Economics, Politics and Public Policy in East Asia and the Pacific
Author: Dániel Balázs, Tongji University
China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) sets the bar high. It strives to connect Asia, Africa and Europe with the aim of achieving mutual development. Sri Lanka, with its valuable geographic position in the heart of the Indian Ocean, is a crucial participant in Beijing’s newest endeavor. Read more…
Author: Ezra F Vogel, Harvard University
When Deng Xiaoping became pre-eminent leader of China in December 1978, China was still in the chaos from the Cultural Revolution. Per capita annual income was less than US$100.
By the time he stepped down in 1992, several hundred million Chinese citizens had been lifted out of poverty, and China was rapidly becoming stronger, richer and more modern.
Author: Su Mon Thazin Aung, Institute for Strategy and Policy
Myanmar’s second 21st Century Panglong Conference, which will begin on the 24 May, comes with mixed expectations. Many are cautiously welcoming the event as a step towards amending the 2008 military-drafted constitution. But there are also those concerned that the conference will only serve as a showcase event for the Myanmar government. Read more…
Author: Roberto Azevêdo, WTO
Trade has long proven to be an engine for growth and development, and in recent decades the countries of East Asia and the Pacific have been major beneficiaries of this phenomenon. However, many are arguing that this engine of growth and development is in need of repair. Global trade is facing challenging times. In 2016, world trade grew at 1.3 per cent, the slowest pace since the financial crisis. Read more…
Author: Bill Standish, ANU
2016 for Papua New Guinea (PNG) was both politically turbulent and economically stressful with government revenues and currency falling, but inflation and deficit rising. The nationwide election in June–July 2017 will be a major measure of the political impact of the government’s critics Read more…
Authors: Veasna Var, UNSW Canberra and Sovinda Po, ECNU
The influx of Chinese economic assistance into Sri Lanka and Cambodia has raised questions regarding the intentions behind these massive loans. While China may still be considered a developing economy, its current strategy of providing soft power loans and aid to its regional neighbours is reminiscent of the tributary system that the country employed back in its empire days. Read more…
Author: Dong Dong Zhang, ANU
The US–China trade deal announced on 12 May is another clear sign of warming official relations between the United States and China. The deal is an early harvest of the 100 day plan that Xi proposed to Trump to help the United States expand its exports to China. Read more…
Author: Editors, East Asia Forum
International trade and investment lifts living standards. The evidence for this is irrefutable. And modern economic development is not possible without opening up to international markets, competition and capital.
Author: Allan Gyngell, ANU
When the Australian government announced plans for a foreign policy White Paper to provide a ‘comprehensive framework to guide our international engagement over the next 5 to 10 years’, it must have known what a difficult task it had set itself. Read more…
Author: Bingqin Li, UNSW
China’s hukou (household registration) system is often criticised for hindering the free movement of labour and creating inequality. In recent years the hukou system has undergone considerable reform. But is this enough to turn around the trends in China’s regional inequality? Read more…
