HomeAsialink InsightsAsialink InsightsCommentary and analysis from across the Indo-PacificFilter by placeAsia (general)BangladeshCambodiaChinaHong KongIndiaIndonesiaJapanKoreaLaosMalaysiaMyanmarNorth KoreaPakistanPhilippinesSingaporeSri LankaTaiwanThailandTimor-LesteVietnam692 available resourcesClear all filtersInsightsShow all (583)A new visit, an old playbook: understanding the Cheng–Xi meeting21 April 2026InsightsDiplomacyChina+1What really drives China’s massive trade surplus21 April 2026InsightsDiplomacyChinaCan Vietnam’s powerful new leadership deliver its development goals?19 April 2026InsightsDiplomacyVietnamThe war against Iran and the fragility of Southeast Asia’s energy responses16 April 2026InsightsDiplomacyAsia (general)A new visit, an old playbook: understanding the Cheng–Xi meeting21 April 2026Chinese Nationalist Party Chair Cheng Li‑wun’s visit to China—the first in a decade—was cast as a welcome peace mission. But Roger Lee Huang writes that a truer interpretation of the visit is that it permits Beijing to cultivate influence and promote its preferred narratives inside Taiwan, while presenting itself as open to dialogue.InsightsDiplomacyChina+1What really drives China’s massive trade surplus21 April 2026China’s trade surplus is often blamed on its industrial policies. But Shang-Jin Wei writes it reflects a persistent gap between savings and investment, driven by demographic pressures and financial constraints that shape household behavior and restrict private firms’ access to credit. InsightsDiplomacyChinaCan Vietnam’s powerful new leadership deliver its development goals?19 April 2026To Lam has emerged as the most powerful leader in Vietnam since Ho Chi Minh. But achieving his ambitious development goals will require him to bed down administrative reforms, overcome skill shortages and bureaucratic inefficiency, and strengthen diplomacy, writes Hai Hong Nguyen.InsightsDiplomacyVietnamThe war against Iran and the fragility of Southeast Asia’s energy responses16 April 2026The US-Israeli war against Iran has underscored Southeast Asia’s vulnerability when it comes to energy supplies. But regional countries need to think beyond stopgap measures, writes Elbinsar Purba.InsightsDiplomacyAsia (general)Show all (583)
