This Week in Asia /
Opinion
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China Briefing
The View
Hong Kong
Opinion
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Time to end Hong Kong’s licensing regime to foster innovation
The city’s licensing system for food stalls, taxis and care homes creates unfair power dynamics. A more flexible approach is needed.
6 Jul 2025 - 3:18PM
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US-Asean relations
Asian Angle
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What the Vietnam war can teach us about Trump’s Asia policy
5 Jul 2025 - 11:00AM
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North Korea
My Take
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Are North Korea, China and Russia’s ‘blood-forged’ ties more than just rhetoric?
4 Jul 2025 - 10:30AM
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Israel-Iran conflict
Opinion
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Decoding Israel, Iran and China’s collision of interests in the Middle East
The conflict exposed a harsh reality for Iran: strategic alliances with China and Russia do not guarantee military backing.
29 Jun 2025 - 6:00PM
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Smoke billows from an explosion in central Tehran on June 15 following an Israeli strike. Photo: AFP
Asean
Asian Angle
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Are migrant workers the real glue cementing Asean-GCC ties?
The surprising truth behind the growing partnership lies in its people-to-people connections, remittances, the haj and financial mobility.
28 Jun 2025 - 12:00PM
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Japan
My Take
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Who are these ‘like-minded countries’ politicians are talking about?
Once used to describe ‘the West’, the term has seen expanded usage recently.
27 Jun 2025 - 10:30AM
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Indonesia
Asian Angle
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Not-so-rich kid: meet Bobby Saputra, a viral parody of privilege
More than just a viral sensation, Bobby Saputra exposes deep-seated frustrations among Southeast Asian youth with corruption and inequality.
22 Jun 2025 - 10:00AM
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Ben Sumadiwiria as uber-rich playboy Bobby Saputra. Photo: Ben Sumadiwiria
Israel-Iran conflict
Opinion
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Flying into the storm: how Middle East conflict reshapes global air routes
The airline industry has been re-routing routes and avoiding conflict zones in the Middle East while keeping an eye on rising costs.
21 Jun 2025 - 10:00AM
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Malaysia
My Take
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Caught in the chip war, Malaysia must rethink its US–China balancing act
Allegations of Chinese chip access via Malaysia highlight the growing costs of staying neutral.
20 Jun 2025 - 10:30AM
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Asean
Asian Angle
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Trump tariffs challenge Asean’s unity and economic stability
As Trump’s tariff policies threaten Asean solidarity, the bloc should focus on regional trade to maintain stability and prevent division amid divergent responses.
15 Jun 2025 - 10:00AM
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War and conflict
Opinion
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Israel’s interception of Madleen raises legal concerns over aid blockade
International law outlines strict conditions for blockades, highlighting potential violations in the recent interception of a humanitarian aid vessel.
14 Jun 2025 - 3:22PM
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Gaza-bound yacht Madleen is seen docked next to a military boat in the port of Ashdod on Tuesday following a takeover by the Israeli army. Photo: Reuters
Diplomacy
Opinion
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China as a global conflict mediator: from ambition to action
From Saudi-Iran rapprochement to Myanmar ceasefires, China’s conflict diplomacy also aims to protect its own interests.
8 Jun 2025 - 10:30AM
US-Asean relations
Asian Angle
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Trump, Hegseth, Rubio: a triple threat to global stability – and Asia
The Trump administration has abandoned diplomacy for tariffs and threats, fracturing alliances and leaving Asean caught in the crossfire.
7 Jun 2025 - 10:30AM
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Asean
My Take
|
Can Southeast Asia contain growing threat of cyber scams?
An unprecedented level of coordination is required to tackle such crimes as Southeast Asian economies become more digitalised.
6 Jun 2025 - 10:36AM
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South Korea
Opinion
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Will South Korea’s next president be able to heal a fractured nation?
High levels of support for front runner Lee Jae-myung suggest a widespread desire to repudiate Yoon Suk-yeol’s martial law declaration.
1 Jun 2025 - 12:00PM
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Banners featuring South Korean presidential candidates Lee Jae-myung (top) and Kim Moon-soo in Incheon on May 21. Photo: AP
United States
Opinion
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Why US exceptionalism, export of crassness are losing their shallow appeal
America’s inevitable decline proves that nations thrive by prioritising their needs and working with others, not seeking economic dominance.
2 Jun 2025 - 8:32AM
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India
My Take
|
Is India poised to rival US universities in a global academic shift?
As US visa changes worry Asian students, India sees a chance to boost education, research, and economic growth amid shifting global academic dynamics.
30 May 2025 - 10:30AM
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Malaysia
Asian Angle
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Preparing Malaysia’s toolkit to weather Trump’s tariff storm
Malaysia should push out relief measures to mitigate possible fallout from Trump’s tariffs even as trade talks continue.
25 May 2025 - 12:00PM
A ship coming into berth at the container terminal at sunset in port Klang near Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia’s exports to the US bear the blanket 10 per cent levy. Photo: Shutterstock
Asean
Asian Angle
|
In Southeast Asia’s climate battle, AI could prove a double-edged sword
AI has the potential to be a new engine of growth but should not be a panacea for the region’s climate problems.
24 May 2025 - 3:00PM
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Malaysia
My Take
|
From Russia with love: Anwar’s geopolitical play leaves a confusing trail
Recent diplomatic overtures have raised concern that Anwar is leaning too close to Russia and China in his bid to diversify Malaysia’s trade ties.
23 May 2025 - 10:30AM
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Asean
Opinion
|
How the Indo-Pacific got its name – and what China has to do with it
Dating back to a German geographer favoured by Hitler and popularised by a former Japanese PM, the term was a strategic Western rebrand.
18 May 2025 - 10:00AM
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Donald Trump
Asian Angle
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Seeking the silver lining in Trump’s tariff turmoil
Trump’s tariffs could encourage governments to confront entrenched vested interests, but success requires a genuine commitment to reform.
17 May 2025 - 10:00AM
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US President Donald Trump announces his new tariff regime on April 2. Photo: AP
Myanmar
Opinion
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How Myanmar’s devastating earthquake threatens to leave a lasting economic scar
The earthquake in central Myanmar poses serious risks to its fragile economy, with damages disrupting agriculture, trade and infrastructure.
11 May 2025 - 10:30AM
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Malaysia
Asian Angle
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Will Malaysia gravitate further towards China in ‘new golden era’ of ties?
A flurry of agreements signed during the Chinese president’s visit last month signals Malaysia’s economic pivot towards Beijing.
10 May 2025 - 10:30AM
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Donald Trump
My Take
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Facing US tariffs, Asia can transform to lead the world in innovation
Asia should move beyond its low-cost assembly model and scale up the value chain, such as in green technology.
9 May 2025 - 10:30AM
Open Questions series
Why the Science and Technology Agreement is a US-China bellwether: Denis Simon
7 Jul 2025 - 8:51AM
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Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump
10 Feb 2025 - 12:57PM
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US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss
10 Feb 2025 - 6:49AM
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China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024
23 Dec 2024 - 2:30PM
Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty
22 Nov 2024 - 12:38PM
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Why the Science and Technology Agreement is a US-China bellwether: Denis Simon
7 Jul 2025 - 8:51AM
videocam
Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump
10 Feb 2025 - 12:57PM
videocam
40
US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss
10 Feb 2025 - 6:49AM
videocam
29
China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024
23 Dec 2024 - 2:30PM
Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty
22 Nov 2024 - 12:38PM
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What the Vietnam war can teach us about Trump’s Asia policy
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Decoding Israel, Iran and China’s collision of interests in the Middle East
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Are migrant workers the real glue cementing Asean-GCC ties?
28 Jun 2025 - 12:00PM
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Who are these ‘like-minded countries’ politicians are talking about?
27 Jun 2025 - 10:30AM
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