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Chinese Climate Leadership: Feign or Future?
Get PDFAs industrial civilization confronts the devastating consequences of global climate change, the difficult choices surrounding its solutions have only become more complicated following the election of President Donald Trump and his recent declaration of intent to exit the Paris Climate Accord. This paper analyzes whether China is prepared and credible to fill the void left by the US abdicating its role as global climate leader by focusing on whether China’s domestic efforts are sufficient to project a sense of both willingness and capability to be the world’s foremost authority on climate change policy. This article ultimately determines that China is both ready and willing to act as the preeminent climate power, despite imperfections in domestic energy and environment policy
Youkai Artwork
No full textThis is part of a series of artwork that follows a young boy and a woman through Japan. In this drawing they encounter a Two-Mouth woman at a ramen shop
Cover art by Linda Wang, University of Maryland. Medium is Ink and Mineral Spirits.
Get PDFThe author gives the follow explanation about the piece:
This piece is the first in a series of monoprints inspired by the ambiance of Japanese nature and architecture. I had the privilege of studying abroad in Japan during the summer of 2015 and have since incorporated many aspects of Japanese culture into my work, especially with printmaking, an art form highly influenced by the Japanese. I specifically chose to make these monoprints in order to illustrate the transient nature of the images our eyes can perceive before they become memories. Unlike other forms of printmaking, with monoprints, only one copy can exist-similar to how at any given moment, there is a unique snapshot in one’s field of vision that can never be repeated
Outbursts of Violence: Reaction to Oppression or Acts of Terrorism? An Analytical Study of Han Chinese and Uighur Muslims Relations
Get PDFThe Uighur, a group of Chinese Muslims residing in the Xianjiang province, are a minority in communist China. For centuries Muslims have suffered persecution from the central government through policies, economic disadvantages, and geopolitical isolation. The Han have begun to show greater interest in the region due to the natural oil resources. Therefore, tension between the Uighurs and the Han government has amplified significantly and violent Uighur attacks are common.Terrorism remains a primary concern in the United States, especially for policy makers shifting their focus to Asian politics. This paper questions whether the outbursts of violence are a result of ethnic oppression or acts of terrorism. Through analysis of fieldwork, and interpretation of the media, the issue is comprehensively evaluated. The results found that though terrorist in nature, the outbursts should be considered expressions of resentment for years of subjugation by the Han Chinese. The situation is complex and history plays an important role in being able to grasp the political situation for the Uighur going forward. These results are helpful in understanding the situation for Muslims in China. This understanding can be applied to gaining a deeper appreciation for the cultural complexities that exist in East Asia as well and the difficulty for future politics in the region
Tears Without Tear Gas: The failure of the Umbrella Revolution and Hong Kong\u27s youth
Get PDFHong Kong\u27s recent Umbrella Movement was caused by factors dating back to the British invasion and occupation of the port of Canton. Though on the outside, it looked as though these protests dealt with the upcoming elections of the Chief Executive, they were ultimately protesting the fundamental system of governance in place in Hong Kong. Had the protests merely been concerned with electoral reform, they would have had no legal standing upon which to make their claims, with both the Joint Declaration and Basic Law supporting the system proposed by the People\u27s Republic of China. Though the protests gained some footing early on, they ultimately dispersed, and no electoral reform has yet taken place. The Umbrella Revolution, i.e. the spirit of disbanding and reshaping the current system of governance in Hong Kong, what the protesters were hoping to achieve, will ultimately fail, due to movement\u27s overreliance on youth. Young people in Hong Kong simply do not have enough political efficacy, nor enough economic or militaristic means, to institute any major changes, and with the Basic Law\u27s provisions ceasing in 2047, time is running out
Dedication
Get PDFEvery year, the East Asian Studies Journal is dedicated to a Wittenberg University faculty or staff member who is actively involved in the East Asian Studies Program, promotes academic achievement and encourages students to stretch beyond their limits in their chosen fields of study. The student staff would like to dedicate this year’s issue to Dr. Ralph Lenz, our Geography teacher.
Dr. Ralph Lenz has a PhD in Geography from Rutgers University. He joined the Wittenberg faculty in 1976 after one year at the University of South Western Louisiana. Dr. Lenz initial publications in Geographical Analysis show his early focus on quantitative and theoretical research in analyzing map patterns. After taking Fulbright-Hays group trips to multiple places including India, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, Dr. Lenz became increasingly focused on regional research with South East Asia as his area of focus. Dr. Lenz has made 27 visits to Southeast Asia and has published multiple pieces on Indonesia and Vietnam. After receiving a Freeman grant which sponsored visits to Eastern China and the Silk Road, in addition to some other travel time, Dr. Lenz has visited 12 provinces in China. Using his research in China, Dr. Lenz began teaching about Chinese Geography and Chinese minority groups in the Wittenberg East Asian Studies department.
We at the East Asian Studies Journal would like to thank Dr. Lenz for his great contribution to our program and passion for sharing East Asian Studies
Affluent Activists and New Tactics: The Changing Face of the Chinese Environmental Movement
Get PDFThis article will discuss a shift taking place within the Chinese environmental movement. The work of Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations, the established face of the movement, has been characterized by efforts to work within the constraints set by the government. The emergence of directly confrontational protests led by members of the middle class represents a shift in the movement as a whole. These protests have emerged as the result of the growing level of middle class environmental consciousness and the government’s inadequate response to environmental problems. This is reflected in citizens’ frustration over the lack of government transparency and public consultation. While protests can be perceived as a threat to the careful organization and methodical strategies of ENGOs, both have a role to play in the fight against China’s pollution and environmental degradation
Chinese Medicine Men: A Unique View on Globalization in China from the 19th to the early 20th century
Get PDFThis academic paper reviews and expands on arguments made in Chinese Medicine Men, a book by Sherman Cochran that explores the influence of Western-led globalization on consumer culture in China from the late 19th century to the early-to-mid 20th century
Was Zhu Xi’s Method of Personal Cultivation Fragmentary? On Learning in Zhu Xi’s Philosophical System
Get PDFIn light of the Goose Lake Monastery debate of 1175, this paper argues that Zhu Xi\u27s method of personal cultivation was not fragmentary by examining in particular how learning fitted into his philosophical system
