Shared prosperity
Chinese investments help ASEAN reap huge gains in innovation, high-tech and job creation, boosting regional development.
Prime Sarmiento
Award-winning Filipina journalist covering Southeast Asia
Anti-China vaccine smears expose US
A secret US military propaganda operation that aimed to discredit China’s vaccines in the Philippines amounted to normalizing the “disposability of Global South lives” at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and has also exposed how the US treats developing countries as ‘mere pawns’ in a geopolitical power play.
Innovative tech with AI ease farmers’ woes across SE Asia
ASEAN countries have been increasingly using AI to build a productive, sustainable and climate-friendly farm sector. The Thai government, for example, gives subsidies for farmers to use drones that spread fertilizers and pesticides on croplands. Using drones is a more precise, faster and safer way to apply farm inputs. In Vietnam, an irrigation system was piloted so that farmers can use smartphones to monitor weather conditions and irrigate their crops.
SE Asia sweats in heatwave amid climate change, 'unfairness'
Scientists at the World Weather Attribution said that the “extreme humid heat” in the region is “largely driven by climate change”. They said this heatwave is detrimental to vulnerable and disadvantaged communities such as people with disabilities, outdoor workers and farmers.
World shifts away from using the dollar
Economies across the world are exploring the use of convenient currencies other than the United States dollar for trading.
Analysts believe that China and other countries are gradually reducing their dependence on the dollar by using local currencies for cross-border trade, helping to create a multipolar international currency system.
Analysts believe that China and other countries are gradually reducing their dependence on the dollar by using local currencies for cross-border trade, helping to create a multipolar international currency system.
Looking out for one another
Filipina migrant worker Marites Palma spends most of her Sundays distributing food, medicines and toiletries to household workers in Hong Kong who are serving COVID-related quarantine. Though she gets a break only over the weekends from her job as a domestic helper, she prefers to devote that spare time to helping her fellow foreign workers.
Witness to China’s progress
Jaime FlorCruz, who worked as a foreign correspondent in China for about 40 years, had a front-row view of major events and developments in the country, giving him a unique perspective of its social and economic progress guided by the Communist Party of China.
Optimism stays in frame for art scene
"The art market moves in tandem with the economy. What comes first is the foundation of Asian economic growth ... it doesn't look like it's affected too much (by the pandemic). And that's because of the strength of domestic consumption."
Healthier alternatives
Lockdown measures in Southeast Asia have disrupted the supply of food from farms to cities and towns, with public transportation suspended and trading outlets shuttered. This situation has prompted urban residents to seek alternatives. One of the most popular options is to buy directly from farmers via e-commerce sites and social media. Meanwhile, others residents have started to grow their own vegetables at home.
Lockdowns whet appetite for organic food
For the past five years, farmer Michael Christian Simon has regularly supplied organic vegetables to a steady clientele of more than 30 families in the Malaysian state of Selangor.
"I started farming for my family, but I soon discovered that it's a viable and sustainable business," he said.
"I started farming for my family, but I soon discovered that it's a viable and sustainable business," he said.
Pandemic highlights plight of women
The plight of domestic workers reflects how the pandemic has been especially hard on women. Most of the domestic helpers are women and highly vulnerable to exploitation. But the pandemic’s harsh impact on women cuts across the social divide.
Esports heats up in Southeast Asia
While China is the world’s biggest market for esports, Southeast Asia is catching up fast. Playing video games has become widely popular in the region, where favorable government policies and corporate support have helped nurture the growing industry. In addition to those playing esports as a hobby, professional players aspire to become world champions.
Waiting to set sail
Avid travelers are a key source of hope for the global cruise industry, which has been paralyzed by the pandemic, with operators having to suspend tours. Asia is expected to remain a growth market, thanks largely to the region’s expanding middle class, which is increasingly willing to spend on travel.
Operators offer touch of luxury as well-heeled clients take to the water
Luxury operators have arguably long provided packages that promote forms of social distancing - whether it is travel by private jets and yachts, staying in villas in remote destinations, or other customized services. As a result, the luxury travel industry is expected to be the first to recover from the pandemic.
My home is my castle, and my workplace too
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we think about our employment.
Newfound affluence leads to increase in food waste in SE Asia
"It's hard to believe that over 19 million poor Indonesians live in hunger while so much food ends up being wasted."
Rising to the challenge
Pandemic shows resilience of East and Southeast Asia and leaders’ decisiveness.
Farmers wilt as prices fall
Philippine government steps up efforts to help cultivators cope with a deluge of cheaper imports, boost production.
Philippine rice program breeds closer ties
Manila looks to Chinese expertise in hybrid strains to produce more per hectare, cut costs and improve earnings.
Singapore ad ban aims to curb rising incidence of obesity and diabetes
A landmark ban in Singapore on advertising drinks with a high sugar content has finally addressed one of the key reasons behind the rising prevalence of childhood obesity - the unregulated marketing of food products.
Taxing times as Asia gets tough on sugar
Asian consumers with a sweet tooth are having to swallow the bitter pill of higher taxes as governments combat the rising prevalence of obesity with levies on sugar and restrictions on the marketing of products with a high sugar content.
Blue skies seen for corn, sugar trade on ethanol drive
China’s quest for clearer skies has produced two unlikely winners — the corn and sugar industries.
World waking up to Yunnan coffee - Chinadaily.com.cn
It is about time that the little-known Yunnan coffee gets its share in the global specialty coffee market. This, at a time when China is being hailed at the world's fastest-growing market for specialty coffee.
Global pork prices in flux due to ASF - Chinadaily.com.cn
China's pork supply will determine trading trends for meat and oilseeds.
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