Posted in Asia, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, U.S. Foreign Policy, tagged Bush, Indonesia, Obama, Obama's Indonesia Policy, Southeast Asia on July 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Jakarta Globe, July 17, 2009
Six months into US President Barack Obama’s tenure, his administration has indicated an interest to enter into a “comprehensive partnership” with Indonesia, forge better relations with the Muslim world and reassert America’s commitment to Southeast Asia. The policies — all relevant to Indonesia — appear worthwhile enough, but the Obama administration’s self-adulation in pursuing them is not.
Posted in Asia, China, Indonesia, Racial Politics, Southeast Asia, tagged Cai Mingchao, China, Chinese immigrants, Chinese nationalism, Christie's and Chinese bronze sculptures, Southeast Asia on March 13, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Wall Street Journal Asia, March 13, 2009
Singapore
The nationalist frenzy arrived quickly. As soon as Chinese art collector Cai Mingchao refused to pay for two bronze sculptures for which he had successfully bid $40 million at a Christie’s auction, China’s newspapers, Internet chat rooms and blogs rushed to crown him the country’s new national hero. In the view of numerous Chinese citizens, including Mr. Cai, the artworks were looted from China by European powers in the 19th century and should be returned to China, for free. The Chinese government agrees.
