Showing 1 - 10 of 128
Time to tone down Taiwan tensions
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 08/08/2022
» It was a picture-perfect shot, really. That was my thought when I saw US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi standing side by side with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei last Wednesday. But the one-day visit to the self-ruled island by the 82-year-old American politician has created no end of tension, not only for the US and China but also many of their allies across the Asia Pacific region.
Funding the future
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 18/07/2022
» Makhtar Diop is energetic, always eager to learn new things, and a humble leader. Since becoming managing director of the International Finance Corp (IFC) in March last year, the Senegalese economist has been actively exploring potential areas where the World Bank affiliate could expand as a financial backer, including the health sector, with a focus on Africa.
Food security an urgent priority
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 04/07/2022
» While an earlier meeting of G-20 delegates in Yogyakarta focused on strengthening the global health system, it is no surprise that the Russia-Ukraine war dominated talks at the summit of the Group of Seven rich nations last week.
Tech disrupted by reality
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 20/06/2022
» When Covid-19 emerged more than two years ago, millions of people including myself suddenly found ourselves stuck at home. To survive the unprecedented challenges and stress, I started to befriend mobile apps I hadn't used before to buy things and pay bills online, among them the e-commerce platform Shopee.
Pride Month is for everyone
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 13/06/2022
» June marks LGBTQI Pride Month, celebrating people who are "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex". I think most of us agree with US President Joe Biden's declaration that LGBTQI people are loved and cherished, and they deserve "dignity, respect and support".
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.
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.
Time to move on from Zero Covid
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 23/05/2022
» It's finally time for Shanghai residents to breathe easier and feel a greater sense of freedom. After nearly two months of lockdown, the commercial hub of 25 million started to allow more people to go out to buy groceries for the first time last Thursday after a fifth straight day of no new Covid-19 infections outside quarantine areas.
Politics and peril for Asian women
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 16/05/2022
» The political landscape in Asia has been very dynamic lately, but it is a disappointment to me personally that events have not been kind to women.
Food price solutions a priority
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 02/05/2022
» Food prices are on the rise everywhere in the world. In Thailand, prices of limes have been at historical highs for months, now as much as 10 baht each in wet markets. Instant noodle makers want to hike their prices by up to 20% as raw material costs have surged, but Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit insists they can't.