While the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict has put the two countries under the spotlight, another country, China, has also been repeatedly mentioned in the war. As the only major power showing ambiguity of the attitude towards Russia’s invasion of … Continue reading
Ruolan Ma
Ruolan is in her last year at McGill University, majoring in Political Science and Economics. As a staff writer of Catalyst, she is particularly interested in the economic policies in Asia and the politics of authoritarian regimes.
The 2022 Beijing Olympics: China’s Tool to Consolidate Its Authoritarianism
More than a decade later, China has become even more powerful politically and economically, and Beijing became the only city in the world that held both summer and winter Olympics. However, the 2022 winter Olympics led to more drama than the 2008 summer Olympics, which was ignited by the long-standing debate on China's authoritarianism and suspected human rights violations.
The Release of Huawei’s Executive: Thaw of Diplomatic Tensions?
Finally, after three years of negotiation impasse, Meng Wanzhou was released after she reached a deal with US prosecutors. Many optimists interpret this compromise as a thaw of the diplomatic tension among China, Canada, and the US. However, warning signs should be drawn from this incident.
Nationalism, Discrimination, and Monopolizing Power: The Inseparable Relationship Between Politics and The Olympics
The Olympic Games are not only a showcase for athletes but also the perfect platform for activists to attract the world's attention to their political concerns. Oftentimes, significant circumstances turn athletes into political activists, representatives, and spokesperson for their country.
China’s LGBT Communities: Exploring The Chinese “Gay City”
According to Chinese sociologist Wei Wei, Chengdu’s healthy LGBT community is credited to its successful change of “place to space”. Indeed, China’s rapid economic development creates a hotbed for the spread of consumerism, which is especially salient in Chengdu, the beneficiary of the Great Western Development Strategy, which made Chengdu the regional economic development center. One of the many results of consumerism is the emergence of entertainment establishments. However, for people who are oppressed for their identity and would like to meet like-minded people, these establishments are entitled with a different meaning —these places are haven-like spaces in which they can fully express themselves without other people’s judgment and where they can still have fulfilling social lives.
India vs. China: Two Nations’ Struggle For Better Vaccine Diplomacy
The Sino-Indian border dispute being at a standstill, the two rising nations are now competing not through violence, but by asserting their power through international influence, such as through vaccine diplomacy. While there are humanitarian and altruistic purposes involved, the political ambition behind the campaign of exporting COVID-19 vaccines to neighbouring countries is worth discussing.
From The Sick Man of Asia To Economic Miracle: China’s Poverty Alleviation Program
Reflecting on the 40 years of exploration, it is clear that China uses its unique approach of centralized management, intensive and targeted goals, and strategically adapts to local conditions to transform from an insignificant global economic competitor to the second-largest economy in the world.
The Global Community’s Response to Japan’s Fukushima Water Release Plan
The Japanese government plans to release the tritium-tainted water into the Pacific Ocean in small amounts over the next 30 years. However, the plan has received an overflowing of criticism from Japanese citizens and those abroad.
The Myth of the Oriental Beauty: The History of the Hypersexualization of Asian Women
After nearly 200 years, Asian women are still not being given the respect and dignity that they deserve, all because of a sick and incorrect stereotype. When will the world stop seeing Asian women through this hypersexualizing and dehumanizing filter?
The Myanmar Coup: An Interview With A Myanmar Citizen
To get a better sense of this incident on the ground, Catalyst interviewed a 28-year old Burmese citizen living in Yangon.