Showing 1 - 10 of 13
Three-way link
Asia focus, Apiradee Treerutkuarkul, Published on 07/02/2022
» Facing an increasingly uncertain strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific region, the United States and one of its key allies -- South Korea -- are pursuing increased cooperation beyond Northeast Asia, a path that is expected to lead them to Southeast Asia.
Year of Turbulence
Asia focus, Asia Focus Team, Published on 27/12/2021
» Pandemic drags on recovery: In the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, many Asian countries had enviable success, avoiding large-scale outbreaks and mass deaths. But the arrival of the more transmissible Delta variant this year and sluggish vaccine rollouts compounded by low availability sent cases surging. Combined with poor monitoring and easy movement among countries, often unofficially, Southeast Asia became a virus hotspot. The ballooning health crisis collided with churning political discontent in the case of Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia. Economically, the new wave of infections, and attendant restrictions imposed to curb the spread, stalled recoveries. After nearly two years of strict border controls, many countries started to loosen up and live with Covid. But the rise of the Omicron variant now threatens to scuttle those tentative reopening plans and usher in a third year of economic anxiety.
Assertive Asean more vital than ever
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 01/11/2021
» While Myanmar's "unusual crisis" dominated talks at the summits of Asean and its dialogue partners last week, the group's centrality and relevance in the new world order were also highlighted as the 10-country bloc has been dealing with critical challenges both at home and abroad.
Healthy outlook
Asia focus, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 11/01/2021
» 2005 was a turning point, and also a heartbreaking year for Mihai Irimescu. When his mother passed away after years of battling cancer, he began to approach life with a new sense of purpose. One result was a decision to switch his career focus from telecoms and information technology to healthcare.
Distrust of China growing
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 12/10/2020
» China is the first major economy to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic that originated on the mainland itself. While the overall economy could not avoid a slowdown, the country's ability to control the virus by March meant economic activity was able to resume relatively quickly.
Dream state
Asia focus, Ben Bland, Published on 28/09/2020
» When Indonesian President Joko Widodo decided last year to pursue outlandish plans to build a new capital city in far-flung Kalimantan, advisers shook their heads in despair. But they were not surprised.
US-China relations beyond 2020
Asia focus, Ken Lohatepanont, Published on 05/08/2019
» In the world's preeminent superpower, the race to elect the new president is starting to yield clues about the future of its foreign policy. The narrowing gap between China and the United States in both economic and military potential has made China's rising power a regular fixture in US political discussions.
How Western transparency helps fuel Chinese repression
Asia focus, Antonio Foglia in London, Published on 08/04/2019
» Despite repeated efforts by the Beijing government to stimulate the Chinese economy, the country's animal spirits remain depressed. And one unexpected reason for this may be the automatic exchange of financial information between the world's major economies, which is allowing the Communist Party of China to learn about the bank accounts that Chinese residents hold overseas.
Halal everywhere
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 18/06/2018
» As Muslim consumers in Indonesia are growing more halal-conscious, demand for halal certification has expanded from food and beverages and financial services to non-food consumer goods.
Lower castes growing more assertive in India
Asia focus, Narendra Kaushik, Published on 07/05/2018
» Sanjay Jatav believes he has won an important battle in the long war against caste-based discrimination in India.