Many turbulent events in 2015 were symptoms of a world lacking in optimism and growth, and facing possible changes in the global order. Even as social and economic uncertainties continue, competition is increasing among major powers, especially between the US and China. There is not much...
There are many reasons to admire modern-day Japan. There are also more than a few reasons to wish the country's prime minister, Shinzo Abe, well. His efforts to resuscitate the economy with Abenomics has not yet hit the target, but Japan is more confident today...
Earlier this month, the leader of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, made an official visit to Beijing. His trip underscores the dilemma facing Southeast Asian nations. Can Asian countries strengthen their ties with China without compromising their own national interests? Both China and Vietnam...
Japan will go to the polls on Sunday, 14 December, following Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's call for a snap general election – two years ahead of schedule. Officially, Mr. Abe is seeking a fresh mandate from the public, and has characterised the vote as a...
Economic integration and free trade between economies remains a critical pillar for the growth of the region, so countries involved in the free trade negotiations should persevere through short-term reforms for the greater good said Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Lee Yi...
Asia has entered its annual season of political summits and US President Barack Obama will be a key player, first at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and then at the East Asia Summit, hosted by Myanmar. Simply turning up shows that America is making the effort...
When Japanese and American trade negotiators met in Washington DC last week, their bilateral discussions mattered to many other countries. The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) has grown to include twelve countries that represent some 40 per cent of global GDP and about one-third of all...
Not long ago, Asians suffered under weak governments. Japan stumbled through a series of short-lived and unpopular leaders while, in China, the last years under President Hu Jintao saw necessary reforms postponed. In India, after initial high hopes, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ended his term...
Thai conglomerate Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group was the first foreign investor to enter China when Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping opened the economy in 1979. Its registration number in China is 001. Today, the agribusiness giant employs some 80,000 people for its US$9 billion (S$11 billion)...
Just two days after Chinese President Xi Jinping finished his nine-day tour of Latin America, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in Mexico last week to begin his nine-day visit to the region. The timing seems to suggest that the two Asian powers are vying for...