Showing 1 - 10 of 48
Biden needs to do better in Asia
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 30/05/2022
» When Joe Biden arrived in Asia last week for the first visit to the region of his presidency, he aimed to pick up where his predecessor left off. Landing in South Korea on May 20 as events in North Korea and the Ukraine crisis loomed large, Mr Biden then travelled to Tokyo for a meeting of an alliance of the US, Australia, Japan and India that aims to counter China's growing influence.
Making Japan productive again
Asia focus, Koichi Hamada, Published on 11/04/2022
» When I was teaching at the University of Tokyo in the 1970s, my daily commute lasted three and a half hours. But, one day, it threatened to last twice as long: with labour strikes having shut down public transport, my only option was a much longer route using private trains and subways.
China's moment of decision
Asia focus, Yasheng Huang, Published on 28/03/2022
» China's response to Russia's war against Ukraine has been heavily scrutinised and criticised. While Chinese officials have expressed concern about civilian casualties, they have declined to condemn the attack, which they regard as a response to NATO expansion, and they have declared that they will not join the West in imposing financial sanctions on Russia.
Can Yoon heal South Korea?
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 21/03/2022
» In the run-up to the South Korean presidential election on March 9, most observers were focusing mainly on regional implications the poll might have and the regional agendas that the new leader of Asia's fourth-largest economy would pursue.
More young people in Myanmar taking up arms
Asia focus, Than Lwin Aye, Published on 28/02/2022
» Young people in Mon State who not long ago were actively engaged in campaigning for elections in Myanmar have shifted from protesting in the streets against the military to taking up arms to defend their rights and freedoms.
Pakistan a hub for South-Central Asian integration
Asia focus, Bilal Khan, Published on 10/01/2022
» Kyrgyzstan has become the latest country to formally express its desire to join the multi-billion-dollar China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) linking Western China with the Pakistani deep seaport of Gwadar at the mouth of Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf.
Journeys of discovery
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 16/08/2021
» Sipping green tea after having a Thai lunch at his house, Farid Bidgoli looks relaxed yet energetic, and ready for an interview. From his appearance and accent, the 42-year-old executive looks exactly like someone from the UK where he was born, though he is half Iranian with a spirit inherited from his father.
An EU-China deal for a bygone era
Asia focus, Wendy Cutler, Published on 08/03/2021
» The European Union and China in late January released new details about the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) that they concluded in December. On paper, EU negotiators made some progress in important areas including market access, investment liberalisation and sustainable development. But can an incremental bilateral agreement like the CAI really govern economic relations with today's China?
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.
We need better leadership
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 19/10/2020
» As the political temperature in Thailand is rising again, with thousands of young people on the streets to voice their displeasure with the government, the country is looking for strong yet sensible leadership. I think all of you agree.