Tag: US-China Relations

Comparing Beijing and Greenville

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In my last post, I interviewed a fellow Furman student about cross-border pollution coming from China.  China’s cross-border pollution is certainly distressing, yet it is hardly indicative of how distressed the people and land of China are because of the extreme pollution. To illustrate just how devastated China’s environment is (because it can be hard to believe), I thought it should be compared to something more familiar:  Greenville, SC’s environment.

       
From left, scenes of the downtown Greenville, SC environment. On right, scenes of the environment in China.
From left, scenes of the downtown Greenville, SC environment. On right, scenes of the environment in China.

 

It is difficult to quantitatively make an accurate comparison between the entire country of China and the proportionately small city of Greenville, SC.  So, for the purposes of this post I will compare Beijing, China and Greenville, SC.  Beijing is still much larger in terms of square mileage and population.  However, the World Health Organization guideline for safe particulate matter is around the level of 25 μg/m³.

 

“Yearly mean density of respirable particles in Chinese megacities such as Beijing and Shanghai often approach or are greater than 100 μg/m³. . .and four times the WHO guideline.” This means that the people of Beijing are inhaling a large amount of particulate matter covered in toxins that is a danger to their health.  Meanwhile, Greenville’s average particulate matter is between 12.2-12.6 μg/m³, which is below the guideline for safe particulate matter.

 

Particulate matter is dangerous to human health, especially in heavily polluted areas, because it can be small enough to be easily inhaled into the lungs.  When dangerous toxins become attached to the particles and are subsequently inhaled, health problems ranging from cancer to birth defects can occur just from outdoor air pollution alone.

 

In part 1 of my interview with Furman professor and head of Asian Studies, Dr. Kate Kaup, she shared her experience with China’s environment. Click to listen.  Click here to listen.  For part 2 of Dr. Kaup’s interview, click here.

 

For more photos and a closer look at the environments of Greenville and Beijing, click here.

 

Photo source:

US-China Yin and Yang

Pollution Without Borders

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On Saturday, the strongest sandstorm this year moved in on Beijing, China.  Sandstorms in China are just one form and type of transport for air pollution within China, as well as across borders into South Korea, Japan, and even the United States.  Cross-border pollution can also be observed in the forms of photochemical smog and acid rain.  Even more concerning is that the sandstorms pick up toxic elements as they move through factory-polluted areas thus creating a chemically-enhanced sandstorm and much more dangerous air quality for the people in its path.

 

The sandstorm in China moves into Beijing.
The sandstorm in China moves into Beijing. Click the photo for a slideshow of related pictures.

 

Accomplished and involved Furman student Amanda Pruitt experienced air pollution in India comparable to that of China and saw the effects of cross-border pollution in Japan firsthand.  She was one of only 10 participants from the United States in 2008 for the Ship for World Youth program, which set sail from Japan after a brief homestay then made its way to India, Oman, and Singapore before returning to Japan.  In an interview with Amanda, she spoke about her observations abroad.

Click to listen to my brief conversation with Amanda:  Interview with Amanda Pruitt

3 Websites You Can't Use in China

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You may already be aware of China’s Internet censorship due to the clash between Google and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).  What you may not know is exactly what mainland Chinese citizens are prevented from viewing online.  Among political sites that discuss the “Tiananmen Square massacre” or shed a bad light on relations between China and Taiwan, there are many other banned websites that may surprise you.  For this post, I am specifically focusing on three types of social media that citizens are unable to access:

 

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WordPress

 

Wordpress, Facebook, and Twitter cannot be accessed by personal computer, cellphone, and especially not an Internet cafe. Top right: A security officer busts an illegal Internet cafe.
Wordpress, Facebook, and Twitter cannot be accessed by personal computer, cellphone, and especially not an Internet cafe. Top right: A security officer busts an illegal Internet cafe.

 

The blocking of Facebook and Twitter may not seem like a big deal at first.  For most people, Facebook and Twitter are just ways of tracking their friends and keeping in touch.  However, the Chinese people had previously utilized these social media to upload pictures and video of the aftermath of protests-turned-riots which often turn ugly once the government begins to crack down on dissenters.  This tactic was used during Tibet riots as well as riots in Xinjiang.

 

Even more mind-boggling is the realization that mainland Chinese citizens cannot view this blog because it is hosted by WordPress. It is also very unfortunate because blogs are made for human expression and the freedom to read or write using certain hosts has currently been taken away.

 

With some skillful maneuvering, one can bypass government-imposed Internet controls.  But if someone is caught doing this, there will surely be a harsh punishment.  Ultimately, it is the principle of restricting human rights that is extremely difficult to come to terms with. Whether citizens simply want to express their individuality or spread a political message, the Chinese government is disallowing freedom of expression by blocking access to social media.  We may take our ability to express ourselves using an online platform for granted.

 

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China Blocking Taiwan from Certain Competitive Sports

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In the spirit of the Olympics, I thought I would use this post as a chance to focus on the issue of China blocking Taiwanese athletes from competing in certain sports.  This is according to Foreign Policy and Taipei Times.  It is reported that “China was successful in banning Taiwan from participation in high profile sports such as cycling, wrestling and volleyball.”  It is also said that this has produced a greater interest in winter sports in Taiwan which citizens would have the opportunity to compete competitively in.

 

This is where Chih-Hung Ma comes in.  During the opening ceremonies of the Olympics last Friday night, he marched as the only competing athlete (competing in luge) under the Chinese Taipei flag.  Ironically, he walked between Switzerland and Tajikistan:  exactly where Taiwan would fit alphabetically.

 

From left to right: Taiwan Flag, Chinese Taipei Flag (created specifcally for when Taiwan competes in the Olympics), and the Olympic Flag.
From left to right: Taiwan Flag, Chinese Taipei Flag (created specifcally for when Taiwan competes in the Olympics), and the Olympic Flag.

 

While it’s wonderful that Taiwanese athletes can compete somewhat separately from China (as Chinese Taipei), it is unfortunate that they are forcibly isolated from participating in certain sports, as well as viewing them.  In an interview with Chih-Hung Ma, he spoke of his excitement that Taiwan citizens will be able to watch Olympics coverage this year:

 

“Taiwan has broadcast rights this time. [This will] let the audience in Taiwan see sports that are uncommon. . .and highlights that they don’t usually see. . . the Olympic broadcast is like public education: It could encourage more Taiwanese to participate [in winter sports], so that we won’t be absent from future Winter Olympics.”

 

According to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) page on the Olympics website, the IOC’s role is “to act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic Movement.”  If the IOC is indeed allowing Taiwan to be banned from competing in certain Olympic sports, then they may need to be refreshed on their mission.

 

 

For related photos, click here.

 

Photo sources:

Tensions Rise Over Dalai Lama Meeting

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Source: Britannica
Source: Britannica

The White House announced yesterday that President Obama will meet with the Dalai Lama on February 18th.  Among other recent controversies, this is the latest in line to further sour the rocky relations between China and the United States. 

 

Ma Zhaoxu, Foreign Ministry spokesmanfor China, responded quickly, “We urge the U.S. side to fully understand the high sensitivity of Tibet-related issues, honor its commitment to recognizing Tibet as part of China and opposing ‘Tibet independence.’”

 

You may recall that the “Tibet issue” received a large amount of attention during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.  But, you might not know why the protests were occurring.  While it is impossible to fully explain the reasoning behind the protest of the Dalai Lama meeting in one post, here are a few points to consider:

 

  • The origin of the controversy is the “17-Point Agreement”

 

  • China claims the “17-Point Agreement” signed by the 14th Dalai Lama in 1951 is proof that the Chinese have sovereignty over Tibet

 

  • Other sources indicate that the Tibetan government was independent until 1951 and that the “17-Point Agreement” was signed under duress and is therefore not valid

 

  • China argues that their influence has reformed and improved Tibet, specifically economically and in terms of human rights

 

  • The Dalai Lama’s director of information, Thubten Samphel, asserts that the PLA is responsible for over 80,000 Tibetan deaths between 1952 and 1958

 

  • More recently, the March 2008 protest in Tibet was in regards to “widespread mistreatment of the Tibetan population and a denial of religious and political freedom.” 

 

The rift between China and Tibet runs deep and it can only be inferred that a meeting between Obama and the Dalai Lama will not bode well for US-China relations.  The only question left to consider is “How will the impact manifest itself for the United States and for Tibet?”

Will China Levy Sanctions Against the US?

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The Chinese government announced that they may enact trade sanctions on foreign arms contractors (meaning any U.S. company that sells or distributes arms to Taiwan).  This response came shortly after the announcement was made on Friday, February 5, that the United States would be selling Taiwan a $6.4 billion arms package.  Boeing is a good example of a company in threat of being sanctioned.

Source: Boeing
Source: Boeing

Several reports doubt that China would ever put these sanctions in place.  The reason?  Boeing products comprise 53 percent of civilian aircraft in China.  It seems that China would only be hurting itself because they would be subject to World Trade Organization rules.  If successfully challenged, “Beijing could face sanctions against its own exports that would be equivalent in value to the estimated loss of business to US companies.”

 

The Taiwan dispute is nothing new, but it is integral in foreign relations between China and the United States or any other country that recognizes Taiwan as a state separate from China.  Japanese colonization of Taiwan from 1895-1945 sparked a “century of humiliation” that would only end with the reunion of China and Taiwan.  Chinese possession of Taiwan is so deeply entrenched in Chinese pride.  Any country committing the act of attempting to help Taiwan defend itself is undermining Chinese authority and esteem.  Saving face is a large motivator in the Chinese government’s action or inaction, which brings us back to the threat of sanctions. 

 

Ultimately, times are tense for US-China relations and it is unknown if tensions will increase or decrease as this story develops.  There is currently such a torrent of news items on US-China relations, that there is no telling what’s next.

Exploring the Space Between a Rock and a Hard Place

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china-america gears
Photo from Global Markets

Over the course of the next few weeks, I will discuss US-China relations as they pertain to human rights and environmental issues AND how these issues affect interactions between China and the US as well as the implications for surrounding nations. 

 

To answer these questions, I will pull from the following resources:

 

  • a variety of online sources including American and Chinese news agencies 

 

  • Chinese history and culture, possibly including English-language blogs by Chinese authors

 

  • scholarly articles about US-China relations, US foreign policy and China’s treatment of human rights and environmental issues

 

  • interviews with faculty and students who have knowledge of US-China relations as well as current human rights and environmental issues

 

I look forward to sharing the answers I find!