Senkaku Islands
Reports on Senkaku Islands See all →
China's big win over 'historic' gas deal with Russia
China, the world’s top energy user, has walked away with a big win. A historic US$400 billion natural gas deal between China and Russia opens up a new market for Moscow as it courts partners in Asia while those in the West seek to isolate it. But Beijing holds the trump card on price. It will also fall to Russia to pay for infrastructure - all of which raises suspi...
Assertive China dominates Russia and Japan
Increasing tension between Japan and China over Beijing’s territorial claims in the South China Sea has created an arena for Russia to raise its profile in the region. But an obstacle to a restored Russian presence is its long-standing conflict with Japan over the Kuril islands. There could be grounds ...
Brittle West Pacific is testing ground for future global geopolitics
The West Pacific has become the centre of global political and strategic interactions. China, the United States, Russia and Japan are each defining their future global role in that regional context. All four pursue national strategies which are bound to display ambivalences and none seems capable of achieving hegemonic dominance. ...
Toru Hashimoto’s political power base in Japan
There is a huge demand for a fresh force in Japanese politics after 20 years of stagnation. Osaka mayor Toru Hashimoto is galvanising support among a ‘lost generation’ which has virtually given up on politics. But doubts remain on his economic and foreign policies. THE RAPID rise of Toru Hashimoto, ...
Japan’s defence: Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda builds a trilateral security policy
A trilateral security policy involving China, India and the United States is being built by Japan’s prime minister in his first experience of international relations. He has opened talks on defence and economics with all three powers and taken big steps to maintain peace in South East Asia. THE year ...
