In The News

First Contact

Aparisim Ghosh October 10, 2002
Globalization is an older phenomenon than many people realize. In the early 1400's, the Chinese emperor set about building trade ties between his Ming dynasty China and other peoples in Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa. Under the guidance of Admiral Zheng He, massive fleets plied the East China and Arabian Seas for 30 years, transferring goods, people, and ideas from one part of the...

RI No Longer Needs IMF Loans, Development Planning Minister Says

October 10, 2002
Indonesian State Minister of National Development Planning, Kwik Kian Gie, says that loans from the International Monetary Fund have helped little in his country's efforts to rebuild its economy. Out of the $43 billion promised to Indonesia, only $9 billion has arrived. And, according to the terms of the loan agreements, that money cannot be touched until the country has exhausted its own...

War on Iraq Could Be Disastrous for Philippines

Al Labita October 7, 2002
If conflict breaks out in Iraq, a million Filipino workers living in the Middle East may have problems trying to send money back home. Foreign exchange remittances from overseas workers bring almost US$10 billion into the Philippines each year, and the country's economy might be devastated if that flow is suddenly halted. The Philippine government must also prepare to call in favors from...

China's Support for U.S. on Terror Is a Dramatic About-Face

Erik Eckholm September 30, 2002
China’s government has shown a surprising degree of support for the American ‘war on terrorism’ announced by President Bush after the attacks of September 11. Chinese leaders hope to foster better relations with the US and other countries while also gaining support in their efforts to quell Muslim unrest in western China. - YaleGlobal

China Says Sect Broadcasting From Taiwan

Joseph Kahn September 25, 2002
The group Beijing views as the greatest threat to Chinese communism has developed new methods to spread its message throughout the country. The Falun Gong spiritual sect has cracked the code to China’s satellite system, allowing it to hijack television signals received by tens of millions of Chinese citizens and spread its teachings. In a new development, the Chinese government now believes...

Malaysia Lures Sick and Wealthy Foreigners

Reme Ahmad September 19, 2002
With hospital costs 14 times less than in the US and 65% less than in neighboring Singapore, Malaysia is promoting a new type of tourism – one where a hospital stay is included. Health tourism, as it is known, is becoming increasingly popular among the wealthy, who may travel to foreign countries to have surgeries performed at a fraction of the cost of their home country. Malaysian hospitals...

Muslim Hardliners to Begin "Sweeps" Against Foreigners

September 7, 2002
Indonesian Islamic organizations led by the militant MMI have threatened a crackdown against foreign nationals working illegally in major Indonesian cities. The threat comes as a response to neighboring Malaysia's recent announcement of strict immigration rules against illegal workers there – many of whom come from Indonesia, The Indonesian groups' 'sweep' would check the...