Showing 1 - 10 of 15
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.
China's moment of decision
Asia focus, 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.
An EU-China deal for a bygone era
Asia focus, 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?
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.
Looking ahead with hope
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 06/01/2020
» First of all, welcome back to work to anyone who is lucky enough to be starting today instead of last week. I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year celebration with their friends and families.
Asia's century, China's year
Asia focus, Published on 30/12/2019
» Way back when 1999 was winding down, pundits were telling us that the Asian Century was about to dawn. That prediction has not yet been fully realised, but few would disagree that 2019 belonged to China. Over the past 12 months, the top headlines have been about the bruising trade war with America, defiant protests in Hong Kong against Beijing's tightening grip, and the rise of a surveillance state that is herding hundreds of thousands into "re-education" camps on its western fringes. Below, the Asia Focus team looks back on a busy and sometimes troubling 2019.
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.
Trump's North Korean appeasement
Asia focus, Christopher Hill, Published on 30/09/2019
» Having met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un three times -- all to great fanfare -- US President Donald Trump may still believe that denuclearisation is under way in the Hermit Kingdom. If so, he is the probably the only one who does, given North Korea's frequent missile tests and upgrades to its weapons.
Friend or Foe?
Asia focus, Published on 15/07/2019
» When Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in April in Beijing for talks on how to approach disputes in the South China Sea, they came out smiling. "Both sides," declared Mr Xi, "should renew their trust in keeping promises … [and] maintain peace and stability" in the contested waters.