East Asian Region Lecture Series

Introduction

• Focus on East Asia with emphasis on China.
• Examining the uniqueness of dividing China into eastern and western halves, focusing on the eastern half.
• Importance of China in defining the region and its global influence.

Main Focus Areas

1. China as a Core Component

   • Singular sovereign state divided into east and west.
   • Eastern China viewed as foundational for East Asia.
   • Comparison to North America focusing on the USA, or Europe focusing on Germany and France.

2. Geographic Entities

   • Tibet and Taiwan
     • Considered by most as part of China, but with disputed sovereignty.
     • Some states recognize Taiwan as sovereign despite Chinese claims.
   • North and South Korea
     • Recognized as sovereign states.
     • Historical singular state of Korea now divided.

Exclusion of Japan and Southeast Asia

• Japan's proximity to East Asia doesn't make it part of the region definitionally.
• Japan and Southeast Asia are distinctly separate from East Asia in this context.

Key Points

• Emphasis on the significance of China within East Asia.
• Fringe geographic entities like the Koreas, Tibet, and Taiwan are integral to the region’s concept.
• The exclusion of Japan highlights regional definition nuances.

Conclusion

• Lecture will delve into these unique regional definitions and their implications.
• Focus will remain on China as the central theme.