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| August 2, 2001 | atimes.com | ||
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Special Reports
Japan's aviation industry: Flying high Japan's three major airlines have taken full advantage of deregulation in the industry by slashing fares. This has helped them increase passenger levels as well as profits - at the expense of the smaller players. (Aug 1) Full text Philippines: The number's up for fixed lines Traditional fixed line telephones in the Philippines are losing their attraction and becoming a financial drain on operators. Consequently, writes Mary Ann L Reyes in the second of this two-part series, telecom companies are looking for ventures that require less in terms of financial capital, such as cellular phones. (Jul 17) Full text China's highway to success China has developed a five-year plan to reform its industrial sector that concentrates on cutting excess bureaucracy and improving people's living standards. A key area of the plan focuses on the automotive industry. In this ongoing series of reports, China's intentions to increase the number of cars on its roads and to become an international player in the car-making business are outlined. (Jul 11) Full text
Landline based telecommunication companies in the Philippines are going through torrid times following the all too recent Asian financial crash and a consumer move toward cellular phones. In the first of a two-part series, Mary Ann L Reyes writes that despite the deregulation of the market, new companies such as BanyanTel are being forced to think about selling out to the monopoly of old, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company. (Jul 9) Full text All strength to China's industrial sector China has developed a five-year plan to reform its industrial sector that concentrates on cutting excess bureaucracy and improving people's living standards. The plan focuses on the development of agricultural chemical products, new and refined chemical products as well as energy-efficiency products. In the first of a series of reports, reforms suggested for the coal, chemical, building material and petrochemical industries fall under the spotlight. (Jul 4) Full text High hopes for railway on the roof of the world In the next five years, China, under its 2001-2005 five-year economic plan, will invest heavily in a number of projects of strategic significance. These include transmission of natural gas and electricity from western to eastern regions, a Qinghai-Tibet railway, a Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway and a project to divert river water from south to north. In the second of a series of reports on these initiatives, Tony Allison surveys the Qinghai-Tibet link, which is a bold move to spur the economy of the remote western regions, and to solidify Beijing's military presence in the region. (Mar 22) Full text China's railways on the fast track In the next five years, China, under its 2001-2005 five-year economic plan, will invest heavily in a number of projects of strategic significance. These include transmission of natural gas and electricity from western to eastern regions, a Qinghai-Tibet railway, a Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway and a project to divert river water from south to north. In the first of a series of reports on these initiatives, Tony Allison surveys the Beijing-Shanghai link, the debate surrounding it, and how it fits into China's overall rail strategy. (Mar 8) Full text Myanmar shows India the road to Southeast Asia They share a common border of 1,600 kilometers and a similar history as colonies of Britain, but the world's largest democracy, India, and one of the world's least democratic countries, Myanmar, have more differences than similarities. This is all changing, however, as India views Myanmar as a key element in its look-east policy - a drive to engage Southeast Asia and at the same time counterbalance China's spreading influence in the region. Tony Allison reports. (Feb 20) Full text Risks and rewards in China's insurance market Of the many sectors that will be opened to increased foreign participation once China accedes to the World Trade Organization, insurance has multinationals rubbing their hands in anticipation. Even though the sector has registered double-digit revenue growth for several consecutive years, it is considered ripe for the picking. But the authorities are concerned domestic players might be swamped by a foreign invasion, reports Tony Allison. (Feb 15) Full text Challenges to US national security The Central Intelligence Agency, in a recent report Global Trends 2015, projects that the potential for interstate conflict will arise from rivalries in Asia, ranging from India-Pakistan to China-Taiwan, as well as among the antagonists in the Middle East. In a commentary on the report, John C Gannon, chairman of the National Intelligence Council, outlines the implications of the report for the US. (Feb 7) Full text
The self-immolation of a Falungong follower on Chinese New Year's Eve threw the spotlight back on the sect which had been losing ground in its propaganda war with the Chinese government. In this three-part series, Francesco Sisci examines events leading up to the pivotal moment on April 25, 1999 when China's leaders awoke to find themselves besieged by 10,000 Falungong followers demanding recognition as an official religion rather than as a sport; the justifiable fear of a political conspiracy which that security lapse inspired in the leadership; and the spiritual, social and political conditions in which Falungong flourished and which point to a deeper crisis confronting China. Sisci concludes that overreaction by the authorities to the Falungong phenomenon most likely will help spread the disease, not check it. (Jan 31)
Following on from its decision to formally enter into negotiations with Singapore to establish a tree trade agreement, Japan is well advanced in negotiating one with neighboring South Korea and is pursuing one with Mexico. Tony Allison reports on the implications, in the second of a two-part series. (Jan 27) Full text
The Central Intelligence Agency, in a new report "Global Trends 2015", projects that a threat of a nuclear war between India and Pakistan would be the most serious issue in the next 15 years. The widening strategic and economic gaps between the two principal powers, India and Pakistan, and the dynamic interplay between their mutual hostility and the instability in Central Asia will define the South Asian region in 2015, the report says. The report covers a wide range of topics embracing regions across the world. (Jan 23) Full text Enron's eight-year power struggle in India After eight years of stops and starts, bitter controversy and acrimony, the contentious US$2.9 billion Enron Dabhol power project in Maharashtra state is once again under threat, writes Tony Allison. The biggest private project ever undertaken in India is being studied by a state committee, which is tasked with "reviewing and later renegotiating" the mega investment of the American energy giant. (Jan 12) Full text Even if he wins, Thaksin could be a loser According to the opinion polls, the burning ambition of Thaksin Shinawatra to become Thailand's 51st prime minister will be realized following January 6 parliamentary elections. However, the billionaire politician's aspirations are in the hands of the court, which is to rule on an anti-corruption watchdog's finding that Thaksin concealed some of his assets. Tony Allison reports on the issue, and sets the scene for the elections. (Jan 4) Full text Country economic review: People's Republic of China In an Asian Development Bank report, the spotlight falls on the People's Republic of China. Its recent economic developments are documented, as are its economic prospects and policy and development issues. (Dec 22) Full text Vietnam 2001: Entering the 21st Century Vietnam is entering the global economy and the government has laid out plans to move forward with three central elements - freedom of trade, freedom of foreign investment and opening to global knowledge through information and communications technology. This report, written by the World Bank in partnership with the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Development Program provides an Overview and two parts: Pillars of Development and Partnerships for Development. (Dec 22) Full text Asia's property markets: Laggards bottoming out During the early stages of Asia's recovery from the economic and financial crisis that broke in mid-1997, property markets remained the laggards. But there are signs that the worst may finally be over as recovery is becoming more broad based. (Dec 21) Full text Why Taiwan's being easier on foreigners Taiwan's decision this week to ease restrictions on foreign participation in the Taipei bourse reflects its commitments to joining the World Trade Organization. In addition, the move is also expected to boost the flagging exchange, as well as cement Taipei's ambitions of becoming a regional financial hub. (Dec 13) Full text Corruption under the spotlight A major international conference on corruption being held in South Korea highlights what is perceived as an endemic problem in the region. Also at issue are the international bodies that seek to eliminate the bad habits, such as the World Bank. (Dec 12) Full text Myanmar just one side of the EU-Asean coin Media attention at next week's European Union-Asean ministerial meeting in Laos is most likely to focus on the thorny issue of Myanmar, which has been central to a cooling in political relations between the two regional groupings. However, the meeting, resumed after a three-year break following Yangon's admission to Asean in 1997, will help consolidate political and economic ties between the two blocs. (Dec 8) Full text China swaWAPping old for new Despite a cool reception to the introduction of wireless application protocol (WAP) into China earlier this year, investors are scrambling to position themselves for what is hoped will be an explosion in the number of people accessing the Internet through their mobile telephones. This is resulting in some unusual alliances between vendors, carriers and content providers, and opportunities for a new class of Web company. (Dec 7) Full text Software - the arrowhead of India's IT weaponry. Driven by exports in personnel and in programming, India's software section is the driving force behind the country's master plan to become an Information Technology superpower by 2008. To achieve this, the sector will need a compounded annual growth rate of about 40 percent - achievable, but not guaranteed. (Dec 6) Full text All roads lead to Vietnam's Danang The eastern Vietnamese city of Danang, a strategic air and sea port during the Indochinese War, will be a pivotal factor in the proposed East-West Economic Corridor spanning northeast Thailand, southern Laos and central Vietnam. Asia Times Online reports on the city's booming port, its myriad investment opportunities, as well as a comprehensive backgrounder to the corridor, a "trailblazer" initiative of the Greater Mekong Subregion. (Nov 29) Full text Laos takes long and winding market road In 15 years Laos has moved from a closed, rigid Soviet-style economy to one of relative market openness. However, concern among foreign donors about the pace and scope of reform has forced the communist authorities to vow to do better. (Nov 27) Full text Added sanctions the last thing Myanmar needs The International Labor Organization's call for sanctions against Myanmar for its use of forced labor, while being dismissed in Yangon as political gamesmanship, has the real potential of hitting the country where it hurts most - in the pocket. (Nov 22) Full text China roadshow to woo pipeline investors With preliminary work already begun on China's mammoth project to pump natural gas 4,200 kilometers across the country, officials are to hit the road in a bid to attract foreign expertise - and investment - to the venture. (Nov 17) Full text Beyond ceremony, Clinton has much to talk about While US President Bill Clinton's visit to Vietnam is one of consolidation of ties between the countries rather than hard negotiation, a wide range of issues will be tackled during the four-day trip. These will include the landmark trade accord signed in July between the nations, missing soldiers from the Vietnam War, human rights, emigration concerns, and, of course, opportunities for doing business together. (Nov 16) Full text Investors courting China's CNOOC After calling off its initial public offering in New York last year, one of China's top three oil companies, China National Offshore Oil Co Ltd (CNOOC Ltd), is preparing for another attempt with a multibillion dollar listing in Hong Kong and New York early next year. This time, with several major international oil industry players sniffing around, the offer might raise more investor interest. (Nov 9) Full text Chinese market steels itself for giant listing With China's largest steel producer preparing for multi-billion dollar listings on both the domestic and international stock markets, we profile the Shanghai Baosteel Group Corp and examine the state of the country's steel industry. (Nov 8) Full text Taiwan: More than just a nuclear controversy The fallout from the decision by Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian to shelve the US$5.4 billion project to build the country's fourth nuclear power plant not only threatens the stability of the government, it also raises questions about the island nation's energy needs, as well as the viability of foreign direct investment. (Oct 31) Full text Malaysia's Bakun project: Build and be damned With formal confirmation that Malaysia is pushing ahead with the suspended US$5.2 billion Bakun Hydroelectric Project (HEP) in Eastern Sarawak, the cries of opposition that have dogged the massive project since it was first mooted 40 years ago are certain to once again reverberate around the world, bringing into question the economic and social viability of the venture. (Oct 27) Full text Abu Dhabi's US$3.3bn desert island dream Development of a major international bourse in the United Arab Emirates, which will bridge the time zones between Europe and Asia and provide for Saturday and Sunday trading, clearing and settlement of international contracts, is well advanced. However, it is too early to say whether Saadiyat Market and its satellite city, which is modeled on Hong Kong and Singapore, will become the heavyweight world player it has set its sights on becoming. (Oct 19) Full text Dubai: New chip on the block The Arab emirate of Dubai, with the establishment of an Internet City and a sweeping plan for its civil service to go online, is taking giant steps to shake off its dependence on oil revenue and to establish itself as a serious rival to India's Bangalore and the US's Silicon Valley. (Sept 27) Full text COUNTRY REPORT The Lao People's Democratic Republic The Lao PDR suffered more than most other countries during the Asian financial crisis, and it is looking to foreign investment to help it recover. (Sept 26) Full text COUNTRY REPORT The Kingdom of Cambodia After years of bloody civil war and political instability, the Kingdom of Cambodia is actively promoting itself as a viable destination for foreign investment. (Sept 25) Full text Vietnam: Trading on more investment July was an important month for Vietnam with agreement reached with the United States on a comprehensive and long-awaited trade deal, and the opening of the socialist country's first securities exchange. The events are hoped to revive flagging levels of foreign investment in the country. (Sept 8)
A new era in Asian shipping The decision by Danish shipping giant Maersk Sealand to move its transshipment/hub operations from Singapore to Malaysia has sent waves of both jubilation and consternation through the region. Asia Times Online takes an in-depth look at this and other developments in Asian shipping, and their business and economic ramifications. (Sept 1)
Apec: Trade saviors or talking heads? The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) grouping of 21 of some of the world's most economically powerful nations is on the one hand seen as the only vehicle possible for introducing meaningful trade liberalization in the region. On the other hand, it is accused of being a ramshackle framework built more on shifting premises than a trans-Pacific partnership for progress. (Aug 18) Full text Choosing a regional base in Asean With the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) slowly emerging from the past few years of economic crisis, multinationals are increasingly looking to set up regional bases in the area. The problem is, which country to choose? Asia Times Online takes a look at the programs and incentives key countries are offering to entice foreign companies to their shores. (Aug 11) Full text The Trans Thai-Malaysia natural gas project The multi-billion dollar Trans Thai-Malaysia natural gas project involving Malaysia and Thailand is the biggest-ever joint venture between the two countries. Asia Times Online traces the history and background of the project and examines the domestic and regional implications, the key players and the details of the ambitious scheme. (Aug 4) Full text
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