Showing 1 - 10 of 38
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.
Restoring respect
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 07/06/2021
» Patama Chantaruck still remembers an unsettling encounter she experienced during her early days of living in the United States 28 years ago.
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.
Tension tourism
Asia focus, Anucha Charoenpo, Published on 21/10/2019
» It has been a long, tense journey for people on the Korean Peninsula. Recently, some have come to believe there is light at the end of the tunnel, following summits between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump, and between Mr Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
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.
Indian court case lifts lid on kidnappings for marriage
Asia focus, By Narendra Kaushik in New Delhi, Published on 02/09/2019
» Vinod Kumar Yadav still shudders when he recalls his 48-hour long marriage ordeal in December 2017. His was no match made in heaven. On the contrary, he was kidnapped, beaten up by the bride's family and hired goons and forced to tie the knot at gunpoint.
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.