Showing 11 - 20 of 68
Future lies with electric two-wheelers
News, Adam Minter, Published on 15/10/2018
» Given recent market turmoil, it would easy to overlook the upcoming IPO of Niu Technologies, a Chinese manufacturer of electric mopeds. The US$95 million the company plans to raise is a pittance compared to the billions burnt by Tesla Inc. But the technologies developed by Niu and other pioneers of electric two-wheel vehicles will transform transportation as much as anything dreamed up by the likes of Elon Musk.
Marriage in China breaks the bank
News, Adam Minter, Published on 01/10/2018
» Getting married isn't cheap in China. In Da'anliu, a small farming village outside Beijing, the local "bride price" -- the fee that a groom's family pays to a bride's in advance of their nuptials -- recently breached the US$30,000 mark (972,000 baht). That's extreme for a village where incomes average $2,900 per year. So, this summer, local officials decreed that bride prices and associated wedding expenses shouldn't exceed $2,900. Violators will be treated as human traffickers.
How India could help in the transformation of Africa
News, Adam Minter, Published on 09/10/2018
» Over the last two decades, China has invested more than US$125 billion in Africa to build ports, highways, airports, railways and other infrastructure. Chinese President Xi Jinping says funds, to the tune of $60 billion, will continue to flow because "inadequate infrastructure is believed to be the biggest bottleneck to Africa's development".
Big Brother is now creating two Chinas
News, Adam Minter, Published on 27/09/2018
» Even for Chinese authorities, who have long tried to limit the influence of foreign media and ideas, last week marked an escalation. In the span of a few days, authorities blocked access to Twitch, the video-game live-streaming platform owned by Amazon.com Inc; ordered a purge of foreign content from school textbooks; and proposed restricting foreign programming -- especially current-events shows -- from television and online streaming sites.
Grindr holds a mirror to China's subtle evolution
News, Adam Minter, Published on 11/09/2018
» Grindr, the world's largest gay social-networking site, told the Shenzhen stock exchange recently that it plans to IPO overseas. Its owner, Beijing Kunlun Technology Co, a games developer, didn't give a date or location. But the announcement revived concern in the gay community locally and worldwide about the app's Chinese ownership.
Solution to chronic marine plastic crisis starts in Asia
News, Adam Minter, Published on 27/06/2018
» Since Jan 1, when China stopped accepting the rich world's recyclable plastic waste, it's gotten a load of criticism for worsening the already deep crisis of ocean plastic pollution. But China isn't the only culprit here. This is a crisis made -- and growing worse -- throughout developing Asia.
Women in work key to China fertility
News, Adam Minter, Published on 24/05/2018
» China is home currently to 241 million people over the age of 60, approximately 17% of the population. By 2050, the elderly will number around 500 million and account for more than one-third of the population. According to a report on Monday by Bloomberg News, the Chinese government has grown so alarmed by these developments that it's preparing to scrap all limits on the number of children that a family can have. By early next year, the infamous one-child and -- more recently -- two-child policies should be no more.
Southeast Asia's 'fake news' laws are a fake solution
News, Adam Minter, Published on 26/05/2018
» In the waning days of Malaysia's recent election campaign, then-opposition leader Mahathir Mohamad was investigated under the country's anti-fake news law. Had he been charged and convicted, he could have spent as much as six years in prison. Instead, Dr Mahathir was elected prime minister with a pledge to repeal the law.
Xi paves the way for later retirement
News, Adam Minter, Published on 01/03/2018
» Chinese President Xi Jinping can hold off on retirement planning for a few more years, now that China's Communist Party has announced a proposal to eliminate a 10-year, two-term limit for the coveted job. That sets up the powerful 64-year-old to remain in office well into his golden years. He shouldn't be the only one.
North Korea's Olympic gambit is a big opportunity
News, Adam Minter, Published on 05/01/2018
» This week, South Korea accepted North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's offer of "urgent" talks over his country's participation in the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. Although the sudden engagement over what might amount to two figure skaters crossing the border may not seem like a big deal, history suggests that ignoring the entreaty could be a major missed opportunity.