Will mid-tier healthcare providers disrupt Asia’s big hospitals? (February 21, 2025, Health Care Asia Magazine)
Some second-tier hospitals are expanding to Tier 2 markets to unlock value. Asia’s major hospital chains face growing competition from more affordable healthcare providers that target middle-income households, whose number is expected to reach almost 800 million by 2030.
Private property residents in Singapore cheer news of climate vouchers and ageing-friendly fittings (February 22, 2025, The Star)
Under the Enhancement for Active Seniors (Ease) programme, seniors are able to install a range of ageing-friendly fittings like grab bars and ramps in their homes at a Government-subsidised cost.
Middle Class 2.0: Changing employment sector in India, and its one big challenge (February 17, 2025, The Indian Express) (Subscription required)
The top 5 IT firms (TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL and Tech Mahindra) employ more Indians today than the Railways or the armed forces. Similarly, private sector banks have more employees compared with their state-owned counterparts. But India still has a major job challenge beyond services.
Trump’s quiet change to US position on Taiwan is all about the economy (February 18, 2025, The Conversation)
The US state department has removed a highly symbolic phrase from its routine update on Taiwan. Its previous briefings said: “We do not support Taiwan independence.” This disappeared on February 13 2025.
Why is fandom culture the new key to winning over Asia’s Gen Z? (February 10, 2025, Worth Global Style Network)
In 2025, Gen Zs in APAC will start organising their lives around their niche hobbies and interests, choosing brands and products that reflect their unique passions and cultural identities. This shift will make fandom culture a major influence on their decisions.
Are we prepared to seize the new global opportunities? (February 16, 2025, The Daily Star)
As Bangladesh prepares to graduate from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category in November 2026, a pressing question looms: should the new government reconsider its strategy for this monumental transition?
Driving Growth through Enhanced Productivity in Brunei Darussalam (February 16, 2025, Thailand Business News)
Brunei’s economic growth focuses on boosting productivity, fostering technological innovation, and implementing reforms in labor and education sectors to achieve sustainable development. These efforts are driven by the goals outlined in the Digital Economy Masterplan 2025, addressing challenges and securing long-term progress.
Macao’s residential rents rose in 2024, for the first time in six years (February 17, 2025, The Macao News)
Average residential rents in Macao were up 3.9 percent last year, when compared with 2023. The rents charged on commercial spaces, including offices and industrial units, went down slightly year-on-year however.
How provincial ties can deepen Asean-China relations (February 22, 2025, South China Morning Post)
China has been Asean’s largest trade partner since 2009, while the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has risen to become China’s largest trade partner since 2020. Ties were elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2021 and last year was designated as the Asean-China Year of People-to-People Exchange. This year, both sides aim to finalise the third upgrade of their free-trade agreement to enhance cooperation in the green and digital economies and supply chains.
China's sprawling rail projects around Asia (February 20, 2025, Voice of America)
Around the region, China has been financing railways under its Belt and Road Initiative, which funds infrastructure projects globally but has come under fire with a number of plans stalled or mired in controversy. Here are some of the key installments in Asia's China-backed railway network.
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Joann Pittman
Joann Pittman is Vice President of Partnership and China Engagement and editor of ZGBriefs. Prior to joining ChinaSource, Joann spent 28 years working in China, as an English teacher, language student, program director, and cross-cultural trainer for organizations and businesses engaged in China. She has also taught Chinese at the University …View Full Bio
Blessing Asia
In October-2022 more than 500 Christian leaders from across Asia gathered in Thailand for the Asia 2022 Congress, sponsored by the Lausanne Movement and various partnering organizations. I had the opportunity to participate in the Congress virtually and was mightily blessed. From Bible exposition to K-pop worship, and through seminars and workshops, the participants were encouraged by the stories of what God is doing in countries all over Asia. Clearly, God is on the move.
A beautiful vision was portrayed in a video of the popular worship song The Blessing, featuring singers from all over Asia. Here it is:
Many of the sessions have already been posted on their website and to their YouTube channel.
One that I found particularly helpful considering all that is going on in China was a presentation titled Church and State Relationship in Asia Today. You can see the video here.
I encourage you to spend some time on their website; there are fantastic resources for understanding God’s work in Asia today.
Original link: https://www.chinasource.org/resource-library/blog-entries/blessing-asia/
Image credit: Andrea Brucker, via Unsplash
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