Green Economy
Economy
‘China is beautiful’: What Trump saw — and what Beijing is building
In the wake of Trump’s recent visit to China, his comment on China’s beauty prompts a look at the Beautiful China initiative, referring to its efforts aimed at preserving and improving China’s ecological assets. EAI deputy director Chen Gang explores the issue.
Chen Gang
22 May 2026
Society
Frozen for blue skies: Villagers endure winter without coal
China’s mandate to shift from coal to natural gas heating in Hebei has led to a dilemma where many rural villagers are unable to afford heating through the cold winter season. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yush Chau finds out what the authorities could do to mitigate the people’s hardships.
Yush Chau
21 Jan 2026
Economy
From lender to partner: China’s BRI 2.0 is harder for the West to contain
China’s Belt and Road has evolved. No longer just a lender, Beijing now co-builds green and digital industrial ecosystems with host countries and private firms, creating influence that is subtler, more durable, and harder for the West to challenge. US academic John Calabrese highlights examples from the Middle East & North Africa region, including Morocco, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt.
John Calabrese
16 Dec 2025
Economy
Beijing’s green vow: Enough to save the planet — or just hot air?
Can China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases and a global leader in clean energy, deliver on its first economy-wide climate pledge without undermining its economic, industrial and energy priorities? Genevieve Donnellon-May ponders the question.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
09 Oct 2025
Economy
Can Indonesia stay green while becoming the ‘Saudi Arabia of nickel’?
Indonesia’s push to become a nickel powerhouse amid its green energy transition threatens fragile ecosystems and local communities. The true test lies in balancing decarbonisation, biodiversity and geopolitical sovereignty amid growing Chinese influence, says researcher Ronny P Sasmita.
Ronny P Sasmita
07 Oct 2025
Economy
China’s rural revival has a star village — but can others follow?
After years of ecological damage and environmental pollution caused by unsustainable mining practices, the village of Yucun has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past 20 years. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yush Chau explores how the village reinvented itself into an eco-cultural tourist destination and a model for green development.
Yush Chau
20 Aug 2025
Economy
Can China rewrite the rules of global sustainability?
China is emerging as a formidable competitor in the race to establish global environmental, social and governance (ESG) dominance. Researchers Lawrence Loh and Wang Zihan from NUS Business School explain how China can take the lead in the current Western-led ESG system and sustainable development.
Lawrence Loh, Wang Zihan
28 Jul 2025
Economy
[Big read] Singapore’s critical minerals challenge: Small nation, big stakes
As countries vie for control over critical minerals and rare earths, Singapore is rethinking its strategy by diversifying supply, boosting innovation, and exploring its potential as a regional minerals hub. Lianhe Zaobao senior business correspondent Ong Yong Huat discusses the importance of these vital resources and unpacks Singapore’s approach.
Lewis Ong Yong Huat
24 Jul 2025
Economy
One Big Beautiful Bill: Is Trump’s climate rollback China’s opportunity?
US rollbacks on green technology and clean energy may provide China with more space to make inroads, but the US market will certainly be difficult to reach, and US allies — those that remain so — will fear becoming dependent on China for these crucial technologies. Academic Erik Baark explains.
Erik Baark
21 Jul 2025
Economy
The true price of AI: Water and energy demands behind Asia’s data centre boom
Data centres are fast becoming the backbone of Southeast Asia’s digital ambitions — but their soaring demand for electricity and water threatens to trigger a sustainability crisis. Researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May looks into the issue.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
18 Jul 2025
Politics
Elon Musk’s political misadventure ends in public ruin
Politics and business are bad bedfellows, says columnist Deng Yuwen, who discusses the factors — like personality and ideological clashes — that led to the Trump-Musk split, and tells us why he thinks Elon Musk is the biggest loser from the situation.
Deng Yuwen
13 Jun 2025