Week 44: Debaters criticize the government on several points

Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M) received sharp criticism during last week's debate - among other things for having called Turkey a democracy. Photo: Reinis Inkēns, Saeima's Administration. Source: Wikimedia commons.

Of: Elianne Kjellman and Ella Sjöbeck

Foreign Minister Tobias Billström's (M) statements about Turkey have stirred emotions during the past week's debate. The new government's aid and climate policy has also been debated. 

November 7, 2022, Current debate

Week 43: Debaters encourage the Foreign Minister to take up the fight for equality

Several debaters urge the new foreign minister Tobias Billström (M) that Sweden should continue to lead the way for global equality. In the picture, he can be seen at Almedal Week 2018. Photo: Politikerveckan Almedalen. Source: Flickr.

Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt and Sidra Amir

The new government's foreign and aid policy continues to create debate. China's increasingly authoritarian rule and Great Britain's new prime minister have also sparked reactions on Swedish debate and editorial pages. 

October 31, 2022, Current debate

Therefore, China and Taiwan are in conflict - and the United States is involved

Tensions between China and Taiwan have reached new levels after the US state visit to Taiwan in August this year. A Chinese invasion of Taiwan looms, and if the US offers military assistance, this would mean an escalation of the conflict. Pictured: Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in August 2022. Photo: Makoto Lin. Source: Flickr.

Of: Elianne Kjellman

After US state visit to Taiwan in August, tensions between Taiwan, China and the United States have increased sharply. Many experts fear a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. The subject has recently been mentioned frequently in the media, but the conflict can be difficult to understand. The development magazine explains the historical background to the conflict and US involvement in it.

October 28, 2022, Development magazine explains

EU invests billions in developing countries - seen as a challenger to China

The EU is investing billions in infrastructure investments in developing countries. The initiative is seen by many as a challenger to China's project "New Silk Road" - also known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Pictured: one of the terminals of a high-profile BRI-funded railway project in Laos, which was inaugurated two days after the launch of the EU initiative. Photo: Pakopakopapa. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Of: Markus Hietanen

The EU promises multi-billion sums in infrastructure investments to developing countries under the heading "The Global Gateway". Many see the initiative as a direct challenger to China's similar giant project "The New Silk Road", while others question the EU's ability to compete with China.

May 6, 2022, Analysis

China welcomes UN visit following allegations of human rights abuses

In May, UN High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet will visit China, due to the country's treatment of the Uighur ethnic group.

Of: Samira Issa

After five years of waiting, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has been approved to visit Xinjiang in China. The UN wants to visit the region due to reports that up to one million Uighurs are being held in detention camps there.

April 22, 2022, News

Week 5: The Winter Olympics spark debate on human rights and China's pandemic

When China hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics, protests were raised against the country's handling of human rights. The fact that the country is now organizing the Winter Olympics has also created reactions. Photo: Kris Krüg. Source: Flickr.

Of: Melanie Alphonse

Last week, the Winter Olympics in China kicked off, something that has sparked debate about the country's handling of human rights. Russia's continued influence on Swedish and European security policy has also been discussed on Swedish debate and leadership pages during the past week.

February 7, 2022, Current debate

Several countries are boycotting the Winter Olympics in Beijing

Protests against the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, with particular pressure on China's role in the Darfur conflict, in Myanmar and the country's treatment of Tibetans. The fact that the Winter Olympics will be held in China in February 2022 has also provoked reactions. Photo: Peter M. Source: Flickr.

Of: Julia Carlzon

On February 4, many of the world's top athletes will gather when the Winter Olympics kick off. However, the fact that the sporting event will be held in the Chinese capital Beijing has been met with a number of diplomatic boycotts from Western countries, due to the human rights violations taking place in the country.

February 3, 2022, News

China is everywhere

Karl-Anders Larsson, now retired and independent writer who is active in FUF's book club, presents the book "The Hidden Hand" - about China's economic strategies.

Of: Karl-Anders Larsson

All people today are affected by China's development. To understand the big issues today and in the future, it is necessary to study the Chinese system. This applies to economic and political issues and perhaps most of all climate and environment. China is always the biggest.

January 5, 2022, Review

Aukus - the agreement that can change the global security situation

According to the UK, the security pact Aukus will contribute to increased security for the country and create hundreds of new jobs. Photo: 12019/10259 images. Source: Pixabay.

Of: Myra Pernvall

In September this year, the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States went public with the countries forming a new security pact called Aukus. The vision of the agreement is to establish peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. At the same time, most countries have clearly expressed their disapproval and it can be questioned whether Aukus is really stabilizing the global security situation - or whether the pact will lead to the opposite.

December 17, 2021, FUF-correspondents, Reconnaissance

Week 24: Debate on flight and migration on International Refugee Day

Of: The Chancellery

New figures from the UNHCR show that more than 80 million people are currently on the run and that the number has more than doubled in the last ten years. This week, the debate has revolved around several aspects of flight and migration and several debaters believe that the rich countries in the world must take joint responsibility for the situation. Democracy and climate linked to the Chinese regime have also been debated and Swedish companies should stop assisting dictatorships in oppressing LGBTQI people.

June 21, 2021, Current debate