Current Events

I recently read on the LA TIMES an article written by Julie Makinen. John Kerry (US Sec. of State) is in Beijing urging action for a diplomatic solution in the South China Sea. China is defending its land reclamation and construction activities in the South China Sea. Kerry is urging Beijing to reduce tension and increase the likelihood of a diplomatic solution. Both Kerry and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, are trying to focus on points that both the US and China agree upon prior to Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to the US in September. The US and its allies in the region are concerned that the Chinese are trying to exert control over this important and strategic waterway. Some in the US military are trying to present military patrol options to emphasize that these are international waters and not Chinese. Although China is not alone in claiming control over some parts of the South China Sea, US officials believe that Chinas' creation of over 2000 acres represents a much larger concern. According to the author, the South China Sea issue is not the only US-China disagreement. There is also concern about the China -led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. US was recently embarrassed when key allies chose to join the new development bank.S
It will be interesting to find out if the US and China are able to focus on points of agreement. However, I feel that the South China Sea issue is one that will continue to cause friction between these two superpowers. After all, the South China Sea issue has been around for many decades. I don't anticipate this being diplomatically resolved any time soon.
Students of all ages, would certainly find this information useful in further understanding US-China relations. It would be interesting to provide them research questions about the South China Sea and encourage a class debate. The debate questions could be centered on "Should the US send warships to the South China Sea to make clear that these are international waters'? Please discuss the political, economic and diplomatic ramifications. I feel this would be an interesting discussion. Further, it would provide a unique learning experience for students.

This is a t.v. show on ABC that talks deals with a Chinese family living in the states. It's a comedy that deals with aspects of Chinese Americans growing up in the late 1990s. I wonder if Chinese people find the show offensive.

Recently I read a Time Magazine article focusing on China's separate Internet for the 649 million Chinese, "The Other side of the Great Firewall." The ruling communist power has managed to censor its population from the likes of google, twitter, facebook, etc. Its system of online censorship is commonly known as the great firewall. This great firewall blocks its population from viewing material deemed dangerous to the state. Although, the state is able to censor the global net, many Chinese companies are thriving in this internet ecosystem. This is attributed to the more than 1.3 billion people that energize its economy. Many wonder how long China can maintain this Chinese Intranet. Will China have to reduce global internet censorship or will it have to integrate with the rest of the world. Only time will tell how Chinese leaders will manage and control this western influence on their citizenry.

Freedom of information and thought is a scary thing for Russia, China and North Korea...