News
Asean needs a Middle Path
Despite the economic downturn during the Covid-19 pandemic, China-sponsored infrastructure, trade and cooperation initiatives with Southeast Asian nations have been moving forward consistently — amplifying the presence of Beijing in one of the world’s fastest growing regions. One recent landmark event was the inauguration of the ...
PARITTA WANGKIAT
Year in review: The winners and losers of 2020
As 2021 begins — not soon enough for most of us — we take one last look at the year that was. For Thailand, 2020 was a year of turmoil, disruption and contrasts. Simmering discontent boiled over for some in the form of protests, and the ...
CURTIS S CHIN & JOSE B COLLAZO
The Mekong subregion in Beijing’s strategic calculus
The strategically vital Mekong subregion has been gaining salience in Beijing’s strategic calculations as China faces growing pushback from the US and other countries. The global pandemic appears to be consolidating a few trends in China’s ties with the Mekong nations. In this emerging scenario, it is likely ...
K. YHOME
Myanmar COVID-19 Recovery Plan Won't Favor China's BRI Projects, Official Says
When Myanmar announced its seven-point economic relief plan to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 in late April, one item immediately raised eyebrows among China analysts in the country. The initiative’s third main objective is stated as “Easing the Impacts on Laborers and Workers”, and ...
NAN LWIN
China’s Belt and Road detours downstream in Myanmar
Ethnic wars, security concerns and official foot-dragging have all conspired to stall China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) plan to build a high-speed railroad from its southwest down through Myanmar’s volatile northern regions to the Indian Ocean. But Beijing has an emerging alternate plan: Develop ...
Bertil Lintner
Lao minister visits Xinhua for 2nd Laos-China Belt and Road Cooperation Forum
Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune, Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism visited the headquarters of Xinhua News Agency here on Sunday for the forthcoming Second Laos-China Belt and Road Cooperation Forum. During their talks, Xinhua President Cai Mingzhao hailed the China-Laos relationship as example of China’s friendship and ...
Yurou