's growing soft power, and a tool for the country to expand its international influence and advance its public diplomacy agenda.  (Asia Pacific Bulletin)

(click on the headline to continue)