This week we take a look at China’s increasing pressure on Taiwan and Hong Kong, as China’s top Taiwan affairs official Zhang Zhijun visits Taiwan amidst protests, and Hong Kong voters turn out to participate in a referendum and large scale street protests. We also look at renewed conflict in Iraq, and deforestation in Indonesia.
- The embattled nation of Iraq is once again at the forefront of international attention, as an insurgent group known as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, takes control of large portions of the country in the past month…
- China’s top Taiwan affairs office Zhang Zhijun (張志軍) visited Taiwan this past week, re-igniting public debate in Taiwan regarding its stance towards China…
- A mock “referendum” in Hong Kong on whether the people of Hong Kong should directly elect its Chief Executive resulted in nearly 800,000 votes, or about 1 out of 5 eligible voters, over 10 days of voting…
- A new study shows that Indonesia has lost about 60,000 square kilometers of virgin rain forest over the last 12 years, which puts it ahead of Brazil in deforestation rates for the first time…
(Feature photo of July 1st March in Hong Kong in 2004)
A well informed citizenry is the foundation of our modern society. Every week, our news team brings you the most important stories on current affairs, diplomacy, business and human rights, in Asia and around the globe. Not only can we be well informed, but better informed, about the relationship between our lives, our communities, and the common world.
Latest posts by The Debrief (see all)