Monthly Archives: October 2021

Asia and the Maritime Conflicts Part I

Why are there so many acute conflicts over the demarcation of sea areas in Asia right now? In European eyes, some of them appear almost incomprehensible, and the drama around them evokes wonder. The warring parties seem to lack the ability to quell the conflicts – not to mention finding solutions to them. In addition,… Read More »

China Contemporary Literature (since 1949)

As of 1949, Chinese literature was divided into two obvious and two other less obvious camps. First there is the mainland and Taiwan, then there is Hong Kong and Macau and finally the overseas Chinese. An exodus took place in 1949, but those who went to Taiwan or Hong Kong often went on to America… Read More »

What is Income Inequality?

Income inequality is again in the spotlight. Earlier this year, The World Economic Forum (a gathering of political leaders and business leaders from around the world) stated that the growing gap between rich and poor is the biggest risk factor for the global economy in the years to come. In the media we can also… Read More »

People’s Republic of China Part V

After fifteen years of negotiations, China (in connection with further opening up and liberalization of the economy) achieved its admission to the WTO as the 143rd member on November 10, 2001 (in force since December 11, 2001). With the first manned Chinese flight into space on 15./16. 10. 2003 (multiple orbits of the earth by… Read More »

Ethnic Cleansing in Myanmar Part III

Chief of Defense Min Aung Hlaing adheres to the letter of the Constitution. He does not take orders from any state adviser, only from the president. The constitution also gives him the right to oppose the president’s order if he believes the country’s national security is threatened. Suu Kyi does not want to lead the… Read More »

People’s Republic of China Part IV

In 1992 China, a country located in Asia according to ethnicityology.com, formally acceded to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and advocated a future nuclear test ban agreement, but refused to participate in a 1992 moratorium on nuclear weapons tests agreed by the US, Russia, Great Britain and France. However, after a Chinese nuclear test in June… Read More »

Travel to Dominica

Dominica is known as the “Caribbean Nature Island”. Small rodents called agouti dart around the ground in search of nuts, in the trees green, red and blue parrots and butterflies as large as palms circle the flowering shrubs. The forests at the top of Dominica’s volcanoes are shrouded in constant fog, the lakes boil and… Read More »

Ethnic Cleansing in Myanmar Part II

In 2012, Rakhine activists launched violent attacks on Muslim neighborhoods in Rakhine’s capital, Sittwe. About 120,000 Rohingya were then imprisoned in camps just outside the city, where they still live. In a 2014 census, everyone in Myanmar was asked about their ethnicity, but Rohingya were not allowed to answer. As a result, the census could… Read More »

People’s Republic of China Part III

The downside of the economic upswing was the previously unknown inflation, corruption and the increase in serious crime, which the government fought with mass executions. The restrictive measures of the reform course included the ban on wall newspapers (1979), the elimination of the right to strike from the constitution (1982) and the administratively decreed “one-child… Read More »

Travel to Australia

Australia is known for its long beaches and huge waves that attract daring surfers from all over the world. But the great country is much more than surfing and beaches. These include lightning-fast, up to six meters long saltwater crocodiles, cute koalas, eucalyptus trees in a variety of varieties and modern, multicultural cities. See trips… Read More »

Ethnic Cleansing in Myanmar Part I

Since August 2017, the army in Myanmar has forced around 600,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee across the border into Bangladesh. An unknown number have been killed. Aung San Suu Kyi, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 and now heads the civilian part of Myanmar’s government, has failed to criticize the army’s conduct.… Read More »

People’s Republic of China Part II

In the following terrorist and purge campaign, carried out by Red Guards and spreading across the country, the party and state apparatus was largely smashed, but not the internal party anti-Maoist opposition in the provinces. When the resistance against the terror of the runaway Red Guards threatened to spark a civil war, the army intervened… Read More »

Philippines History: From Magellan’s Discovery to Independence

Although the Portuguese had already landed in Mindanao, the discoverer of the Philippines is considered Magellan, who arrived there from the east during the first voyage of circumnavigation of the globe (March 16, 1521) and called them “islands of San Lazzaro”. In 1542 Ruy López de Villalobos landed in Mindanao and Leyte and baptized them… Read More »

Travel to Burma

People and oxen wade around in mud up to their knees on the green rice fields. Thick bamboo trunks flow quietly down the Pegu River. Dressed elephants drag heavy tree trunks from teak and rubber plantations, and Buddhist monks in burgundy-red robes walk the streets with empty food bowls that the people reverently fill with… Read More »

Chinese Theater Part II

20th century – development of spoken theater The spoken theater only became known at the beginning of the 20th century. One impulse came from the movement of May 4, 1919, with which spoken theater moved into the center of interest alongside prose; it seemed capable of illuminating everyday life, the problems of the individual and… Read More »

People’s Republic of China Part I

Communist transformation (1949-64) On October 1, 1949, Mao Zedong proclaimed the People’s Republic of China and headed the state as President of the Central Council of the People’s Government. Zhou Enlai became Prime Minister. According to the specific interpretation of Marxism-Leninism by Mao (Maoism), the party and state leadership initiated a radical transformation of state… Read More »

Iran Economy

The advent of while 90% lived in more or less desperate conditions. In particular, agriculture was placed in the global framework of the country as an immense pocket of backwardness and marginalization, while food self-sufficiency was far from being achieved. The advent of while 90% lived in more or less desperate conditions. In particular, agriculture… Read More »

Attractions in Sri Lanka

Up in the mountains it is eternal spring, the monkeys swing between the trees and the water cascades of the rivers rush down towards the palm beaches. Buddhist temples and monasteries make their mark on the entire island. Sri Lanka breathes peace and quiet. Relaxation is something that is prioritized by both residents and visitors.… Read More »

Chinese Theater Part I

chinese theater [ç-]. Until the introduction of spoken theater in the early 20th century, the Chinese theater was a musical theater with fixed roles. This emerged from the combination of religious ritual, courtly ceremonial dance and circus-like games as well as various kinds of musical performances. Traditionally, the position of the playwright in Chinese society… Read More »

China Ancient History Part X

From the end of the 18th century, uprisings from secret groups spread throughout the empire; in western China the sect “White Lotus” (1796–1804) dominated, in south- western China the non-Chinese Miao rose, and the Muslim population of western China (Hui) reacted in the mid-19th century with revolts to the displacement by land-hungry Chinese settlers. The… Read More »

Travel to Portugal

The light is dimmed, the candles flicker, a chair scrapes against the floor. The silhouettes of a trio take their places below the bar. Devotional silence in a room that only a few seconds earlier resounded with loud conversations. The violin strikes the beat and the singer fills the room with her powerful, nasal voice.… Read More »

Chinese Ancient Literature Part II

The same applies to the next epoch-making work, the “Songs of the South” (Chuci). These are traditionally set for the period before the end of antiquity and are partly ascribed to the first Chinese poet Qu Yuan (* around 340, † 278) who can be identified by name. In one case or another, however, they… Read More »

China Ancient History Part IX

Qing (Ch’ing, 1644-1911 / 12) The rise of the Tungusian Manchu, who settled in Manchuria (descendants of the Jurds who ruled northern China in the 12th and beginning of the 13th centuries) to become an East Asian great power began at the end of the 16th century with the unification of the tribes that had… Read More »

Somalia Economy

At the time of independence (1960), Somalia, very poor in natural resources and almost entirely inhabited by nomads mainly dedicated to livestock farming, presented the typical characteristics of a country that had hitherto been subject to colonial rule. Some basic infrastructures had been built (canalization works and other irrigation works, opening of roads, improvements to… Read More »

Norway and China Part I

In 2010, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo. The award sparked a diplomatic conflict between China and Norway – a conflict unparalleled in modern China’s relations with Western countries. But just before Christmas 2016 came the message many have long hoped for : Prime Minister Solberg has been invited to… Read More »

Norway and China Part II

5: Economic consequences of the freeze Trade between Norway and China has increased considerably in recent decades, especially since China became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001 . In 2015, China was the third largest country of origin for imports to Norway, and number nine on the list of countries to… Read More »

Journalism, War and Peace Part I

This year, the Nobel Peace Prize goes to two critical journalists who daily risk a lot to defend human rights and democracy. It is also an encouragement to independent critical journalists around the world. Who are this year’s winners? What is the connection between journalism and democracy? What challenges does journalism face? How can journalism… Read More »

Journalism, War and Peace Part II

5: Four out of five journalist killers go free In the last thirty years, 58 journalists have been killed in Russia , while 87 have been killed in the Philippines . Russia is currently ranked 150th in the World Press Freedom Index , while the Philippines is 137th. The list includes 180 countries. Both in… Read More »

Bloody Conflicts in Thailand Part I

Since 2001, there have been uprisings among Malay Muslims in southern Thailand, with more than 4,000 killed in total. Since 2008, Cambodian and Thai troops have been fighting five times over a border area in eastern Thailand, near the Preah Vihear Cambodian temple. Both soldiers and civilians have been killed. Since 2008, there have also… Read More »

Bloody Conflicts in Thailand Part II

The Red Shirt movement (The United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship) was organized in 2006 in response to the military coup. It fights for the rights of the poor and for the restoration of democracy. Many in the movement want Thaksin back. The red shirts are strong in the populous northern and northeastern Thailand and… Read More »