Asia Pacific
China’s Party Plenum focuses on economic stabilization
After four days of intense discussion, the elites of the Chinese Communist Party have elaborated a framework for the 13th Five Year Plan that will define new strategies for the
Forecasting GDP: The fight over China’s GDP figure
Distrusting China’s official numbers but lacking credible alternatives, analysts should give less weight to GDP as an indicator of economic health and newspapers should give less weight to GDP short-term
Timor-Leste bids for ASEAN membership
As Timor-Leste manoeuvres obstacles to ASEAN membership, we consider what the expected benefits of being ASEAN’s newest member will be, and whether these may come with potential costs. Timor-Leste, the
One-child policy latest victim of China’s anti-corruption drive
The gradual abandonment of the one-child policy allows China to tackle demographic, corruption, security, and economic challenges in one deft swoop; defusing discontent and saving face for Beijing. Last week’s
Papua New Guinea is falling short of its potential
Falling commodity prices alongside poor political governance have meant that Papa New Guinea, rich in natural resources, is seemingly not fulfilling its potential. Papua New Guinea is one of the
Three weaknesses of Myanmar’s NLD party
While the National League for Democracy (NLD) brings high hope to Myanmar’s democratic transition, it faces vulnerability that will need to be addressed if the NLD is to lead Myanmar
Thailand and the TPP: Exports at Risk
What will the recently-struck TPP agreement mean for Thailand? With a final agreement on the Trans Pacific Partnership reached and ratification at the national level pending, concerns over lost competitiveness
China divided: Beijing struggles for control
The 60th anniversary of the establishment of the autonomous region of Xinjiang has been saluted by Beijing as a great step toward a stronger national unity. However, rising tensions and
Trans Pacific Partnership: Shaping a new regional architecture
The TPP will set standards and tariffs for twelve Pacific Rim countries that all together represent 40% of the global economy. Meanwhile, China is not included in the agreement. The Trans
China’s railway diplomacy: Benefits and challenges
While the outcome of the recent high-prized Indonesian railway deal is a huge success for China’s railway diplomacy, both countries will have to tackle safety and transparency issues. China has
