In many ways, China is the perfect partner for Hanoi’s rare earth processing industry ambitions. But standing in the way is Vietnam’s wariness of corporate exploitation and taking sides in the US-China rivalry, as well as its political turmoil.
The growing cooperation between China and Central Asia on green energy fits Beijing’s agenda of making more sustainable Belt and Road Initiative investments. Central Asian states, particularly Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, have embraced the opportunity to improve their energy security and gain distance from Russia.
The lawsuit filed in Shanxi by the families of 18 women forced into sexual slavery by the imperial Japanese army is the first such challenge in a Chinese court and marks a critical moment in the movement. Success will depend on domestic and international support
As the Philippines looks for allies outside Asean to support its South China stance against Beijing, Southeast Asia risks becoming a theatre of war. Asean must act to to de-escalate tensions and ensure regional peace and prosperity.
Globalisation didn’t hurt US jobs, contrary to what American politics would have you think. Still, in a fractious era of more trade barriers, economies like Hong Kong can contribute to seamless global trade by adopting digital documentation.