The election of the nationalist Chen Shui-bian as president in 2000 and his re-election in 2004 was a nadir in the relationship between Taiwan and the mainland. Martin Jacques bianchenelection Change image and share on social
9/11 was a hugely overblown event that only assumed its overarching importance a) because it was done to the United States and b) because of the way the U.S. reacted. Martin Jacques assumeeventhugely Change image and share on social
Just as the Japanese pioneered a new form of manufacturing - lean production and quite new standards of reliability - so Tata, too, is embracing new forms of manufacture in order to revolutionise the price to meet the consumer needs of a poor, developing country. Martin Jacques consumercountrydevelop share on social
There are a host of ethnic minorities in China, but they often have a weak sense of identity and are relatively small in total number. History has taught the Han that other groups will and should ultimately be absorbed and assimilated as Han. There is a belief that the Han enjoy a superior and far more advanced culture. Martin Jacques absorbadvanceassimilate share on social
Following the end of the Cold War, there was much discussion concerning the point of NATO. In the event, it was reinvented as a means of reducing Russia's reach on its western frontiers and seeking to isolate it. Its former East European client states were admitted to NATO, as were the Baltic states. Martin Jacques admitbalticclient share on social
Blair - except at the edges - was a Thatcherite. Brown, in contrast, regarded Thatcherism as something that had to be taken on board while at the same time seeking to retain as much as possible of the Labour legacy, or 'Labour values,' as he would put it. Martin Jacques blairboardbrown share on social
Now, I know it's a widespread assumption in the West that as countries modernize, they also westernize. This is an illusion. It's an assumption that modernity is a product simply of competition, markets and technology. It is not. It is also shaped equally by history and culture. China is not like the West, and it will not become like the West. Martin Jacques assumptionchinacompetition share on social
Sport is increasingly played according to the tune, and rules, of those with the biggest bucks, whether their practices be legal or illegal. Martin Jacques bigbuckillegal Change image and share on social
No one likes to admit they are racist or bear prejudices. Nor do they even like to be open and honest when they witness racist behaviour. Martin Jacques admitbearbehaviour Change image and share on social
One of the extraordinary features of the Blair government has been its slavish support for the central tenets of Bush's foreign policy - above all, the war in Iraq. During the Cold War, the Wilson government resisted the suggestion that it should send troops to Vietnam. Martin Jacques blairbushcentral share on social