Tag «ASIAN REVIEW»

Though Japan’s longest PM, Abe lacks feats

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Photo: IC After Wednesday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will become the longest serving prime minister in Japanese history, breaking the record of 2,886 days set by former prime minister Taro Katsura. As protectionism is on the rise worldwide, the long tenure of the Abe administration means stable implementation of …

Why Hong Kong violence concerns Singapore

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong attends the 22nd ASEAN Plus Three Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, November 4, 2019. Photo: VCG Singaporean leaders tend to be blunt when it comes to Chinese affairs. The ongoing turmoil in Hong Kong is no exception. Political and business leaders from Singapore, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and …

Esper’s Asia visit meant to appeal to allies

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper Photo: IC US Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s second visit to Asia in just over three months justifies the Pentagon’s renewed military focus on the region with Washington’s Indo-Pacific Strategy out to contain its only proclaimed rival – China. Esper kicked off his visit to South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, and …

Many questions for India after temple verdict

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi  Photo: Xinhua The Indian Supreme Court’s decision on Saturday made history by clearing the decks for the construction of a Hindu temple by giving the ownership of a disputed plot of land at Ayodhya in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh to Hindus. This site is regarded as the birthplace …

India will lose both ways after rejecting RCEP

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi Photo: IC India’s decision not to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) shows its vacillation over a move of momentous significance for the region. The world’s largest free trade agreement has come close to fruition. However, one of the largest economies in the world with the second-biggest population hasn’t …

Oz needs to get over anti-China hangover

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison hold the seventh annual meeting between the heads of government of the two countries on the sidelines of a series of leaders’ meetings on East Asian cooperation in Bangkok, Thailand, on Nov 3. Photo: Xinhua Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said during his recent meeting with …