Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Waiting for China
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 23/05/2022
» Since China began to open up and reform its economy in 1978, growth has averaged almost 10% a year, and more than 800 million people have been lifted out of poverty. There have also been significant improvements in access to health, education and other services, with the mainland now an upper-middle-income country.
Stumbling but hopeful
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 07/03/2022
» Domestic travellers have been the lifeline for tourism-reliant countries, especially in Southeast Asia, for the past two pandemic-battered years. But even as countries start scrapping restrictions to welcome international visitors back, some pandemic uncertainties persist and now a crisis in Ukraine threatens the global economic recovery as a whole.
Wasted Year
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 21/02/2022
» Once perceived as Asia's final frontier, Myanmar has been tested severely by dual shocks -- a surge in Covid-19 cases in 2021 and the military coup that has brought its economy close to a standstill and left its people suffering from ongoing violence.
Chinese policies hold back growth
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 24/01/2022
» When I first heard a Moody's economist discuss the cooling Chinese economy late last year, it caught my interest but not much. As we have been living with a pandemic for two years, an economic slowdown seems unavoidable, even in the country that has been the world's engine of growth for years.
Make the recovery green
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 29/06/2020
» Southeast Asia has been relatively successful compared to other regions in handling the spread of Covid-19, with Vietnam a world leader. Despite a long border with China and a population of 97 million, Vietnam has recorded just 352 infections and not a single death, thanks to aggressive, targeted testing and a centralised quarantine system.
China's cryptocurrency crackdown
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 16/12/2019
» Weibo, China's largest microblogging service, has banned the cryptocurrency exchange giants Binance and Tron from its platform amid what appears to be a fresh crackdown on digital currency trading in China. At the same time, watchdogs in Shanghai issued notices calling for a cleanup of companies involved in cryptocurrency trading, while Beijing's regulator warned against illegal exchange operations.
Lean times lasting longer
Asia focus, Eunice Barbara C Novio in San Jose, Philippines, Published on 15/07/2019
» Most people know the province of Occidental Mindoro as a premier tourist destination in the Philippines. But agriculture and fishing are still the primary source of income for many of its 500,000 permanent residents.
Clearing the air
Asia focus, Tanyatorn Tongwaranan, Published on 13/05/2019
» Earlier this year, cities in Thailand were smothered by prolonged, suffocating toxic smog. Schools were closed, tourism sank, and N95 masks flew off store shelves as people started to feel the effects -- sore throats, irritated eyes and trouble breathing -- caused by ultra-fine dust particles known as PM2.5.
Ending the war against women
Asia focus, Tanyatorn Tongwaranan, Published on 15/10/2018
» Two exceptionally brave individuals, Nadia Murad and Denis Mukwege, have received this year's Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to end rape as a weapon of war. Their courage and persistence deserve to be applauded.
China's new travellers
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 13/08/2018
» When the tour boat Phoenix capsized and sank in rough seas off Phuket on July 5, the lives of hundreds of Chinese people changed forever as they dealt with the loss of 47 loved ones.