Diplomatic Salvation: Buddhist Exchanges and Sino-Japanese Rapprochement

Author(s):  
Lauren Richardson ◽  
Gregory Adam Scott

Beginning in the ruins of Buddhist sacred sites in China, Richardson and Scott unearths the reconstruction of post-imperial Sino-Japanese relations through the history of Buddhist exchanges. Building on important new trends in the diplomatic history of early Cold War East Asia, Richardson and Scott move well beyond the focus on Japan-PRC economic relations to minkan religious networks which tied Japan and China throughout the 1950s and 1960s. In so doing this chapter sheds light on the central role of temple priests and religious groups such as Jōdō shinshū and Sōka gakkai, illustrating how Buddhism and religion were pragmatically deployed to bypass official obstacles to bilateral relations. Ultimately, this chapter deepens our understanding of how Buddhist religious and cultural heritages were mobilized to build trust and cooperation beyond the violence of imperial wars. In memorializing war dead, and in returning the remains of forced laborers, religious leaders played an important role in normalizing relations between Japan and the PRC.

Author(s):  
Galya A. Alpyspaeva ◽  

Based on the analysis of the previously unused archival sources and research works on the history of Russian cooperation, the main areas of the activities of the Akmola District Union of Cooperatives in 1917–1922 are studied and generalized. In terms of methodology, the study is based on the works of ideologists of Russian cooperation (M.I. Tugan-Baranovsky, V.F. Totomianets, A.V. Chayanov, and others) and the original concepts they developed. The article analyzes the activities of the Union of Cooperatives of a particular micro-region: the number of employees, organizational structure and management, organization of industrial production, financial and social policies, cultural and educational activities. The author substantiates the role of the District Union of Cooperatives in the development of economic relations in the region and in the district peasant farms’ entry into the all-Russian market. Despite the difficult political circumstances and the relatively short period of existence (from August 1917 to the end of 1922), the Akmola District Union of Cooperatives became an economic and organizational center, contributed to the establishment and development of the consumer cooperation system not only in the district, but also in the region: it initiated the establishment of the regional Union of Steppe Cooperatives. In the conditions of the territorial remoteness from industrial centers and the underdeveloped transport infrastructure, the District Union of Cooperatives significantly facilitated and promoted the production activities of the peasants of the region connecting them with the market, expedited the involvement of Kazakh farms in the regional economy. The Union carried out an active social policy and diversified cultural and educational work, allocated significant amounts from its profits to the development of education in the district. According to the author, the activities of the Akmola District Union of Cooperatives can be considered as an integral part of the national cooperative movement, and its success was due to the application of the allRussian experience during the heyday of cooperation in the country.


Author(s):  
Oleh Bulka

The article is devoted to the particularity of Canada-Mexico bilateral relations in the period from their beginning to signing and entry into force the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It is noted that from the time of first contacts bilateral relations between two countries have developed unevenly with periods of increase and periods of decline. It is determined that in the history of Canada-Mexico relations before signing NAFTA can be identified four main periods. The first one is a period of early contacts that lasted from the end of XIX century to the establishment of the official diplomatic relations between Canada and Mexico in 1944. In this period of time ties between the two countries were extremely weak. The second period lasted from 1944 to the end of the 1960s. This period clearly shows the limits of cooperation between Canada and Mexico after the establishment of the official diplomatic ties, but it is also possible to see a certain coincidence between the values and diplomatic strategies of these countries. The third period of Canada-Mexico relations lasted from the beginning of the 1970s to the end of the 1980s. During this period, both Canada and Mexico try to diversify their foreign policy and strengthen the organizational mechanism of mutual cooperation. But it is also shown that despite the warm political rhetoric, there was some distance in Canada-Mexico relations. The fourth period of the relations lasted from the late 1980s until the NAFTA treaty came into force in 1994. At that time Canadian and Mexican governments began to give priority to economic relations over political and diplomatic ones. It was revealed that the main influencing factors of bilateral relations between Mexico and Canada were the impact of third countries, especially the United Kingdom and the United States, regional and global economic conditions, and the attitude to the bilateral relations of the political elites of both countries.


2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nalin Surie

Given the essential positive history of China’s relations with India, China’s world view and the fact of geographical contiguity, the essential approach that China follows vis-à-vis India post 1949 is based on bilateralism. The bilateral approach has defined China’s negotiations over the border as well as economic relations between the two. In the past bilateralism has allowed China to consolidate its control over Tibet and follow a mercantilist economic policy vis- a- vis India. But the change in the geopolitical status of both nations indicates that bilateral relations, after Wuhan, have been reset to represent those between two ‘major powers’ who have broader regional and global interests as well. Although bilateralism will continue to underline their policies towards each other in matters of common development, regional development or the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, China will need to redefine its approach to bilateralism by broadening and deepening it to create a truly mutual relationship.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 865-882
Author(s):  
Vladimir I. Fokin ◽  
Elena E. Elts

Russia and China have both shown increasing interest in the promotion their cultural achievements and have utilized culture as essential soft-power resource. Moreover, the concept of ‘soft power’ has gained popularity in Russia’s and China’s academic and political discourse. Russian-Chinese cultural cooperation is gaining momentum due to this exchange, and the scale and the depth of the cultural projects have expanded. At the moment, museums are involved in development of diplomatic relations, including within the framework of friendship societies, and through the development of the Russian-Chinese tourism. ‘Red tourism’ (it means visiting the monuments of the revolutionary history of Russia) in particular has expanded through the implementation of cultural seasons, Cross-Years of Culture, and the promotion of cultural exchanges of contemporary art. As shown in the case of Hermitage, Moscow Kremlin Museums, National Museum of China, Palace Museum ‘Gugong’ in Beijing, famous world museums have been carrying out the ambitious development programmes, scaling up their resource capacities, and since the beginning of the 21st century have begun to promote their brand. The article considers the potential for museums to participate in the development of bilateral relations, and in improving the foreign-policy image of both countries. The authors’ research reveals the features of museum diplomacy, areas of museums’ international activities that enhanced the efficiency of Russia’s and China’s soft power and identifies the common avenues for disseminating the neoliberal messages in museum sphere. Moreover, particular attention is paid by the authors’ to ‘soft power’ rankings and to lists of the most visited museums. Furthermore, new modalities of international museum cooperation are discussed by the authors, with a focus on areas of joint collaboration within the framework of SCO, BRICS, and the “One belt, one road” initiative. The authors conclude that there is a need to improve the legal framework for Russian-Chinese museum cooperation in response to the deepening interaction and transformation of the role of museums in both international and bilateral relations.


2018 ◽  
Vol III (II) ◽  
pp. 421-438
Author(s):  
Huma Qayum ◽  
Nargis Zaman ◽  
Syed Ali Shah

The history of Pak-Afghan relations is dominated more by conflicts then by cooperation since emergence of Pakistan. In the ongoing pattern of peace process, it is proposed that Pakistan should pave the way to bring the Taliban on negotiation table for peace and stability in Afghanistan. The recent steps taken in the form of different Confidence Building Measures show flurry of diplomatic relationship in the emerging cordiality between the two countries. Diverse civil society groups of Pakistan are of the view that the drawdown of US forces from Afghanistan will ultimately create a power vacuum and plunge the country again into yet another civil war. Pakistan’s efforts to use its influence to bring the Taliban on table talk will smooth the way for peace, stability and prosperity of Afghanistan as well as security of the entire region. Keeping in view the geographical proximity of the two countries, Pakistan’s own vital interests are attached to peace and stability in Afghanistan. Pakistan took cognizance of this very fact and played highly constructive role in facilitating dialogue process in Afghanistan and improving bilateral ties of the two countries.


2020 ◽  
pp. 159-188
Author(s):  
Yu.V. Yakutin

On the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Free Economic Society — VEO of Russia, is preparing a series of articles devoted to members of the academy who actively collaborated with VEO. Academician Sitaryan S.A. entered the economic history of Russia both as a prominent theoretical scientist, and as a talented organizer of economic reform processes, and as an active participant in the life of VEO. The article analyzes the scientific views of Academician S. Sitaryan on the problems of reforming the Soviet economy, starting with the «kosygin reform» and up to the reform of the late 80s of the twentieth century. The role of academician S. Sitaryan is revealed. in approving value categories in the practice of managing the national economy. The contribution of S. Sitaryan to the theory of analysis of macro- and microeconomic processes is shown; organization and assessment of the effectiveness of foreign economic relations; building rational and optimal budgetary relations between the center and the regions.


Author(s):  
Yuriy Kuzmin

The author of the book, O.S. Smyslov, interprets the military events in the area of the Khalkhin Gol river in 1939, defines the causes of the war, the role of commanders, military casualties and participants of military actions. The battle of Khalkhin Gol becomes the subject of much attention and study of Russian and Mongolian historians, especially the most complex and controversial issues of military and diplomatic history. Most of the research is original and contributes significantly to the interpretation of the military conflict, its geopolitical nature and its role in the world history of the 20th century. A new interpretation of the role of Georgy Zhukov in the crushing defeat of the Japanese troops at Khalkhin Gol is proposed in the monograph of the military historian O.S. Smyslov. The author of the book made an attempt to downplay and misrepresent the participation of Zhukov in the historical events. The author’s approach to the cause of the military conflict is critically examined as well as the methodology of historical research. The author of the review believes that the attempt of a new interpretation of the war in the Khalkhin Gol area is controversial and historically unconvincing. The matter merits professional discussion. There is a need to make a special encyclopedia, “The Battle of Khalkhin Gol in 1939”, which will enable to avoid misrepresentation of the tragic and heroic military events of history of the USSR and Russia of the 20th century.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Malcolm Arthur McKinnon

<p>This study is a diplomatic history of Anglo-New Zealand economic relations through World War II and the postwar decade. During this tine Britain's priorities were such as to sharply alter her economic interests in New Zealand, compared both with the pre-war and post-1954 eras. It is this transformation which gives the period its distinctive coloration. Throughout these years Britain wanted New Zealand to conserve and direct her resources, initially to assist in the war effort, subsequently to aid the tasks of reconstruction. New Zealand gave active support to Britain. Nonetheless, she could not completely disregard her own interests. In the short-term, there was always pressure to buy on the cheapest and sell on the dearest market. In the long-term, New Zealand faced more fundamental decisions. Should she seek economic security through close association with Britain? Should she diversify her economic relations? Should she try to insulate her domestic from the international economy? These longstanding concerns can be traced through the period. They, too, moulded the course of events. Chapter one looks at the record of economic diplomacy before 1939. Chapters two to five look at the World War II period. Chapter two examines the period from the perspectives of the restraint Britain sought to impose on New Zealand in the consumption of resources. Chapters three to five trace the history of New Zealand's export industries - her major contribution to the struggle - through the war. Chapters six to ten span the post-war decade. Chapter six follows the theme of chapter two through to 1949. Chapter seven looks at Britain's concern about the commercial implications of New Zealand's import policies - a concern which had taken a back seat through the war. Chapters eight and ten take the history of the food export industries through to 1954. Chapter nine picks up the themes of chapters six and seven and takes them through to 1954, and also looks at the wool trade after 1946. Lastly, chapter eleven looks at how the relationship between the two countries evolved after 1954. The end of the long period of stringency meant a return in some, but certainly not in all, respects to pre-war conditions.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-107
Author(s):  
A. N. Piatakov

The author analyzes the history of formation and current state of Turkey-Mexico political and economic relations in the context of Ankara intercontinental relations with the Latin American region. Comparative analysis of the two powers in their geo-economic ‘weight’, international activity, and other aspects is carried out. Evaluation of historical aspect of bilateral relations is specially emphasized. For the first time in Russian Latin American studies the evolution of Turkey-Mexico diplomatic relations in the 20th century is studied in their phases, including political contacts dynamics at the turn of the 20th and 21st century. The author also analyzes current state of countries’ trade and economic relations, as well as their interaction at the international arena.


Author(s):  
Tomasz Kamiński ◽  
Michał Gzik

Fast growing network of national contacts in the Sino-Italian affairs builds the important layer of subnational bilateral relations. The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of paradiplomatical cooperation between Italian and Chinese regions. This paper contains a short overview of bilateral Italian-Chinese relations in political, economic and social terms. Furthermore there is a description of competences of the regions in the Italian foreign policy in term of legal environment for the autonomous activities of Italian regions in the international arena. Moreover this paper contains the analyses of existing links between Italian and Chinese regions on the basis of a survey conducted among regional authorities from all Italian regions. Finally it contains the case of Umbria, as a region that active cooperation with China goes well beyond economic relations.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document