Asian Countries of Interest (China, Burma, Indonesia, Taiwan, Japan, Fiji)

Burma
Foreign Trade
International investment may help open societies and bring democratic change in some
countries. In Burma, however, foreign trade and investment helps perpetuate the rule of a
repressive, unelected junta. Full foreign ownership of companies operating in Burma is
forbidden and almost all large investment in Burma is carried out through joint ventures
with the military regime
While very few Burmese benefit from foreign investment, the ruling military junta, the
State Peace and Development Council (known from 1988-1997 as the State Law and Order
Restoration Council, or SLORC) has
imported well over $2 billion in weapons
since 1989
Under a democratic government
until 1962, Burma made slow but steady
economic progress comparable to that of
other developing nations
A 1962 army coup put Burma on a
very different course. The military-
dominated Burma Socialist Programme
Party (BSPP) adopted the "Burmese Way
to Socialism," which imposed central
planning and rejected foreign capital, as
the official state ideology for a quarter
century
As its Southeast Asian neighbors experienced explosive growth and foreign investment,
Burma became isolated, xenophobic, and increasingly impoverished
Logging concessions were sold to Thai interests, and great swaths of Burmese rain forest
were felled for fast profits. Permission for nearly unregulated commercial fishing in
Burmese waters, with devastating results, was granted for up-front fees paid in hard
currency
In addition to immediate hard currency earnings that the generals receive in signing and
license fees and commissions, foreign investments offer a degree of international
respectability to a regime with one of the world's worst human rights records
The greater the stakes held by American and European companies, the less likely are their
governments to take a strong stand against even a cruelly dictatorial regime
In 2008, more than 80 percent of the country's export-import trade was with Asian
nations, including about half with ASEAN countries. Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and China
are its major trading partners.
Singapore is the single most important partner both in terms of imports and exports,
providing 31 percent of imports and taking 10 percent of exports. There has been a decline
in trade with Europe and the United States since the 1988 military crackdown on the
democracy movement. Burma's export-import trade with the United States constitutes
about 5 percent of the total foreign trade.
The country's exports are mostly agricultural products. They include pulses and beans,
teak, prawns, rubber, rice and other agricultural products. There is a large black market
that smuggles live animals, gems, minerals, teak, and rice into the neighboring countries


Foreign Relations:
The United States has placed broad sanctions on Burma because of the military crackdown
in 1988 and the military regime's refusal to honour the election results of the 1990
People's Assembly election. Similarly, the European Union has placed embargoes on
Burma, including an arms embargo, cessation of trade preferences, and suspension of all
aid with the exception of humanitarian aid.
While Burma's presence in ASEAN was seen as a test of the organizations philosophy of
constructive engagement, the presence of Burma in ASEAN however has started to be seen
as an embarrassment to the organization, because of Burma's human rights record and
lack of democracy
ASEAN will not defend Burma at any international forum following the military regime's
refusal to restore democracy
PRC: Whilst Burma currently is largely supported (particularly militarily by China) it can be
proved in a debate that ASEAN or the world more generally sanctioning Burma could
persuade China to follow suit (i.e. it doesnt care that much about Burma that it wouldnt
move in the face of international condemnation).
Proof: Border war in the 1950s and 1960s, Burma opposed invasion of Tibet, CCP
supported the Burmese Communist Party which the junta have clamped down upon,
Burma has long standing ties to Taiwan. In recent years, China has shown a lack of
willingness to back the Burmese government and has attempted to stabilize the political
situation in Burma
Counter-Proof: Burma was the first non-Communist country to recognize the Communist-
led People's Republic of China after its foundation in 1949, Bilateral trade between China
and Burma exceeds $1.4 billion, Chinese imports to Myanmar typically focus around oil,
steel and textile products, while Myanmar imports range from natural rubber to raw wood,
China is the most important supplier of military aid and maintains extensive strategic and
military cooperation
As a result of increased Chinese influence in Burma as well as the safe haven and arms
trafficking occurring along the Indo-Burmese border, India has sought in recent years to
shore up ties with the military junta.
Pakistan and Myanmar have cordial relations with each other, with embassies in their
respective capitals.
Bilateral relations with the Russian Federation are the strongest

enjoyed by largely isolated
Myanmar. Russia had established diplomatic relations with Myanmar (then known as
Burma), when it became independent and it remained so even today after the fall of the
Soviet Union. China and Russia once vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution designed to
punish Burma. Today Russia still opposes placing sanctions on Myanmar and wants to
support a policy of dialogue.

Human Rights:
In ethnic minority areas, security forces continue to commit extrajudicial killings and rape,
forcibly relocated persons, used forced labor, and conscripted child soldiers.
Disappearances continue, and members of the security forces torture, beat, and otherwise
abuse prisoners and detainees. Citizens are subjected to arbitrary arrest without appeal.
Arrests and detention for expression of dissenting political views has occurred on
numerous occasions
The junta restricts freedom of religion, coercively promotes Buddhism over other religions,
and imposed restrictions on religious minorities. The regime's control over the country's
Muslim minority continues, although acts of violence against Muslims decreased from last
year. The regime regularly infringes on citizens' privacy; security forces continue to monitor
citizens' movements and communications systematically, search homes without warrant,
and relocate persons forcibly without just compensation or legal recourse.
Trafficking in persons, particularly in women and girls mostly for the purposes of
prostitution, remains widespread, despite increased regime efforts to publicize dangers to
potential victims.
Brutal treatment by soldiers also caused deaths among those conscripted as military
porters and laborers. There were unconfirmed reports by various groups indicating that
porters and laborers who no longer physically were able to work sometimes were
abandoned without medical care or were killed
Inmates died in prisons and labor camps, or shortly after being released from them, due to
harsh treatment and lack of adequate medical care
On August 17 2008, Captain Zaw Min Oo reportedly entered Yusomoso, a mainly Catholic
village in Timoso township in Kaya State (east of Karen State) where, according to a reliable
source, the Captain raped a 4-year-old child
The judiciary is not independent of the military junta. The junta appoints justices to the
Supreme Court who, in turn, appoints lower court judges with the approval of the junta.
These courts then adjudicate cases under decrees promulgated by the junta that
effectively have the force of law
Given the brutality of the rapes, (the report, commissioned by Burmese feminists stated
that 25 percent of the rapes resulted in death), the incidence of rapes by officers (83
percent), and the impunity with which they were carried out, the report concluded that
the rapes were condoned by the military regime (mostly to suppress dissident groups in
the Shan state)
In all regions of the country, the regime continued to use force to prohibit virtually all
public speech critical of it by all persons, including persons elected to Parliament in 1990,
and by leaders of political parties

Internal Insurgencies and Cultural Groups:
Two main Insurgencies:
KNU: The Karen National Union is the largest single insurgent group that continues to fight
against central government rule. In 1997 cease-fire talks between the KNU and SLORC
broke down and were followed by the SLORC offensive that pushed the KNU out of its last
strongholds in Karen state. As a result, over 20,000 Karen civilians fled to Thailand. The
Government denied responsibility for attacks on Karen refugee camps in Thailand that
were carried out by the DKBA. However, according to credible reports, the DKBA
(Democratic Karen Buddhist Army) receives military support from the Government. Karen
National Union troops reportedly are led by child soldiers.
Shan State Army (SSA): In central and southern Shan state, the military forces continued to
engage this group, a remnant of Khun Sa's narcotics-linked former Mong Tai Army, and
began a campaign of relocation against the villagers in the region. Many thousands were
forcibly removed from their villages. There are credible reports of retaliatory killings, rapes,
and other atrocities committed by the army against civilians.
High amount of cultural diversity including 107 languages and 135 distinct ethnic groups
(Burmans are the majority, Karen and Shan minorities, also Paduang- girls with rings to
elongate necks)
Conclusion? Even if you managed to remove the Junta, civil war would certainly erupt
The insurgency groups have perpetrated almost as many attacks against each others
ethnic groups as against the Government- clear hatred
If the Government falls, likely suppression of majority Burman Buddhists by Karen and
Shan Buddhists or Muslims (not armed outside the army)
Would likely have the army turn to guerrilla tactics- fear power-sharing agreement with
minority groups and have been in power for extensive periods of time
Clear advantages due to terrain- deltas, forest, mountainous regions

Effectiveness of Sanctions (Could work if multilateral):
More Effective Less Effective
Market Economy Centralised Economy (Economy under total
control of the Government and its
sympathizers)
Highly developed economy Under-developed economy (High levels of
poverty, low levels of mechanization)
Weak economy Strong Economy
High dependence on imports and exports (Very
little domestic market, regime needs outside
trade and aid to function)
Low dependence on imports and exports
High dependence on international capital
markets (Needs low-interest funds from a range
of sources, principally China)
Low dependence on international capital
markets
Industrial society Rural society (Very few industrial centres,
dependent on food production and some raw
materials)
Ethnically diverse (135 Ethnic groups, many of
them in conflict with one another)
Ethnically homogenous
Internally fragmented Internally cohesive
Democratic regime Authoritarian regime (Highly oppressive)
Strong political opposition (Democratic
movements and opposition parties have existed
since before the regimes inception)
Weak political opposition

Possible Topics:
That ASEAN should impose sanctions on Burma (good arguments on both sides)
That we should militarily intervene in Burma (huge veto from Aff)

Taiwan
Following the Communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to
Taiwan and established a government using the 1946 constitution drawn up for all of China
Over the next five decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated
the local population within the governing structure
In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to the
Democratic Progressive Party
Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic
"Tigers."
The dominant political issues continue to be the relationship between Taiwan and China -
specifically the question of Taiwan's eventual status - as well as domestic political and
economic reform
Two main parties: Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [Leader: Tsai Ing-wen], currently in
Opposition, centre-left, Pro-Independence, Pro-UN
Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [Leader: Wu Po-hsiung], currently in Government,
former Nationalists in China/Dictators in Taiwan, now the mainstream centre-right party
A broad public consensus has developed that the government enjoys popular sovereignty
and - whatever the ultimate outcome regarding unification or independence - that Taiwan's
people must have the deciding voice
Public opinion polls consistently show a substantial majority of Taiwan people supports
maintaining Taiwan's status quo for the foreseeable future
Advocates of eventual unification predicate their goal on the democratic transformation of
the mainland
Member of: WTO, International Criminal Court, International Olympic Committee,
International Trade Union Confederation, Asian Development Bank, APEC

Indonesia
Cultural Diversity and Clashes:
Javanese have held power since Indonesias independence in 1949
Described as a polyglot nation held together by military force
Indonesia has in total around 300 ethnic groups
Acehnese Muslims who want to impose Sharia law and want independence from Java have
been fighting the Government since 1953
Free Aceh Movement are the main liberation organization (also known as GAM III)
In 2001-02 the combination of military and police forces in Aceh had grown to about
30,000. In one year this number jumped to 50,000 operating in what the International
Crisis group called, "a virtual legal vacuum". About 6000 civilian deaths were caused in the
2003-2004 clashes.
Other main conflict is in West Papua with the Free Papua Movement (OPM)
While the organization, and in turn Papuan independence, is not supported by the
significant immigrant Javanese population (who constitute 30 to 40% of the islands
population), it is supported by many indigenous Papuans who consider themselves to have
no cultural or historical ties with Austronesian Indonesians.
According to OPM supporters, Indonesian administration of West Papua is a military
occupation
OPM and GAM III are organizations that could be negotiated with
Unitary State (whilst power may be devolved, national government may overrule the
provinces or local councils at any time or withdraw their power)

Compatibility of Islam with Democracy:
Indonesia: (which has the worlds largest Muslim population) has been constitutionally
guaranteed the right to elect the president and vice-president since 2002 (also elect their
legislatures on local, provincial and national levels)
Islam is inherently democratic: Quranic notions such as shura (consultation) and ijma
(consensus) are indicative of an Islamic version of democracy and the importance of
democratic values in the religious teachings of the faith
The Islamic world is not alone in having members who take up arms for their cause: the IRA
in Ireland fought for Catholics and the reunion of the North and South and Zionist groups in
Israel fight against Palestinian Muslims
Islamic interpretations differ significantly over the role of women in Islamic society: Some
claim that the Quranic verses allowing polygamy makes this contingent on the equal
treatment of wives, which being impossible, results in the prohibition of the practice
Factors such as economic liberalization are more important in determining the
development of a state than its religious persuasions
Also worth pointing out, Democracy wouldnt have been seen as compatible with
Christianity due to the divine right of Kings but many thriving democracies maintain large
Christian populations- religions will reform in the face of popular pressure

Arguments against Compatibility:
Islam is an anti-democratic religion because Islamic fundamentalism is incompatible with
the pluralism that is necessary for a democratic state: Islamic fundamentalists view Sharia
law as perfect and divine. Consequently, laws are best made through theocratic
interpretation rather than democratic debate.
Democracy means the rule of the common people, or what is now known as popular
sovereignty, rule for the people, by the people
In Islam, power belongs only to God: al-hukm l'illah.
The man who exercises that power on Earth is known as Khalifat al-Allah, the regent of
God. Even then the Khalifah, or Caliph, cannot act as legislator.
The law has already been spelt out and fixed forever by God
There is little evidence of repeated elections without restrictions or of the accountability of
institutions to the electorate; nor are there guarantees of freedom of expression
Islamic states lack civil society where democratic debate and pressure can be fostered
Conservative and religious curriculum dominates education and discourages a culture of
questioning and debate
Islamic fundamentalist groups are growing in popularity, in part as a reaction to the
extension of Westernization via Globalization
The terrorist branches of such groups (such as al-Qaeda) and the much talked of jihad (holy
war) are absolutely antithetical to democratic values
The Muslim world cannot be democratic until it reforms its position on women, yet a
central Quranic metaphor describes women as complementary to men, but not equal
Changes in other characteristics of the social structure have still been unable to loosen the
grip of Islam on political consciousness
In Egypt economic liberalization actually brought with it a de-liberalization of the state and
the resurgence of Islamic ideals

Terrorist Organizations:
Largest is Jemaah Islamiyah which aims to establish a Daulah Islamiyah (Islamic State) in
Southeast Asia incorporating Indonesia, Malaysia, the southern Philippines, Singapore and
Brunei
Recruiting, training, indoctrination, financial and operational links between the JI and other
militant groups, such as al-Qaeda, the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front (MILF), the Misuari Renegade/Breakaway Group (MRG/MBG) and the Philippine Raja
Solaiman Movement (RSM) have existed for many years, and continue to this day
Jemaah Islamiyah is known to have killed hundreds of civilians in the Bali car bombing on
October 12, 2002. In the attack, suicide bombers killed 202 people and wounded many in
two blasts.
After this attack, the U.S. State Department designated Jemaah Islamiyah as a Foreign
Terrorist Organization.
Jemaah Islamiyah is also strongly suspected of carrying out the 2003 JW Marriott hotel
bombing in Kuningan, Jakarta, the 2004 Australian embassy bombing in Jakarta, and the
2005 Bali terrorist bombing.
JI also has been directly and indirectly involved in dozens of bombings in the southern
Philippines, usually in league with the ASG
Topics:
That Islam is incompatible with democracy
That we should negotiate with terrorists

China
Governance:
CCP (Chinese Communist Party) is made up of a large rich and powerful elite within which
there is considerable internal debate
Question of remaining relevant as a socialist party after the introduction of a partly
capitalist system (not fully capitalist due to the existence of national champions,
corporations that dominate particular industries of importance and run by sympathizers)
Whilst it may seem antiquated, the CCP still fears a revoking of its Mandate of Heaven,
the Chinese idea of a right to govern- prefers quite consent rather than having to clamp
down on dissidents (want to maintain a good foreign image and fears its own people)
One way they have tried to remain relevant is to create nationalism by attacking foreign
imperialists principally the United States
The National Peoples Congress (NPC) is deemed to be the highest organ of state power.
The NPC is partially composed of a permanent body called the Standing Committee of the
National Peoples Congress, which has authority to establish laws
Although Party approval is in effect essential for membership in the NPC, approximately a
third of the seats are by convention reserved for non-Communist Party members. This
includes technical experts and members of the smaller allied parties. While these members
do provide technical expertise and a somewhat greater diversity of views, they do not
function as a political opposition
In 1993, the NPC refused to consider constitutional amendments proposed by the Chinese
Communist Party on the grounds that non-governmental organizations such as the CCP do
not have authority to propose legislation. Also in 1994, the Eighth National People's
Congress Standing Committee included "Income and Property Law," in the official
legislative plan, but was not able to bring it to a vote due to opposition

International Relations:
Interesting to note recent diplomatic tussle with North Korea over a dispute river (the Yalu
River) and over ownership of sea lanes in the Yellow Sea
China armed ZANU-PF in the late 1970s, still strongly supports Mugabe due to trade links
China has an expanding body of other strategic interests in the greater Middle East region.
This is manifested in its security relationships with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Iran, which
entail WMD and ballistic missile cooperation
China has developed a strong relationship with Pakistan. This relationship extends beyond
economic, defense, social and political spheres. Relationship stems from talks in the 1970s
between Deng Xiapoing and Ali Bhutto. China built Pakistans 2
nd
largest port at Gwahar.
China has built nuclear plants for Pakistan to help it meet its energy needs.
China has a long running dispute with Vietnam over the latters ousting of the Khmer
Rouge
Has particularly poor relations with France, after Sarkozy had a meeting with the Dalai
Lama
In regards to Russia: In 2001, the close relations between the two countries were
formalized with the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, a twenty-
year strategic, economic, and controversially, (arguably) an implicit military treaty
Trading partners with Venezuela and other leftist South American nations
Members of WTO in return for market reforms
These have been significant: recognition of IP and private ownership, extensive foreign
investment especially in the Special Economic Zones, democracy at a local council level,
engagement with regards to North Korea
Relations with the US have remained tense, although increased economic ties and military
ties in terms of counter-terrorism in particular have led to increasing co-operation
Dispute over China setting its currency rates (it intentionally undervalues them in relation
to the US dollar), seen as unnecessary interference by a Government in its fiscal policy
The PRC has many restrictive trade practices, which are opposed by the US. These practices
include high tariffs, lack of transparency, requiring firms to obtain special permission to
import goods, inconsistent application of laws and regulations, and leveraging technology
from foreign firms in return for market access. Mainland China's accession to World Trade
Organization is meant to help address these barriers.
Of course, the US often violates WTO provisions itself, for instance in agricultural subsidies
and recently in the Buy American provision in the bailout package
Supported the Sudanese Government and refused to criticize them over Darfur

Human Rights:
Entanglement of the judiciary and the ruling party. A high degree of lawlessness and lack of
due process, the law has mainly only improved for foreign citizens and corporations (in line
with WTO rules). As judges are appointed by the State and the judiciary as a whole does
not have its own budget, this had led to abuse of administrative power and a partisan
court system.
Whilst the Chinese Constitution technically allows freedom of speech, this can be
suspended for those who subvert the state which has been expanded to mean anyone
who publishes anything remotely anti-CCP, pro-democracy or pro-independence of Taiwan,
Tibet or Xinjiang
Chinese citizens must gain permission from the government to travel to the special
administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao.
Urban dwellers enjoy a range of social, economic and cultural benefits while peasants, the
majority of the Chinese population, are treated as second-class citizens
CCP members may not be a member of any faith, the CCP opposed religion in general,
recognizes Protestants, Buddhists, Catholics (although they are not allowed to be in
communion with the Pope), Islam (highly repressed), Taoism
Falun Gong now numbers at approximately 70 million within the PRC, highly repressed-
persecution has allegedly included harvesting organs from followers, re-education through
labour or imprisonment is common, property is often confiscated
China is listed as one of the top 10 violators of Human Rights


Fiji
History
First military coup occurred in 1987, declaration of a Republic, severing of all ties with the
British monarchy
In 1990, a new constitution was promulgated by the first President of the Republic of Fiji,
Ratu Ganilau, giving Fijians 37 seats, Indians 27, General voters 5 and Rotumans 1
Civilian (all this really means is it was bloodless) coup in 2000
Citing corruption in the government, Commodore Josaia Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama,
Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, staged a military takeover on December
5, 2006 against the Prime Minister that he himself had installed after the 2000 coup.
On this occasion the military took over from an indigenous Fijian government, which it
alleged was corrupt and racist. The commodore took over the powers of the presidency
and dissolved the parliament, paving the way for the military to continue the take over
On April 10, 2009, President Iloilo suspended the Constitution of Fiji, dismissed the Court of
Appeal and, in his own words, "appoint[ed] [him]self as the Head of the State of Fiji under
a new legal order"
On May 1, 2009, Fiji became the first nation ever to be suspended from the Pacific Islands
Forum, for its failure to hold democratic elections by that date
Elections are scheduled after a constitutional revision, unlikely before 2012
Suspended freedom of the press and clamped down on opposition supporters

International Relations:
Australia has regularly criticized the coups and military interference in the judiciary in Fiji,
suspended diplomatic ties in 2009 in response to the latest coup
Relations with China are tense, given that Fiji has had high-level contact with Taiwan in the
past (although Fiji officially backs the One China Policy). China has also been reluctant to
invest due to continual instability and lack of a stable government.
Fiji has mixed relations with India, depending on the treatment of the Indo-Fijian minority
Relations between Fiji and Papua New Guinea became strained in November 2005, in the
wake of revelations that a number of Fijian citizens, possibly mercenaries, had entered
Papua New Guinea illegally and were involved in arming and training a separatist militia on
the island of Bougainville. PNG has supported sanctions against Fiji.
It was reported on 2 November 2005 that a territorial dispute was looming between Fiji
and Tonga over a reef lying to the south of both countries
US government is highly critical of Fiji, causing tensions between the two countries
Relations with the UK have been generally poor, UK has withdrawn from the Secretariat of
the Pacific Community due to Fijis continuing membership

Effectiveness of Sanctions (shows it might succeed):
More Effective Less Effective
Market Economy(Fairly free economy, some
military interference, highly under-developed
though)
Centralised Economy
Highly developed economy Under-developed economy (Chronic neglect
from governments and low FDI due to high
instability and continued sanctions from various
sources)
Weak economy Strong Economy
High dependence on imports and exports (Little
domestic demand)
Low dependence on imports and exports
High dependence on international capital
markets (Particularly for development projects)
Low dependence on international capital
markets
Industrial society (Heavily dependent on
manufacturing and services, although a strong
rural sector)
Rural society
Ethnically diverse (Fijians and Indo-Fijians, as
well as Rotumans)
Ethnically homogenous (No minorities)
Internally fragmented (Based around clan and
island loyalties)
Internally cohesive
Democratic regime Authoritarian regime (At least nominally
democratic, military rule does dominate
however, especially after continued
postponement of elections)
Strong political opposition Weak political opposition (Opposition really
only exists to the military in general, lack of
cohesion and no real leader)
Topics:
That we should sanction Fiji