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.
Politics
Economy
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.
Politics
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.
Politics
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.
Politics
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?
Politics
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.
Politics
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.
Politics
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.
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.