Features ofModern Asia

*Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Continuing Conflicts

*Workers in Kashmir

Kashmir is a disputed territory between the countries of Pakistan and India. Recent acquisition of nuclear weapons by both countries underscores the seriousness of the conflict. Years of open conflict between India and Pakistan over Kashmir include 1947, 1965, and 1999.

*Cape Hedo, Okinawa, Japan

Strategic Relationships

Since the end of World War II, U.S. military installations have been maintained in Japan. One of the southern-most installations is at the island of Okinawa. Mutual interest in the stability of East Asia is leading to a more interdependent relationship between Japan and the United States.

Modernity and the Past

*Modern Shanghai

With roots going back to the 5th and 7th centuries CE, Shanghai, China became an international trading center during the mid-19th century. A modern city, Shaghai’s varied history includes being the location for the founding of the Chinese Communist Party in 1921.

Continuing Conflicts

*Map of Sri Lanka

Formerly known as Ceylon, the island nation of Sri Lanka is located south of the mainland of India. Violent conflict between the Tamil Tigers, a Tamil ethnic minority organization, and the Sri Lankan government continued through the first decade of the new century.

*Street in Taipei

Separated from mainland China by the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan was under Japanese control for a time ending after World War II. China recognizes Taiwan as a province, countering the island’s aspirations for sovereignty. The seat of government for Taiwan is the city of Taipei whose airport is named after Chang Kai-Shek , an important figure from China’s revolutionary period.

Continuing Conflicts

Modernity and the Past

*Triumphal Arch Statues in Pyongyang, North Korea

According to legend, the city of Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, is located on the site of the capital of the ancient Tangun dynasty, circa 2333 BCE. North Korea continues to be the most closed communist country in the world. Recent provocations involving the launching or threatening to launch of missiles and satellites has necessitated the involvement of diplomatic action from many different countries and agencies.

Emerging Nations

*Timorese girl

Also known as East Timor, Timor-Leste became the world’s newest country in the first decade of the 21st century. Formerly a part of Indonesia, and located north of Australia, the impoverished nation of Timor-Leste ‘s future development relies heavily on offshore oil and gas deposits.

*Old and New collide in Singapore

Modernity and the Past

The island nation of Singapore lies at the tip of the Malaysian peninsula. Lee Kuan Yew served as the nation’s first prime minister for 30 years before stepping down in 1990. Long an international center for trade, the conservative country focuses heavily on education .

Continuing Conflicts

*Nepalese woman sifting grain

Among other countries, Nepal shares its border with India and the region of Tibet in China. While the Himalayan Mountains attract tourists, the country recently suffered a civil war with Maoist Rebels that ended in 2006. The rebels were believed to be backed by China, who was seemingly attempting to gain a strategic advantage with neighboring India.

*Three Gorges Dam

Developing Infrastructure

The largest hydro-electric power station in the world, the Three Gorges Dam, is located on the Yangtze River in the Chinese province of Hubei. The station and area is a growing tourist attraction, receiving 1.45 million tourists in 2010.

ReferencesSlide 2

Coleman, Y. D., & Holliway, R. (2011). International Hot Spot, Special Report: Kashmir (India and Pakistan). In CountryWatch: Global guide. Retrieved from http://www.countrywatch.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/facts/facts_default.aspx?type=text&topic=SEIKP.

Slide 3

Japan: Foreign Relations, General Relations. (2011). In CountryWatch: CountryWatch reviews.Retrieved from http://www.countrywatch.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/cw_topic.aspx?type=text&vcountry=86&topic=POFOR.

Slide 4

Boxer, B. (2011). Shanghai. In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/538506/Shanghai.

Slide 5

Coleman, D. Y. (2011). Sri Lanka, Political Conditions, The Post-Independence Era. In CountryWatch: CountryWatch reviews. Retrieved from http://www.countrywatch.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/cw_topic.aspx?type=text&vcountry=161&topic=POPCO.

Slide 6

China, Appendix: Taiwan. (2011). In CountryWatch: CountryWatch reviews. Retrieved from http://www.countrywatch.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/cw_topic.aspx?type=text&vcountry=37&topic=APTAW.

Taipei. (2011). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/580809/Taipei.

ReferencesSlide 7

North Korea, Foreign Relations. (2011). In CountryWatch: CountryWatch reviews. Retrieved from http://www.countrywatch.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/cw_topic.aspx?type=text&vcountry=91&topic=POFOR

P’yŏngyang. (2011). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/484693/Pyongyang.

Slide 8

Coleman, D. Y. (2011). East Timor, Political Conditions. In CountryWatch: CountryWatch reviews.Retrieved from http://www.countrywatch.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/cw_topic.aspx?type=text&vcountry=194&topic=POPCO.

Slide 9

Coleman, D. Y. (2011). Singapore: Political Conditions. In CountryWatch: CountryWatch reviews.Retrieved from http://www.countrywatch.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/cw_topic.aspx?type=text&vcountry=154&topic=POPCO.

Singapore: History. (2011). In CountryWatch: CountryWatch reviews. Retrieved from http://www.countrywatch.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/cw_topic.aspx?type=text&vcountry=154&topic=POHIS.

Slide 10

Coleman, D. Y. (2011). Nepal: Political Conditions. In CountryWatch: CountryWatch reviews.Retrieved from http://www.countrywatch.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/cw_topic.aspx?type=text&vcountry=123&topic=POPCO.

Slide 11

Xinhua News Agency. (2011). China's Three Gorges Dam Sees Record Tourist Arrivals in 2010. In CountryWatch: Country wire. Retrieved from http://search.countrywatch.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/cw_searchdocument.aspx?DocNumParam=26.