Comments for Asia Power Watch

Comment on Leaving Hong Kong for a fresh air of democracy in Mongolia by Zula

Zula — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 18:43:31 +0000

Thanks Johan for your positive view on our holding on to democracy despite bordering to 2 most undemocratic and most sofisticated meddling policy towards us. Of course it is up to us to solve our issues, but if there are more support on practicing our democracy, I am sure we can let the same old go. New PM has now Vision 2050 long term goal and cracking old system one by one. And I pray for better change beyond our borders. That will be already 50 procent job done.

Comment on Leaving Hong Kong for a fresh air of democracy in Mongolia by Johan

Johan — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 11:29:21 +0000

In reply to Tomas B. Hi Tomas! Very good comment, and I agree. The situation is indeed far from perfect, and I highlight that in the story but perhaps not enough. I hope that the country can break from "same old, same old", and find a way forward. The potentials are there, as you say. I've met so many good people here who are ready for change, similar to what I've experienced in many other Asian counties that have made the leap and overcame the burdens of corruption, bureaucracy and political turmoil. Why not also Mongolia? I'm looking forward catching up again soon, and continue the conversation. Cheers

Comment on Leaving Hong Kong for a fresh air of democracy in Mongolia by Tomas B

Tomas B — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 02:34:44 +0000

Dear Johan, it is good to see your interest in Mongolia and your optimism which can be felt from this article.
I am a bit more skeptical, after seeing the political system and policy implementation turning in circles, … as many fellow expats- who all love Mongolia as I do – woudl say “same old, same old” … for over 2 decades now. The country has a tremendous development potential, but is suffering from a/ geopolitical (neighborly) pressures and b/ lack of domestic ability to build consensus and deliver on long term policies and goals – to benefit a wide majority of the population, not only the upper 1%.

Good luck and looking fwd to your next writing. hope to meet again soon.
Tomas

Comment on What does digital integration mean for trade, logistics and supply chains with China? by Andre Wheeler

Andre Wheeler — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 01:18:55 +0000

In reply to Simone Filippini. Thanks Simone, it is a topic that will take center stage over the next year or so as governments work out how they engage with China going forward

Comment on What does digital integration mean for trade, logistics and supply chains with China? by Simone Filippini

Simone Filippini — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 12:55:00 +0000

Thx, Andre! Interesting insights and thought-provoking for someone who’s not intimately known to the subject. Good read as it potentially influences broader geo-political developments.

Comment on The impact of the pandemic on Latin America’s relations with China by Dr. Jorge Malena

Dr. Jorge Malena — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 15:31:55 +0000

In reply to Наталья. In Peru, in mid September, President Vizcarra was on the brink of dismissal, after Congress admitted a motion for vacancy (impeachment). By early August Peru had surpassed 20,000 deaths from COVID-19. This country (of 33 million inhabitants) is third in Latin America in positive cases and deaths from the virus, behind Brazil and Mexico. With regards El Salvador, according to a poll published on May 24 by the Salvadoran daily La Prensa Gráfica, 92.5% approve of the work done by President Bukele during his first year in office. But the main achievement of these 12 months in office is the drastic reduction in violent deaths (4.1 homicides a day), well below the average of 12.6 that his predecessor Salvador Sánchez Cerén had in the same period. So it's not a matter of an efficient management of the pandemics.

Comment on The Epic Split. Why ‘Made in China’ is going out of style by Johan Nylander

Johan Nylander — Sun, 11 Oct 2020 04:06:52 +0000

In reply to Gabor Holch. Thanks for your comment. Yes, decoupling is happening. The data is clear, and I would say it makes perfect sense. It's not particularly cheap to produce in China any more (compared to, say, a decade ago), and China has become a strategic rival in many sectors. Human rights violations are too horrific to ignore. There's also a clear trend that consumers across the world prefer to buy products not made in China, and willing to pay a premium for that. But yes, I also agree with you that parts of the conflict is based on national pride and sheer spite, with the ultimate risk of a cold war turning hot. There are indeed unwanted consequences on the horizon.

Comment on The impact of the pandemic on Latin America’s relations with China by Наталья

Наталья — Fri, 09 Oct 2020 16:48:32 +0000

This coronavirus pandemic is a litmus test for Latin American leadership. Poor management of the pandemic could end up having very serious political consequences for the presidents and for democracy. Yet at the same time, in those countries in which the response has been correct and timely, the presidents see their levels of support rising (Vizcarra in Peru and Bukele in El Salvador, to cite just two examples). In a second group of countries the measures adopted by the presidents have helped reduce the degree of polarization and facilitate agreements between the government and the opposition, which until recently had seemed impossible to achieve (Fernandez and the opposition in Argentina). And in a third group the pandemic could offer the governments?—if they act effectively and sensibly?—an opportunity to overcome the social and political crises they face, reconnect with the citizenry, seek agreements, and change programs (Pinera in Chile). Obviously, all these assessments can change quickly.

Comment on The Epic Split. Why ‘Made in China’ is going out of style by Gabor Holch

Gabor Holch — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 01:12:15 +0000

Decoupling from China makes no sense. And yet it’s happening, because economic policies these days don’t follow sense. They follow visionary concepts like The China Dream, MAGA, national pride and often sheer spite. Business is more agile than politics, so commerce flows around political obstacles—often with unwanted consequences. Thank you for the great illustration!

Comment on Istanbul’s Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital: an opportunity for Japan to reaffirm its economic power strategy by Semiha Karaoğlu

Semiha Karaoğlu — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 10:44:33 +0000

In reply to Sehiro Masaki.

While agreeing with you, I also want to add this is why “Pax Japonica” carries such a significant weight in terms of Japan’s economic resurrection by looking beyond Asia-Pacific. The rivalry in terms of financial investments between Japan and the People’s Republic of China appears to recapitulate. Therefore, Japan’s only option, if it is to revitalize its economic markets, is seeking alternatives, be it Turkey, Europe, or the Middle East.

One advantage Japan-Turkey relations have over Sino-Turkish ones is the Uighur issue, which stems from the history of discord between Chinese authorities and the indigenous ethnic Uighur population in the Xinjiang region. The Turkish government condemns China every time new documentation or a record of the suppression of the Uighurs in the Xinjiang region, come up in the news, and so on. Therefore, Japan has a historical advantage of keeping Turkey as its constant partner, which is also why I mentioned the deeply-rooted historical relations between Japan and Turkey in my article.

For instance, the construction of the Honotlu Thermal Power Plant in the Turkish state of Adana is currently the most massive Chinese investment in Turkey. Moreover, trade cooperation between China and Turkey reached $ 23.6 billion last year, making China the third-largest trade partner with Turkey after Russia and Germany. Chinese investments in Turkey amounted to $ 2.8 billion last year and valued at $ 15 billion between 2005 and 2018. Last but not least, China aims to increase its investment with Turkey by an annual volume of 6 billion dollars in 2021.

Therefore, analyzing such data, it is incontrovertible that Japan has a strong rival to establish its dominance over Turkey, the Middle East, or the Caucasian market. Yet, this is why it should—more than ever—give importance to its investments in Turkey and collaborate in energy security with the country. Only then can Japan become among the top 3 or 5 trade partners of Turkey, enabling it to supply its energy via more affordable partnerships and have a more influential economic claim over the Middle East and the Caucasus.