Asian Countries of Interest

8/12/2019 Asian Countries of Interest

1/10

Asian Countries of Interest (China, Burma, Indonesia, Taiwan, Japan, Fiji)

Burma

Foreign Trade

International investment may help open societies and bring democratic change in somecountries. In Burma, however, foreign trade and investment helps perpetuate the rule of a

repressive, unelected junta. Full foreign ownership of companies operating in Burma is

forbidden and almost all large investment in Burma is carried out through joint ventures

with the military regime

While very few Burmese benefit from foreign investment, the ruling military junta, theState Peace and Development Council (known from 1988-1997 as the State Law and Order

Restoration Council, or SLORC) has

imported well over $2 billion in weapons

since 1989

Under a democratic governmentuntil 1962, Burma made slow but steady

economic progress comparable to that of

other developing nations

A 1962 army coup put Burma on avery different course. The military-

dominated Burma Socialist Programme

Party (BSPP) adopted the "Burmese Way

to Socialism," which imposed central

planning and rejected foreign capital, as

the official state ideology for a quarter

century

As its Southeast Asian neighbors experienced explosive growth and foreign investment,Burma became isolated, xenophobic, and increasingly impoverished

Logging concessions were sold to Thai interests, and great swaths of Burmese rain forestwere felled for fast profits. Permission for nearly unregulated commercial fishing in

Burmese waters, with devastating results, was granted for up-front fees paid in hard

currency

In addition to immediate hard currency earnings that the generals receive in signing andlicense fees and commissions, foreign investments offer a degree of international

respectability to a regime with one of the world's worst human rights records

The greater the stakes held by American and European companies, the less likely are theirgovernments to take a strong stand against even a cruelly dictatorial regime

In 2008, more than 80 percent of the country's export-import trade was with Asiannations, including about half with ASEAN countries. Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and China

are its major trading partners.

Singapore is the single most important partner both in terms of imports and exports,providing 31 percent of imports and taking 10 percent of exports. There has been a decline

in trade with Europe and the United States since the 1988 military crackdown on the

democracy movement. Burma's export-import trade with the United States constitutes

about 5 percent of the total foreign trade.

The country's exports are mostly agricultural products. They include pulses and beans,teak, prawns, rubber, rice and other agricultural products. There is a large black market

that smuggles live animals, gems, minerals, teak, and rice into the neighboring countries


2/10

Foreign Relations:

The United States has placed broad sanctions on Burma because of themilitary crackdownin 1988 and the military regime's refusal to honour the election results of the 1990

People's Assembly election. Similarly, the European Union has placed embargoes on

Burma, including an arms embargo, cessation of trade preferences, and suspension of all

aid with the exception ofhumanitarian aid.

While Burma's presence in ASEAN was seen as a test of the organizationsphilosophy ofconstructive engagement, the presence of Burma in ASEAN however has started to be seen

as an embarrassment to the organization, because of Burma's human rights record and

lack of democracy

ASEAN will not defend Burma at any international forum following the military regime'srefusal to restore democracy

PRC: Whilst Burma currently is largely supported (particularly militarily by China) it can beproved in a debate that ASEAN or the world more generally sanctioning Burma could

persuade China to follow suit (i.e. it doesnt care that much about Burma that it wouldnt

move in the face of international condemnation).

Proof: Border war in the 1950s and 1960s, Burma opposed invasion of Tibet, CCPsupported the Burmese Communist Party which the junta have clamped down upon,

Burma has long standing ties to Taiwan. In recent years, China has shown a lack of

willingness to back the Burmese government and has attempted to stabilize the political

situation in Burma

Counter-Proof: Burma was the first non-Communist country to recognize the Communist-led People's Republic of China after its foundation in 1949, Bilateral trade between China

and Burma exceeds $1.4 billion, Chinese imports to Myanmar typically focus around oil,

steel and textile products, while Myanmar imports range from natural rubber to raw wood,

China is the most important supplier of military aid and maintains extensive strategic and

military cooperation As a result of increased Chinese influence in Burma as well as the safe haven and arms

trafficking occurring along the Indo-Burmese border, India has sought in recent years to

shore up ties with the military junta.

Pakistan and Myanmar have cordial relations with each other, with embassies in theirrespective capitals.

Bilateral relations with theRussian Federation are the strongestenjoyed by largely isolatedMyanmar. Russia had established diplomatic relations with Myanmar (then known as

Burma), when it became independent and it remained so even today after the fall of the

Soviet Union. China and Russia once vetoed aU.N. Security Council resolution designed to

punish Burma. Today Russia still opposes placing sanctions on Myanmar and wants tosupport a policy of dialogue.

Human Rights:

In ethnic minority areas, security forces continue to commit extrajudicial killings and rape,forcibly relocated persons, used forced labor, and conscripted child soldiers.

Disappearances continue, and members of the security forces torture, beat, and otherwise

abuse prisoners and detainees. Citizens are subjected to arbitrary arrest without appeal.

Arrests and detention for expression of dissenting political views has occurred on

numerous occasions

The junta restricts freedom of religion, coercively promotes Buddhism over other religions,and imposed restrictions on religious minorities. The regime's control over the country's

Muslim minority continues, although acts of violence against Muslims decreased from last
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8888_Uprisinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8888_Uprisinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmese_general_election,_1990http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Unionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanitarian_aidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arms_traffickinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arms_traffickinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Federationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.N._Security_Councilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.N._Security_Councilhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Federationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmarhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arms_traffickinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arms_traffickinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanitarian_aidhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Unionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burmese_general_election,_1990http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8888_Uprisinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8888_Uprising


3/10

year. The regime regularly infringes on citizens' privacy; security forces continue to monitor

citizens' movements and communications systematically, search homes without warrant,

and relocate persons forcibly without just compensation or legal recourse.

Trafficking in persons, particularly in women and girls mostly for the purposes ofprostitution, remains widespread, despite increased regime efforts to publicize dangers to

potential victims.

Brutal treatment by soldiers also caused deaths among those conscripted as militaryporters and laborers. There were unconfirmed reports by various groups indicating that

porters and laborers who no longer physically were able to work sometimes were

abandoned without medical care or were killed

Inmates died in prisons and labor camps, or shortly after being released from them, due toharsh treatment and lack of adequate medical care

On August 17 2008, Captain Zaw Min Oo reportedly entered Yusomoso, a mainly Catholicvillage in Timoso township in Kaya State (east of Karen State) where, according to a reliable

source, the Captain raped a 4-year-old child

The judiciary is not independent of the military junta. The junta appoints justices to theSupreme Court who, in turn, appoints lower court judges with the approval of the junta.

These courts then adjudicate cases under decrees promulgated by the junta that

effectively have the force of law

Given the brutality of the rapes, (the report, commissioned by Burmese feminists statedthat 25 percent of the rapes resulted in death), the incidence of rapes by officers (83

percent), and the impunity with which they were carried out, the report concluded that

the rapes were condoned by the military regime (mostly to suppress dissident groups in

the Shan state)

In all regions of the country, the regime continued to use force to prohibit virtually allpublic speech critical of it by all persons, including persons elected to Parliament in 1990,

and by leaders of political parties

Internal Insurgencies and Cultural Groups:

Two main Insurgencies:

KNU: The Karen National Union is the largest single insurgent group that continues to fightagainst central government rule. In 1997 cease-fire talks between the KNU and SLORC

broke down and were followed by the SLORC offensive that pushed the KNU out of its last

strongholds in Karen state. As a result, over 20,000 Karen civilians fled to Thailand. The

Government denied responsibility for attacks on Karen refugee camps in Thailand that

were carried out by the DKBA. However, according to credible reports, the DKBA

(Democratic Karen Buddhist Army) receives military support from the Government. KarenNational Union troops reportedly are led by child soldiers.

Shan State Army (SSA): In central and southern Shan state, the military forces continued toengage this group, a remnant of Khun Sa's narcotics-linked former Mong Tai Army, and

began a campaign of relocation against the villagers in the region. Many thousands were

forcibly removed from their villages. There are credible reports of retaliatory killings, rapes,

and other atrocities committed by the army against civilians.

High amount of cultural diversity including 107 languages and 135 distinct ethnic groups(Burmans are the majority, Karen and Shan minorities, also Paduang- girls with rings to

elongate necks)

Conclusion? Even if you managed to remove the Junta, civil war would certainly erupt The insurgency groups have perpetrated almost as many attacks against each others

ethnic groups as against the Government- clear hatred


4/10

If the Government falls, likely suppression of majority Burman Buddhists by Karen andShan Buddhists or Muslims (not armed outside the army)

Would likely have the army turn to guerrilla tactics- fear power-sharing agreement withminority groups and have been in power for extensive periods of time

Clear advantages due to terrain- deltas, forest, mountainous regionsEffectiveness of Sanctions(Could work if multilateral):

More Effective Less Effective

Market Economy Centralised Economy (Economy under total

control of the Government and its

sympathizers)

Highly developed economy Under-developed economy (High levels of

poverty, low levels of mechanization)

Weak economy Strong Economy

High dependence on imports and exports (Very

little domestic market, regime needs outside

trade and aid to function)

Low dependence on imports and exports

High dependence on international capital

markets (Needs low-interest funds from a range

of sources, principally China)

Low dependence on international capital

markets

Industrial society Rural society (Very few industrial centres,

dependent on food production and some raw

materials)

Ethnically diverse (135 Ethnic groups, many of

them in conflict with one another)

Ethnically homogenous

Internally fragmented Internally cohesive

Democratic regime Authoritarian regime (Highly oppressive)

Strong political opposition (Democratic

movements and opposition parties have existed

since before the regimes inception)

Weak political opposition

Possible Topics:

That ASEAN should impose sanctions on Burma (good arguments on both sides)

That we should militarily intervene in Burma (huge veto from Aff)

Taiwan

Following the Communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled toTaiwan and established a government using the 1946 constitution drawn up for all of China

Over the next five decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporatedthe local population within the governing structure

In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to theDemocratic Progressive Party

Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic"Tigers."

The dominant political issues continue to be the relationship between Taiwan and China -specifically the question of Taiwan's eventual status - as well as domestic political and

economic reform


5/10

Two main parties: Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [Leader: Tsai Ing-wen], currently inOpposition, centre-left, Pro-Independence, Pro-UN

Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [Leader: Wu Po-hsiung], currently in Government,former Nationalists in China/Dictators in Taiwan, now the mainstream centre-right party

A broad public consensus has developed that the government enjoys popular sovereigntyand - whatever the ultimate outcome regarding unification or independence - that Taiwan's

people must have the deciding voice

Public opinion polls consistently show a substantial majority of Taiwan people supportsmaintaining Taiwan's status quo for the foreseeable future

Advocates of eventual unification predicate their goal on the democratic transformation ofthe mainland

Member of: WTO, International Criminal Court, International Olympic Committee,International Trade Union Confederation, Asian Development Bank, APEC

Indonesia

Cultural Diversity and Clashes:

Javanese have held power since Indonesias independence in 1949 Described as a polyglot nation held together by military force Indonesia has in total around 300 ethnic groups Acehnese Muslims who want to impose Sharia law and want independence from Java have

been fighting the Government since 1953

Free Aceh Movement are the main liberation organization (also known as GAM III) In 2001-02 the combination of military and police forces in Aceh had grown to about

30,000. In one year this number jumped to 50,000 operating in what the International

Crisis group called, "a virtual legal vacuum". About 6000 civilian deaths were caused in the

2003-2004 clashes.

Other main conflict is in West Papua with the Free Papua Movement (OPM) While the organization, and in turn Papuan independence, is not supported by the

significant immigrant Javanese population (who constitute 30 to 40% of the islands

population), it is supported by many indigenous Papuans who consider themselves to have

no cultural or historical ties withAustronesian Indonesians.

According to OPM supporters, Indonesian administration of West Papua is a militaryoccupation

OPM and GAM III are organizations that could be negotiated with Unitary State (whilst power may be devolved, national government may overrule the

provinces or local councils at any time or withdraw their power)

Compatibility of Islam with Democracy:

Indonesia: (which has the worlds largest Muslim population) has been constitutionallyguaranteed the right to elect the president and vice-president since 2002 (also elect their

legislatures on local, provincial and national levels)

Islam is inherently democratic: Quranic notions such as shura (consultation) and ijma(consensus) are indicative of an Islamic version of democracy and the importance of

democratic values in the religious teachings of the faith

The Islamic world is not alone in having members who take up arms for their cause: the IRAin Ireland fought for Catholics and the reunion of the North and South and Zionist groups in

Israel fight against Palestinian Muslims
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austronesian_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_occupationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_occupationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_occupationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_occupationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austronesian_people


6/10

Islamic interpretations differ significantly over the role of women in Islamic society: Someclaim that the Quranic verses allowing polygamy makes this contingent on the equal

treatment of wives, which being impossible, results in the prohibition of the practice

Factors such as economic liberalization are more important in determining thedevelopment of a state than its religious persuasions

Also worth pointing out, Democracy wouldnt have been seen as compatible withChristianity due to the divine right of Kings but many thriving democracies maintain large

Christian populations- religions will reform in the face of popular pressure

Arguments against Compatibility:

Islam is an anti-democratic religion because Islamic fundamentalism is incompatible withthe pluralism that is necessary for a democratic state: Islamic fundamentalists view Sharia

law as perfect and divine. Consequently, laws are best made through theocratic

interpretation rather than democratic debate.

Democracy means the rule of the common people, or what is now known as popularsovereignty, rule for the people, by the people

In Islam, power belongs only to God: al-hukm l'illah. The man who exercises that power on Earth is known as Khalifat al-Allah, the regent of

God. Even then the Khalifah, or Caliph, cannot act as legislator.

The law has already been spelt out and fixed forever by God There is little evidence of repeated elections without restrictions or of the accountability of

institutions to the electorate; nor are there guarantees of freedom of expression

Islamic states lack civil society where democratic debate and pressure can be fostered Conservative and religious curriculum dominates education and discourages a culture of

questioning and debate

Islamic fundamentalist groups are growing in popularity, in part as a reaction to theextension of Westernization via Globalization

The terrorist branches of such groups (such as al-Qaeda) and the much talked of jihad (holywar) are absolutely antithetical to democratic values

The Muslim world cannot be democratic until it reforms its position on women, yet acentral Quranic metaphor describes women as complementary to men, but not equal

Changes in other characteristics of the social structure have still been unable to loosen thegrip of Islam on political consciousness

In Egypt economic liberalization actually brought with it a de-liberalization of the state andthe resurgence of Islamic ideals

Terrorist Organizations:

Largest is Jemaah Islamiyah which aims to establish a Daulah Islamiyah (Islamic State) inSoutheast Asia incorporatingIndonesia,Malaysia,the southernPhilippines,Singapore and

Brunei

Recruiting, training, indoctrination, financial and operational links between the JI and othermilitant groups, such asal-Qaeda,theAbu Sayyaf Group (ASG), theMoro Islamic Liberation

Front (MILF), the Misuari Renegade/Breakaway Group (MRG/MBG) and the Philippine Raja

Solaiman Movement (RSM) have existed for many years, and continue to this day

Jemaah Islamiyah is known to have killed hundreds ofcivilians in theBali car bombing onOctober 12,2002.In the attack,suicide bombers killed 202 people and wounded many in

two blasts.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Asiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singaporehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruneihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaedahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Sayyafhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moro_Islamic_Liberation_Fronthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moro_Islamic_Liberation_Fronthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_Bali_terrorist_bombinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_attackhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_attackhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_Bali_terrorist_bombinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moro_Islamic_Liberation_Fronthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moro_Islamic_Liberation_Fronthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Sayyafhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Qaedahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruneihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singaporehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeast_Asia


7/10

After this attack, the U.S. State Department designated Jemaah Islamiyah as a ForeignTerrorist Organization.

Jemaah Islamiyah is also strongly suspected of carrying out the 2003 JW Marriott hotelbombing in Kuningan, Jakarta, the 2004 Australian embassy bombing in Jakarta, and the

2005 Bali terrorist bombing.

JI also has been directly and indirectly involved in dozens of bombings in the southernPhilippines,usually in league with the ASG

Topics:

That Islam is incompatible with democracy

That we should negotiate with terrorists

China

Governance:

CCP (Chinese Communist Party) is made up of a large rich and powerful elite within whichthere is considerable internal debate

Question of remaining relevant as a socialist party after the introduction of a partlycapitalist system (not fully capitalist due to the existence of national champions,

corporations that dominate particular industries of importance and run by sympathizers)

Whilst it may seem antiquated, the CCP still fears a revoking of its Mandate of Heaven,the Chinese idea of a right to govern- prefers quite consent rather than having to clamp

down on dissidents (want to maintain a good foreign image and fears its own people)

One way they have tried to remain relevant is to create nationalism by attacking foreignimperialists principally the United States

The National Peoples Congress (NPC) is deemed to be the highest organ of state power.The NPC is partially composed of a permanent body called the Standing Committee of the

National Peoples Congress, which has authority to establish laws

Although Party approval is in effect essential for membership in the NPC, approximately athird of the seats are by convention reserved for non-Communist Party members. This

includes technical experts and members of the smaller allied parties. While these members

do provide technical expertise and a somewhat greater diversity of views, they do not

function as a political opposition

In1993,the NPC refused to consider constitutional amendments proposed by the ChineseCommunist Party on the grounds that non-governmental organizations such as the CCP do

not have authority to propose legislation. Also in 1994, the Eighth National People's

Congress Standing Committee included "Income and Property Law," in the official

legislative plan, but was not able to bring it to a vote due to opposition

International Relations:

Interesting to note recent diplomatic tussle with North Korea over a dispute river (the YaluRiver) and over ownership of sea lanes in the Yellow Sea

China armed ZANU-PF in the late 1970s, still strongly supports Mugabe due to trade links China has an expanding body of other strategic interests in the greater Middle East region.

This is manifested in its security relationships withSaudi Arabia,Pakistan,andIran,which

entailWMD andballistic missile cooperation

China has developed a strong relationship withPakistan.This relationship extends beyondeconomic, defense, social and political spheres. Relationship stems from talks in the 1970s

between Deng Xiapoing and Ali Bhutto. China built Pakistans 2nd largest port at Gwahar.

China has built nuclear plants for Pakistan to help it meet its energy needs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._State_Department_list_of_Foreign_Terrorist_Organizationshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._State_Department_list_of_Foreign_Terrorist_Organizationshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Jakarta_embassy_bombinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Bali_bombingshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_the_Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_the_Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_conventionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weapons_of_mass_destructionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballistic_missilehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballistic_missilehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weapons_of_mass_destructionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Arabiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_conventionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_the_Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_the_Philippineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Bali_bombingshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Jakarta_embassy_bombinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._State_Department_list_of_Foreign_Terrorist_Organizationshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._State_Department_list_of_Foreign_Terrorist_Organizationshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_State


8/10

China has a long running dispute with Vietnam over the latters ousting of the KhmerRouge

Has particularly poor relations with France, after Sarkozy had a meeting with the DalaiLama

In regards to Russia: In 2001, the close relations between the two countries wereformalized with the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, a twenty-

year strategic, economic, and controversially, (arguably) an implicit military treaty

Trading partners with Venezuela and other leftist South American nations Members of WTO in return for market reforms These have been significant: recognition of IP and private ownership, extensive foreign

investment especially in the Special Economic Zones, democracy at a local council level,

engagement with regards to North Korea

Relations with the US have remained tense, although increased economic ties and militaryties in terms of counter-terrorism in particular have led to increasing co-operation

Dispute over China setting its currency rates (it intentionally undervalues them in relationto the US dollar), seen as unnecessary interference by a Government in its fiscal policy

The PRC has many restrictive trade practices, which are opposed by the US. These practicesinclude high tariffs, lack of transparency, requiring firms to obtain special permission to

import goods, inconsistent application of laws and regulations, and leveraging technology

from foreign firms in return for market access. Mainland China's accession toWorld Trade

Organization is meant to help address these barriers.

Of course, the US often violates WTO provisions itself, for instance in agricultural subsidiesand recently in the Buy American provision in the bailout package

Supported the Sudanese Government and refused to criticize them over DarfurHuman Rights:

Entanglement of the judiciary and the ruling party. A high degree of lawlessness and lack ofdue process, the law has mainly only improved for foreign citizens and corporations (in line

with WTO rules). As judges are appointed by the State and the judiciary as a whole does

not have its own budget, this had led to abuse of administrative power and a partisan

court system.

Whilst the Chinese Constitution technically allows freedom of speech, this can besuspended for those who subvert the state which has been expanded to mean anyone

who publishes anything remotely anti-CCP, pro-democracy or pro-independence of Taiwan,

Tibet or Xinjiang

Chinese citizens must gain permission from the government to travel to the specialadministrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao.

Urban dwellers enjoy a range of social, economic and cultural benefits while peasants, themajority of the Chinese population, are treated as second-class citizens

CCP members may not be a member of any faith, the CCP opposed religion in general,recognizes Protestants, Buddhists, Catholics (although they are not allowed to be in

communion with the Pope), Islam (highly repressed), Taoism

Falun Gong now numbers at approximately 70 million within the PRC, highly repressed-persecution has allegedly included harvesting organs from followers, re-education through

labour or imprisonment is common, property is often confiscated

China is listed as one of the top 10 violators of Human Rights
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_Sino-Russian_Treaty_of_Friendshiphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariffhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Trade_Organizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Trade_Organizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Administrative_Region_of_the_People%27s_Republic_of_Chinahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Administrative_Region_of_the_People%27s_Republic_of_Chinahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Administrative_Region_of_the_People%27s_Republic_of_Chinahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Administrative_Region_of_the_People%27s_Republic_of_Chinahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Trade_Organizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Trade_Organizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariffhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_Sino-Russian_Treaty_of_Friendship


9/10

Fiji

History

First military coup occurred in 1987, declaration of a Republic, severing of all ties with theBritish monarchy

In 1990, a new constitution was promulgated by the first President of the Republic of Fiji,Ratu Ganilau, giving Fijians 37 seats, Indians 27, General voters 5 and Rotumans 1

Civilian (all this really means is it was bloodless) coup in 2000 Citing corruption in the government, Commodore Josaia Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama,

Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, staged a military takeover on December

5, 2006 against the Prime Minister that he himself had installed after the 2000 coup.

On this occasion the military took over from an indigenous Fijian government, which italleged was corrupt and racist. The commodore took over the powers of the presidency

and dissolved the parliament, paving the way for the military to continue the take over

On April 10, 2009, President Iloilosuspended the Constitution of Fiji, dismissed the Court ofAppeal and, in his own words, "appoint[ed] [him]self as the Head of the State of Fiji under

a new legal order"

On May 1, 2009, Fiji became the first nation ever to be suspended from the Pacific IslandsForum,for its failure to hold democratic elections by that date

Elections are scheduled after a constitutional revision, unlikely before 2012 Suspended freedom of the press and clamped down on opposition supporters

International Relations:

Australia has regularly criticized the coups and military interference in the judiciary in Fiji,suspended diplomatic ties in 2009 in response to the latest coup

Relations with China are tense, given that Fiji has had high-level contact with Taiwan in thepast (although Fiji officially backs the One China Policy). China has also been reluctant to

invest due to continual instability and lack of a stable government.

Fiji has mixed relations with India, depending on the treatment of the Indo-Fijian minority Relations between Fiji andPapua New Guinea became strained in November 2005, in the

wake of revelations that a number of Fijian citizens, possibly mercenaries, had entered

Papua New Guinea illegally and were involved in arming and training aseparatistmilitia on

the island ofBougainville.PNG has supported sanctions against Fiji.

It was reported on 2 November 2005 that a territorial dispute was looming between FijiandTonga over a reef lying to the south of both countries

US government is highly critical of Fiji, causing tensions between the two countries Relations with the UK have been generally poor, UK has withdrawn from the Secretariat of

the Pacific Community due to Fijis continuing membership

Effectiveness of Sanctions(shows it might succeed):

More Effective Less Effective

Market Economy(Fairly free economy, some

military interference, highly under-developed

though)

Centralised Economy

Highly developed economy Under-developed economy (Chronic neglect

from governments and low FDI due to high

instability and continued sanctions from various

sources)

Weak economy Strong Economy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Bainimaramahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Fijian_constitutional_crisishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Islands_Forumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Islands_Forumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papua_New_Guineahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separatismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bougainville_Islandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bougainville_Islandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separatismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papua_New_Guineahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Islands_Forumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Islands_Forumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Fijian_constitutional_crisishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Bainimarama


10/10

High dependence on imports and exports (Little

domestic demand)

Low dependence on imports and exports

High dependence on international capital

markets (Particularly for development projects)

Low dependence on international capital

markets

Industrial society (Heavily dependent on

manufacturing and services, although a strong

rural sector)

Rural society

Ethnically diverse (Fijians and Indo-Fijians, as

well as Rotumans)

Ethnically homogenous (No minorities)

Internally fragmented (Based around clan and

island loyalties)

Internally cohesive

Democratic regime Authoritarian regime (At least nominally

democratic, military rule does dominate

however, especially after continued

postponement of elections)

Strong political opposition Weak political opposition (Opposition really

only exists to the military in general, lack of

cohesion and no real leader)

Topics:

That we should sanction Fiji

Documents

Asian Countries of Interest