Corona Virus and Global Economy

Credit: Bangkokpost.com

Kumiko Yurimoto

Department of Humanities and Culture, 

Hoso Daigaku, Wakaba, Mihama-ku,

Chiba, Japan.

Can a virus cause economic slowdown? The answer is simply, yes. More than two dozens countries are affected by Corona virus which started spreading from Wuhan, China. Many multinational companies were forced to shut down or partly cut their operations across the globe. A Japanese food chain, ‘Izakaya’ has announced to shut all of its outlets in mainland China as only a few customers are turning to their restaurants. Hyundai, an other company in Korea has announced to curtails its productions. Philipines, Thailand and Indonesia are the other countries which are severely affected by this epidemic.    

Tourism is most affected sector due to the Corona virus. Many tour operators have cancelled their bookings and several countries have suspended issuing Visa to Chinese citizens. Several flights are already restrained flying to China and businesses are hampered. The GDP growth for China has been predicted to be below 5% and a panic is emerging due to all this. It will pull down the global economy particularly nations dependent on Chinese economy will be affected the most, including Japan. 

The prices of masks in Tokyo have surged many fold and out of stock in the city. Even the online stores are not able to meet the supply. Several cities in China are are facing self lockdown and economic activities are not happening at all due to the fear.  “Coronavirus will have a larger negative effect on the global economy than the SARS outbreak in 2003,” IHS Markit wrote, adding that China accounted for 4.2% of the global economy in 2003. The report says China now commands 16.3% of the world’s GDP. “Therefore, any slowdown in the Chinese economy sends not ripples but waves across the globe”, cites CNBC. 

As number of deaths have crossed more than one thousand in China mainland, the panic is spreading among business communities. The sales of Nissan motors dropped to around 18% in China. This is a clear sign of the impact of the virus on economy. Similar impacts can easily be found in neighboring countries like Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan too. A Japanese taxi driver in 80s died recently and number of infected persons in Cruise ship Diamond Princess is gradually increasing. If it will spread further the Japanese economy may be shaken. Though there is no direct threat to forthcoming Olympic games but if the outbreak continues it will pose a potential threat to organize the games. 

The Corona virus outbreak has burdened the global economy and hampered the business movement severely. China being an economic giant affecting the global businesses. Many companies, particularly in aviation sector and tourism are the most hit. The Guardian has reported that, Ikea has closed all of its 30 stores in China, while McDonalds shut about 300 restaurants, 10% of its network in the country, and Starbucks has shut about half of its 4,100 cafes. This just a tip of the iceberg. As there is no effective control to spread the virus, the future of global economy is still in limbo.  

Threats to Cultural Properties

Shuri Castle: Okinawa, Japan

     Michio Matsukubo

               Academic Fellow

CCGS, Fukuoka

E-mail: info@globalculturz.org

In many parts of the globe violence and war-like situations are emerging, and they pose a potential threat to cultural properties. Earlier in Afghanistan and later in Iraq, Syria and other parts of the globe, terrorism was the main cause for destruction of the cultural properties in their respective territories.   

Recently, in countries like France and Japan, it was fire which destroyed Notre Dome and Shuri Castle, respectively. Some times socio-political unrest becomes the root cause of such destructions. The protection, preservation and maitainance of such cultural properties cost millions of dollars all over the world. There is also a debate, whether this huge amount can be utilized for other purposes like eradication of poverty etc. Why cultural properties are so important to be preserved and maintained for the posteriority? 

Cultural properties are, ‘movable or immovable property of great importance to the cultural heritage of every people, such as monuments of architecture, art or history, whether religious or secular; archaeological sites; groups of buildings which, as a whole, are of historical or artistic interest; works of art; manuscripts, books and other objects of artistic, historical or archaeological interest; as well as scientific collections and important collections of books or archives or of reproductions of the property defined above.’ It clearly reflects the importance and necessity of cultural properties. Though there are other issues before humankind but cultural properties too cannot be ignored.

Addressing social unrests, terrorism, natural disasters properly, ensure protection of cultural properties. The world is becoming more violent as dissatisfaction from the governments are on rise. The civilizational and religious clashes are also increasing and makes a potential threat to cultural properties. Saving them is as necessary as anything else. Proper security arrangements, awareness, safety from natural and manmade disasters, socio-political harmony are the key points to avoid threats for these important properties.    

Hong Kong: Freedom under Fire

 

Credit: ABC News

ANDO Saori

Researcher, Department of Sociology and Area Studies

Tokyo City University, Tokyo, Japan

Contact: info@globalculturz.org 

Hong Kong democratic movement has become a routine affair. It is now loosing patience and becoming a bit violent. A few incidents of arson has happened. The police is unable to control the situation and Chinese administration is tightening its grip. The attention of global communities towards the cause is almost negligible. In lack of any effective intervention by the global communities a revenge process will be initiated by the Chinese and Hong Kong administrations. To tackle with this situation would be a big challenge for pro-democratic forces. 

While Hong Kong is struggling to retain its freedom and civil liberties, China wants to grip Hong Kong in more effective manner. Since 1997, when Hong Kong became part of China under one nation two systems policy, there were several protests on the Honk Kong streets in apprehension of Chinese dominance. This recent movement broke out on Sunday and as claimed by the organizers, the Civil Human Rights front, around 1.03 Million people marched against The Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019. The Hong Kong Journalists Association issued a statement saying that the amendment would "will not only threaten the safety of journalists but also have a chilling effect on the freedom of expression in Hong Kong.” further stating, "This sword hanging over journalists will muzzle both the journalists and the whistleblowers, bringing an end to the limited freedom of speech that Hong Kong still enjoys.” American Chamber of Commerce, The Hong Kong Bar Association actively supported the movement citing the Extradition Bill as anti-people, which is yet to become law. The Common citizens of Hong Kong enjoy freedom which their counterparts in mainland China have been denied for decades. 

China has emerged as a robust economic and military power in last two decades. It has greater influence than ever, globally, now-a-days. The success of previous protests in Hong Kong was just notional. It is evident that China is not going to govern Hong Kong in a pious manner and it will indirectly try to control it in such a manner which suits to Government in Beijing. Several Human Rights activists are behind the bars or facing legal cases. Some of them were forced to leave the country. The global community is either neutralor has become just a silent spectator to happening of the Honk Kong due to their economic interests, primarily. A Government spokesperson said in a long statement, 

The Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019 (the Bill) aims to deal with a murder case which happened in Taiwan in early 2018 involving Hong Kong residents. At the same time, it seeks to plug the loopholes in Hong Kong's overall co-operation mechanism in criminal and juridical assistance matters, including the geographical restrictions and impractical operational requirements under the existing laws. The Government's proposed amendments, which have been thoroughly and prudently considered, can achieve these two objectives.

 The proposed amendments do not pinpoint any particular jurisdiction. After the legislative amendments, Hong Kong can, where necessary, using the same set of standards and under the principle of mutual respect, handle serious criminal cases by case-based surrender arrangements with a jurisdiction that does not have any long-term surrender of fugitive offenders arrangement with Hong Kong. The proposed legislative amendments will not affect any long-term agreements in force.

 All existing human rights and procedural safeguards provided for in the current legislations will be maintained under the case-based arrangements. These include the double criminality principle, protection against death penalty, restriction against re-surrender, rule against double jeopardy, application for habeas corpus and right to appeal and judicial review, etc. The Government will thoroughly and carefully consider each case. The executive authority and the court will perform their respective gate-keeping roles in handling all surrender requests. The Government will reject any surrender request if it could not meet the legal requirements. 

Journalists, Human Rights activists, and Business groups didn’t take the statement in good sense and came out for protests. Any such protest which defies the decision of Government like China will not survive long without the active intervention of global community and destined to die sooner or later.

    

G-20 SUMMIT AT OSAKA: ACHIEVEMENTS, EVALUATION AND FUTURE ACTIONS

Credit: g20.org

 Laura Frank

Research Associate, CCGS

Berlin Chair

E-mail: Info@globalculturz.org

G-20 is a group of twenty powerful nations of the globe, which also includes European Union. In 1999 the group was founded with the aim to promote the international financial stability and a few other issues. Economic cooperation was the key agenda behind its establishment. Its consists of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Spain is a permanent invitee.

Since then G20 leaders have met thirteen times at different global venues and the summit held in Osaka (Japan) on 28-29 June 2019 was the fourteenth one. The economists have raised the doubts of its achievements and its relevance too. The G20 leaders are divided on several issues and the global character of the G20 is severally hampered in new emerging situations globally. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), US=China Trade tussles, Japan-Korea cultural relations, US-Russia tensions and many other regional issues are more dominant over the global goals. In that case G20 summits just become a mere ceremonial meet without a concrete purpose.

Eight themes were put forth for discussion in Osaka. These were (i) Global Economy, (ii) Trade and Investment, (iii)Innovation, (iv) Environment and Energy, (v) Employment, (vi) Women’s empowerment, (vii) Development and (viii) Health. These were important issues before the global leaders to ensure the global sustainable development. Whereas the US has already moved out of Paris climate accord and has faced criticism, it was expected that there will be hardly any progress to control global warming. The worries expressed by Japanese PM Shinzo Abe through the press release is quite obvious, ‘The world economy still faces downside risks due to trade tensions. The G20 shared the determination to take further actions and lead strong economic growth while paying attention to such circumstances.’TheUS-China trade war is, as experts say, is not going to settle till Mr. Trump is in office. Chinese BRI project is boycotted by India, the most accelerating economy of the world. BREXIT has created a big trouble for European Union and Germany is passing through a phase of sluggish growth.

The preamble of the summit declaration suggests that there is a will to get united and make the world a prosperous, terror free, energy secured, gender justice and healthy place for every human individual. It says, 1. We, the Leaders of the G20, met in Osaka, Japan on 28-29 June 2019 to make united efforts to address major global economic challenges. We will work together to foster global economic growth, while harnessing the power of technological innovation, in particular digitalization, and its application for the benefit of all.

2. Building on work done by previous presidencies, we will strive to create a virtuous cycle of growth by addressing inequalities and realize a society where all individuals can make use of their full potential. We are resolved to build a society capable of seizing opportunities, and tackling economic, social and environmental challenges, presented today and in the future, including those of demographic change.

3. We will further lead efforts to foster development and address other global challenges to pave the way toward an inclusive and sustainable world, as envisioned in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’.

One journalist said at the venue, Honesty is prime, rest will follow.

For us, Center for Culture & Global Studies, it is satisfactory that there is special mention of promoting tourism and strengthening cultural diplomacy. The Declaration states in its article ’24. Tourism accounts for a significant share of the world's GDP and is expected to continue to be an important driver of global economic growth. We will work to maximize the sector's contribution to the creation of quality jobs and entrepreneurship, especially for women and youth and in the creative industry; economic resilience and recovery; the preservation of natural resources through sustainable tourism planning and management; and the achievement of inclusive and sustainable development’.

We appreciate such endeavors of G20 leaders.

Tussle Between China and Hong Kong

credit: HONGKONGFP.COM

ANDO Saori

Researcher, Department of Sociology and Area Studies

Tokyo City University, Tokyo, Japan

Contact: info@globalculturz.org 

While Hong Kong is struggling to retain its freedom and civil liberties, China wants to grip Hong Kong in more effective manner. Since 1997, when Hong Kong became part of China under one nation two systems policy, there were several protests on the Honk Kong streets in apprehension of Chinese dominance. This recent movement broke out on Sunday and as claimed by the organizers, the Civil Human Rights front, around 1.03 Million people marched against The Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019. The Hong Kong Journalists Association issued a statement saying that the amendment would "will not only threaten the safety of journalists but also have a chilling effect on the freedom of expression in Hong Kong.” further stating, "This sword hanging over journalists will muzzle both the journalists and the whistleblowers, bringing an end to the limited freedom of speech that Hong Kong still enjoys.” American Chamber of Commerce, The Hong Kong Bar Association actively supported the movement citing the Extradition Bill as anti-people, which is yet to become law. The Common citizens of Hong Kong enjoy freedom which their counterparts in mainland China have been denied for decades. 

China has emerged as a robust economic and military power in last two decades. It has greater influence than ever, globally, now-a-days. The success of previous protests in Hong Kong was just notional. It is evident that China is not going to govern Hong Kong in a pious manner and it will indirectly try to control it in such a manner which suits to Government in Beijing. Several Human Rights activists are behind the bars or facing legal cases. Some of them were forced to leave the country. The global community is either neutralor has become just a silent spectator to happening of the Honk Kong due to their economic interests, primarily. A Government spokesperson said in a long statement, 

The Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019 (the Bill) aims to deal with a murder case which happened in Taiwan in early 2018 involving Hong Kong residents. At the same time, it seeks to plug the loopholes in Hong Kong's overall co-operation mechanism in criminal and juridical assistance matters, including the geographical restrictions and impractical operational requirements under the existing laws. The Government's proposed amendments, which have been thoroughly and prudently considered, can achieve these two objectives.

 The proposed amendments do not pinpoint any particular jurisdiction. After the legislative amendments, Hong Kong can, where necessary, using the same set of standards and under the principle of mutual respect, handle serious criminal cases by case-based surrender arrangements with a jurisdiction that does not have any long-term surrender of fugitive offenders arrangement with Hong Kong. The proposed legislative amendments will not affect any long-term agreements in force.

 All existing human rights and procedural safeguards provided for in the current legislations will be maintained under the case-based arrangements. These include the double criminality principle, protection against death penalty, restriction against re-surrender, rule against double jeopardy, application for habeas corpus and right to appeal and judicial review, etc. The Government will thoroughly and carefully consider each case. The executive authority and the court will perform their respective gate-keeping roles in handling all surrender requests. The Government will reject any surrender request if it could not meet the legal requirements. 

Journalists, Human Rights activists, and Business groups didn’t take the statement in good sense and came out for protests. Any such protest which defies the decision of Government like China will not survive long without the active intervention of global community and destined to die sooner or later.