Day: October 24, 2023

On the cusp of what many visionaries hail as “the Asian century”, a palpable wave of anticipation is surging. Historically, while industrial Europe shaped the 19th century and the US soared in the 20th, it is now Asia’s moment to shine, on a wave of economic momentum. This Asian ascendancy is not just logical, it’s deeply compelling. The ongoing FII summit in Riyadh, organised by the Future Investment Initiative Institute, is filled with excitement as it contemplates the notion that the next few decades will be painted with the vibrant…

A former senior official has expressed concern over the slow pace of China’s economic reforms, arguing the present combination of macroeconomic policies, monetary tweaks and expansionary fiscal moves will not be sufficient to revitalise the country’s growth prospects. “The economy is the No 1 priority for the party and government, and matters have come to a point that only real reforms, not piecemeal adjustments, can secure future growth,” said Yang Weimin, a long-term aide to former economic tsar Liu He at the Office of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs…

The two working groups were set up in September to improve communication on economic and financial issues, following talks between Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in Beijing in July. Analysts say an increase in official exchanges between the two powers – from their deputy foreign ministers to the economic and financial working groups and Wang’s Washington trip – indicated preparations could be under way for a leaders’ summit. Alfred Wu, associate professor at the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy,…

The US must improve its monitoring mechanisms to identify human rights violations in its seafood supply chain where China plays a key role, witnesses told an influential bipartisan panel on Tuesday. The comments came at a hearing titled “From Bait to Plate: How Forced Labour in China Taints America’s Seafood Supply Chain” and hosted by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, a group of lawmakers and senior administration officials that advises Congress and the executive branch on human rights and the rule of law in China. The hearing arose after a…

The question of Palestine is of immense significance in the Middle East – settling the issue would contribute a foundational element of peace in the region. The recent escalation, triggered by Hamas’ Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and Israel’s response, also has significant geopolitical and economic ramifications for the rest of the world. For many decades, the US has been the primary power broker in the Middle East but, recently, China has been assuming a role of mediator. In March, Beijing facilitated the reconciliation of relations between historic Gulf adversaries Iran and…