Showing 1 - 10 of 49
Looking ahead with hope
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 06/01/2020
» First of all, welcome back to work to anyone who is lucky enough to be starting today instead of last week. I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year celebration with their friends and families.
Fingers crossed for world trade
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 23/12/2019
» It is clear now that the rise of protectionism and the current US tariff war against China and the rest of the world have led to a slowdown in global trade and demand. Since most export-led economies in Asia Pacific depend heavily on demand from China, any slowdown there is bad news.
Bargaining trumps bullets
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 25/11/2019
» 'When goods do not cross borders, soldiers will." It's a blunt quotation and one that certainly got my attention when Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi used it last week.
No end in sight for US, China spat
News, Erich Parpart, Published on 22/11/2019
» The trade dispute between China and the United States is likely to continue into next year as talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have yet to result in an agreement between the countries.
US hot air and the Paris accord
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 11/11/2019
» Does it matter that the United States has formally begun withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement? Given that it is the world's second biggest carbon dioxide emitter after China, some say that yes, it does matter, because it will now be free to pollute the planet even more.
Let's stop being fossil fools
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 23/09/2019
» Why do we still need fossil fuels? Why are we still burning these finite resources that spew out air pollution when we can harness power from cleaner sources? It all comes down to human greed.
Green salvation, one bag at a time
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 02/09/2019
» South America and Africa are on fire, the icecaps are melting and sea levels keep rising. Natural disasters have become more common on every continent and July 2019 was the hottest month on record globally. People are dying while thousands of animal and plant species are disappearing forever.
Time for a Seoul-Tokyo peace pact
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 12/08/2019
» I love kimchi and I love ramen. I love the bushido way of life and Japanese humility, and I love South Koreans' resilience and devotion to education that helped them lift their country from poverty after World War II to become an Asian economic powerhouse. And in my opinion, both South Koreans and Japanese are among the nicest people in the world.
Plastic peril
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 20/05/2019
» The spectacle of the ever-changing sunset above a beach in front of a five-star resort on a beautiful Pacific island was a memory I will cherish forever. But my reverie was rudely interrupted by the sight that greeted me on a public beach nearby.
Headwinds ahead
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 29/04/2019
» Amid unfavourable external economic conditions and political uncertainties at home, the outlook is dimming for Thailand and other Asian countries facing an export slowdown linked to weak trade and demand growth globally.