Politics

Lola Amaria's documentary Eksil has been a hit in Indonesia, telling the story of Indonesians forced into exile for not supporting Sukarno. (Internet)

Political taboo of questioning PKI's role in Indonesia's history: Documentary Eksil deals a blow

A popular documentary about ten exiles has had an extraordinary run in Indonesia, not least because it sings a different tune from the official historical narrative about the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI) and its supporters, perpetuated since the Suharto era.
People cross an intersection in the Central business district of Hong Kong, China, on 27 February 2024. (Peter Parks/AFP)

Is the Hong Kong economy really in demise?

While naysayers have painted a doomsday scenario for Hong Kong since the plummeting of the Hang Seng Index, EAI senior research fellow Yu Hong points to Hong Kong’s strong fundamentals, the vitality of the Greater Bay Area and the knock-on effects of the recovery of the mainland economy. He notes that as long as the mainland economy continues to grow, the Hong Kong stock market will remain attractive to regional and global investors.
A picture taken on 18 January 2024 shows people on a street in Jeddah's oldest neighbourhood, known as Al-Balad, in Saudi Arabia. (AFP)

Saudi-China relations growing from strength to strength

Relations between Saudi Arabia and China have grown from strength to strength, observes academic Ghulam Ali. However, with China focused on economic cooperation and the Riyadh regime concerned about stability and thus reliant on the US for its security needs, there may be limits to how far the Riyadh-Beijing relationship can grow.
Shiyu or Lion Islet, which is part of Kinmen County, one of Taiwan's offshore islands, is seen with China's Xiamen in the background, in Kinmen, Taiwan, on 18 December 2023. (Ann Wang/Reuters)

Likelihood of crises in Taiwan Strait rises as ‘grey areas’ disappear

US academic Zhu Zhiqun observes that the ambiguity and grey areas created through tacit understanding among Beijing, Taipei and Washington have long helped sustain the Taiwan Strait peace and prosperity. Once these grey areas fall apart, the fragile stability in the Taiwan Strait could be broken, leading to crises.
TikTok app logo is seen in this illustration taken on 22 August 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

Will TikTok survive the latest attack from the US?

Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan notes that the US’s latest moves against TikTok are getting a response from TikTok as well as its users. Will TikTok survive the latest onslaught and will the Chinese government back the company?
Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and Premier Li Qiang arrive for the opening session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 5 March 2024. (Pedro Pardo/AFP)

China’s political black box has become even more opaque

Commentator Chen Kuohsiang says that China’s politics have become even more opaque and rigid since the announcement that the premier’s press conference will no longer be held at the end of the National People’s Congress. With no room left to express personal will or position, the Chinese premier has been reduced to the general secretary’s political implementer.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets Russia's President Vladimir Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur Oblast of the Far East Region, Russia, on 13 September 2023. (KCNA via Reuters)

China staying on the sidelines of growing Russia–North Korea ties

Cambodian research fellow Bunly Ek observes that China continues to play a wait-and-see approach on forming a trio with Russia and North Korea. China is well aware that it can achieve its objectives by staying close with each of the countries bilaterally, and a high-profile trio would only put itself in the firing range of the West and its other neighbours.
People walk past pro-independence flags in Taipei, Taiwan, on 3 February 2024. (Sam Yeh/AFP)

Must one hate mainland China to love Taiwan?

Commentator Qi Dongtao gives his take on so-called radical Taiwan independence in Taiwan and popular support for armed reunification in mainland China, and how such forms of "patriotic nationalism" are making it difficult for both sides of the Taiwan Strait to come to an understanding.
How should we approach youths who participate in seminars discussing wars, oppression and fake news? (SPH Media)

Should our youths be concerned with 'other people’s politics'?

While there are fears that the support of political causes of other countries could lead to societal tensions and public disorder, Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Peter Ong says that we should not be too critical of youths that participate in seminars discussing wars and oppression, want to learn from one another, speak up on the internet and even parade on the streets. While their fight may be futile and their means not necessarily reasonable, it is oftentimes their sense of justice, sincerity and the fearless display of their youthfulness that should be valued.