In The News

Chinese Investment and Indonesia’s Election: CNBC

Huileng Tan April 16, 2019
Emerging economies throughout Asia initially welcomed Chinese investment, but questions emerge during election campaigns. Indonesians vote on Wednesday, and surveys report 53 percent express favorable views of China. “During his term, President Joko Widodo actively courted Chinese investment to push through large infrastructure projects in the sprawling archipelago that is Indonesia,” reports...

China, Japan, Asian Century: China Economic Review

Tomoo Kikuchi and Masaya Sakuragawa February 8, 2019
Asia’s contributions continue to gain weight in the global economy. China and Japan are the world’s second and third largest economies, respectively. India, South Korea and ASEAN members also provide substantial contributions. All benefit from free trade, explain Tomoo Kikuchi and Masaya Sakuragawa, but trade and growth have slowed. “China and Japan should pursue greater cooperation on a number...

Ireland, Brexit and Opportunity: Conversation

Liam Kennedy February 7, 2019
Citizens and businesses of the Republic of Ireland have prospered with EU membership since 1973. Ireland embraced globalization, and the Irish, unlike a vocal group in Britain, do not express resentment about European goals and integration. Instead, EU membership improved Ireland’s relations with Britain, reducing dependency. “Even as it responds daily to the manifold challenges Brexit poses, the...

Korea Herald: South Korea Seeks Foreign Tech Firms

Shin Ji-hye January 30, 2019
South Korea will offer financial incentives and streamline regulations to attract foreign firms that can upgrade the nation’s traditional manufacturing sectors including petrochemicals, high-end manufacturing, automobiles and health care, announced the chief of investment policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The range of targets is broad: “The ministry will also focus on luring...

The Economist: Saudi Arabia’s Alliances Tested

October 28, 2018
The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey has put pressure on the US government to reassess its relationship with Saudi Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammad bin Salman. However, Donald Trump may be willing to look the other way as the crown prince continues to shield himself from blame over Khashoggi’s death. Turkey is making “a whitewash more difficult” and “Its investigators...

Project Syndicate: China Is Losing the New Cold War

Minxin Pei September 5, 2018
The Communist Party of China seeks to avoid the fate of the Soviet Union and its political system, and that is why China adopted some features of capitalism with a focus on economic growth. Nominal per capital income increased from $333 in 1991 to $7,329 in 2017. But China, much like the Soviet Union, is being drawn into a costly arms race with the United States. China’s defense budget, standing...

New Zealand Herald: New Zealand Bans Home Sales for Many Foreigners

New Zealand Herald August 15, 2018
New Zealand’s Parliament passed a law prohibiting most non-resident foreigners from purchasing existing homes, with exceptions for those from Australia and possibly Singapore due to trade agreements. Supporters hope to reduce rising home prices and homelessness, but Mike Hosking, writing for the New Zealand Herald, calls it one of the government’s biggest mistakes due to a misunderstanding of...