HomeAsialink InsightsAsialink InsightsCommentary and analysis from across the Indo-PacificFilter by placeAsia (general)BangladeshCambodiaChinaHong KongIndiaIndonesiaJapanKoreaLaosMalaysiaMyanmarNepalNorth KoreaPakistanPhilippinesSingaporeSri LankaTaiwanThailandTimor-LesteVietnam782 available resourcesClear all filtersInsightsShow all (672) China’s panda diplomacy is losing its charm15 October 2026InsightsDiplomacyChinaA stronger Renminbi is no quick fix for global imbalances13 October 2026InsightsDiplomacyChinaSingapore’s deepening social fault lines 12 October 2026InsightsDiplomacySingaporeEthnic quotas in Malaysia need an honest reckoning11 October 2026InsightsDiplomacyMalaysia China’s panda diplomacy is losing its charm15 October 2026Since giving a pair of giant pandas to the Smithsonian's National Zoo in 1972 following President Richard Nixon’s visit to Beijing, China has used panda loans as a means of projecting a harmless and friendly image globally. But argues Brahma Chellaney it was always an act—and foreign audiences are no longer falling for it.InsightsDiplomacyChinaA stronger Renminbi is no quick fix for global imbalances13 October 2026The near consensus among financial commentators is that China's currency is undervalued, driving global imbalances. But writes Kai Guo, the renminbi's weakness reflects weak domestic demand, and pursuing currency appreciation without addressing that issue head-on would be counterproductive for everyone.InsightsDiplomacyChinaSingapore’s deepening social fault lines 12 October 2026Singapore must see racial diversity as an opportunity to be exploited rather than a social challenge to be managed, writes Laavanya Kathiravelu.InsightsDiplomacySingaporeEthnic quotas in Malaysia need an honest reckoning11 October 2026While genuine indigenous empowerment remains a policy priority for Malaysia, mandatory ethnic equity quotas have proved to be unfair and counterproductive, writes Lee Hwok-Aun. Malaysia should acknowledge the chequered history of the policy and look to more effective means of indigenous advancement.InsightsDiplomacyMalaysiaShow all (672)
