東亞新聞專題 課程大綱
East Asia in News
chenlungkuo@yahoo.com

Week 1: Introduction

Week 2: North Korea
North Korea nuclear and missile capability
Can the North Korean regime sustainable?
UN sanctions
South Korea New Government and its North Korea policy
Trump’s North Korean policy
China’s ambivalent alliance with North Korea
News Event: To recognize North Korea as a nuclear state, or launch a surgical strike?

Week 3: China and the United States, rival or partner?
Thucydides Trap
Secretary Tillerson’s new framework for the next 50 years
“Pacific Ocean is big enough for both us”
G2 and four Dialogue
News Event: the coming Beijing visit of President Trump

Week 4（11/3）: China’s development and its limits
an alternative model for market economy and liberal democracy?
the anti-corruption campaign & the consolidation of power of Xi
the suppression of liberal democracy and religion
One belt one road
News Event: the 19th party congress

Week 5: South China Sea
Claims by all sides
Race to build up an island
The arbitration on the July 12th
United ASEAN against China?
Pacific Command and FONOPs
Taiwan’s position
News Event: tension among China, Vietnam and the Philippines

Week 6: Asia New Security Situation ( a possible Asian NATO?)
Japan’s push for a “Normal Country” and its new security policy
South Korea and its THAAD dilemma
Historical issues between Japan and Korea
The rise of China
India is ambitious
the end of US pivot to Asia?
The role of ASEAN
News Event: Arms race and security alliance in Asia

Week 7: Global Challenges to the region
Legacy of financial crisis since 2008
China’s growth slowing down and its impacts
Global terrorism, from al Qaeda to ISIL
EU after Brexit and its global impact
News Event:

Week 8: the end of TPP?
TPP as the economic pivot of the US
Trump abolished the TPP during his first week of Presidency
Can Japan carry on to lead without the US participation?
Foxconn investment in Wisconsin
The competing trade group, RCEP is forming
News Event: Trump’s Asia trade policy

Week 9: Taiwan’s role in the East Asia
The politics of Taiwan
DPP: status quo vs. the new & independent country
Cross-straits stalemate & Xi’s Taiwan policy
Phone call between President Tsai and President Trump
Taiwan’s relation with Japan
Taiwan’s economy
News Event: the revival of KMT ?

Week 10: Japan
Historical issues neighboring countries
Senkaku/ Daiyu islands
Japan & China: an uneasy relation
Japan redefines its security alliance with the US
Northern Terrority and Japan-Russia relation
Abe: the longest serving Prime Minister?

Week 11: Russia, an European power, or an Asian country?
“Russian Gate” in the US politics
New US sanctions and NATO operation in Europe
Russia & China, an uneasy alliance?
News event: Putin for reelection, again

Week 12: ASEAN and the region
Burma: democracy consolidated?
Thailand: the new King and his generals
Malaysia: scandal of the Prime Minister and the opposition
Singapore: feuding within the Lee Family
News event: 50 years of the ASEAN

Week 13: Debate 1 Economic and security dilemma
Which is more important, economy or security? Or put in another way, is doing business with China more important, or having security ties with the US?
(Non-zero sum trade and zero-sum security)
(Economic competition as a source of tension?)

Week 14: Debate 2 Merits of democracy and how to achieve it
Is democracy should be achieved with any cost possible?
(Democratic transformation, bargain and the cost)
(Should we proceed with the transformation justice?)
(Democracy and international influence)

Week 15: Debate 3 Who are going to dominate East Asia in 2050?
The emerging China
The rejuvenated America
Neither of them, a new order