East Asian Science & Security Network Report, Nov. 29, 2006
1. Northeast Asia Energy Scenarios
At a recent meeting of the Asia Energy Security project held at Tsinghua University in Beijing, country teams from the region presented the latest findings from their research into the status of the energy sector and into alternative future energy paths for their respective countries.
Russian Far East: AES project update
2. Northeast Asian Energy Security
In a new policy brief from the Lowy Institute, Anthony Bubalo and Mark Thirwell argue that the G-20 should play a leading role in helping to meet the challenge of energy insecurity in the coming decades, particularly in Northeast Asia.
New Rules for a New ‘Great Game’
3. China-DPRK Energy Cooperation
The Associated Press (“China reports surge in crude oil exports to energy-starved North Korea,” 11/27/06) reported that China’s oil exports to North Korea in October were up nearly 70 percent over a year ago.
China reports surge in oil exports to DPRK
4. Australian Nuclear Energy
At a National Press Club speech to announce the launch of the draft report “Uranium Mining, Processing, and Nuclear Energy — Options for Australia,” Dr. Ziggy Switkowski, head of the government-appointed task force, said that further development of nuclear energy will be necessary to help Australia cut its emissions of greenhouse gasses. However, The Australian (“Scientists counter Switkowski on nukes,” 11/20/06) reported that a panel of scientists has issued a series of fact sheets to counter what they claim is an unbalanced, pro-nuclear focus of the draft report of the Australia’s nuclear energy task force.
Uranium Mining, Processing, and Nuclear Energy Review
Energyscience.org fact sheets on nuclear energy
A new study by the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Medical Association for the Prevention of War (Australia) argues that exporting Australian uranium to other nations, particularly those with nuclear weapons programs, is dangerous.
An Illusion of Protection: Executive Summary
5. ROK Nuclear Energy
In a presentation at the recent EASSC workshop in Beijing, Kang Jungmin discussed different scenarios for management of South Korean spent nuclear fuel, based on variants of ROK plans for nuclear energy expansion.
6. DPRK Information Technology
Paul Tija of GPI Consultancy, an independent Dutch consultancy firm in the field of IT off-shoring, describes his trip to Pyongyang and the opportunities he sees for IT outsourcing in North Korea.
7. Chinese Solar Power
OhmyNews International (Xu Zhiqiang, “China Turns to Solar Power,” 11/24/06) reports that China plans to build the world’s largest solar power plant to take advantage of the vast photovoltaic potential of its desert regions.
8. Bird Flu Detection
The New York Times (Donald G. McNeil, Jr., “Rapid tests for bird flu are flawed, studies show,” 11/24/06) reported that new studies show that rapid tests for bird flu are rarely accurate, and blood tests are not always available.
Rapid tests for bird flu flawed
New England Journal of Medicine
The East Asia Science and Security Network (EASSNet) delivers timely news and innovative research across a range of issues relating to science and security, including energy security, bio-security, nano-technology, nuclear fuel cycle, missile technology, and information technology, especially within the East Asia region. The network draws on research from Nautilus Institute and its partners in China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Australia, and North Korea, as well as grantees of the MacArthur Foundation, of MacArthur Foundation, Ploughshares Fund, New Land Foundation, Korea Foundation, Ford Foundation, and US Department of Energy. The service provides researchers, journalists, and policymakers access to and understanding of developments beyond their own disciplinary, academic, or industrial communities.
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