ISDP Voices

A key element of Deng Xiaoping’s approach to governance was to transform the Chinese communist system into a market-oriented model to achieve economic growth and modernization. Socialism with Chinese characteristics emphasized private sector coexistence with state-owned enterprises (SOEs). However, Xi Jinping has taken steps to reverse this trend by introducing regulations such as anti-monopoly restrictions, […]

The newly released ROK 2022-2026 Midterm Defense Plan promises sharper swords and stronger shields following the termination of US missile guidelines earlier this year. It is a continued evolution of President Moon’s two-tier inter-Korean strategy of promoting dialogue while simultaneously expanding military capabilities. However, the heavy focus on developments within ISR, C41 and BMD (see […]

On July 2nd, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga hosted the Ninth Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting, also known as PALM. As with other major meetings taking place during a global pandemic, this year’s PALM was held virtually, with bilateral talks being held in the runup to the actual summit. The Japanese government is no stranger to […]

In 1979, China’s one-child policy was introduced to curb the country’s population growth. Couples have been allowed to have two children since 2016, when the policy was replaced by a two-child policy. Yet, birth rates increased only for the first two years after the shift and have been declining since. In fact, China’s birth rates […]

Last week Mongolians went to the polls to vote for a new President. The Mongolian Presidential elections saw the victory of former Prime Minister Ukhnaa Khurelsukh of the Mongolian People’s Party (MPP). Khurelsukh won in a landslide, securing 68% of the votes against the 20,1% and 6%, won by Dangaasuren Enkhbat of the Right Person […]

During times of armed conflicts, civilians, particularly students, tend to be targeted and victimized in violation of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, or the Fourth Geneva Convention. This is due to the fact that schools are apt to be used for military purposes in wartime. In […]

In 1979, 319,000 divorces were registered in China. Since 2003, divorce rates have increased, and in 2019 alone, more than four million couples dissolved their marriages. However, in the first quarter of 2021, the number of divorces in China dropped more than 70 percent. During this time period, only 296,000 divorces were registered, which differs […]

Since the end of 2015, over 190 countries have adopted the Paris Climate Agreement. The agreement focuses on mutual financial and technological support in limiting global warming. Additionally, more developed partners envisage capacity-building assistance to developing countries. Even though Japan has one of the highest volumes of carbon emissions per capita (ranking 8th globally), it […]

This weekend something unusual is going to happen. From June 4th to 7th an independent tribunal in the UK will hear evidence about human rights abuses against ethnic minorities in Western China. Witness testimonies and expert opinions will be livestreamed on YouTube and key points will be shared on Twitter so interested parties can see […]

When news broke that Samoa’s prime minister elect, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, would suspend a multi-million-dollar port project financed by the Chinese government it added fuel to the flames of an already existing political crisis. Mata’afa, who is set to become the country’s first female leader, denounced the project as “excessive”. Although she noted that she […]