Showing 1 - 10 of 33
Food security an urgent priority
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 04/07/2022
» While an earlier meeting of G-20 delegates in Yogyakarta focused on strengthening the global health system, it is no surprise that the Russia-Ukraine war dominated talks at the summit of the Group of Seven rich nations last week.
Searching within
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 17/01/2022
» At first sight, Anthony Tan doesn't look much like his publicity photograph. His grey hair is short and in the stage of growing back after having been shaved. So are his eyebrows. The explanation? He recently spent some time ordained as a monk.
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.
Can Myanmar be saved?
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 26/04/2021
» As Thailand and its neighbours scramble to rein in a new surge in Covid-19 cases, Asean as a whole is facing a critical challenge posed by violence and economic devastation in Myanmar.
We may have already passed 'peak petrol'
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 05/04/2021
» Last year saw an 11% drop in global petrol consumption, marking the beginning of a historical shift after more than a century of continuous growth in demand. The International Energy Agency (IEA) is now predicting that we will probably never see pre-Covid levels of petrol use again.
Why China's Hong Kong crackdown could backfire
Asia focus, Minxin Pei, Published on 22/03/2021
» The Year of the Ox began darkly for the people of Hong Kong. On Feb 16, nine pro-democracy activists, including 82-year-old Martin Lee, the revered long-time leader of the city's Democratic Party, went on trial facing charges of illegal assembly.
Erasing the stain of racism
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 15/02/2021
» When Rawiri Waititi got up to ask a question in the New Zealand parliament last Tuesday, he didn't get far. Speaker Trevor Mallard warned the Maori MP that (male) members could only do so if they were wearing a necktie.
Are we ready for an Asean travel balloon?
Asia focus, Jayant Menon, Published on 04/01/2021
» Air travel in Asean remains highly restricted, especially compared to most other regions. With Covid-19 vaccines now being rolled out, should countries wait before opening borders?
China should try a softer tone
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 30/11/2020
» Chinese President Xi Jinping has been outspoken lately, taking advantage of the leadership vacuum in Washington where Donald Trump is still sulking after his election defeat and Joe Biden won't take office for seven more weeks.
Change on the menu
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 02/11/2020
» Food is among the necessities of life, and maintaining the complex supply chains that keep us all fed is a challenge at the best of times, let alone during a pandemic. Covid-19 has also changed consumption behaviour, forcing companies of all sizes in the food and agriculture industry to rethink the way they do business.