Politik - Demokratie (2013/5)

Japan and Vietnam ban Chinese software

26.12.2013 (Russian Radio) - Amidst fears of spying, Japan has banned with immediate effect the use of Chinese software intended for inputting text in Japanese Government organizations. Meanwhile, the Vietnam Ministry of Education has banned the use of the Chinese software Earth Explorer in Geography classes. [read more]

Vietnam prohíbe un software chino de geografía que engrandece China

26.12.2013 (Univision) - Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam), 26 dic (EFE).- El Ministerio de Educación de Vietnam ha prohibido en las escuelas un software chino que incluye dentro de China territorios de otros países de Asia, informa hoy la prensa local.

La orden afecta directamente al software Earth Explorer que se ha instalado en todas las escuelas de secundaria del país para enseñar geografía y que, por ejemplo, adscribe las islas Paracelso y Spratly al territorio nacional chino, según el diario Thanh Nien. [seguir leyendo]

Cambodia Apes Vietnam in Its War on Religion

21.12.2013 By Michael Benge (American Thinker) - Vietnam has Fatherland Front associations in every provincial capital in Cambodia and has advisors in every division of the Cambodian government, including the Ministry of Religion. Vietnam provides training for Achas (who liaise between the public and the monks in Cambodian temples) as well as for false monks sent by Tep Vong to infiltrate all temples in Cambodia and many overseas, such as the one in Jacksonville. [read more]

Constitutional Reform Not the Only Avenue for Economic Reforms in Vietnam

20.12.2013 By Kyle Springer (cogitASIA) - Reform-minded Vietnamese and foreign investors were disappointed when Vietnam’s National Assembly passed a new constitution in late November without making any changes on the dominant role of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in the economy. The reaffirmation of the leading role of SOEs is somewhat puzzling, considering Vietnam is a negotiating partner in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement with the United States, Japan, and eight other countries. A chapter in the TPP is dedicated to addressing market-distorting advantages SOEs currently enjoy in some member economies. ... At some point in the future, economic reforms must go hand in hand with political reforms; but it is unclear whether Vietnam’s ruling elite understand this. [read more]

World Bank and Vietnamese Church against forced expropriations: they halt development

20.12.2013 (AsiaNews) - Social tensions arising from land disputes drive away foreign investors and diminish growth. Expected development index lowest since 1999. In three years, more than 700 thousand disputes put dozens of infrastructure projects at risk. Bishops' Conference : Constitutional amendments are needed to protect ownership of property. UN official in support of the Catholics of Con Dau.

The age-old question of land ownership in Vietnam, due to repeated abuse and forced evictions to the detriment of the individual and the community, is not only a legal and constitutional issue, but represents an obstacle to the economic development of the country. Social tensions arising from land disputes - a battle that saw the Bishops' Conference fighting for the people - are likely to ward off foreign investors and tarnish growth targets . The warning comes not only from activists and organizations for the protection of human rights, but from experts from the World Bank analysis institute based in Washington, who speak of possible " social unrest " triggered by the forced requisition of land for construction projects or industrial activities. Moreover it confirms the fears of economists: in 2012 there was the growth rate lowest in the last 13 years. [read more]

Banco mundial e Iglesia vietnamita contra las expropiaciones forzadas: un freno al desarrollo

20.12.2013 (AsiaNews) - Las tensiones sociales que derivan de las disputas sobre las tierras alejan a los inversores extranjeros y redimensionan el crecimiento. Previsto el índice de desarrollo más bajo que en 1999 a hoy. En 3 años más de 700 mil disputas, a riego decenas de proyectos infraestructurales. Conferencia episcopal: son necesarias modificaciones a tutela de la propiedad. Funcionarios Onu apoyan a los católicos de Con Dau.

La vieja cuestión de las propiedades de las tierras en Vietnam, causa de repetidos abusos y expropiaciones forzadas en que los dañados son los individuos y las comunidades, no sólo es un problema jurídico y constitucional, sino que representa un freno al desarrollo económico del País. Las tensiones sociales que derivan de las disputas por las tierras- una batalla que ha visto a la Conferencia episcopal al lado de los ciudadanos- arriesgan de hecho alejar a los inversores extranjeros y ofuscar los objetivos del crecimiento. La alerta no viene sólo de parte de los activistas y organizaciones que tutelan los derechos humanos, sino también de los ismos expertos del banco Mundial; los analistas del Instituto con sede en Washington hablan de posibles "revueltas sociales" causadas por las expropiaciones forzadas de las tierras, para proyectos edilicios o actividades industriales. Es un dato, entre los tantos, que confirman los temores de los economistas: en 2012 se registró una tasa de crecimiento más bajo de los últimos 13 años. [seguir leyendo]

Le conte (de Noël) du colporteur

20.12.2013 (Églises d'Asie) - Les agents de la Sécurité publique sont connus pour la violence dont ils font usage au cours leurs interventions. Des plaintes à ce sujet sont mises en ligne presque quotidiennement sur les sites indépendants et les blogs. Pourtant, à l’approche de Noël, la presse officielle a fait état d’une exception rarissime : le 18 décembre dernier, cédant à la pression de l’opinion publique, le président du Comité populaire d’un district de Saigon a présenté des excuses publiques et a offert une indemnisation appropriée à un colporteur de rue. Celui-ci avait été agressé par les forces de l’ordre, qui l’avaient frappé avant de lui passer les menottes.

Selon les récits parus dans la presse officielle, le 17 décembre dernier, un marchand ambulant, Trinh Xuân Tinh, a reçu la visite personnelle du cadre administratif Nguyên Van Quy. Le journal VN Express rapporte que celui-ci s’est excusé directement auprès du colporteur et lui a offert une somme de 7 800 000 dôngs (271 euros) en guise d’indemnisation pour les soins nécessités par ses blessures, les marchandises endommagées et le manque à gagner qui s’est ensuivi. En outre, le véhicule à moteur du colporteur qui avait été confisqué lui a été rendu [en savoir plus...] - [tiếng Việt]

Politik-Skandal - Zoll schnappt Botschafter

19.12.2013 Von Max Schneider (Bild) - Skandal um einen hochrangigen Diplomaten. Zollbeamte stoppten einen Botschafter von Vietnam bei der Einreise – Geldschmuggel-Verdacht! 21.45 Uhr, Diplomat The Cuong Nguyen landet mit „Turkish Airlines“-Flieger „TK 1619“ aus Ankara auf Rhein-Main.

Als er durch die Zollkontrolle huscht, stoppen ihn Beamte. Der Leiter der vietnamesischen Vertretung in der Türkei hat knapp 20000 Euro dabei - nicht angemeldet. [Weiterlesen] - [tiếng Việt]

Japan, US squeeze China's ADIZ

18.12.2013 By Richard Javad Heydarian (Asia Times) - Manila - At a recently concluded summit with Japan in Tokyo, the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asians (ASEAN) joined their host in thinly veiled criticism of China's newly declared air identification defense zone (ADIZ) for areas covering the East China Sea.

The ADIZ, announced by Beijing in late November, covers areas disputed with Japan and has been strongly rebuked by South Korea, Taiwan and the United States. Beijing has insisted the ADIZ is consistent with international laws and other countries' declared sovereign aerial space.

ASEAN and Japan's joint statement, issued nominally to recognize 40 years of diplomatic relations, agreed to "cooperation in ensuring the freedom of over flight and civil aviation safety, in accordance with the universally recognized principles of international law". [read more]

Todesstrafe gegen Schiffbauer

17.12.2013 (Nauticus24) - Der Niedergang der vietnamesischen Werften nimmt dramatische Formen an: Erst kürzlich wurden mehr als 14 000 Arbeiter entlassen, nun verhängte ein Gericht sogar ein Todesurteil gegen zwei Top-Manager.

Als einen Grund für den Niedergang hat die Regierung das Management der staatlichen Werften des Landes ausgemacht: Korruption, Missmanagement und Untreue lauten die Vorwürfe. [Weiterlesen]  - [tiếng Việt]

Time for U.S. to press Vietnam over freedoms

16.12.2013 By Scott Flipse (CNN) - John Kerry is finishing up his first visit to Vietnam as Secretary of State, a trip billed as a chance to “highlight…a growing partnership” against a backdrop of increasingly intertwined bilateral interests. Yet despite the progress over the past decade, Vietnam’s sometimes fierce suppression of free speech, religion, ethnic minorities and independent labor unions complicates closer cooperation. It’s time for the U.S. to use its considerable influence with Vietnam to press for change.

Few Secretaries of State can draw on the kind of goodwill Kerry has built up through his efforts to improve ties between the United States and its former adversary. This, coupled with Vietnamese concerns over China and Hanoi’s need to further develop U.S. economic and security ties, means there is space for U.S. diplomatic efforts to have small but significant impacts on the lives of ordinary Vietnamese, particularly in the area of human rights. [read more]

Vietnam shipping execs given death penalty for embezzlement

16.12.2013 (Channel NewsAsia) - HANOI: Vietnam on Monday sentenced two former top executives at scandal-hit national shipping company Vinalines to death for embezzlement as authorities try to allay rising public anger over corruption.

State-owned Vinalines nearly collapsed under some US$3 billion of debt, according to official media, in one of several high profile scandals at large state-run companies which are a pillar of the economy.

Former Vinalines chairman Duong Chi Dung, who fled the country but was later apprehended, and the group's chief executive Mai Van Phuc were given the death penalty Monday after a three-and-half day trial. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam: deux ex-responsables du transport maritime condamnés à mort pour corruption

16.12.2013 (Le Huffington Post) - Deux anciens hauts dirigeants du groupe vietnamien de transport maritime Vinalines ont été condamnés à mort lundi pour détournement de fonds à l'issue d'un procès illustrant les efforts du Vietnam pour éradiquer la corruption.

Duong Chi Dung, 56 ans, ex-PDG de Vinalines de fin 2005 à février 2012, et son ex-directeur général Mai Van Phuc, ont été reconnus coupables de malversations et d'une gestion désastreuse qui ont précipité l'entreprise au bord du gouffre financier. [en savoir plus...] - [tiếng Việt]

Kerry announces new security aid to SE Asia as US rivalry with China intensifies

16.12.2013 Matthew Lee & Matthew Pennington, The Associated Press (Canadian Business) - HANOI, Vietnam – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry offered harsh words for China and new maritime security assistance for Southeast Asia on Monday to bolster countries facing growing Chinese assertiveness in a region where the two world powers are jockeying for influence.

Tensions are running high after a near-collision of U.S. and Chinese naval vessels this month and an air defence zone China has declared over an area that includes territory controlled by Japan, a U.S. ally. Those actions have raised fresh alarm as Beijing modernizes its military and claims a wide swath of ocean and disputed islands across the East and South China Seas. [read more]

Fünf Drogenschmuggler zum Tode verurteilt

16.12.2013 (NZZ) - (ap) Ein Gericht in Vietnam hat fünf Menschen, unter ihnen vier Frauen, wegen Drogenschmuggels zum Tode verurteilt. Sie sollen insgesamt 89 Kilogramm Heroin aus dem benachbarten Laos nach Vietnam geschmuggelt haben, wie die staatliche Zeitung «Thanh Nien» berichtete. Das Urteil erging am Freitag. [Weiterlesen]

Tokyo offers ASEAN 20 billion to halt Beijing’s hegemony

14.12.2013 (AsiaNews) - Tokyo - In order to combat the economic and military expansion of China in the East China Sea, Japan has offered the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN) 20 billion dollars in aid and loans. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, made the announcement today at the ASEAN summit being held in Tokyo. [read more]

Tokio ofrece 20 billones de dólares al Asean para bloquear la hegemonía de Beiging

14.12.2013 (AsiaNews) - Tokio - Para contrarrestar la expansión económica militar de China en el Mar Chino oriental, Japón ofrece a la Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) 20 billones de dólares en ayudas y préstamos. Shinzo Abe, Primer ministro japonés, dio hoy el anuncio en ocasión de la cumbre del Asean en curso en Tokio. [seguir leyendo]

Vietnam’s Corruption Crackdown Shown in Vinalines Trial

13.12.2013 (Bloomberg News) - Former Vietnam National Shipping Lines executives went on trial yesterday for embezzlement on a scale that can carry the death penalty as the government seeks to clamp down on corruption.

The People’s Court of Hanoi charged Duong Chi Dung, the former chairman of Vinalines, as the state-owned company is known, and Mai Van Phuc, its former general director, with embezzling 10 billion dong ($474,000) each, according to an indictment by the Supreme People’s Procuracy. The sentence for embezzling more than 500 million dong is 20 years to life imprisonment or death. [read more]

When a Lenin Statue Falls in Ukraine, Vietnamese Cannot Hear It

13.12.2013 by Richard S. Ehrlich, Bangkok, Thailand (Scoop.co.nz) - Vietnam erased online news by the British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) and other media about protesters toppling a Vladimir Lenin statue in Ukraine, because it "struck a nerve" among Vietnam's communist regime amid possible concerns about statues of Ho Chi Minh, the BBC said.

Meanwhile, Lenin statues and busts in Seattle, Antarctica, London, Italy and elsewhere in Ukraine survive unmolested.

"On the BBC Vietnamese website, it went straight to the most-read spot, proving even more popular than coverage of the death of Mandela and protests in Thailand," the BBC said.

"But within 24 hours, all that changed in Vietnam -- there was soon no trace to be found of articles mentioning the toppling of Lenin. State media coverage of Ukraine's continuing unrest was subdued.

"The most plausible explanation -- say many analysts -- is that the toppling of the statue of the revolutionary struck a nerve in Vietnam's Communist government," the BBC said. [read more]

Education in Vietnam - Very good on paper

12.12.2013 (The Economist Blog Banyan) On saturday morning, December 14th, America's secretary of state, John Kerry, will travel to Vietnam. One of his talking points, according to the State Department, will be the "empowering role of education”. But it seems like Vietnam has already taken the message. On December 3rd, the OECD released the results from its Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), an exam administered every three years to 15- and 16-year-olds in dozens of countries. Vietnam recently joined the test for the first time, and it scored remarkably well—higher in maths than America and Britain, though not as high as Shanghai or Singapore. Nguyen Vinh Hien, a deputy minister for education, characterised Vietnam's overall 17th-place ranking out of 65 countries and economies as a pleasant “surprise.”

The PISA scores, as they are known, measured how a half-million students from randomly selected schools answered written and multiple-choice questions in a two-hour test. Mathematics was the primary focus, but students were also evaluated on reading, science and problem-solving. Coverage of the scores by the Western news media suggested that the impressive maths performance by Vietnam, where per-capita GDP is only about $1,600, was perhaps a bit humbling for education officials in Washington, London and other self-regarding world capitals. [read more]

America’s Absent Moral Imperative in Vietnam

11.12.2013 Written by Duvien Tran and Khanh Vu Duc (Asia Sentinel) - US Secretary of State John Kerry visits Vietnam to discuss and strengthen the growing relationship between the two countries

Following stops in Jerusalem and Ramallah later this week, United States Secretary of State John Kerry is scheduled to visit Vietnam to “highlight the dramatic transformation in the bilateral relationship over the years” and the two countries’ growing partnership.

From 1995 when then-US President Bill Clinton normalized relations; to 2001 when a Bilateral Trade Agreement was finally established between the two countries; to 2006 when top US businesses backed Vietnam’s efforts to join the World Trade Organization; and to the present with Vietnam’s expected inclusion in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), as well as the US–Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership formed in July, economic relations between the US and Vietnam have certainly experienced a dramatic transformation. [read more]

Vietnam squanders reform opportunity

11.12.2013 By Khanh Vu Duc (Asia Times) - At hand was an opportunity for reform, a chance to lead Vietnam in a new liberal direction with the popular backing of the Vietnamese people. Instead, on November 28, the National Assembly cemented the authoritarian status quo, reaffirming and solidifying the central role of the ruling Communist Party in national affairs.

Although the recent constitutional amendment process was open to the general public, the people's opinions, many expressed critically on the country's vibrant blogosphere, others collected in thousands of public conferences and discussions, were ultimately ignored. Such is the tradition in Vietnam's one-party state, where the government commands complete control and squashes civil liberties to maintain its dominance. The new charter will take effect on January 1. [read more]

How Lenin's statue in Ukraine silenced news in Vietnam

10.12.2013 By Quynh Le (BBC) - As protesters gathered in the Ukrainian capital Kiev in late November, the authorities in Vietnam probably gave little thought to a story unfolding thousands of miles away.

The blockade by protesters angry at a government U-turn on a free trade deal with the EU was widely covered in the Vietnamese press and proved a popular subject on social media.

But everything changed in Vietnam when the statue of Vladimir Lenin came crashing down in Kiev.

But within 24 hours, all that changed in Vietnam - there was soon no trace to be found of articles mentioning the toppling of Lenin. State media coverage of Ukraine's continuing unrest was subdued.

The most plausible explanation - say many analysts - is that the toppling of the statue of the revolutionary struck a nerve in Vietnam's Communist government. [read more]

Vietnam Tightens Land Seizure Law After Farmers Protests

09.12.2013 (Bloomberg) - Hoang Anh Tuan learned over a loudspeaker that local Communist Party officials were seizing his farm in a village just outside Hanoi. A property developer wanted to build apartments on the land.

Tuan and about 360 families in the village of Duong Noi still oppose the evictions that began in 2008, leading to clashes with police earlier this year that saw Tuan and others block bulldozers seeking to flatten their land. Now, the farmers say they hope Vietnam’s newly-revised laws will give them some rights in a country where all land belongs to the state under the constitution. [read more]

Navy Closely Watching China Claims

07.12.2013 (The New Indian Express) - China’s unilateral announcement of an Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) in East China Sea hasn’t bothered the Navy much, but the conflict situation unfolding there is ‘under close examination’ if the ADIZ may get extended to South China Sea too, where India has economic interests in Vietnam maritime territory. Navy Chief Admiral D K Joshi had earlier this week said the East China Sea situation was ‘not of immediate application’ to the Navy because its warships, with air element in the form of helicopters or ship-borne aircraft, do not regularly operate there. However, the possibility of a similar scenario in the South China Sea has made the Navy to keep a close watch on how the situation plays out among China, Japan, Taiwan and the US there. [read more]

Two Veteran Members Quit Vietnamese Communist Party

06.12.2013 (RFA) - Two senior members of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party have resigned to lead a long-proposed pro-democracy opposition group, saying the government must allow a multiparty state and end monopoly on political power. Le Hieu Dang  (photo left) — a leading dissident and 40-year Communist Party member — and Pham Chi Dung — a journalist and 20-year party member — announced their resignations in open letters this week, saying they no longer believe the party serves the interests of the Vietnamese people.

Dang, a civil rights lawyer who founded the banned Social Democratic Party in August, said in his letter that the Communist Party was no longer committed to the ideals it had sought before liberating the nation from French colonists in 1954. [read more]

Eine Melancholie wie nach Vietnam

05.12.2013 Frank Herrmann aus Washington (derStandard.at) - Mehrheit der Amerikaner sehen USA an Bedeutung verlieren. Sie befürworten Handelskontakte, aber politisch solle man sich zu Hause engagieren - und nicht in Übersee.

Erstmals seit 40 Jahren glaubt eine Mehrheit der Amerikaner wieder, dass ihr Land in der Welt an Einfluss verliert. 53 Prozent sind der Ansicht, dass die Vereinigten Staaten eine weniger wichtige Rolle im internationalen Geschehen spielen als noch vor einem Jahrzehnt.

52 Prozent sind der Meinung, die USA sollten sich mehr den eigenen Problemen zuwenden, anstatt anderen Nationen zu helfen. Das ist der höchste Anteil, seit Demoskopen begannen, in den 1960er-Jahren eine entsprechende Frage zu stellen. [Weiterlesen]

Vietnam Lawmaker Calls for Legislative Referenda

04.12.2013 Trung Nguyen (VOA) - A member of Vietnam’s National Assembly has urged the body to consider a law on holding referendums on proposed legislation. Lawmaker and historian Duong Trung Quoc says ordinary citizens should be given a chance to raise their voices about important decisions in the country. [read more]

Dunkle Wolken über Fernost

03.12.2013 Von Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger (FAZ) - China versetzt im Inselstreit ganz Ostasien in Aufregung. Amerika steht seinen Verbündeten im Machtkampf mit der aufstrebenden Großmacht zur Seite. Die Region soll nicht zur Beute Chinas werde

Es ist ein düsterer Vergleich, den ein früheres Mitglied der Obama-Regierung vor kurzem gezogen hat: „Ich fürchte ein Sarajevo, Version 21. Jahrhundert!“ Drohen die Spannungen in Ostasien wegen ein paar Inseln außer Kontrolle zu geraten, eskaliert ein lokaler Konflikt durch Zufall zu einem Zusammenprall von Groß- und Supermächten? Die Anspielung auf die Ermordung des österreichischen Thronfolgers im Jahr 1914 mag alarmistisch klingen. Freilich wurde der von Briten und Franzosen so genannte „Große Krieg“ zu dem Grundübel des 20. Jahrhunderts in Europa. Wirklich zu Ende ging er erst 1989. [Weiterlesen]

Vietnam: New Constitution Offers Little Hope for Change

03.12.2013 Written by Kim Them Do (Asia Sentinel) - Vietnam’s National Assembly last week ratified a new constitution, but there is little cause for celebration because the political system that permitted the constitutional abuses remains unchanged.

That is a disappointment. The government solicited comments from the public, reportedly receiving millions of responses demanding change. The lawmakers ignored a petition from 72 scholars and intellectuals to the Constitutional Amendment Drafting Committee, leaving flagging, bloated and unprofitable state-owned enterprises in place and ignoring calls for liberalization that would allow for foreign investment, which would bring rationality to the economy. Instead, the socialist-oriented market economy remains in place. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam's Communist one-party state bolstered

29.11.2013 (AsiaNews) - With a vote of 486 to none (plus two abstentions), parliament approves constitutional reform. Activists, intellectuals, and bishops who pushed for pluralism and multiparty politics see their hopes dashed. As the country's future looks uncertain, "the new constitution will drive Vietnam over the abyss," Catholic sites note. Vietnam's parliament yesterday approved the new Charter, with 486 votes out of 488 in favour, and only two abstentions, no one against it. [read more] - [tiếng Việt]

Vietnam reasserts party role in charter

29.11.2013 (Bangkok Post) - Vietnamese lawmakers on Thursday approved a new version of the country's constitution that upholds the ruling Communist Party's dominant political and economic role. "This is an historic moment," said Nguyen Sinh Hung, chairman of the National Assembly, after the charter was approved by 486 votes out of 488 deputies present, with two abstentions. The amendments make minor tweaks to the constitution but crucially reaffirm the central role of the Communist Party –- which has been enshrined in the document since it was first approved in 1946. A group of leading academics in January submitted a petition calling for multiparty democracy, respect for human rights, private land ownership and an apolitical army that served the people not the party. [read more]

Hanoi, más poderes para el Partido único comunista

29.11.2013 (AsiaNews) - El Parlamento aprobó con 486 votos a favor de 488 (dos abstenciones) la reforma de la Constitución. Esperanzas incumplidas de activistas, intelectuales y obispos que en los últimos meses han promovido peticiones claves de pluralismo y multipartidismo. Sitios web católicos: "Esta elección llevará a Vietnam al abismo. "Angustia " por el futuro del país. El Parlamento aprobó ayer el texto de la nueva Carta, con 486 votos de un total de 488 diputados, y sólo dos abstenciones, ninguno en contra. [seguir leyendo]

La nueva Constitución de Vietnam confirma papel dominante del Partido Comunista

28.11.2013 (Univision) - La Asamblea Nacional vietnamita aprobó el jueves una nueva versión de la Constitución que mantiene el papel dominante en la política y la economía del Partido Comunista en el poder.

Las enmiendas aportan ligeras modificaciones a la Constitución, pero sobre todo reafirman el papel central del Partido Comunista, consagrado desde que se aprobó la primera versión del texto en 1946.

Un grupo de destacados académicos entregó en enero una petición a favor de una democracia multipartido, el respeto de los derechos humanos, la propiedad privada de la tierra y un ejército apolítico que sirviese al pueblo y no al partido. [seguir leyendo]

Krisenregion von globaler Bedeutung 28.11.2013 Rodion Ebbighausen (DW) - Vor der Küste Chinas braut sich seit Jahren ein Sturm zusammen. Die wirtschaftliche Supermacht streitet mit den Anrainerstaaten der Meere um Ressourcen und Einfluss. Eine Eskalation hätte weltweite Folgen. Der Asienexperte Gerhard Will von der Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik in Berlin stellt mit Blick auf das Südchinesische Meer fest: "Strategisch-militärisch betrachtet liegt das Meer in einer Schlüsselposition, wodurch man nicht nur Südostasien, sondern auch den weiteren Raum Süd- und Ostasien kontrollieren kann." [Weiterlesen]

Vietnam - Rolle der Partei in neuer Verfassung bekräftigt

28.11.2013 (NZZ) - (ap) Das vietnamesische Parlament hat eine überarbeitete Verfassung verabschiedet, in der die führende Rolle der Kommunistischen Partei in Politik und Wirtschaft bekräftigt wird. [Weiterlesen]

New Vietnam Constitution Cements Party Dominance

29.11.2013 By Nguyen Pham Muoi (The Wall Street Journal) - Vietnam’s new constitution, approved Thursday, does little to change the dominant role of the Communist Party or the country’s state-owned enterprises, disappointing business groups and reformists who had hoped the country’s leaders would level the playing field to make the economy more competitive.

The document affirms the Communist Party of Vietnam as the leading political force but doesn’t indicate whether other political parties will be tolerated. Article 4 states that “the party will be responsible before the people for its decisions,” but there’s no indication of any supervisory mechanism to monitor how the party is fulfilling its duties. [read more]

In Vietnam, weary apparatchiks launch quiet revolution

28.11.2013 By Martin Petty (Yahoo News UK) - HANOI - The Vietnam of today wasn't what Le Hieu Dang had hoped for when he joined the Communist Party 40 years ago to liberate and rebuild a country reeling from decades of war and French and U.S. occupation.

The socialist system of the late revolutionary Ho Chi Minh has been corrupted, he says, by a shift to a market economy tightly controlled by one political party that has given rise to a culture of graft and vested interests.

"I fought in the war for a better society, a fair life for people. But after the war, the country has worsened, the workers are poor, the farmers have lost their land," Dang told Reuters.

"It's unacceptable. We have a political monopoly and a dictatorship running this country." [read more]