(This article appeared in the June edition of the European Institute for Asian Studies’ newsletter which I’m currently editing. To subscribe, click here)
Given the relative ease with which the EU’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with South Korea have progressed thus far, it appears that those who called for the EU to pursue a bilateral deal with the country have a right to feel vindicated.
But keep that champagne on ice for the time being. Despite a quiet confidence among Commission officials that the deal with pass through the European Parliament (and indeed the 27 national parliaments of the member states, not to mention the Korean National Assembly) come the autumn, the FTA still has its opponents.
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Posted in Asia, eias.org | Tagged FTA, European trade, EU relations, EU-Korea FTA, Free Trade Agreements | Leave a Comment »
January 19, 2010 by David
(Originally @ http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jan/19/china-gay-rights-state )
It’s a peculiarly Chinese way of dealing with things, the last-minute cancellation. Now China’s gay community have learned, just like music festival organisers before them, that even licences and assurances can’t protect a controversial event from a late knock on the door from the police. But Friday’s cancellation of China’s first official gay pageant, hours before it was due to begin in Beijing, will sting more than most government interventions. This was supposed to mark a new dawn for China’s LGBT population. Instead, after a decade of mixed signals, China’s gay community just wants the government to talk straight for once.
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Posted in China, The Guardian | Tagged China, gay rights, gay rights in china | Leave a Comment »
December 20, 2009 by David
Ten years ago today Portugal handed Macau back to China in a similar agreement to that which saw Hong Kong returned by the British in 1997.
I was barely aware of the place before I came to China, but visited for a few days with a friend last summer. I’ll be honest – our main motivation for visiting wasn’t the sightseeing.
Macau is now the gambling capital of the world. More money is wagered there than in Las Vegas, and we wanted to chance our arms at the tables. But following a surprisingly lucky night of roulette it was a wander around the city the next day that really grabbed my attention.
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Posted in China | Tagged handover, Macau, Portugal | Leave a Comment »
December 15, 2009 by David
(Originally @ http://www.gl
obaltimes.cn/www/english/metro-beijing/two-cents/opinion/2009-12/491770.html )
It’s that time of year again, although it feels like it’s been that time of year for about six weeks already. Yes – Christmas has arrived, and it’s early. Again.
Now a quick disclaimer. Trying to write a column complaining about Christmas without it turning into yet-an-other- column-complaining-about- Christmas (exclusive to every newspaper on earth) is tricky. The last thing I want is to become one of those people who moan about Christmas because it seems like the thing to do these days.
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Posted in China, Global Times | Tagged Chinese christmas, Christmas in China | Leave a Comment »
December 1, 2009 by David
I was recently interviewed by the European Journalism Centre for an article on the Chinese media. My answers are below, and the full article can be found here.
Chinese media in the spotlight
In order to gain insight into the news information space in China, this author has interviewed two reporters based in Beijing: David Bartram, a freelance British journalist, and George Sun Xiaoji, a Chinese reporter who writes for several Chinese websites and newspapers.
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Posted in China, Media | Leave a Comment »
November 18, 2009 by David
( Originally @ http://www.globaltimes.cn/www/english/metro-beijing/two-cents/opinion/2009-11/486037.html )
Lately I’ve noticed that being British and being a music snob often goes hand in hand. “Oh I don’t listen to that American nonsense,” one friend recently said to me. “And that Euro trash! I wouldn’t be caught dead dancing to it.”
Maybe we have a right to feel a little superior. After all, our little island has given the world The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Joy Division and Radiohead, to name but a handful.
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Posted in China, Global Times, Music | Tagged beijing music, Chinese music, hanggai, throat singing | Leave a Comment »
