Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Sihanoukville pays the price for heavy reliance on Chinese
Asia focus, Matthias Alffram, Published on 09/05/2022
» For several years now, Cambodia has been receiving billions of dollars in Chinese investment as part of China's Belt & Road initiative (BRI). Between 2013 and 2017, Beijing invested US$5.3 billion in the Southeast Asian country. Between 2016 and 2019, the two countries signed 65 cooperation agreements to finance infrastructure projects such as seaports, highways, airports, power stations and even an oil refinery.
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.
Bracing for the big smoke
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 26/08/2019
» Indonesia is bracing for the possibility of more regional embarrassment and condemnation as authorities battle to extinguish forest fires in more than a thousand hotspots in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
China's Cambodian invasion
Asia focus, Sam Rainsy, Published on 19/08/2019
» It has long been feared that Cambodia's growing dependence on China -- its largest aid donor, investor and creditor -- would lead to a Chinese military presence in the country. According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, those fears are now coming true.
Friend or Foe?
Asia focus, Phanawat Ayanaputra, 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.
Facing down China
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 01/04/2019
» Repression at home, assertiveness in disputed territory on its doorstep, and expansion of soft power, economic and technological influence worldwide have all become hallmarks of confident China in the 21st century.
Quiet tiger
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 21/05/2018
» Mention Asian tiger economies and Bangladesh is probably the last place that comes to mind. But the World Economic Forum (WEF) this year conferred the designation on the South Asian country, alongside the likes of Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan, citing its impressive growth in the past decade.
Impressive catch
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 30/04/2018
» Indonesia is reaping the results of its aggressive crackdown on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing that began in late 2014, with figures and research showing that the effort is paying off.
Mission from Moscow
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 02/04/2018
» As China continues to expand its influence in Asia, and at a time when some are questioning the continuing commitment of the United States, Russia is quietly building up its presence in the region.
Modi looks east
Asia focus, Narendra Kaushik, Published on 05/03/2018
» Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be bringing a long to-do list when he touches down in Thailand in early June. It includes joint defence manufacturing, cruise tourism, maritime transport, a possible "white shipping" agreement, highway transport via Myanmar, and strengthening of cultural links, among others.