Asia

The completely liberated masters of their destiny

May 17, 2012 10:06 am by David Pilling

I just came across this revamped version of what purports to be North Korea’s official website. Even if it is not, and is just a fan site, it is a credit to what is described on the homepage as a genuine workers’ state in which “all the people are completely liberated from exploitation and oppression”.

I’ve never been to North Korea (visa still pending) but, from what I can make out from this site, it sounds like a pretty wonderful place. It is apparently the only country where “the workers, peasants, soldiers and intellectuals are the true masters of their destiny” and in a “unique position to defend their interests”.

Continue reading: “The completely liberated masters of their destiny”

Posted in Asia, North Korea |

FT podcast: World Weekly with Gideon Rachman

April 12, 2012 7:28 am by FT

North Korea’s missile politics

Governments in Seoul, Tokyo and Washington reacted angrily to the announcement last month of North Korea’s impending rocket launch. But what are they really concerned about? Geoff Dyer, US diplomatic correspondent, and Christian Oliver, Seoul correspondent join Shawn Donnan to discuss Pyongyang’s missile politics.

Posted in Asia, Foreign affairs, US foreign policy, World affairs |

In the picture: the fall of Bo Xilai

April 10, 2012 7:30 pm by Financial Times

Bo Xilai with his wife Gu Kailai

Not so long ago, Bo Xilai was one of China’s “princelings”, a charismatic, high-flying politician who was apparently destined for its top leadership. From his power base in Chongqing he became known for smashing organised crime, increasing foreign investment and running “revolutionary” campaigns involving singing contests and the revival of Maoist symbols.

But when in February a mafia-busting former police chief called Wang Lijun walked into the US consulate in the western city of Chengdu, he set in train a series of events that brought scandal and infighting out of the secret confines of Chinese party politics and into the public eye. The result was Mr Bo’s spectacular fall from grace and the arrest of his wife Gu Kailai – herself the daughter of a top general – on suspicion of murdering the British citizen Neil Heywood.

Continue reading: “In the picture: the fall of Bo Xilai”

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Posted in Asia, China, Foreign affairs, In The Picture |

FT podcast: World Weekly with Gideon Rachman

March 30, 2012 12:34 am by FT

Great expectations for Aung San Suu Kyi and the Obama administration’s healthcare bill

Gideon Rachman is joined by FT correspondents to discuss the great expectations for Aung San Suu Kyi in the upcoming by-election in Myanmar. They also examine the US Supreme Court case that will determine the fate of the Obama administration’s healthcare reform.

Presented by Gideon Rachman, with Gwen Robinson and Alan Rappeport

Produced by Amie Tsang and Serena Tarling

Posted in Asia, US politics |
From FT.com March 5, 2012

By Gideon Rachman

This weekend offered a rogues’ gallery of phoney democracy in action. In Russia it was announced that Vladimir Putin had been swept back to the Kremlin, after a suspiciously smashing first-round victory in the presidential election. Iran staged its first parliamentary elections since the rigged presidential poll of 2009 and the violent suppression of the Green movement. And in China, the National People’s Congress – the country’s rubber-stamp parliament – assembled for its annual meeting. It is a coincidence – but perhaps no accident – that these are the three nations that have emerged as the closest protectors of Syria’s murderous one-party state.

Posted in Asia, China, Europe, Global economy, World affairs |

In the Picture: Happy birthday, Kim Jong-il

February 16, 2012 8:08 pm by Esther Bintliff
 

This handout picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency shows the statues of former North Korean President Kim Il Sung (L) and late leader Kim Jong Il (R) riding on horses together after being unveiled at the Mansudae Art Studio in Pyongyang on February 14, 2012

KCNA/AFP/Getty Images

Let’s face it, equestrian statues have since ancient times been an effective way for countries/governments/propaganda machines to honour their leaders and heroes (the earliest preserved equestrian statue is the Rampin Rider, found in the Acropolis).

So perhaps it is not surprising that North Korea decided to cast a larger-than-life bronze version of their late leader, Kim Jong-il, and his father Kim Il-sung, both gripping the reins of two rather spectacular ponies (the contrasting postures of the riders and their steeds are rather interesting – share your thoughts on any coded messages in the comments below). 

Continue reading: “In the Picture: Happy birthday, Kim Jong-il”

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Posted in Asia, In The Picture |

Japan’s long walk back from the rubble

February 13, 2012 6:46 pm by David Pilling

Few can now doubt that Japan’s economy, hardly in the most robust of shapes anyway, has taken a battering from last year’s tsunami. On Monday, data showed that output fell between October and December for the third time in four quarters as companies battled a perfect storm of problems. 

Continue reading: “Japan’s long walk back from the rubble”

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Posted in Asia, Japan |

FT podcast: World Weekly

January 12, 2012 11:33 pm by FT

The Eurozone, the Hildebrand affair and prospects for political reform in Myanmar

As Greece continues to haunt the Eurozone, Berlin bureau chief Quentin Peel and Europe news editor Ben Hall join Gideon Rachman to discuss the latest developments in the crisis. Also, Zurich correspondent Haig Simonian discusses the fallout from the Philipp Hildebrand affair at the Swiss National Bank, and Gwen Robinson, south east Asia correspondent, discusses the prospects for political reform in Myanmar

Posted in Asia, Europe, Financial crisis, Germany |

Myanmar and the new global democratic wave

January 6, 2012 6:17 pm by Gideon Rachman

Back in 1990 it looked as if events in Myanmar were part of a great wave of democratisation that was washing around the world, after the fall of the Berlin Wall. But while eastern Europe broke free from dictatorship – and democracy came to countries as diverse as Indonesia and South Africa in the 1990s – the democratic wave receded in Myanmar. But might Myanmar and Aung San Suu Kyi have better luck this time?

Continue reading: “Myanmar and the new global democratic wave”

Posted in Asia |

What’s in a name? Myanmar or Burma?

January 6, 2012 9:37 am by John Aglionby

The Financial Times has decided to change its style and from today will use the name Myanmar rather than Burma.

Is this premature, too late or just wrong? Please send us your comments or tweets at @ftworldnews

The reasons for the change are explained in the following editorial, which appeared in today’s newspaper:

Continue reading: “What’s in a name? Myanmar or Burma?”

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Posted in Asia |
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with Gideon Rachman

About this blog About Gideon Blog guide
Gideon Rachman and his FT colleagues debate international affairs. Read more on the authors.

Gideon became chief foreign affairs columnist for the Financial Times in July 2006. He joined the FT after a 15-year career at The Economist, which included spells as a foreign correspondent in Brussels, Washington and Bangkok. He also edited The Economist’s business and Asia sections.

His particular interests include American foreign policy, the European Union and globalisation
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