Can Laos become a potash powerhouse and realize its resource ambitions? (April 17, 2025, GIS Reports Online)
Laos aims to become a leading potash producer, driven by vast reserves and infrastructure, but faces significant economic and operational hurdles. Challenges include debt to China, inflation and mining inefficiencies. Policy reforms aim to improve industry standards and attract investment.
From Tashkent to Berlin: how Uzbekistan is unlocking global job opportunities (March 14, 2025, Euronews)
The country's population was 37.5 million as of January 1, 2025, a 2 per cent rise on the previous year. More than half of the population (50.4 per cent) are men, and the median age in the country is less than 30 years old. Such a demographic portrait makes Uzbekistan an attractive partner for countries experiencing labour shortages.
Asia’s megacities at a crossroads as climate and population challenges grow (April 21, 2025, United Nations)
Asia’s sprawling megacities – which are driving economic growth – face an uncertain future as rising temperatures, aging populations and unplanned urban development test their resilience.
Sustained Growth In MENA Despite Turmoil (April 3, 2025, Global Finance)
Conflict aside, the Middle East is anticipating a period of economic growth. Here are some of the trends shaping the future of the MENA economies.
It’s time for Tajikistan to embrace reform and innovation (April 14, 2025, Emerging Europe)
While remittances, hydropower schemes, and fields have long defined Tajikistan’s economy, the writing on the wall is clear—reinvention is needed. Bold investments in technology and innovation could provide a promising alternative to traditional revenue streams.
Thailand's Digital Arrival Card to be Mandatory for Foreign Tourists from May 1 (April 2, 2025, Skift)
The digital arrival card is a step forward in ensuring a smoother, more tech-driven travel experience in Thailand. But the bigger challenge? Getting travelers, mostly Chinese tourists, to feel confident about visiting again.
What next for Ukraine's economy, the 'Day After'? (April 14, 2025, EU Observer)
From energy and food sovereignty to defence and advanced technology, Ukraine is a nation of the future whose freedom Europe must protect to ensure its own long-term security and resilience—
China's biggest threat? The Chinese population (April 30, 2025, MSN - The Daily Digest)
Beijing is currently facing a crisis like no other, and time is running out. The culprit is not Donald Trump and the United States, nor the EU. The responsible seems to be the Chinese population.
How is China feeding its population of 1.4 billion? (April 11, 2025, China Power)
Decades of economic growth have enabled considerable strides in increasing access to food across China, but this growth has also generated new demographic demands and environmental strains. This report lays out the most pressing threats to China’s food security as well as key areas of progress and resilience.
What 2,000 years of Chinese history reveals about today’s AI-driven technology panic – and the future of inequality (April 24, 2025, The Conversation)
In normal times, the forces of capitalism will always tend to make the rich richer, pushing inequality ever higher unless checked by aggressive redistribution. So, who’s correct? And where does this leave us as we ponder the future in this latest, AI-driven industrial revolution?
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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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