Asia-Pacific scrambles amid oil shock
As Mideast conflict chokes energy supplies, nations take emergency steps to contain fallout.
Prime Sarmiento
Award-winning Filipina journalist covering Southeast Asia
ASEAN accelerates de-dollarization
Bloc moves toward reduced role of US currency in favor of yuan amid global uncertainties.
Shared prosperity
Chinese investments help ASEAN reap huge gains in innovation, high-tech and job creation, boosting regional development.
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.
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."
Farmers wilt as prices fall
Philippine government steps up efforts to help cultivators cope with a deluge of cheaper imports, boost production.
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.
IP laws usher in new chapter
Strict copyright enforcement and protection can reduce piracy, encourage writers and boost the online literature industry
Leaping off the page
Legend of Fuyao premiered in China in June and generated nearly 14 billion clicks in less than two months, making the online fantasy series a summer blockbuster hit.
Putting prices in the frame
Beyond the name and reputation of the artist, factors at play include the work’s provenance and the collectors’ willingness to spend.
Art imitates life
China’s now prominent status in the international art scene is a reflection of the country’s rise in the global economy
Farmers feel heat over trade spat
American agricultural commodities bear the brunt of proposed tariffs, opening up the Chinese market for other countries.
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