COLUMNIST: ZHANG QUANYI
Global Survey
Dr. Zhang Quanyi is currently an associate professor of political science at Zhejiang Wanli University. He obtained his doctorate degree in law from Shanghai International Studies University, He received his master's degree from the School of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Birmingham in Britain. He spent eight months doing field research at Yonsei University in South Korea in 2007, under a grant from the Korea Foundation, and was a visiting scholar at the Institute of Global Conflict and Cooperation at California University in San Diego, and at Ohio State University in 2006. Dr. Zhang has published numerous articles on international relations and political psychology; his articles have been widely reprinted or quoted by world media and journals, particularly by think tanks such as the U.S. Nautilus Institute and Global Politics Magazine in the United Kingdom. His research interest revolves around generation of a world state.
-
June 30, 2008Shanghai, China — North Korea’s explosion last Friday of the cooling tower at its Yongbyon nuclear plant, and the U.S. decision to remove the country from its terrorism list, indicate a more cooperative relationship developing between these two adversaries. But will it last?
-
June 24, 2008Shanghai, China — Sino-Japanese relations have always been a hot topic for those interested in security issues and international relations, due to these countries’ history of conflict. Chinese scholars advocate “new thinking” toward Japan, but there are several interpretations as to what this means.
-
June 05, 2008Shanghai, China — The magnitude of 8 earthquake erupted in Chinese Sichuan province at the time of this writing have caused the death of 69016 people, around 18830 people are still missing, and those affected have reached around 45.55.2965 millions. The Chinese government as well as the international society are still trying their utmost with the reconstruction of work, which will unlikely be finished in the short time. However through such tremendous natural disaster, some conclusions are drawn for reflections.
-
May 26, 2008Shanghai, China — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev paid a two-day visit to China over the weekend, on his first foreign trip abroad since taking office. Analysts see Medvedev’s choice to travel east rather than west as a strong indication of the new president’s foreign policy orientation.
-
May 20, 2008Shanghai, China — The whole of China went into mourning Monday afternoon at 2:28 p.m., exactly one week after a disastrous earthquake hit Sichuan province. People in every corner of the country bowed their heads for three minutes while horns honked and sirens wailed, in an outpouring of grief for the quake’s victims.
-
May 12, 2008Shanghai, China — Dmitry Medvedev, inaugurated May 7 as Russia’s new president, was chosen by former President Vladimir Putin. The very next day Putin was installed as prime minister. Many analysts conclude that Medvedev will adhere faithfully to Putin’s policies, but this could be only half right.
-
May 06, 2008Shanghai, China — On May 20 Ma Ying-jeou of Taiwan's Kuomintang party will be inaugurated as the island's new leader. This is expected to usher in a new era in Taiwanese politics, at least for the next four years, including closer relations between the island and mainland China.
-
April 30, 2008Shanghai, China — As Northeast Asia welcomes the spring, it seems that Sino-Japan relations are also entering a warming period. Chinese President Hu Jintao, who will visit Japan next week, has promised to push forward China's strategic relationship with Japan, which also appears ready to upgrade ties.
-
April 24, 2008Shanghai, China — China is experiencing a wave of anti-China protests from Tibet activists and their supporters. Feeling their country under attack, many overseas Chinese have rallied to support the passage of the Olympic Torch around the world. Inside China, calls to boycott Western shops and companies are widespread.
-
April 21, 2008Shanghai, China — Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was treated as a real star on his recent visit to China. His smiling face beamed out from various Chinese media, as he addressed students and leaders alike in fluent Chinese. Not since Henry Kissinger has a foreigner been so popular in China.
-
April 12, 2008Shanghai, China — China is facing a major challenge from within and without the country in the wake of last month's Tibetan riots. International criticism over its crackdown on the Tibetan uprising and protests that have disrupted the Olympic torch relay have been met with anger and a strong wave of Chinese nationalism.
-
April 04, 2008Shanghai, China — The victory of Taiwan's Kuomintang party in the March 22 election reflects the strong backing of the people for the party's return to power. However, it should not be seen as a failure or disgrace for the Democratic Progressive Party. A number of factors contributed to this result.
-
March 27, 2008Shanghai, China — Cuba has smoothly transferred its presidency from Fidel Castro to his brother Raul, who seems to want to implement some reforms. Cuba's situation somewhat resembles China's when it began to move toward a market economy in 1978. Will Raul Castro be the Deng Xiaoping of Cuba?
-
March 14, 2008Shanghai, China — The shooting down of a U.S. satellite by U.S. navy forces last month raised concern from other satellite-owning countries, particularly China and Russia, despite the explanation that the move was to prevent the malfunctioning satellite from crashing and spreading toxic materials on the Earth.
-
March 01, 2008Shanghai, China — Two weeks after Kosovo's declaration of independence on Feb. 17, Serbia refuses to accept the loss of its province. Russia and many states in Europe also refuse to recognize Kosovo. This lack of consensus could cause serious conflict and disrupt international order.
-
February 15, 2008Shanghai, China — Chinese media in January reported an ambitious plan to link mainland China and Taiwan by high-speed railway. It is the latest in a series of proposals to physically link the island with the mainland. The plan does not address political obstacles -- presumably these will be dealt with on a parallel track.
-
February 07, 2008Shanghai, China — An old Chinese saying goes that heavy snow predicts a good harvest next season. But China's current snow may mean just the opposite, as many crops have been destroyed in the country's worst snow in 50 years. The situation was improving somewhat as Lunar New Year dawned Thursday.
-
February 01, 2008Shanghai, China — Germany and China have restored "normal" relations, the German foreign minister said last week in Berlin. Relations had cooled since September, when German Chancellor Angela Merkel met the Dalai Lama despite the protests of the Chinese government. Now things are back on track.
-
January 25, 2008Shanghai, China — China's Ministry of Health says that life expectancy for Chinese citizens had risen to 73 by 2005 from 71.4 in 2000. This is good news for the Chinese people, who traditionally value long life. The Chinese people are also comparably much richer. But is this happiness?
-
January 18, 2008Shanghai, China — Among the goals of his just-concluded Middle East trip, U.S. President George W. Bush assigned himself the task of strengthening a coalition against Iran's ambitions. Attempting to contain Iran's rise or isolate the country may not be the best approach, however.
-
January 08, 2008Shanghai, China — The assassination of Benazir Bhutto has plunged Pakistan deeper into political crisis and triggered an orgy of violence that has killed more than 100 people and left hundreds of buildings torched. The country needs order before it can contemplate democracy.
-
December 31, 2007Shanghai, China — Two weeks before the New Year, China's State Council declared a new policy on holidays. One of the nation's three "golden week" holidays is to be eliminated, and three traditional Chinese festivals are to be revived. Is this a move to restore Chinese culture?
-
December 18, 2007Shanghai, China — For 10 years the United States has refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on limiting greenhouse gas emissions, even though 175 countries have ratified it. Last week at the U.N. climate change conference in Bali, the United States had to be pressured into signing onto a roadmap toward a new agreement by 2009.
-
December 12, 2007Shanghai, China — Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda will very likely visit China this month or early next month, and China is also preparing for President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan next year. These planned top-level visits show that both China and Japan have realized the importance of developing a healthier relationship.
-
December 04, 2007Seoul, South Korea — French President Nicolas Sarkozy's three-day visit to China last month seemed designed to show the French president's appreciation of culture. He arrived first in the former imperial city of Xian -- which was his predecessor Jacques Chirac's last stop on
-
November 29, 2007Seoul, South Korea — Seven years have passed since the last serious effort by the United States to broker Middle East peace. Will it be any different this time, after representatives from more than 40 countries met Tuesday in the historic waterfront city of Annapolis, east of
-
November 27, 2007Seoul, South Korea — Anyone who has visited South Korea will have been impressed by its integration of modernity and tradition. If Seoul is a symbol of modern Korea, Geyongju represents ancient Korea and mainstream traditional culture.Gyeongju, which lies in the eastern par
-
November 20, 2007Seoul, South Korea — Chinese President Hu Jintao extended an olive branch to Taiwan in his speech at the 17th Communist Party Congress last month, adopting a far more conciliatory tone toward the island than he has used in the past. "On the basis of the one-China principle,
-
November 16, 2007Seoul, South Korea — North Korean Premier Kim Yong II concluded his visit to South Korea Friday, after meeting his counterpart Han Duck-soo in the first meeting of top ministers of the two countries in 15 years. The two agreed to quickly implement economic cooperation measure
-
November 13, 2007Seoul, South Korea — This has been a tough year for the Chinese government. "Made in China" products, ranging from shoes and toys to toothpaste and medical products, have been found to contain toxic substances or dangerous parts, seriously affected China's export industry.
-
November 06, 2007Seoul, South Korea — U.S. President George W.
-
October 30, 2007SEOUL, South Korea — The Chinese enclave of Macau is as beautiful as a saga about her. The name "Macau" seems to be derived from the Temple of A-Ma, or Ma Kok Temple in the local Chinese dialect.
-
October 23, 2007Seoul, South Korea — Thousands of people swarmed to the Seoul City Square on Sunday to watch pop stars and other celebrities sporting the latest fall and winter fashions at the Hallyu Fall Fashion Festival. Among the star-crazed fans screaming and waving to their idols on sta
-
October 16, 2007SEOUL, South Korea — Last month Japan successfully launched a lunar probe into space, which is now circling the moon. Japan also plans to send an astronaut to the moon around the year 2016.
-
October 09, 2007Seoul, South Korea — Looking to the coming 17th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, which begins next Monday, people who have an interest in China may be expecting the Party to take steps toward democratization or to announce some kind of political reform. This
-
September 25, 2007Seoul, South Korea — Taiwan's recent move to join the United Nations under the name "Taiwan" and the demonstrations held across the island to promote this move toward independence have caused a stir in international society. "Taiwan independence" seems to be a hot topic, and
-
September 18, 2007Seoul, South Korea — The coming summit meeting on the Korean peninsula signifies another step toward reconciliation between two long-time adversaries. South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il will meet in Pyongyang in early October.
-
September 11, 2007Seoul, South Korea — The Cold War is not yet over in Asia, as evidenced by the tensions that persist on the still divided Korean peninsula. Yet before the old one is over, the curtain of a new Cold War appears to be descending in the region.
-
September 04, 2007Seoul, South Korea — China has been making much progress in almost every field since 1979. Economically the Chinese people are much better off than in 1970s.
-
August 28, 2007Seoul, South Korea — More than four years after the invasion of Iraq by U.S.-led forces, little progress has been made toward reconstructing the country. Daily suicide bomb attacks have become a routine topic; thousands of troops have lost their lives, with the Americans taki
-
August 21, 2007Seoul, South Korea — Many Western politicians and scholars, as well as some famous Chinese experts, have predicted since 1989 that communist China would follow the former Soviet Union and come to the end of its history sooner or later. Yet this expectation has proved wrong.
-
August 14, 2007Seoul, South Korea — At the end of this month, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il will hold a summit in Pyongyang. Optimists hope it will bring some progress toward denuclearization in the North, an agreement on permanent peace on the peni
-
August 09, 2007Seoul, South Korea — The Chinese Communist Party has been deeply unhappy over the moves of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party toward establishing a "Taiwan state." Yet, as the eight-year leadership of the DPP reflects, there has been a change in the Taiwanese attitude towa
-
July 31, 2007Seoul, South Korea — Ignoring orders from the Iraqi government, celebratory gunfire resounded across Baghdad and revelers poured into the streets after Iraq beat Saudi Arabia in Jakarta, Indonesia, to clinch its first Asian Cup soccer championship Sunday night. It should ha
-
July 18, 2007Seoul, South Korea — Nationalism can be considered the twin of the nation state; a unique national identity to accompany a strong national sovereignty. The inhabitants of the nation state not only live and work together, but share a common folklore, mythology, language and an
-
July 11, 2007Seoul, South Korea — The Chinese Communist Party and the Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang, share a common challenge in the pursuit of Taiwanese independence by the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan. The CCP and the KMT have long been rivals, fighting and disgracing each
-
June 20, 2007Seoul, South Korea — South Korea's Jeju Island, known as the "Island of the Gods," is an attractive vacation spot for both Koreans and foreign visitors. With its volcanic rock, frequent rains, and temperate climate, it resembles the Hawaiian Islands in the United States.
-
June 12, 2007Seoul, South Korea — U.S. President George W.
-
June 05, 2007Seoul, South Korea — Multinational companies have exerted their influence as major players in world economics and politics since the 1960s. Their role in the petroleum crisis of the 1970s raised the alarm over their capability to shape world affairs and possibly create a geop
-
May 29, 2007Seoul, South Korea — As the capital of South Korea, Seoul has witnessed the "Great Leap Forward" of Korean modernization -- its skyscraper 63 building, its TV tower at Namsan mountain, its convenient subways and its modern infrastructure all make Seoul a beautiful metropolita
-
May 25, 2007Seoul, South Korea — Names help establish our identities -- they are given to define or differentiate us from others. In different countries parents name their children according to different customs and criteria.
-
May 15, 2007SEOUL, South Korea — With the rising numbers of casualties of U.S. soldiers in Iraq, Americans, motivated particularly by Democrats, are expressing concern over the withdrawal of their troops from the country.
-
May 08, 2007Seoul, South Korea — China is a major topic for everyone with an interest in today's world politics, whether one is discussing the "China threat," its role as a "stakeholder" or its "peaceful rise." China has puzzled a good many politicians and academicians -- Nixon, Kissinge
-
May 03, 2007Seoul, South Korea — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has declared his country's withdrawal from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, claiming this move would guarantee its economic independence. Nothing could be more ridiculous than this assertion.The world
-
May 01, 2007Seoul, South Korea — The trauma of the Virginia Tech shootings has not yet passed; those who lost loved ones still face incredible sadness, the victims' teachers and classmates still may have nightmares. Americans are in tears, the world is in mourning.
-
April 25, 2007Seoul, South Korea — In initiating his campaign for the next Taiwan presidency, Ma Ying-jeou, the ambitious Kuomintang (KMT) candidate, killed two birds with one stone: he gained the backing of the KMT and the New Party, and he stirred Beijing's anticipation of his future pre