Japan and China's precarious spring (The Straits Times Saturday April 14 2007)
For the past week, the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao paid a visit to Japan in a bid to strengthen and promote inter-country relations. The Chinese Premier went as far as mingling with the locals during their daily activities such as practising taiji, jogging, and even planting vegetables with the Japanese farmers. Over the course of his visit, both sides have been negotiating for a boost in economic co-operation, settling certain historical disputes, as well as discussing joint-military exercises. Though ties are certainly improving by a significant degree, the journalist is sceptical regarding the sustainability of relations due to China’s rise as an economic power.
It is definitely heart-warming that the two countries which are constantly at loggerheads with each another are finally starting to make concessions and working towards a peaceful co-existence. However, the journalist’s view is one to agree with, for the inevitable rise of China as an economic powerhouse would spark off further rivalry between both nations.
The major development of the Chinese industry and economy would require a gargantuan amount of resources. As we know, China and Japan are having a stand-off regarding the exploitation of natural gas deposits in the East China Sea; further advancements would mean an increase in the frequency of disputes regarding natural resources.
China’s rise would also mean a displacement of Japan’s position as one of the top economies of East Asia, a pride that the Japanese cannot afford to lose. This would lead to Japanese bitterness towards their counterparts and in turn sour relations, as political action would be swayed by the attitudes of its leaders.
Overall, the rise of China’s economy can either bring both parties together or separate them further apart. It is the Japanese attitude and acceptance of such a phenomenon that determines how relations between the two nations would turn out in the near future. China has made a great leap in trying to improve bilateral ties, now it is Japan’s turn once more. over and out.
Al-Qaeda claims strike on ‘infidels’ (The Straits Times Saturday April 14 2007)
Earlier this week, an insurgent group with ties to Al-Qaeda carried out a suicide bombing operation against the temporary headquarters of the newly-established Iraqi parliament, claiming that it revealed inconsistencies in the statements made to the international community by the government about Baghdad’s security and that it was a move to improve their reputation. In protest, many lawmakers stood up to condemn the bombing. A state mourning has taken place soon after the sudden spike in insurgent attacks.
As the post-war situation progresses in Iraq, one can notice that the targets of radical Islamic insurgents are slowly transitioning from American troops to the local civilian population. This is indeed disturbing as the rebels fighting in the name of Islam are starting to kill fellow Muslims who are innocent. Within one day, 12 people have lost their lives to the insurgent attack. The irony is as such.
Instead of attacking fellow members of their religion, why not aid the local population in consolidating security in Iraq? This is a question that most radical Islamic movements in the nation fail to understand. It is widely known that their sole objective is to drive the Americans out of Iraqi soil; the use of brute force alone is useless in fulfilling this target for the sheer size and firepower of US forces outlast insurgent forces. The first step they should rightfully take would be to help stabilize the Iraqi situation. In doing so, the United States would have more confidence in Iraq having self-determination and increasingly allow the country to function on its own, resulting in an eventual total withdraw of US forces. In turn, accomplishing that very objective through peaceful means and promising progress as well.
Islam is a religion that advocates peace and unity among its believers. The very act of murdering others, let alone fellow Muslims, is a sin itself under Islamic Law. Moreover, killing innocent individuals in the name of Islam is wrong as well. It is best that the radical movements reflect on their ethical sense and actions for continuing such senseless violence would further plunge the world into anarchy and madness.
