Torbjørn Færøvik's Blog, page 96

China’s Shadow Fleet: The Global Crisis Of Illegal Fishing From Argentina To India – Analysis

China’s distant-water fishing fleet—numbering at least 2,500 vessels—harvests roughly four million tons of fish annually. Yet, their reach and methods have provoked widespread condemnation for violating international maritime norms, devastating fish populations, and triggering human rights abuses.In the Indian Ocean, the scale of these offences is starkly visible. A 2024 report by the

‘Made in Russia’ goods are the new craze in China

The shopfronts are decked out in white, blue and red, with Chinese and Russian flags hanging side by side from the ceiling. Waist-high Russian dolls greet customers at the entrance. Inside, shelves are stocked with an array of Russian goods – from chocolates and cookies to honey and vodka. In China, pop-up stores specializing in Russian-made products have become an increasingly common sight.

China executed four Canadians for drug crimes, says Ottawa

Four Canadians were executed in China on drug-related charges earlier this year, Canadian authorities have confirmed. All of them were dual citizens and their identities have been withheld, Canada's foreign minister Mélanie Joly said. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Canada reportedly urged Ottawa to "stop making irresponsible remarks", as pundits feared a further downturn in relations

Will Trump's tariff war spark big-bang reforms in India?

India has usually turned to economic reforms in times of distress, with the most famous example being 1991, when the country embraced liberalisation in the face of a deep financial crisis. Now, with US President Donald Trump's tit-for-tat tariff wars and the global trade upheaval that has followed, many believe that India finds itself at another crossroad.Could this be a major opportunity for the

ANALYSING CHINA’S 2025 GOVERNMENT WORK REPORT: Promises, Pressures, and People

China’s 2025 Government Work Report signals a year of both economic management and long-term strategic groundwork. As the country enters the final stretch of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025), Beijing is framing 2025 not just as a moment for policy execution but as a critical bridge to the next planning cycle. Premier Li Qiang’s delivery of the report at the opening of the third session of the

From Prints to Panels: How traditional Japanese art influenced contemporary manga and anime

On a typical Sunday afternoon, the bustling main street of Akihabara, Tokyo’s anime capital, pulses with activity. Colorful billboards showcasing iconic anime and manga characters loom large over the lively pedestrian zone, flanked by shops offering an exhaustive collection of merchandise and memorabilia, and themed cafes that invite fans to step into the worlds of their favorite

China conducts air and sea drills near Taiwan in response to US and Taiwanese statements

An unusually large number of Chinese military ships, planes and drones entered airspace and waters surrounding Taiwan between Sunday and Monday, the self-governing island’s Defense Ministry said. China said the drills were a response to recent statements and actions by the United States and Taiwan. Beijing launches such missions on a daily basis, seeking to wear down Taiwanese defenses and

The South China Sea: Making the Philippines-US Alliance Work Under Trump 2.0

The Trump administration’s decision to freeze foreign aid fostered doubts about U.S. commitment to its Philippine ally, but Washington decided to allow more than $300 million in foreign military financing to Manila to move forward. Other positive developments in alliance management – especially early high-level engagements — should help maintain momentum. The Philippines-U.S. alliance has a new

China Watches, Taiwan Learns: Ukraine’s War and the Indo-Pacific

China’s coercive campaign against Taiwan has escalated in recent years. Beijing’s approach has evolved from putting political and economic pressure on the island’s leadership and now includes expansive military exercises considered by many to be rehearsals for forced unification. It has sparked debate amongst political and military experts about what form such forced unification could take: Will

Taiwan’s KMT is closer than ever to its old nemesis, the Chinese Communist Party

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) appears to have achieved a high degree of sway over its old nemesis, the Chinese Nationalist Party, better known as the Kuomintang, or KMT. The two parties’ talking points and agenda are highly aligned today, but this is a new development: they used to be enemies. The KMT seized control of Taiwan (with American help) following Japan’s surrender in 1945—Taiwan,