Showing 1 - 10 of 39
China's two traps
Asia focus, Keun Lee in Seoul, Published on 21/03/2022
» When Deng Xiaoping launched China's strategy of "reform and opening up" in 1978, economists in the West had their doubts. In their view, a vibrant market economy was fundamentally incompatible with China's authoritarian political system.
Asia's climate optimism
Asia focus, Christine Loh, Pamela Mar, Peter Seligmann and Lin Xu in Hong Kong, Published on 22/02/2021
» Optimism is in the air in Asia, where the new Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership has brightened prospects for a post-pandemic recovery and a revival of multilateralism. Even more promising, there is growing regional agreement on the need to address climate change.
Narendra Modi and the tragedy of India's poor
Asia focus, Pranab Bardhan, Published on 01/06/2020
» Prime Minister Narendra Modi's penchant for theatrics has had deadly consequences for India's poor. That was certainly the case with his disastrous demonetisation policy in 2016 and his government's rushed imposition of a national Goods and Services Tax, which resulted in widespread harassment of small businesses.
Transport minister has plans for new vote-catching airports in South
Critics say move is to boost Bhumjaithai favour in South, Published on 17/10/2019
» Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob has plans to spend about 8 billion baht building two new airports in the South, in Phatthalung and Satun, as public-private investment ventures.
China is committed to multilateralism
Asia focus, Xizhou Zhou in Beijing, Published on 23/09/2019
» In recent years, China's lead role in establishing new multilateral institutions -- including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the New Development Bank -- has raised fears that the government aims to topple the existing world order. This interpretation misses a crucial point: China has benefited immensely from and continues to participate actively in -- and even ardently defend -- that very order.
Universal health coverage lessons from Vietnam
Asia focus, Jörg Reinhardt in Zurich, Published on 05/08/2019
» Virtually every country worldwide has committed to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030, as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. But some countries are progressing much faster than others in delivering equitable access not only to health services, but also to affordable medicines and vaccines. Among those leading the pack is Vietnam.
Indo-Pakistani marriages uncoupled by politics
Asia focus, Narendra Kaushik in New Delhi, Published on 29/07/2019
» Parakram Singh Bhatti, a 23-year-old Indian man, married his Pakistani bride Primal Kaur Sodha, 22, on Jan 25 this year. Mr Bhatti and his family travelled by Thar Express train to Pakistan for the marriage, which was solemnised three days after Mr Bhatti's brother, Ompal Singh, wed Kiran Kaur, a cousin of Ms Primal.
Lean times lasting longer
Asia focus, Eunice Barbara C Novio in San Jose, Philippines, Published on 15/07/2019
» Most people know the province of Occidental Mindoro as a premier tourist destination in the Philippines. But agriculture and fishing are still the primary source of income for many of its 500,000 permanent residents.
Getting things done in India's messy democracy
Asia focus, Pranab Bardhan in Berkeley, Published on 17/06/2019
» The failure of the Indian state to provide basic public services and carry out job-creating infrastructure projects was a prominent theme in the country's recent general election. In this regard, critics often compare India unfavourably to China's seemingly purposeful and effective authoritarian government, despite the recent excesses of President Xi Jinping in consolidating his personal power.
Why the US and China see negotiations differently
Asia focus, Shang-Jin Wei in Canberra, Published on 27/05/2019
» Trade negotiations between the United States and China broke down earlier this month because the US government said the Chinese were "walking back" their agreement on matters that had previously been addressed. US negotiators and President Donald Trump were furious, and on May 10 Mr Trump more than doubled US tariffs on US$200 billion worth of imports from China.