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The Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, headed by Assistant Secretary
Stanley Roth, deals with U.S. foreign policy and U.S. relations
with the countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Asia is becoming a more important, and more unstable, variable in the equation that is U.S. foreign policy. Its poses a host of challenges for policy makers to answer.
The largest, is probably the People's Republic of China. The largest country in Asia, China is technically communist, but is embracing the open market on an unprecedented level. Yet its leaders continue to try to hold the country in their iron grip. This struggle, whether against students in 1989, or more recently against the Falun Gong in 1999 provides an element of uncertainty in our relations with the country.
Indonesia is another player on the scene. In 1998-1999, the country experienced a revolution that overthrew "President" Suharto and created a more democratic system, the third largest in the world. Just as importantly, it strategic position, astride the South East Asian sea lanes, makes the preservation of the new government essential to stability in the area. Thus the country figures prominently into U.S. interests in the region.
Japan also plays a key role in the area. Though its military is small, its economy is one of the largest in the world. Its continued recession, as well as the rise of China, pose a challenges to its historic, post-WWII role in the region.
North Korea, like China a communist country, continues to be a sore spot in the region for the United States. It is considered a "rogue state", radical and a potential threat to U.S. security. The U.S. and its allies in the region, have become very concerned about the country's nuclear weapons and chemical weapons program. Recently though, North Korea has participated in talks with South Korea that might pave the way for better relations between North Korea, South Korea and the United States.
Taiwan is another local hotspot. In 1949, the Nationalists fled to the island as Communists seized the mainland. The U.S. traditionally supported the island against the Communists, especially after the Korean War. However, when Pres. Nixon recognized Communist China, he also recognized the "one-China" policy. In essence, this meant that the U.S. considered Taiwan to be a provence of China. At the same time though, the United States pledged support to the island should China attack it. Recently, this situation was exaccerbated when the Tiawanese elected President Chen Shui-bian, who has previously advocated independence, and wants future negotiations with Beijing to be conducted as equals. Though China has recently made conciliatory gestures, the island remains a particularly sensitive issue in U.S. foreign policy.
For more information, please contact the official State Department Bureau for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eap/index.html#topics
Top | Asian General History | Asian Diplomatic History
[Adapted from Text by Akira Ireye]