Asia Pacfic Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the 2008 Meetings in Lima, Peru

By Michael F. Martin on March 31, 2009

Congress and the Executive Branch have historically identified the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) as an important organization to help promote the U.S. goal of liberalizing international trade and investment in Asia, and possibly the rest of the world. APEC’s commitment to the goal of trade and investment liberalization is embodied in its Bogor Goals, in which APEC members pledged to free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific by 2010 for industrialized economies and 2020 for developing economies. In November 2008, APEC held its annual Leaders’ Meeting in Lima, Peru. Although the official theme for the meeting was “A New Commitment to Asia-Pacific Development,” global economic events overshadowed the event, focusing discussion on resisting protectionist pressures and expediting economic recovery. The next three years may be a critical period for APEC.

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Peony Lui
Topics: 
Economy
Politics
Keywords: 
Economic Policy
Trade
Organization: 
Congressional Research Service

The Tibetan Policy Act of 2002: Background and Implementation

By Kerry Dumbaugh on March 17, 2009

U.S. policy on Tibet is governed by the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 (TPA), enacted as part of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act of FY2003 (P.L. 107-228). In addition to establishing a number of U.S. principles with respect to human rights, religious freedom, political prisoners, and economic development projects in Tibet, the TPA established in statute the State Department position of Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues; required a number of annual reporting requirements on Sino-Tibetan negotiations, both by the State Department and by the congressionally established Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC); mandated the provision of Tibetan language training to interested foreign service officers in the U.S. government; required U.S. government officials to raise issues of religious freedom and political prisoners; and urged the State Department to seek establishment of a U.S. Consulate in Lhasa. Since the TPA’s enactment, opinions on the effectiveness of the Act have varied. A number of people who follow Tibetan issues closely were interviewed for this report in an effort to assess the TPA’s effectiveness.

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Peony Lui
Topics: 
Economy
History
Politics
Religion
Society
Keywords: 
Tibet
Development
Freedom
Human Rights
Political Prisoners
Organization: 
Congressional Research Service

Epilepsy Management at Primary Health Level in Rural China

on March 11, 2009

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, affecting about 50 million people in the world, 85 percent of whom live in resource-poor countries. Epilepsy imposes an enormous physical, psychological, social and economic burden on individuals, families and countries, especially due to misconceptions, fear and stigma. About 60-90 percent of people with epilepsy in resource-poor countries do not receive appropriate treatment, or are inadequately treated due to deficiencies in health-care resources and delivery or more commonly social stigma. As part of an epilepsy Demonstration Project (under the aegis of the Global Campaign Against Epilepsy), carried out in rural areas of six non-contiguous provinces of the People’s Republic of China, it was estimated that the number of people with epilepsy in China is almost 9 million with a treatment gap of 63 percent. This report provides an opportunity to review the burden and resources available in the country and help develop a more effective and efficient strategy to scale up epilepsy care in China.

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Kennett Werner
Topics: 
Health
Keywords: 
Health Care
Organization: 
World Health Organization

China’s Fight Against Climate Change

Testimony of Barbara A. Finamore before the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming

on March 4, 2009

On March 4, 2009, Barbara Finamore, Senior Attorney and China Program Director of the National Resources Defense Council, testified before the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming in the United States House of Representatives. The hearing was titled, “Preparing for Copenhagen: How Developing Countries are Fighting Climate Change.” Ms. Finamore provided information about and analysis of China’s efforts in the global fight against climate change.

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Sara Segal-Williams
Topics: 
Energy
Keywords: 
Climate Change
Environment
U.S.-China Relations
Organization: 
Natural Resources Defense Council