Historical Overview Post

Tianamen Square Protests 1989 ( June Fourth Incident) These protests began in and near Tianamen Square in Beijing on 15 April Mass gatherings and protests took place in and around Tiananmen Square. The largely student-run demonstrations aimed for continued economic reform and liberalization, and eventually evolved into a mass movement for political reform and freedom of the press. The movement lasted seven weeks after Hu's death on 15 April. Party until the authorities declared martial law on 20 May, but no military action took place until 4 June. The violence did not occur during the protests on the actual square, but in the streets of Beijing, as the PLO proceeded through the city to Tianamen Square, using live fire, to clear the square of protestors. The exact number of civilian deaths is not known, and the majority of estimates range from several hundred to thousands. Western governments imposed economic sanctions and arms embargoes in response. Following 4 June, the government conducted widespread arrests of protesters and their supporters, cracked down on other protests around China, banned the foreign press from the country and strictly controlled coverage of the events in the domestic press.

Political Unrest and Military Coups in Fiji Tensions between the ethnic Fijian and Indo-Fijian population are longstanding but in 1987 the first majority Indian government was elected, to be removed by a military coup after a few weeks. The military government revoked the constitution and declared Fiji a republic. Protests, led by the government of India, led to Fiji's expulsion from the Commonwealth and official nonrecognition of the Rabuka regime by foreign governments, including Australia and New Zealand. More than 12,000 Indo-Fijians left, many migrating to Australia. There was a return to civilian government in 1990 but ethnic tensions remained. In May 1999, Mahendra Chaudry became Fiji’s first Indo-Fijian prime minister. After barely a year in office, Chaudhry and most other members of parliament were taken hostage in the House of Representatives by gunmen led by ethnic Fijian nationalist George Speight. The standoff dragged on for 8 weeks - during which time Chaudhry was removed from office by the Council of Chiefs to avoid another military takeover. The constitution was restored in 2001 but by 2006 tensions were again high and the Australian and New Zealand governments expressed concerns about a possible coup. On 29 November New Zealand Foreign Minister organised talks between Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and Commodore Bainimarama, but he led a successful coup 3 December In April 2009 the Fijian Court of Appeal declared Bainimarama’s Government illegal. The court was dismissed and the constitution suspended. Relations with Australia and NZ further broke down and continue to be very poor.

Asian Financial Crisis This was a period of financial crisis that affected much of Asia and raised fears of a worldwide economic meltdown. The crisis had significant economic effects, including sharp reductions in values of currencies, stock markets, and other asset prices. Many businesses collapsed, and as a consequence, millions of people fell below the poverty line. Indonesia, South Korea and Thailand were the countries most affected by the crisis. Australia had significant trade and investment links with these countries and organised loans as well as increasing aid to help them through the crisis.

Independence in East Timor In 1999 the Indonesian Government announced that East Timor could hold a referendum on independence, which was overwhelmingly supported. Militias supported by the Indonesian military commenced a scorched earth campaign destroying much of the country’s infrastructure. In September 1999 the International Force for East Timor was deployed, half the 9,900 troops came from Australia and it was led by Major General Peter Cosgrove. East Timor was internationally recognised as an independent state in May, Unrest in 2006 led to another international force with major Australian involvement and police involvement in peace keeping continues. Relations with Australia have been strained by disputes over the sea boundary between the two countries. Canberra claims petroleum and natural gas fields in an area known as the 'Timor Gap', which East Timor regards as lying within its maritime boundaries.

Australian Attitudes to Asia and the Pacific in 2000 Asia has become an important part of Australia’s world view. Most Australians are reasonably knowledgeable about Asia, or part of Asia and stereotypes are not so strong. Pacific remains peripheral. Close ties with NZ continue, the island states seen as holiday destinations or “failed states” or both. Extensive trade links particularly with China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and New Zealand. China’s economic importance to Australia increasing. Growing investment and business links especially since 1980’s with increasing deregulation of the Australian economy. Australian business increasingly moving high labour input businesses to Asian or Pacific states and importing goods back into Australia. Service links also growing with communications technology and increasing globalisation of business. Immigration from Asia becomes “normal”. Vietnamese background becomes one of the largest ethnic groups in Australia, by late 1990’s China the third most important source of migrants. Increasing migration of South Pacific islanders, especially Polynesians, into Australia via New Zealand. Illegal immigration becoming an increasing issue. Illegal boat arrivals mainly from Asia via Indonesia. Mandatory detention of illegal migrants introduced in the early 1990’s. Defence ties and peacekeeping commitments focus on Asia and the Pacific region. Close ties with US remain but increasing training role for neighbouring countries like Indonesia and involvement in “war games” with several Asian countries. Police co-operation increasingly important in the region relating to drug smuggling, people smuggling and the sex trade. Australia becomes involved in or initiates an increasing number of multinational organisations both government and non government. Economic alliances such as APEC; economic and political alliances such as G20 and Pacific Islands Forum; environmental treaties relating to fishing and whaling, forestry and global warming. Australia remains one of the major UN supporters in the region. Australia gains observer status at ASEAN after much resistance from some Asian countries to any role by Australia. Development aid – Australia is the major aid providing nation in the Pacific with significant aid, especially disaster aid to Asia. Support for Asia Development Bank. NGO aid agencies concentrate many of their operations in the Asian Pacific region.