The standoff between the two governments on either side of the Taiwan Strait has now lasted for 76 years. Elizabeth Chien-Hale, a daughter of Taiwan, writes that this is longer than her own lifetime and asks: why isn’t anyone working toward a peace agreement?
Jerome A. Cohen, professor emeritus of law at New York University and founding director of the law school’s U.S.-Asia Law Institute, who passed away on September 22, 2025, introduced the study of China’s legal system into American law schools. Through his writings, teaching, private diplomacy, and public advocacy, he was an influential advocate for human rights and the rule of law in China and across East Asia as the region emerged from colonialism and post-war authoritarian rule to become an economic powerhouse.
One of the most complicated topics in contemporary international relations is the status of the self-governing island of Taiwan and its government in Taipei, formally called the government of the Republic of China. In this May 6, 2025 talk, Bing Ling, a professor at the University of Sydney Law School, explains the legal basis for China’s claim to sovereignty over Taiwan; what actions might invoke use of the PRC’s Anti-Secession Law, either to use force against Taiwan or simply bring criminal charges against Taiwanese who oppose unification; and the urgent need for the governments in Beijing and Taipei to resume talks.
November 2 - November 8
The Chinese government reportedly takes steps to rein in police abuses; Hong Kong police freeze assets linked to the Cambodia-based Prince Group as part of a multi-nation probe of its alleged transnational crimes; Japan’s government plans further revisions to its foreign investment screening law; South Korean universities begin rejecting applicants with records of school violence; Taiwan’s government continues to review legislation with an eye to strengthening legal protections against Chinese disinformation, infiltration, and security threats.
October 26 - November 1
A Chinese woman whose husband tried to kill her by pushing her off a cliff finally wins a divorce in a high-profile case; the Hong Kong police force expands its real-time monitoring CCTV surveillance system by integrating cameras managed by other departments; a Japanese court rules that the July election for the upper chamber of parliament was held in a “state of unconstitutionality” due to disparities in the value of votes in different districts; South Korea's Constitutional Court upholds a law that bans violators of the election law from voting for up to ten years; Taiwan trade negotiators say that technical consultations with the US have been largely finalized.
October 19 - October 25
China’s Communist Party Central Committee approves the outline of a new five-year economic and social development plan; the China-led International Organization for Mediation opens for business in Hong Kong; Japan’s Diet elects Sanae Takaichi, a firebrand nationalist and security hawk, to be Japan’s fourth prime minister in five years and first female head of government; the South Korean government is allowing same-sex couples to identify themselves as “spouses” or “cohabiting partners” in the next census; Taiwan’s High Court sentences a retired lieutenant general to prison for attempting to develop an espionage operation for China.
Program on International Law & Relations in Asia
