Region
East Asia
Masks Key to Keeping Japan’s COVID-19 Caseload Low
By Associated Press
Mask wearing and voluntary compliance with social distancing helped Japan avoid a full lockdown. But with cases climbing again, will Tokyo’s approach hold?
How the US Can Mediate the Japan-South Korea Dispute
By Xuan Dung Phan
The Biden administration must avoid the fundamental flaw of previous reparations arrangements: prioritizing state interests over victims’ concerns.
China’s Digital Silk Road Grows With 5G in the Middle East
By Sophie Zinser
Huawei and other Chinese firms continue to make rapid inroads among Gulf countries – despite the United States’ efforts.
Pandemic Border Restrictions Crush Hong Kong’s Economy
By Tej Parikh
Hong Kong's tight restrictions on travel amid COVID-19 are taking a toll on an already-suffering economy.
South Korea Prepares for Its Worst COVID-19 Scenario Yet
By Mitch Shin
Seoul has hesitated to tighten restrictions thus far, even as health authorities predict the number of daily cases might top 1,000.
Would China Invade Taiwan for TSMC?
By John Lee
The second piece of a two-part analysis focusing on semiconductors and cross-strait geopolitics.
Amid Free Speech Concerns, South Korea Bans Sending Leaflets Via Balloon to North Korea
By Associated Press
Pyongyang complained vociferously about the propaganda leaflets, sent by activists, before demolishing an inter-Korean liaison center earlier this year.
Pro-China TV Station Goes Off Air in Taiwan After Losing Broadcast License
By Nick Aspinwall
CTiTV went off air on midnight Friday after losing a court battle fighting its license renewal. Opposition politicians are crying foul.
An Ignored Canary in an Unknown Coal Mine: The Caribbean’s Economic Engagement with China
By Bradley J. Murg and Rasheed J. Griffith
The Caribbean provides some of the earliest signs of the problems that would later dog China's Belt and Road Initiative.
China and the EU: Public-Private Dissonance
By Eleanor Albert
Despite official optimism over a trade deal, tensions continue to simmer at the people-to-people level.
#MeToo Reckoning Continues in China and Hong Kong
By Jessie Lau
As China held a hearing on a #MeToo icon’s case, Hong Kong was grappling with its biggest sexual harassment scandal yet.
How Can Shenzhen Replace Hong Kong?
By Jason Hung
China is planning to focus on Shenzhen as a new global hub. Will it work?