All Articles
NOA Episode 8 Tales From Three Generations
In this episode, hosted by our very own Aysima Ahmadli, we are joined by Ulviyya and Maryam, who will be sharing with us stories of mutual support and peaceful coexistence between Azerbaijanis and Armenians despite the tensions that existed between the two ethnic groups in the ongoing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
'Hong Kong Nationalism': why 'national identification' cannot be directly equated with independence
From socio-cultural identification to the collectivisation of separatism, localism, nationalism, demands for self-autonomous rule and democracy under the same motivations of ‘Hong Kong independence,’ the article, complemented with a summary of Hong Kong’s historical past, aims to highlight the differences behind all these terms and focus on Hong Kong’s ‘core values’ and related merits.
The ‘Hong Kong problem’ and the current socio-political climate: the chicken or the egg debate
Over the last two decades, the city has witnessed a series of social conflicts over issues such as competition for school entry quotas and milk powder scandals, most of which saw clashes between ‘New Immigrants’ and members of the local community. Closer analysis reveals that events relating to promotions of ‘One China’ have repeatedly brought about clashes in Hong Kong’s society. Whilst this identity was predetermined by its historic past, the escalation of social conflicts into the current climate of social unrest suggests that conflicting interests are no longer result of cultural differences but a contradiction with local interests and Hong Kong’s ‘core values.’
Chinese Nationalism, Supporters of British Colonialism and ‘Localism’: A lack of national sentiment
The lack of collective unity felt in Hong Kong owes massively to its historical and cultural background. Having undergone a turbulent 20th century, characterised by two regime changes in China in 1949 and 1966 respectively and later the end to British colonial rule in 1997, whilst nationalist sentiments were arguably present, they were never powerful enough to stimulate a political movement.
The Global Asian Diaspora: Why There is an Apparent Lack of Solidarity in Overseas Asian Communities
In February, the world was made aware of the spread of a novel disease plaguing China...Some people living in the West shrugged it off as fear-mongering by the media and most saw it as nothing but a faraway problem — something that did not require their immediate concern and action...Only when the disease had been declared epidemic in Italy did it become apparent to the people in the West that it could affect their people; their kin.
Gastrodiplomacy: Tantalising or Totalising Globalisation?
From Thailand, to South Korea, to Taiwan, this Insight article aims to cover the origins of 'gastrodiplomacy'. Looking at the many ways it has utilised the power of 'food' as a method of global 'soft-power acquisition'. 'Tantalising or totalising globalisation?' It also analyses briefly the spread of Asian culture abroad in the past century and debate whether the assimilation of culture has resulted in a loss of authenticity and tradition.⠀
Wedding Traditions of Asia: China, India, Indonesia
Weddings are by nature symbolic of the union between two families with the purpose of celebrating the marriage of two unique individuals. The diverse traditions of rituals, ceremonies and sermons being practiced across various Asian cultures is truly fascinating.