East Asia
Shanghai in Lockdown: How Long Will China’s No-COVID Policy Last?
Since our article last week reporting on the recent Chinese lockdown, authorities have instituted several changes to the previously announced plan.
Shanghai in Lockdown: A Strain on the Zero-COVID Policy
On Sunday, March 27, officials in Shanghai announced that the city would be reentering lockdown after the city recorded a record-high number of new cases since the initial appearance of COVID-19 in the country -- 2,678 cases.
Japan’s Response to Ukraine: A Surprisingly Tough Reaction
When Japan imposed sanctions against Russia immediately following the invasion of Ukraine, it broke from a long held “soft” approach to Russian diplomacy.
Beijing announces lowest growth target in 30 years amid rising challenges
China recently unveiled its new economic projections in its annual Two Sessions meeting, which draws delegates from across the country to announce national economic policies for the upcoming year.
Anger Turned into Assault: South Korean Party Leader Attacked Ahead of Presidential Election
On Monday, Song Young-gil, the Chairman of South Korea’s leading party, the Democratic Party, was attacked while campaigning for the upcoming presidential election.
Korea’s Presidential Election Impacted by Candidate Scandal and Ukraine
South Korea, with its presidential election taking place in less than a week, is experiencing various scandals surrounding its candidates as well as a global conflict of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Chinese Warplanes Reported in Taiwan Airspace as Tensions Continue to Rise
On Thursday, Feb. 24, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported nine Chinese warplanes in their Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
Hong Kong’s COVID Surge Shows the Adverse Impact of “Zero COVID”
Hong Kong has recorded its highest number of daily COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began in 2020. Prior to last week, the city had only reached a peak of 2,000 daily cases.
Afghan Refugees in South Korea Resurface Past Controversy
Since the Taliban seized power of Afghanistan in August of 2021, some Afghans have found asylum in an unlikely host country - South Korea.
Straddling Two Cultures: Chinese-Americans in the Olympics
Despite freezing temperatures on the slopes of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Chinese discourse over the role of American-born Chinese athletes in the Olympics have become incredibly heated this year.
Controversy in Beijing Olympics
A woman dressed in a traditional Korean dress at the opening ceremony of the Beijing winter Olympics received condemnation from South Korea for cultural appropriation.
Russia and China Approve Gas Pipeline to Decrease Dependence on the West
On Feb. 4, Russian company Gazprom agreed a 30 year deal, selling 10 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas a year to the Chinese state-owned company CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation).