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Asia Pacific Economics

Prospects improve for China-Pakistan economic corridor

Pakistan and China recently signed agreements to build a new airport and upgrade the Karakorum Highway in Balochistan, demonstrating further commitment to a China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Recently signed agreements

Asia Pacific Finance

Is the new AIIB just more of the same?

The Asian infrastructure market and the new investment vehicle, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), present a potentially highly attractive opportunity for investors. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has estimated

Asia Pacific Politics

Masuzoe new Tokyo governor, defeats anti-nuclear rivals

Despite efforts to make Tokyo’s gubernatorial election a referendum on nuclear energy, Yoichi Masuzoe won by focusing on more basic economic issues. This reflects a desire to see “Abenomics” restore

Asia Pacific Security

Forgotten southern insurgency divides Thailand

The political power struggle in Bangkok has dominated international reports from Thailand since the military coup seven years ago, yet a far more lethal conflict goes on in Thailand’s Deep

Asia Pacific Politics

Ambassador Baucus could bring U.S beef back to China

Former U.S. Senator Max Baucus of Montana, confirmed as the next U.S. Ambassador to China, could help restore U.S. beef exports to China. China banned all U.S. beef exports after a

Asia Pacific Natural resources and energy

New rules for Indonesia’s mining sector see exports static

Indonesia has placed an export ban on mined ore to encourage local processing. The regulatory changes have been met with resistance from international mining companies, and investor confidence in Indonesia’s mining sector

Asia Pacific Politics

Historic cross-strait talks signal a new step in relations

Unfortunately, improved cross-strait economic ties do little to resolve the status quo, as the final objectives of Beijing and Taipei remain fundamentally irreconcilable. At the first governmental meeting since they split apart

Asia Pacific Politics

Why Thailand’s political unrest is not business as usual

Political unrest surrounding the recent elections in Thailand casts a shadow on the future of the economy, which has already experienced contractions. Continued political discord will make Thailand a less

Asia Pacific Economics

Is China’s era as the world’s factory coming to an end?

A Chinese economic slowdown is a growing fear. January’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) of 50.5 seems to confirm such fears, as China’s manufacturing sector now comes dangerously close to not

Asia Pacific Economics

Growth in Myanmar undermined by rising inflation

McKinsey estimates that Myanmar’s GDP could quadruple in size to over $200 billion in the next 20 years. But inflation may derail the prospect of growth and progress. Myanmar’s political