Asia Pacific - Catalyst

The Axis of Evil: America’s Interference with “Rogue States”

March 24, 2022March 14, 2022 Alexander Morris-Schwarz

As shown by the history of the Cold War, the threat of mutually assured destruction is the most effective way to deter the United States from forcing its influence upon a sovereign nation. If any other country were in their shoes, they would be foolish not to do the same. Not only is the United States utterly ill-suited to perform the role of world police, they are perhaps the most powerful rogue state to ever exist.

The 2022 Beijing Olympics: China’s Tool to Consolidate Its Authoritarianism

February 25, 2022February 25, 2022 Ruolan Ma

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.

South Korea-Japan Relations: Will the Hostility Ever End?

December 2, 2021March 14, 2022 Hailey Lee

The mutual animosities between Japan and South Korea remain hostile and unresolved, tied to lingering wounds that have not yet been healed from a century ago. The most critical dispute rooted in the history of these two nations is the “comfort women” crisis — tens of thousands of women across Asia, most of them Korean, were sent into military brothels to service Japanese soldiers as sex slaves.

The Release of Huawei’s Executive: Thaw of Diplomatic Tensions?

November 27, 2021November 27, 2021 Ruolan Ma

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.

Woman or Womb?: The Ongoing Exploitation of Chinese Women’s Bodies

November 19, 2021November 22, 2021 Maria Lima Fernandes

In China, a lack of protective legislation against domestic violence and women’s lack of freedom and access to reproductive health is a major concern. Most importantly, and perhaps less acknowledged, is the decades-long, government-provoked trauma faced by women in China in terms of reproductive restrictions.

Taiwan: Is “Meaningful Representation” Possible?

November 7, 2021November 6, 2021 Laurie Chan

Through the lens of history, Taiwan has always been a part of China - will history repeat itself or will Taiwan pave a new way?

Southeast Asia’s Post-COVID-19 School Re-openings: Exposing Institutional Inequalities

October 30, 2021October 31, 2021 Sokhema Sreang

Indeed, many instances of educational inequity have resulted in children from Global South countries not being able to attend school at all.

Nationalism, Discrimination, and Monopolizing Power: The Inseparable Relationship Between Politics and The Olympics

September 20, 2021 Ruolan Ma

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”

September 15, 2021November 10, 2021 Ruolan Ma

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

July 9, 2021November 10, 2021 Ruolan Ma

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.

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