Asia
This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on Asia. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.
Standard Notes
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 22.07.2013 | In brief: the controversy over the November 2013 Commonwealth Summit in Sri Lanka |
| In November 2009, the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government Meeting (CHOGM) agreed that its 2013 meeting should be held in Sri Lanka. This decision has faced persistent criticism since then, with organisations including Human Rights Watch arguing that the Sri Lankan Government's human rights record is so poor that the Commonwealth should relocate the Summit elsewhere. The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, has rejected such calls. So far, Canada is the only Commonwealth member state to say that it will definitely not be attending the Summit. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, and the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, have confirmed that they will both be attending the Summit on behalf of the British Government (Prince Charles will represent the Queen). The official British position is that they will use their presence to raise concerns about the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. | |
| 16.04.2013 | The Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands: tension between Japan and China in the East China Sea |
| Tensions between Japan and China in connection with long-standing rival claims to sovereignty over the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea have deepened since September 2012, with nationalist sentiment being stirred up in both countries. Taiwan also claims the islands. Japan, which administers the islands, does not accept that there is a dispute to be resolved. China insists that there is. This note briefly summarizes the competing claims and reviews developments over the last six months or so. | |
| 01.03.2013 | North Korea: domestic developments during Kim Jong-Un's first year in power |
| This note briefly surveys domestic developments in North Korea since the death of Kim Jong-Il in December 2011 and the succession of his son, Kim Jong-Un. The nuclear issue is referred to only in passing. Insofar as we can know, Kim Jong-Un appears to have consolidated power smoothly and quickly. There are signs that the new leadership wants to shift from a 'Military First' to a 'People First' policy, which will involve economic reform measures. However, there are no real signs yet of an improvement on human rights. | |
| 27.02.2013 | China: new political directions under a new leadership? |
| A new Chinese leadership is about to take power at the National People's Congress, which begins on 5 March. Xi Jinping will take on the role of President, while Li Keqiang will become Premier. The succession of the 'fifth generation' of Communist leaders appeared to have been destabilised during 2012 following the fall of Bo Xilai, but in the end has gone relatively smoothly. Commentators are now focused on whether and, if so, how Xi and Li will change China's political course. This note surveys some of the views being expressed on this issue. | |
| 01.02.2013 | Southeast Asia: an update |
| The political and economic profile of Southeast Asia as a region continues to rise. The UK is scaling up its engagement with the region. This briefing provides country snapshots of the main events in six of the countries in the region since the start of 2012 and also looks at significant developments over the past year or so in the UK's relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its member states. |
Research Papers
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 06.12.2012 | Pakistan in 2013 |
| 2013 will be another important year for Pakistan. Federal and provincial elections will be held during the first half of the year. If, as seems increasingly likely, the Pakistan People's Party-led Government sees out its full term in office and hands over to a civilian successor, it will be the first time in Pakistan's history that this has happened. But the political and economic situation remains highly volatile and unpredictable. | |
| 14.12.2011 | Military balance in Southeast Asia |
| This paper examines the military balance of power in Southeast Asia and specifically at the military capabilities and priorities of six regional actors: Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Singapore. | |
| 14.12.2011 | Southeast Asia: A political and economic introduction |
| This paper provides a broad introduction to Southeast Asia. It offers key facts and figures about the region, followed by country studies of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. It then looks more analytically at two key issues for the region: democratisation and Islamist terrorism. It ends with a select bibliography. | |
| 22.06.2010 | The 'AfPak policy' and the Pashtuns |
| The first part of this paper focuses on the Pashtuns, beginning with a survey of the geographic, historical and cultural factors which have shaped Pashtun identities in Afghanistan and Pakistan before going on to describe the political and security arrangements under which they currently live. The paper then reviews the Pashtun armed militant groups currently operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The second part of the paper then looks at the US AfPak policy, setting out its origins and evolution before assessing the prospects for success over the coming year and beyond. | |
| 05.06.2009 | War and peace in Sri Lanka |
| This paper provides a brief historical and social survey of Sri Lanka, including the origins of the conflict between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE. It then gives an account of developments since 2002, when a ceasefire was agreed and hopes were raised - rapidly to be dashed - that there might be a peaceful negotiated resolution of the conflict. The paper also surveys the stance taken by the international community on the conflict, the military capabilities of the Sri Lankan military, and aid and development issues. It concludes by considering Sri Lanka's future prospects, including assessing how real the Government's military victory is and whether genuine political and constitutional reforms are likely to be introduced. |
Select Committee Reports
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 19.07.2011 | Trade and investment: China. |
| Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee report [Commons] | |
| 12.07.2011 | Humanitarian response to the Pakistan floods.International |
| Government response. International Development Select Committee; Department for International Development report [Commons] | |
| 27.04.2011 | Humanitarian response to the Pakistan floods. |
| International Development Select Committee report [Commons] | |
| 06.07.2010 | DFID's Programme in Nepal. |
| Government response. Department for International Development report [Commons] | |
| 09.03.2010 | Stars and dragons: the EU and China. |
| European Union Select Committee (HL) report [Lords] |
Early Day Motions
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 08.02.2012 | AID TO VICTIMS OF CONFLICT IN BURMA |
| That this House welcomes the continued increase in UK aid to Burma and the visit to Burma in 2011 by the Secretary of State for International Development; further welcomes political ... | |
| 08.02.2012 | BANGLADESH, DEMOCRACY AND THE RULE OF LAW |
| That this House supports democracy and the rule of law; condemns the attempts by fringe elements in Bangladesh to undermine democracy and the rule of law through the use of violence; ... | |
| 08.02.2012 | DETERIORATING HUMAN RIGHTS IN TIBET |
| That this House strongly condemns the Chinese security forces' unwarranted use of force including opening fire on unarmed demonstrators to quash peaceful protests in Tibet; is greatly ... | |
| 08.02.2012 | UK RELATIONS WITH INDIA |
| That this House is deeply concerned by recent events which have served to undermine the excellent relationship between India and the UK; notes that the Top Gear India Christmas Special, ... | |
| 08.02.2012 | BURMA |
| That this House welcomes the steps taken by President Thein Sein to release some political prisoners, enter into ceasefire negotiations with armed ethnic groups and allow more political ... |
Lords Library Notes
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 28.11.2011 | Debate on 1 December: International Development Policy and the Situation of Dalits |
| This Library Note provides an overview of the situation of Dalits in South Asia and looks at the issue of caste-based discrimination in India. It also examines the Government's international development policy for India, currently the largest recipient of UK development aid. | |
| 07.01.2011 | Debate on 13 January: Economic and Strategic Role of Turkey |
| This Library Note provides background reading for the debate on the economic and strategic role of Turkey in Europe and the Middle East. |
