Asia
Japan-South Korea conflict intensifies
By Nick Beams, 17 August 2019
South Korea announced this week that it has removed Japan from a list of countries that qualify for accelerated supply of South Korean products, after Japan had imposed a similar measure against South Korea on August 2.
State of siege in Kashmir: A warning to the international working class
By Bill Van Auken, 17 August 2019
Western governments and media have maintained virtual silence over the police state crackdown against 13 million Kashmiris.
Indian chemical workers oppose privatisation; Bangladesh garment workers protest for unpaid wages; Australian rail and tram workers to take industrial action
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
17 August 2019
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Hong Kong protests met with denunciations and threats
By Peter Symonds, 14 August 2019
The muted response to the threats of Chinese intervention reflects fear in ruling circles internationally that events in Hong Kong could be replicated in cities around the world.
Protest sit-in shuts Hong Kong international airport
By Peter Symonds, 13 August 2019
The closure of the world’s eighth biggest airport, following on from last week’s general strike, marks a significant deepening of the political crisis in Hong Kong.
Eight-hour power blackout hits Indonesian capital
By Owen Howell, 12 August 2019
The Indonesian government has failed to meet the basic infrastructure demands of the rapidly growing Greater Jakarta, a megacity of 30 million people.
Indo-Pakistani conflict sharpens with New Delhi’s assault on Kashmir
By Keith Jones, 9 August 2019
In response to India’s aggressive and patently illegal moves to tighten its control over disputed Kashmir, Pakistan has taken a raft of retaliatory measures and issued thinly-veiled war threats.
General strike signals entry of working class into Hong Kong protests
By Peter Symonds, 7 August 2019
The mass protests in Hong Kong, which have continued for more than two months, are part of the resurgence of the working class internationally.
Sri Lankan parliamentary parties back extension of emergency rule
By Saman Gunadasa, 7 August 2019
The endorsement came four days after President Sirisena declared that the railways and public transport were essential services, effectively banning strikes in those sectors.
Tens of thousands of workers strike throughout Hong Kong
By Ben McGrath, 6 August 2019
The ruling class throughout the world is deeply fearful of the spread of social discontent as the working class moves into open struggle for its democratic and social rights.
US-China trade conflict escalates to currency war
By Nick Beams, 6 August 2019
Stock markets fell sharply around the world yesterday, amid fears of a currency war, after China allowed its currency, the renminbi, to pass through the benchmark of 7 to the US dollar.
General strike by Hong Kong workers against extradition law
By Peter Symonds, 5 August 2019
The strike signals the entry of the working class, on a class basis, into the mass protest movement, pointing to the underlying social and economic issues driving the opposition.
Bangladesh primary school teachers demand government nationalise schools
By Wimal Perera, 5 August 2019
Even if non-government primary schools are taken over by the Hasina government there is no guarantee that teachers and school staff will be regularly paid.
Indian doctors hold national 24-hour walkout; Chinese auto workers strike; Australian railway workers vote for industrial action
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
3 August 2019
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Trump escalates trade war against China
By Nick Beams, 2 August 2019
The decision to impose a 10 percent tariff on $300 billion worth of Chinese goods, covering a wide range of consumer products, represents the most significant intensification of the more than year-long trade war to date.
Millions displaced and hundreds killed by monsoonal floods in South Asia
By Rohantha De Silva, 31 July 2019
South Asian governments have responded with apathy and indifference toward the poverty-stricken people severely impacted by the floods.
Layoffs mount as slump in world auto industry deepens
By Shannon Jones, 30 July 2019
Continuing sales declines, led by China and India, are leading to massive job losses and attacks on autoworkers as transnational companies seek to maintain high levels of return.
Factory explosion in central Chinese city kills 15
By Robert Campion, 30 July 2019
Claims by authorities to address safety after such industrial accidents have proven to be empty words.
Amid growing signs of global slowdown
US-China trade talks to resume next week
By Nick Beams, 25 July 2019
The conflict has become more fraught since the US Commerce Department decided to place Huawei on its entity list, effectively banning it from supplies of US components for its operations.
Japan’s ruling party wins upper house election
By Ben McGrath, 24 July 2019
The opposition parties in the National Diet will not offer any real opposition to Abe’s efforts to revise Article 9, the antimilitary provision in the Japanese constitution.
Gang members attack Hong Kong protesters
By Ben McGrath, 23 July 2019
Beijing and local authorities are fearful that the Hong Kong protest movement will spread to the mainland and are employing increasingly violent means against it.
Indonesian court backs Widodo’s election
By John Roberts, 23 July 2019
With the presidency and parliamentary numbers settled for now, sordid deals are being made among the different sections of the ruling elite.
Fire at Japanese animation studio leaves nearly three dozen dead
By Ben McGrath, 22 July 2019
A man suffering mental illness is alleged to have ignited the inferno in a building that lacked basic fire safety measures.
Socialist Equality Party in Sri Lanka intensifies the campaign to free Julian Assange
By our correspondents, 22 July 2019
The Sri Lankan Trotskyists held a well-attended public meeting in Colombo and a powerful rally in Jaffna.
Plastic waste from foreign nations dumped in East Java village
By Owen Howell, 20 July 2019
With China blocking imports of recyclable waste, developed countries have now resorted to illegally smuggling plastic into Indonesia and other parts of South East Asia.
Thousands protest in central China against proposed waste incinerator
By Robert Campion, 19 July 2019
The Wuhan protests are an expression of the growing social discontent throughout China, occurring at the same time as the mass demonstrations in Hong Kong.
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna calls for removal of Sri Lankan government
By K. Ratnayake, 18 July 2019
Under conditions of political crisis, in which the main parties of government are widely discredited, the JVP is proposing itself as the party capable of saving the capitalist system.
China’s growth slows to lowest level since 1992
By Nick Beams, 17 July 2019
While the growth figure is still within the official target range, there are clearly growing concerns in Beijing that it could go lower in the months ahead.
Sri Lankan prime minister promotes US defence agreement
By Vijith Samarasinghe and K. Ratnayake, 15 July 2019
Although Wickremesinghe has tabled a planned Status of Forces Agreement with the US, its contents and political implications remain a secret for millions of Sri Lankans.
Indian aeronautic workers threaten national walkout; Pakistan power workers demand safe, permanent jobs; Taiwan union ends flight attendants’ strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
13 July 2019
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Hong Kong protesters appeal to mainland Chinese for support
By Ben McGrath, 9 July 2019
The unity of the Chinese working class as a whole is a prerequisite for the struggle for democratic rights and social equality.
Hong Kong protests continue amid Beijing’s veiled threats of military intervention
By Ben McGrath, 6 July 2019
In an unusual move, China’s military reported on drills the day after another mass rally.
Tamil Nadu government bans strikes in auto component industries
By Arun Kumar and Kranti Kumara, 6 July 2019
The ruling class's major goal is to transform India into a premier center of global auto manufacturing by imposing brutal working conditions.
Indonesian factory fire claims lives of 30 women and children
By Owen Howell, 6 July 2019
The tragic deaths of factory employees is yet another example of the national government showing its indifference for the working poor.
Punjab Roadways workers strike for three days; thousands of Bangladesh municipal workers strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
6 July 2019
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Hundreds of thousands protest on the streets of Hong Kong
By Peter Symonds, 2 July 2019
Mass protests have persisted, despite the suspension of the extradition legislation, pointing to a deeper social and political crisis.
Trump meets North Korean leader as part of broader anti-China agenda
By Ben McGrath, 1 July 2019
Washington’s approach to North Korea has nothing to do with peace on the Korean Peninsula, but is about drawing Pyongyang into Washington’s orbit.
Sri Lankan railway unions cave in to government’s strike ban
By Saman Gunadasa, 1 July 2019
The RTUA’s betrayal has once again demonstrated that workers cannot defend their democratic rights and fight for jobs and decent working conditions through the trade unions.
Sharp downturn in Sri Lankan economic growth
By Dilruwan Vithanage, 27 June 2019
International credit rating agency Moody’s revised down its prediction for this year from 3.4 percent to 2.6 percent.
Chinese and North Korean leaders pledge closer links at Pyongyang summit
By Ben McGrath, 25 June 2019
The United States will not welcome closer relations between the two Stalinist regimes as it tries to pull the North into its own orbit.
US names Taiwan a “country,” stoking tensions with China
By Robert Campion, 21 June 2019
Washington deepens ties with Taipei in preparation for war against mainland China.
Further Hong Kong protests planned against extradition law
By Peter Symonds, 20 June 2019
The widespread opposition reflects deep fears that the bill, which will allow extradition proceedings to mainland China, will enable Beijing to seize political dissidents.
Sri Lankan government moves to criminalise “fake news”
By Naveen Dewage, 19 June 2019
Colombo’s new laws to censor and control the internet and social media are moves towards the establishment of dictatorial forms of rule.
Millions march in Hong Kong against extradition law
By Ben McGrath, 17 June 2019
The huge demonstration on Sunday is an indication of widespread anger in Hong Kong, not only over democratic rights, but the city’s worsening social crisis.
US secretary of state declares “military response” to Iran “being considered”
By Peter Symonds, 17 June 2019
Clearly Japan and Germany simply do not believe the US allegations against Iran and suspect that the tankers attacks could well be a US provocation to provide the pretext for war.
Hong Kong extradition bill debate delayed as additional protests called
By Ben McGrath, 14 June 2019
None of the demands for democratic rights in Hong Kong or throughout China will be won through the “pan-democratic” opposition parties or by appeals to US imperialism.
Police crackdown against Hong Kong protesters opposing extradition bill
By Ben McGrath, 13 June 2019
Beijing fears the spread of the protests into China, as social inequality and tensions rise in both Hong Kong and the mainland.
CIA’s murky ties to North Korean leader’s slain half-brother
By Peter Symonds, 13 June 2019
If nothing else, the revelation that the CIA held meetings with Kim Jong-nam demonstrates, once again, just how extensive are its efforts to spy on, and intervene in, every country.
Sri Lankan workers need a socialist program to defeat Colombo’s police-state preparations
By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 12 June 2019
All factions of the warring Sri Lankan bourgeoisie are united in the use of communalism to divide the working class and in moves towards police-state rule.
Union sabotaging South Korean shipbuilding workers’ strike
By Ben McGrath, 10 June 2019
The Korean Metal Workers Union is incapable of defending workers whose positions are being slashed as part of a global assault on jobs.
Mass protests erupt in Hong Kong
By Peter Symonds, 10 June 2019
The fight for democratic rights in Hong Kong will go forward only to the extent that it turns to and champions the struggles of the Chinese workers for their democratic and social rights.
The Tiananmen Square massacre, 30 years on
By Peter Symonds, 8 June 2019
What was lacking in the 1989 protests was not determination, audacity and courage, nor numbers, but revolutionary leadership—the essential problem facing the international working class in the 20th century.
Thousands of Bangladesh bidi cigarette workers demonstrate; Taiwanese flight attendants protest harsh conditions; New Zealand hospital workers strike at Waikato
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
8 June 2019
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From the archives
Ten years since the Tiananmen Square massacre
Political lessons for the working class
By James Cogan, 7 June 2019
The article confirms the essential analysis of the ICFI in 1989 that the terror unleashed by the Stalinist bureaucracy was above all directed against the working class that had risen in revolt against its policies of capitalist restoration.
Sri Lankan Trotskyists win strong support for Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning
By our correspondents, 7 June 2019
University students voice their concerns about the US-led assaults on Assange and Manning and speak out in defence of free speech.
From the archives:
Trotskyism and the Chinese Revolution
By Editorial of the Fourth International magazine, 6 June 2019
The following editorial in the January-June 1989 edition of the Fourth International magazine on the Tiananmen Square massacre is an indictment of Stalinism and its opportunist apologists from the standpoint of orthodox Trotskyism.
Sri Lankan Muslim ministers resign amid growing threats of anti-Muslim violence
By K. Ratnayake, 6 June 2019
Every faction of the ruling elite is systematically using Islamophobia to divide the working class along ethnic and religious lines as part of its preparations for autocratic forms of rule.
South Korean shipbuilding workers oppose massive job cuts
By Ben McGrath, 3 June 2019
The Korean Metal Workers Union has deliberately limited industrial action and isolated the shipyard workers to prevent a broader struggle against capitalist exploitation.
Arch-communalist Modi sworn-in as India’s prime minister for second time
By Deepal Jayasekera, 1 June 2019
Big business, reports the Economic Times, wants the government placed on a “war footing” to rapidly implement “investor friendly reforms.”
Thousands of childcare workers demonstrate in Karnataka; South Korean shipyard workers protest downsizing; NZ secondary teachers maintain industrial action
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
1 June 2019
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Tensions with China to escalate following Trump’s visit to Japan
By Ben McGrath, 30 May 2019
US military sales to Japan threaten to trigger a broader arms race in the Asia-Pacific.
Why ISIS launched a terror attack on Sri Lanka
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 29 May 2019
The US has, over the past four years, taken steps to transform Sri Lanka into an important base for its military operations throughout the region, including the Middle East.
Stalinist CPM and CPI suffer meltdown in India’s national election
By Deepal Jayasekera, 27 May 2019
The Stalinists’ electoral debacle is the outcome of their decades-long political suppression of the working class and key role in implementing a “pro-market,” “pro-investor” agenda.
Germany continues deportations to Afghanistan
By Marianne Arens, 25 May 2019
Just days before the European elections, the charter flight to the war-torn country exposes the deadly practice carried out by both the federal and state governments.
Chowel India auto-parts workers arrested; Chinese teachers protest over pay; Fast food workers strike in New Zealand
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
25 May 2019
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Indian big business propels Modi and his Hindu supremacist BJP to a second term
By Keith Jones, 24 May 2019
For decades the Stalinists have justified their support for right-wing governments by claiming this would block the BJP’s path to power, but the end result is that the BJP and Hindu right are a greater menace than ever.
Amid worsening trade war, Chinese president calls for new “Long March”
By Peter Symonds, 24 May 2019
Xi Jinping’s remarks were a rallying cry to the Chinese bureaucracy as it confronts global economic instability, US trade war measures and rising social unrest.
Tamil nationalists support anti-Muslim witch-hunt in Sri Lanka
By V. Gnana and K. Nesan, 24 May 2019
The bourgeois Tamil National Alliance is joining hands with the government as it sets up a police state targeting the entire working class.
The Indian elections and the fight to free the Maruti Suzuki class war prisoners
By Saman Gunadasa, 23 May 2019
Completely blacked out from the election campaign has been any discussion of the plight of the 13 Maruti Suzuki workers who have been jailed for life on frame-up murder charges.
Over 240,000 people back Chinese tech worker protest
By Mike Ingram, 22 May 2019
Chinese tech workers protesting inhumane working conditions have received massive international support.
Indian Elections:
Stalinist CPM faces debacle in its West Bengal “bastion”
By Deepal Jayasekera, 22 May 2019
Much of the CPM’s apparatus has defected either to the right-wing Trinamool Congress or the Hindu supremacist BJP of Narendra Modi.
Ten years after civil war ends, Sri Lankan ruling elites prepare for class war
By Pradeep Ramanayake and K. Ratnayake, 22 May 2019
The entire political establishment is preparing another bogus “war on terror” which is targeting the island’s Muslims, but will also be used to suppress the opposition of the working class.
US warships provocatively challenge China’s claims in South China Sea
By Peter Symonds, 21 May 2019
The so-called freedom of navigation operation underscores the danger that trade war with China will escalate into military conflict as the US seeks to ensure its global domination.
Hundreds of Indian workers strike over unpaid wages; Bangladesh jute mill workers continue protests; Auckland rail workers locked out in New Zealand
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
18 May 2019
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Muslim victims of violence in Sri Lanka speak to the WSWS
By our reporters, 17 May 2019
WSWS reporters visiting Minuwangoda, a bustling town in the Gampaha district of Sri Lanka, discovered a ghost town.
Defeat the government’s police-military dictatorial plans
SEP/IYSSE public meeting in Colombo on Sri Lankan emergency declaration
17 May 2019
The meeting will discuss the revolutionary socialist perspective needed to defend the democratic and social rights of working people.
ICFI supporters hold rally in India to demand freedom for Assange and Manning
By our correspondents, 16 May 2019
The rally in the capital of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu attracted the attention of workers and youth.
US seizes North Korean ship
By Mike Head, 10 May 2019
This week’s developments demonstrate that the Trump administration has no intention of striking a deal with Pyongyang unless it involves a total capitulation and embrace of Washington’s offensive against China.
US tariff hike against China goes ahead
By Nick Beams, 10 May 2019
Trump said talks with Chinese representatives would proceed, but “I have no idea what’s going to happen.”
Imperialist war, the working-class upsurge in the Mideast and North Africa, and the strategy of Permanent Revolution
By Keith Jones, 10 May 2019
We are publishing here the text of the speech to the 2019 International May Day Online Rally delivered by Keith Jones.
Anti-Muslim witch-hunt after terrorist bombings in Sri Lanka
By our correspondents, 8 May 2019
Alongside a vicious campaign of anti-Muslim propaganda, hundreds of people have been arrested in house-to-house police operations.
India’s election and the revolutionary program to oppose austerity, war and communal reaction
By Keith Jones, 8 May 2019
The BJP’s turn to militarism and unabashed communal reaction is animated, above all, by its fear of growing social opposition.
One hundred years since the May 4 movement in China—Part Two
By Peter Symonds, 6 May 2019
The Chinese Communist Party today distorts the significance of the events of May 4, 1919. It has long ago repudiated the democratic principles of the New Culture movement and the socialist internationalism upon which the party was founded.
Bernie Sanders attacks Biden from the right on China trade
By Ben McGrath, 4 May 2019
In criticizing the former vice president, Sanders echoed Trump's anti-China demagogy and economic nationalism.
US-China trade talks enter final phase
By Nick Beams, 4 May 2019
One of the main sticking points is agreement on the procedure by which US tariffs imposed on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods would be lifted if a trade agreement is reached.
Japan’s emperor abdicates throne
By Ben McGrath, 4 May 2019
The far right in Japan, which includes Prime Minister Abe and most of his cabinet, is pushing for the emperor to resume the pre-war role of linchpin of a repressive, militarist regime.
One hundred years since the May 4 movement in China—Part One
By Peter Symonds, 4 May 2019
The May 4 movement which erupted in 1919 was part of a broader intellectual ferment, profoundly influenced by the Russian Revolution, that led to the establishment of the Chinese Communist Party in 1921.
Workers march and protest across Asia on May Day
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
4 May 2019
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Call to free Julian Assange raised in Taiwan on Labor Day
By a correspondent, 3 May 2019
The Free Assange Group explained to Taiwan workers that WikiLeaks served as a deterrent to war and was a tool for peace.
Sri Lankan SEP denounces political parties’ support for President Sirisena’s police state measures
By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 2 May 2019
The SEP warns that the main target of the repressive measures is not Islamic extremists, but working people and their struggles against the government’s austerity agenda.
Tea plantation workers need a global strategy
By Saman Gunadasa, 1 May 2019
Tea plantation workers in India, Kenya and Sri Lanka can end their brutal exploitation only by breaking from the unions and fighting for a unified socialist and internationalist strategy.
As class struggle sharpens,
Indian Stalinists stump for right-wing bourgeois government
By Deepal Jayasekera and Keith Jones, 1 May 2019
India’s Stalinist parliamentary parties have redoubled their efforts to subordinate the working class to the parties and putrid state institutions of the Indian bourgeoisie.
South Korean auto manufacturers stepping up assault on wages, working conditions
By Ben McGrath, 30 April 2019
South Korea’s labor unions have worked to ensure workers remain isolated as wages and benefits are slashed throughout the industry.
Indian rail workers protest; Bangladeshi food workers demand pay rise; New Zealand doctors to strike for five days
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
27 April 2019
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Sri Lankan president calls “all-party conference” to rubberstamp emergency powers
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 25 April 2019
Following Sunday’s terrorist bombings, the conference has been called to shore up capitalist rule amid an acute political crisis.
After terrorist bombings, Sri Lankan government imposes draconian national emergency
By K. Ratnayake and Peter Symonds, 23 April 2019
The World Socialist Web Site condemns the horrendous bombings, which indiscriminately killed innocent men, women and children, and have already provided the pretext for sweeping anti-democratic measures.
At least 290 killed in terrorist bomb attacks in Sri Lanka
By K. Ratnayake, 22 April 2019
Despite an intelligence alert 10 days before, both the government and police failed to warn the public and took little or no action to prevent the terrible bombings.
Sri Lankan bomb survivors and local residents denounce terror attacks
By our correspondents, 22 April 2019
“The aim of this attack could be to instigate communalism and turmoil. It must be totally condemned.”
New round of US-China trade talks
By Nick Beams, 19 April 2019
Among the most contentious issues that remain unresolved are which US tariffs would continue force and the establishment of an enforcement mechanism.
Chinese authorities arrest editors involved with workers’ protests
By Navin Dewage and Peter Symonds, 18 April 2019
Amid a slowing economy and growing signs of working class unrest, Beijing is using its police state apparatus to clamp down on opposition.
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