Curtis S Chin - Asia's progress still shackled by politics of identity

Widespread Use of ethnicity, race and religion to divide or define citizens threatens a return of wars and divisions of last century

Even as Singapore recently celebrated its 49th National Day and its own ability to forge "one people" out of ethnic Chinese, Malay, Indians and others, the spectre of identity-based politics continues to haunt the region.

How fitting it would be if the latest return visit to Asia by America's top diplomat, US Secretary of State John Kerry, on behalf of America's first African-American president, also helped push the region, including Southeast Asia and China, to move beyond stereotypes. This is critical if Asia is to move forward toward greater peace and prosperity.

Whether China with its large Uighur and Tibetan populations or Myanmar, also known as Burma, with more than 130 distinct ethnic groups, Asia is facing growing protests and unrest among minority communities who feel poorly served by national government policies and attitudes. Use of ethnicity, race or religion to divide or define one's own citizens should have no place in the Asia of today, whether in giant India under newly elected Prime Minister Nahendra Modi or the smallest Pacific island nation.

Read more: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Asias-progress-still-shackled-by-politics-of-ident-30240860.html

Cornyn Aims at Asian Voters in Texas

 

It was the primary that was supposed to give Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a scare. But the incumbent Republican sailed through easily and is expecting to do the same against a Democrat in the fall. So without much of an electoral threat, Cornyn is now attempting to expand his party’s base with Asian voters. In Texas.

On Wednesday his re-election campaign launched a Chinese-language website, as first reported in The Dallas Morning News. This serves as a counterpart to the Vietnamese-language website the campaign launched in July, all in an attempt to reach out to Asian-American voters.

Read more: http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2014/09/04/sen-john-cornyn-aims-at-asian-voters-in-texas

Brown medical student Stan Tran seeks GOP nomination for R.I. 1st Congressional District

The Providence Journal / Kris Craig

Stan Tran, a Brown University medical student running for the Republican nomination for the 1st Congressional District seat, campaigns Sunday at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Combine youthful optimism with the conviction that even the most intractable problems can be solved, then throw in a sterling education that includes medical school, and you begin to have an understanding of congressional candidate Stan Tran.

Tran, 26, has never run for political office — but now he is seeking the Republican nomination for the 1st District seat held by Democrat David Cicilline. Tran faces Newport’s Cormick B. Lynch, a former Marine and Iraq veteran, in the Sept. 9 primary.

Read more: http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20140701-brown-medical-student-stan-tran-seeks-gop-nomination-for-r.i.-1st-congressional-district.ece