Showing 1 - 10 of 43
US-China rivalry and public diplomacy in Southeast Asia
Asia focus, Aristyo Rizka Darmawan, Published on 14/03/2022
» 'President Biden told President Xi that we share a profound responsibility to ensure that the competition between our countries does not veer into conflict," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared during a visit to Jakarta in December.
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.
Eco label momentum
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 06/12/2021
» The growing demand for eco label certification of consumer goods has been shifting sustainability practices across the supply chain, from commodity growers to retailers. The latter in particular have come to realise that having such labels on packaging could influence consumer purchasing decisions.
Why is China's growth rate falling so fast?
Asia focus, Shang-Jin Wei, Published on 01/12/2021
» In early 2021, the consensus forecast for Chinese gross domestic product (GDP) growth this year among 25 major global banks and other professional forecasters was 8.3%. In contrast, the Chinese government's own target was around 6%.
Asean's bold Myanmar move
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 25/10/2021
» The whole world is now looking at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in hope that the regional group is ready to carry a bigger stick in addressing the crisis facing one of its members -- Myanmar.
US and China should continue talks
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 20/09/2021
» The United States last Wednesday took a major step in challenging China's massive influence in Asia by announcing a plan to help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines that could eventually make their way into contested waters claimed by Beijing.
Best foot forward for sustainability
Asia focus, Minli Zhao, Published on 06/09/2021
» With the tangible effects of climate change -- record-setting temperatures, devastating floods and other ecological disasters -- clearly being felt by people around the world, consumers are increasingly making sustainability part of their everyday lives.
Common ground
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 28/06/2021
» The European Union (EU) is turning east as it seeks to increase its presence in the Indo-Pacific region, where the major events of the current century will unfold, by forming closer relationships with Asean and its members.
Supply chains refined
Asia focus, Apiradee Treerutkuarkul, Published on 28/06/2021
» The significant disruptions to supply chains worldwide caused by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic have highlighted the need for Asia Pacific countries to consider policies and strategies that will improve resilience.
In search of the middle ground
Asia focus, Apiradee Treerutkuarkul, Published on 31/05/2021
» As the African proverb goes, when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. The intensifying China-US rivalry is putting mounting pressure on smaller countries, and Southeast Asian economies are no exception.