Hong Kong’s pivot towards Southeast Asia aims to strengthen economic ties and secure the city’s role as a global financial hub amidst rising US-China tensions and shifting geopolitical dynamics. Key takeaways: The escalating geopolitical tension between the US and China, coupled with Hong Kong’s political crackdown, has strained the city’s traditional role as a bridge… Continue reading Hong Kong’s eastward geoeconomic turn
Fico’s resistance to EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles may backfire, undermining Slovakia’s long-term interests. Slovakia voted against adopting EU tariffs on China-produced electric vehicles (EVs), revealing its flawed approach to dealing with Beijing. Prime Minister Robert Fico’s opposition to these tariffs reflects a misunderstanding of the broader dynamics at play. EU member states voted… Continue reading Fico’s stance on EU tariffs: Why he’s wrong on Chinese EVs
Several cases are frequently cited when discussing China’s so-called debt trap diplomacy: Sri Lanka, Laos, and Malaysia. These examples shed light on how China’s strategy plays out in practice. In recent years, much of the discussion around China’s “debt-trap diplomacy” has come from U.S. media and political hawks. In May 2019, then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike… Continue reading Debt or Diplomacy? Inside China’s Controversial Loans to Sri Lanka, Laos, and Malaysia
To restore the potential of green diplomacy, the EU’s Green Deal should be “internationalist in its ultimate objectives but sovereignist in its practical modalities”. Key Takeaways: The European Green Deal (EGD) will have a considerable impact on Southeast Asia, likely raising further concerns about national sovereignty and economic stability. Southeast Asian countries, such as Indonesia,… Continue reading Reassessing the European Green Deal in Southeast Asia: Europe should embrace local contexts
Once the driving force behind global growth, China’s economic engine is now sputtering, leaving policymakers in unfamiliar territory. With a multitude of problems unlikely to go away and a range of new challenges on the horizon, China’s economic slowdown will reshape domestic and international dynamics. Three key takeaways: Facing many challenges, China’s economy has begun… Continue reading Understanding the implications of China’s economic slowdown
