East Asia

About Centre

The East Asia Centre is dedicated to study and research the domestic and foreign policies of individual countries of the region as well as India’s multifaceted relationships with these countries. With respect to China, the Centre’s research foci are its foreign policy (particularly towards the US, Russia, Central Asia and Asia Pacific), domestic politics, economy, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and India’s relationship with China in all its dimensions. The Centre’s research also focuses on Taiwan, its domestic politics, Sino-Taiwanese relationship and Indo-Taiwanese relationship, Hong Kong and India-Hong Kong relations. Japan and Korea are the other major focus of the Centre, with its research focused on their domestic politics, foreign policy and comprehensive bilateral relationships with India. The geopolitics of the Asia Pacific and the Korean peninsula are also studied in the Centre.

The centre brings out five monthly newsletters: East Asia Military Monitor, Japan Digest, China Science and Technology, Korea Newsletter, and China Military Digest.

China’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves: A Reality Check

While maintaining a reserve of 100 days worth of imported petroleum consumption at present consumption rates may be the stated policy of the Chinese government, an analysis of the existing capacities seems to suggest that China may be in a position to store much larger strategic oil reserves should it so desire.

Mandip Singh
May 21, 2012
Issue Brief

Intellectual Property Rights in China

The crux of the problem in China lies in the lack of efficient enforcement of IP laws because of the disconnect between the law as it exists in theory and as it is practiced.

Chen Guangcheng and US-China relations: An Epilogue

Chen’s departure from the US embassy in Beijing points to the unwillingness and inability of the US to bring to bear any pressure on China on human rights issues.

Chen Guangcheng and US-China Relations

The issue of Chen Guangcheng will require much time and many rounds of negotiations so that neither China nor the US “lose face”.

China’s Xinjiang Problem: The 2009 Riots and its Aftermath

Despite focused efforts undertaken by China in the aftermath of the 2009 riots, it has not been able to and, perhaps may never be able to, answer the structural problems of the Uighur discontent in Xinjiang.

The Red Princelings of China

The spotlight focused on the Bo family and its affairs has shown just how lavish the life-styles are of the ruling elite and how extensive their financial holdings and investments are both in China and abroad.

R. S. Kalha
April 20, 2012
IDSA Comments

Russia-India-China Strategic Triangle: Signalling a Power Shift?

In addition to their alternative vision on political issues, the RIC Foreign Ministers’ meet is gradually expanding trilateral cooperation in several sectors, including disaster relief, agriculture and public health.

Swaran Singh
April 19, 2012
IDSA Comments

Tibetan Self Immolation: A Cry in the Wilderness?

Millions all over the world who saw the self immolation of Jamphel Yeshi could not but have failed to be moved at the gruesome sight and at the plight of the hapless Tibetans.

R. S. Kalha
April 04, 2012
IDSA Comments

China’s Defence Budget 2012: An Analysis

China’s Defence Budget for 2012 continues to follow anticipated trend lines in keeping with its plan of carrying out Revolution in Military Affairs in a calibrated, coordinated and comprehensive manner.

Is China Edging Towards Political and Economic Uncertainty?

As China heads towards leadership changes after the 18th Party Congress, there is uncertainty both as regards economic policy as well as internal dissidence.