Chinese art of the 1990s responded to the many changes in the environment and thereby to changes in personal lives. Many Chinese artists of the time were therefore concerned with their selves and their works reveal explorations of personal identity. The medium of photography proved particularly suitable for expressing individuality in a rapidly transforming urban society. A growing number of independent conceptual photographic artists departed from official documentary photography, fetching inspiration from international art and postmodern theory. The bridal couple as a motif in conceptual Chinese photography started to appear in the mid-1990s, coinciding with the development of the consumer society, growing market freedom, foreign imports and the creation of an art market. The bridal couple in conceptual tableaux reveals an intriguing mixed appearance: the images introduce subtle recognition of signs and symbols from both near and afar, calling to mind issues of hybridity. Such hybridity is also something which makes interpretation of these images complex. By means of deep-analysis of eight conceptual photographs by seven artists, this study employs Homi K. Bhabha’s concepts to try out a method in which the images are located in the dynamic process of culture, that is in the Third Space. This method opens up the cross-cultural paradoxes as sites for interpretation: thus the focus of this study lies in unlocking the images to interpret them in their hybrid condition. An important challenge has been to lay bare how works with such mixed appearances communicate in their own right, and not as mere imitations of canonised works of art. By evaluating a number of foreign and domestic symbols in the images, new meanings are revealed, depicting a variety of issues tied to the Chinese cultural context. There are many conceivable reasons why artists in China should have adopted foreign symbols as form of expression; a context is outlined so that this type of art can be discussed from the point of view of the history of photography, marriage customs, bridal portraiture and the art market.

Konsten i dagens Kina berättar om bröllop ur andra synvinklar än det romantiska. Det finns både fotografier och målningar vilka vänder och vrider på kärleksidealen och konstnärerna funderar kring bröllopets och bindningens roll i ett modernt kinesiskt samhälle.

Liksom den kinesiska ekonomin har den kinesiska konstmarknaden växt explosionsartat det senaste decenniet. Kinesiska köpare söker sig nu utomlands i jakten på föremål. Sverige har av tradition fina samlingar av östasiatisk konst och de svenska auktionshusen märker av det nyväckta intresset för den äldre kinesiska konsten även i Sverige.

The topic of my paper is the study of three imaginary portraits of bridal couples in the medium of photography. The works are part of my ongoing ph.d project on the topic of Bridal couples. The aim of my paper is to investigate how the three fake portraits correspond to real studio bridal portraits. The paper further explores how the use of masks, make-up, costume, body language, mimics and background differ in the two settings, i. e. the art world and the photo studio.

The paper makes use of Judith Butler’s theoretical ideas as presented in Gender Trouble when discussing questions of masquearade, identity and gender. Identity is in addition an intriguing topic since identity in China historically has been connected to the group rather than to the individual; thus the new art since the 1990s tend to focus on the individual rather than the group.

How is the question of identity and individuality visualised in the art portraits in focus here in comparison to the popular studio portraits? The paper seeks to put the finger on conventionality as well as issues of subversion. The works are additionally put into the context of the Chinese socio-economic changes especially since the 1990s.

Huang Rui har alltid strävat efter att gå sin egen väg. Han engagerade sig i demokratirörelsen 1978-79 och var med om att bilda konstnärsgruppen Stars. Efter femton år i exil återvände han till Kina och deltog i uppbygganden av konstnärsområdet 798 i Peking.

"Det är den roman som haft störst inverkan på mitt liv". Så svarade över hälften av de tillfrågade i en läsarundersökning gjord i Beijing 1999, och romanen de syftade på var Drömmar om röda gemak. Denna 1700-talsberättelse om en släkt i uppgång och fall betraktas inte sällan som Kinas främsta litterära verk genom tiderna. I vinter har den för första gången utkommit på svenska – den första delen, Guldåldern, tronar nu på bokhandelsdiskarna. Karavans recent har läst Pär Bergmans översättning och finner den synerligen välgjord och njutbar.

År 1694 disputerade Jonas Locnaeus på sin avhandling Murus Sinensis vid Uppsala universitet. Avhandlingen redovisar den kunskap som - huvudsakligen tack vare jesuiternas insatser - vid den tiden fanns om den kinesiska muren.

This article focuses on the three following novels by Ǧamāl al-Ġīṭānī: al-Zaynī Barakāt (1971), Waqāʾiʿ ḥārat al-Zaʿfarānī (1976) and Ḥikāyat al-muʾassasa (1997). It aims to discuss the author’s handling of despotism and the popular revolt against it. The eventsin the three novels occur in different contexts: political, religious and economical. The first part of the article is a discussion of the formal aspects of the novels, namely theirstructure, their techniques of enunciation and other devices which show how the various themes of the novels are presented. The second part is an analysis of the portrayals of the despots and how they act, the basis on which the relation between the oppressor and the oppressed persons is built and the methods used by the despot to control the population. The third and last part is a study of the representation of the oppressed persons, their revolt against the power and the results which that revolt achieves.Finally, the conclusion of the article sheds light on the place of al-Ġīṭānī on the scene of Egyptian novel, and on the historical context in which his vision of despotism could be placed.

The present study treats three Arabic novels which belong to different periods and use different narrative techniques. Yet they all start with the same theme: the discovery of a murder. Despite this apparent similarity in their beginnings, the murder plot develops in a different way in the three cases. Each beginning contains elements that announce the development of the story. The three beginnings serve the special purposes of their respective novels, in the way the murder is presented to the reader, in the elements each beginning tries to draw attention to, in the language used in this purpose, in the identity of the character who discovers the murder and even in the type of the murder itself. The three novels have, beside the murder plot, various thematic and ideological objectives which influence the way the novel starts and even overshadow, in some cases, the murder plot. 

This paper analyses the border disputes of the three Indochinese countries – Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Both settled and unsettled disputes are encompassed. The paper outlines the settlements reached and the remaining unsettled disputes. The second part the analysis of broader trends in managing the borders disputes and the remaining challenges both in implementing agreements and in managing the unsettled disputes display that both Laos and Vietnam have made considerable progress in managing and in settling their existing border disputes whereas Cambodia has thus far been less successful.

The main aim of this paper is analyse the relationship between Cambodia and Vietnam. The paper takes as it starting point the relations since 1975. The first part of the paper outlines the pattern of interaction between Cambodia and Vietnam since 1975. The second part analyses key issues and factors in the bilateral relationship. The focus is on disputed issues and their impact on the relationship. The paper is concluded by a brooder assessment of the relationship and of the possible future direction of the relationship.

The main aim of the paper is to analyse and the asses the impact of historical conjunctures on modern Cambodian society. The paper deals with four main historical conjunctures – the overthrow of Prince Norodom Sihanouk in 1970; the fall of Phnom Penh in 1975; the military intervention by Vietnam in 1978-1979; and, the United Nations’ peacekeeping operation in 1992-1993. The four conjunctures are presented empirically and their impact on Cambodia society is outlined. The paper also includes a discussion and assessment of the relative importance of the four conjunctures.

The paper outlines and examines how China and Vietnam deal with tensions relating to their territorial disputes in the South China Sea. It looks specifically at the tension caused by incidents in late May and early June 2011 and how the tension was brought under control by the two countries. These developments are then examined in the broader context of the Sino-Vietnamese approach to managing border disputes in the period since full normalisation of relations in late 1991, both progress made in terms of conflict management and challenges faced in terms of tension are addressed. The implications and lessons drawn from the developments in May-June 2011 and from the broader period since late 1991 is outlined. Furthermore, the challenges for China and Vietnam to properly manage their disputes and related tension in the South China Sea are discussed.

The main aim of the paper is to analyse and assess the China-Vietnam relations and the legacy of history. The paper outlines the development of bilateral relations between China and Vietnam both historically and contemporary with a focus on the latter period. Existing and potential issues of disputes are identified and assessed. The legacy of the long historical interaction is discussed in the context of the contemporary relationship. 

The paper assesses the progress made in dispute settlement and conflict management in the South China Sea. The challenges that persist in the South China Sea area are also analysed in the paper. The progress made is outlined through an overview of settled and managed territorial disputes in the South China Sea and adjacent areas, i.e. the Gulf of Thailand and the Gulf of Tonkin. This is followed by an analysis of the settlement and management approaches. The challenge of the un-settled disputes is analysed and assessed by highlighting both the nature of the disputes and the efforts in managing them. The paper is concluded by a broader assessment of progress made and remaining challenges in the South China Sea from the perspectives of dispute settlement and conflict management.

The paper analyses the impact of domestic political change on ethnic minorities through a case study of the ethnic Vietnamese in Cambodia. The paper examines the major political developments and changes in Cambodia since the 1950s and their impact on the situation of the ethnic Vietnamese in the country. Anti-Vietnamese sentiments have not only been regularly displayed by the Cambodian elite but also been reflected in the policies of the Cambodian authorities. The roots of these attitudes and their effects on policies are explored in the paper. The anti-Vietnamese discourse in Cambodia shows that the Cambodia elite’s perceptions of Vietnam as a state influence their attitudes towards the ethnic Vietnamese minority and these attitudes influence the policy-making relating to the minority. Discriminatory policies implemented by the Cambodian authorities and attacks instigated by such policies led to the virtual elimination of the Vietnamese minority in the 1970s, when some 420,000 Vietnamese were either expelled or had to flee to Vietnam. In the 1980s there was a trend that ethnic Vietnamese returned to Cambodia. Politically motivated attacks on ethnic Vietnamese were carried out on a number of occasions in the 1990s and they posed a real threat to the Vietnamese community. The domestic political discourse in Cambodia has displayed anti-Vietnamese rhetoric directed not only at Vietnam but also at the ethnic Vietnamese in Cambodia. This is in particular the case regarding some opposition parties. The continuity and/or change in such discourse and its implications are explored in the paper.

The purpose of this paper is to study the demographic developments relating to the ethnic Chinese in Vietnam since 1954. The paper takes at its starting point the patterns of demographic change that have taken place since the mid-1950s. The patterns of demographic change display two periods of considerable decline in the number of ethnic Chinese. The first occurred during the second half of the 1950s in the then Republic of Vietnam (ROV) (South) and the other in the unified Vietnam in the late 1970s. The decline in the 1950s was not due to the migration of ethnic Chinese from Vietnam but rather the result of a large-scale process of naturalisation among the ethnic Chinese to Vietnamese citizenship in response to policies of the ROV compelling a large number of ethnic Chinese to become Vietnamese citizens. The decline in the 1970s was a real decline in the number of ethnic Chinese as displayed by the official censuses of 1976 and 1979. The period was characterised by large-scale migration of ethnic Chinese both from the former Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) (North) and from the former ROV. The policies of socialist transformation were a major factor in the exodus from the southern part of Vietnam in while in the northern part deteriorating relations between Vietnam and China triggered the exodus. Following the exodus of the late 1970s the ethnic Chinese population has continued to diminish as displayed by the official censuses of 1989 and 1999 but at a more moderate pace than in the late 1970s.

This study examines the patterns of Chinese migration to and from Vietnam as well as the demographic changes relating to the Chinese residing in the country. It also outlines how the French authorities responded to the arrival of the Chinese and how they treated them. The focus is on the period of French control over the whole of Vietnam from 1883 to 1954. The French authorities did pay considerable attention to the Chinese migration to Vietnam. The policies of the French aimed at keeping a close surveillance on the Chinese. To administer the Chinese communities the French opted to maintain the system of indirect control introduced by the Vietnamese Emperors. During the period of French rule the Chinese population grew considerably. Chinese migration to and from Vietnam was influenced by the political evolution in China and by repercussions of international economic developments. Thus, the French authorities could influence the migrants when they arrived or departed, but the decision to migrate was primarily due to other factors.

The purpose of paper is to analyse the relationship between interstate relations and human security. This relationship is to be studied through two cases from Southeast Asia. The first case is the ethnic Chinese in Vietnam and Sino-Vietnamese relations and the second is the ethnic Vietnamese in Cambodia and Cambodia-Vietnam relations. Both cases display how interstate relations can have considerable impact on the situation of ethnic minorities in neighbouring countries. The two cases also display that deteriorating interstate relations can impact government policies towards ethnic minorities. In both cases deteriorating interstate relations combined with government policies have caused large-scale migrations, in particular in the 1970s. The empirical evidence provided by the two cases and the lessons drawn from them will be used to analyse the relationship between interstate relations and human security both in relation to the two cases and more broadly.

The paper examines if the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) can play a role in the context of intra-state conflicts and processes of political regime change in the Southeast Asian Region. The paper first outlines the ASEAN framework for regional collaboration with a focus on the conflict management dimension and on the principles guiding inter-state behaviour. The paper then analyses the possible role that ASEAN can assume to act in the intra-state context within the limits set for its actions by its member states. The paper also discusses how strictly the principles adopted and professed by ASEAN and its member states have been applied in practice. The paper is concluded by a summary of the main findings and a broader discussion.

The paper investigates the linkages between some key dimensions of the Charter of the United Nations and the issue of security. This is done through an examination of two key norms of the Charter, the prohibition of the use of force in inter-state relations and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states. The empirical application of these principles and their impact on regional security is in the Pacific Asia region through the study of the foreign policy of China and the study of the principles governing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This is motivated by the fact that both China and ASEAN put strong emphasis on non-use of force in inter-states relations and on the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states. The paper is concluded by a broader discussion on the linkage between non-use of force, non-interference and security.

The paper investigates the interaction between Pacific Asia and the United Nations. This is done through the examination of two dimensions for the purpose of the paper. The first dimension is some key norms of the Charter of the United Nations – such as the prohibition of the use of force in inter-state relations and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states – and their importance in China’s foreign policy and in the principles governing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The other dimension is the contribution of the United Nations’ operations in Cambodia and East Timor to the development of United Nations’ peacekeeping. Although few such operations have been carried out in Pacific Asia the two selected cases have both been of considerable importance in the development of United Nations’ peacekeeping. Based on the examination of these two dimensions of the interaction between Pacific Asia and the United Nations a broader concluding analysis is carried out.

The purpose of the paper is to assess regional approaches to conflict resolution through a case study on the role played by the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the management and resolution of inter-state disputes. The ASEAN approach to conflict management is outlined and the context in which it has developed presented. Also identified are the achievements reached and the challenges that ASEAN has faced and is still facing in the field of conflict management. Three main dimensions are examined: first, the core elements of the approach; second, the role played by the Association in terms of conflict management; and, third, the possible impact of ASEAN approach and its role in inter-state disputes among its members. In addition the possible relevance of the ASEAN approach on disputes involving also non-member states, e.g. in the South China Sea, is explored in the paper.

The purpose of the paper is to assess regional approaches to conflict resolution through a case study on the role played by the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the management and resolution of inter-state disputes. The ASEAN approach to conflict management is outlined and the context in which it has developed presented. Also identified are the achievements reached and the challenges that ASEAN has faced and is still facing in the field of conflict management. Three main dimensions are examined: first, the core elements of the approach; second, the role played by the Association in terms of conflict management; and, third, the possible impact of ASEAN approach and its role in inter-state disputes among its members. In addition the possible relevance of the ASEAN approach on disputes involving also non-member states is explored in the paper trough the case of the South China Sea situation.

The main aim of this paper is to analyse the issues of contention in the Sino-Vietnamese relationship and the approaches to management of the two countries. The paper takes as it starting point 1975 and the post Second Indochina Conflict situation with a focus on development since full normalisation in 1991. The paper identifies major issues in the relationship and how they have been handled with the focus on the post-1991 period. In the analysis of existing challenges to the relationship the focus is on the remaining unsettled border issues in particular in the South China Sea. In the identification and assessment of potential challenges to the bilateral relations the risks with economic competition and uneven trade relations and the risks associated with developments affecting shared rivers are assessed.

The paper assesses the role played by ASEAN in the management and resolution of disputes between its member-states in the Southeast Asian region. The ASEAN approach to conflict management and the context in which it has developed is presented. The achievements and challenges that ASEAN has faced and is still facing in the field of conflict management are identified. ASEAN’s contribution to conflict management in the Southeast Asian region is recognised although the nature of the contribution and the role played by the Association is debated. ASEAN’s model and approach to conflict and dispute management and the possible impact of the approach on the conflict situation in the Southeast Asian region are examined from three main dimensions: the core elements of the approach, the role played by the Association in terms of conflict management, and the possible impact of the ASEAN approach in managing disputes among its member-states. The possible impact of recent developments within ASEAN – the ASEAN Charter in particular – is analysed in assessing the role that the Association can play in promoting conflict management.