East Asia

About: East Asia is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 17591 publications have been published within this topic receiving 274073 citations. The topic is also known as: Eastern Asia.

Identifying the effects of the Pleistocene on the greater horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, in East Asia using ecological niche modelling and phylogenetic analyses

Abstract: Aim The extent to which the ranges of temperate biota in East Asia have been shaped by geological and climatic changes during the Pleistocene remains poorly understood. Previous molecular-based studies of the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum), which is widespread across China and Japan, suggest that this species was able to persist in multiple refugia in this region. However, limited availability of samples precluded a detailed analysis of past distributions. By integrating ecological niche modelling with phylogenetic analyses, we aim to resolve the impact of past events on the population genetic structure of R. ferrumequinum and provide detailed descriptions of potential distribution patterns during this time. Location Central/East China and Japan. Methods Phylogenetic analyses were carried out using 1098 bp of the mitochondrial ND2 gene and 13 microsatellite loci from bats sampled at 26 localities across China and Japan. Haplotype data were used in isolation-with-migration models (IMa) to estimate divergence dates between different lineages, and mismatch distribution analyses were undertaken to test for signs of population expansion. Geographical structuring of the microsatellite data was examined by spatial clustering. Ecological niche modelling was performed based on high-resolution palaeoclimate data inferred for the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Results Phylogenetic analyses identified deep levels of divergence between three major lineages broadly corresponding to Central China, East China and Japan. The divergence of all three lineages was estimated to have occurred before the LGM. A strong correlation was observed between the ecological niche model and phylogenetic data, with both methods inferring that R. ferrumequinum populations in Central China did not undergo significant range contractions during glacial episodes. The impact of glacial cycles on East China would have been more severe, with some locations being unable to support viable populations. Zones of secondary contact were identified between Central/East China and East China/Japan, which probably result from some historical gene flow between isolated populations. Main conclusions Integrating ecological niche modelling within phylo-geographical studies provides support for a complex demographic history for R. ferrumequinum in East Asia, as well as persistence during glacial episodes in multiple refugia across their range.

An Assessment of Wildlife Trade at Mong La Market on the Myanmar-China Border

Abstract: M YANMAR is the largest country in mainland South-east Asia. Bordering five nations, including India, Thailand and the People’s Republic of China, it is strategically located as a land bridge between South and East Asia. The country is endowed with rich natural resources and is home to some of Asia’s prime conservation flagship species, such as the Tiger Panthera tigris, the Asian Elephant Elephas maximus, and the Gaur Bos gaurus. Besides habitat loss, wildlife in Myanmar is threatened by illegal and unregulated hunting for domestic and international trade (Martin and Redford, 2000; Shepherd, 2001; Rao et al., 2005), and these practices continue to flourish largely because of lack of commitment to protect wildlife (Martin, 1997). Insufficient capacity among enforcement agencies is a major impediment to conservation. Although little is known about the extent of wildlife trade within and from Myanmar, it is well known that China is a major consumer of wildlife from neighbouring countries (Yiming and Dianmo, 1998; Yiming and Wilcove, 2005), including Myanmar (Yiming et al., 2000). With that in mind, the Mong La market on the border with China was visited to assess the trade so as to further TRAFFIC’s understanding of Myanmar’s wildlife trade dynamics, especially pertaining to international trade. With a poverty incidence of 27%, Myanmar is among the poorest countries in South-east Asia (ADB, 2006), especially in remote and border areas. As part of an overall plan to reduce poverty, raise the standard of living, and narrow the gap between urban and rural areas, 24 Special Development Zones in designated States and divisions were established in 2001. Several of these are situated near international borders, in order to promote international trade. Mong La is situated in one of the Special Development Zones, immediately adjacent to the border with China’s Yunnan Province. The town was largely developed with money from a Chinese opium war lord, after reaching a peace agreement with the Myanmar junta, and until 2005 operated largely independently from Myanmar law. Nightclubs, brothels, hotels, and 24-hour casinos attracted large numbers of Chinese to indulge in activities largely banned inside China (Oswell and Davies, 2002; Davies, 2005). In the past, the region was off limits to non-Chinese foreign visitors, but more recently, foreigners from further abroad have begun to visit the area intermittently, regardless of the seven-hour land journey from the Thai/Myanmar border. Along with Burmese and other local languages, Chinese is commonly used. All signs in Mong La, for example, are written in Chinese characters, and the Chinese Yuan, and not the Myanmar Kyat, is the currency of daily use. At the time of the authors’ visit, many of the casinos were closed down, hotels were empty, and prostitutes appeared to be less in evidence.

Education in Vietnam

Abstract: Asia Education Symposium 2006, Inaugural Session: “Education in Japan, Korea, China and Vietnam” ( Day One; Sat., October 14 )

Who controls East Asian corporations, and the implications for legal reform

Abstract: This Note reports an analysis of ultimate control in nearly 3,000 publicly traded companies in December 1996-before the financial crisis-in nine East Asian economies: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan (China), and Thailand. The analysis shows that the ten largest families in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand control half the corporate sector (in terms of market capitalization), while the ten largest in Hong Kong and Korea control about a third (figure 1). More extreme, in Indonesia and the Philippines ultimate control of about 17 percent of market capitalization can be traced to a single family. While the analysis shows that ownership concentration in these countries is in keeping with levels in other developing and some industrial countries, its findings shed light on the viability and vulnerability of corporate governance structures in East Asia. The concentration of corporate wealth and the tight links between corporations and government may have impeded legal and regulatory development, directly or indirectly. To create incentives for better governance, East Asian governments may have to promote more competition, even by breaking up conglomerates, and curtail related party lending by restricting ownership of banks.