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May 19th, 2022

Asia's food crisis

Ukraine war triggers chain reaction of shortages

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The Big Story

Asia's food crisis: Ukraine war triggers chain reaction of shortages

Deadly combination of conflict, misgovernance and climate change threatens widespread hunger

A perfect storm of political unrest, climate change and disruptions brought on by the war in Ukraine is pushing food security in Asia to crisis point. In Indonesia (pictured), shortages of cooking oil prompted a blanket ban on palm oil exports in late April. 
COSCO must steer a course through Beijing's growing confrontations with developed democracies, while still serving global trade in which China is central to both supply and demand.
Business Spotlight

COSCO: China's shipping giant expands its global influence

From Taiwan to Greece, state-owned group with military links is enmeshed in world trade

One challenge for countries like Australia is that Pacific states do not view relationships "as a choice or a swap," but rather additions to existing cooperation, said Lowy Institute research fellow Mihai Sora.
Asia Insight

Paradise lost? China, the Solomons and the battle for the Pacific

Security pact tests old benefactors like Australia amid vaccine diplomacy rush

Cambodia is building out its EV charging infrastructure as it aims to increase the share of electric cars on the road over the next decades. (Photo by Shaun Turton)
Automobiles

Cambodia builds up EV infrastructure to speed electric ambitions

Aim is for 40% of cars and urban buses, 70% of motorbikes to be electric by 2050

Stream article image
Semiconductors

Japan's chip industry faces old challenge: Scaling up production

A boutique investment bank is working to set up a chip foundry to fill the gap

Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. waves to his supporters at a rally on May 5. The Philippine president-elect won the election by a landslide. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Comment

For Bongbong, economic growth key to restoring Marcos family honor

Philippines' president-elect must avoid crony capitalism and corruption

Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft Ospreys parked at the Futenma Air Base in Ginowan, Okinawa. (Photo by Yo Inoue)
Indo-Pacific

Okinawa, 50 years after return, still heavily in U.S. defense playbook

Calls to cut burden drowned out by need for U.S. and Japan to face off China

Joe Biden waves to Xi Jinping as they begin a virtual meeting in November 2021: The U.S. must accept a greater global role for China.
Opinion

U.S. and China must cooperate to save the global order

A good way to start would be to roll back the current trade war

HSBC's logo in Hong Kong: The risks facing international banks have increased significantly.
Opinion

HSBC is the canary in the financial coal mine

Storied bank's future has implications for the geography of global banking

At the time of completion in 1964, the cable-suspension roof at Kenzo Tange's Yoyogi National Gymnasium was the largest of its kind. (Photo by James Hand-Cukierman)
Life

12 glorious highlights in Tokyo's constellation of starchitecture

The mind-bending vision of Japan's world-leading architects

People light incense sticks at a Buddhist temple in the Chinese city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, on Jan. 1, 2021. The country's image as "nonreligious" does not always match the reality. 
Tea Leaves

Same, same but different: curse of the stereotype

Generalizing about Asia's national complexities is fraught with danger