Economic, environmental and security concerns about the vanity project will keep controversy alive for years. Ground will be broken on the Funan Techo Canal on August 5 – strongman Hun Sen’s 72nd birthday. The waterway will be carved through the eastern regions of the country, eventually connecting the capital Phnom Penh to new deep-water ports… Continue reading Cambodia’s Hun Dynasty stakes reputation on the Funan Techo Canal
Booming foreign tourist arrivals have provided a significant boost to Japan’s economy — and this is being driven by more than just the weak yen. It reflects Japan’s strong competitiveness in attracting global visitors and its ability to diversify its exposure, although there is also the drawback of too much tourism. Japan’s economy is finally… Continue reading What’s behind Japan’s post-pandemic tourism surge?
The Russian invasion of Ukraine accelerated arms purchases by European countries. Due to the emphasis on procurement from like-minded countries and in preparation for land-based war, South Korean defense manufacturers emerged as one of the top arms suppliers globally. Take a look at the overview of South Korea’s arms sales, clearly presented in charts. Our… Continue reading South Korea’s defense industry: Guide to South Korea’s arms exports to Europe
As it expands, the grouping has become increasingly incapable of articulating a coherent political, security, or economic vision. The best thing that can be said about Thailand and Malaysia wanting to join BRICS is that it won’t cost them anything. They won’t gain much, either. The idea of lumping Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South… Continue reading Who cares if Malaysia and Thailand join BRICS?
Chinese media reports on the EU’s recently announced additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) were largely aimed at amplifying anti-tariff narratives from China and Europe. These media reports dismissed European allegations of subsidies and overcapacity in China’s car industry as politically motivated falsehoods. They also touted China’s commitment to global green transition and criticized… Continue reading Chinese Media Watch: Reactions to the EU’s EV Tariffs Discredit Subsidy Probes, Amplify Anti-Tariff Voices of Chinese and European Stakeholders
