How Gaza war has set back Palestinian agriculture, deepened hunger crisis (August 20, 2024, Arab News)
More than half of Gaza’s cropland and a third of its greenhouses have been destroyed by the conflict, contributing to malnutrition. FAO says the devastation of Gaza’s agriculture has led to severe food insecurity, with 1 in 5 Gazans facing extreme hunger
Debt cancellation not a cure-all for debt-distressed Asia (August 21, 2024, East Asia Forum)
The Paris Club's decision in March 2024 to cancel over US$2 billion of Somalia's external debt may have significant implications for debt-distressed economies in Asia, such as Laos and Papua New Guinea. While debt cancellation looks good on paper, the Paris Club’s poor track record of debt cancellation proves that it is not a cure-all for debt-ridden economies. Debt restructuring that includes incentives for sound debt management would be the most feasible option for Laos and Papua New Guinea.
As the Middle East frets about conflict, Dubai booms with an influx of anxious wealth (August 16, 2024, The Associated Press)
As conflict casts a shadow across the Middle East, people are getting rich in Dubai. The desert sheikdom’s economy is buzzing with tourism and construction as it positions itself as a safe haven in a region that’s resting on a knife’s edge following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran.
In Laos, Southeast Asia’s highest inflation forces some to flee, others to get creative (June 17, 2024, South China Morning Post) (Subscription required)
Inflation hit a record 40 per cent in Laos last year and continues to run hot, at around 25.8 per cent as of last month. A weak local currency – the kip – is fuelling elevated prices, after losing around 60 per cent of its value against the US dollar since 2021.
Qatar’s Growing Investments in Asia: Economics vs Geopolitics (June 18, 2024, Italian Institute for International Political Studies)
Nearly two decades ago, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the Qatari Sovereign Wealth Fund, was established to invest excess revenue from energy exports in foreign enterprises. Its mission is “to protect and grow Qatar’s financial assets and diversify the economy.” In addition to economic and financial objectives, these investments are crucial in enhancing Qatar’s political influence, serving as a tool for soft power projection and to keep the audience informed about the broader implications of the country’s investments.
Protests in China on the Rise Amid Housing Crisis, Slowing Economy (August 28, 2024, Bloomberg) (Subscription required)
Protests in China are on the rise as the effects of a slowing economy rattle citizens and Beijing refrains from taking bolder steps to shore up growth. Dissent cases rise 18% in the second quarter of 2024: CDM. Four-decade rise in living standards shows signs of stalling.
With China's Gen Z consumers craving value over status, luxury brands and global markets brace for impact (August 29, 2024, Channel News Asia)
Amid slower economic growth, young consumers in China are increasingly prioritising value and suitability over pursuing status symbols. This change in attitude is affecting luxury brands and global markets.
Special Report – Between a ‘Sports City’ and ‘City of Sports’ (June 22, 2024, Macau Business)
Macau is unlikely to transform into a sports city, as evidenced by the current constraints of space and the scarcity of athletes, particularly those of a high competitive caliber. However, it could transition into a city of sports — as the Government intends.
Tourists scaling the Great Wall of China can now get takeout delivered by drone (August 22, 2024, CNN)
Hungry tourists hiking on the Great Wall of China can now get their lunch delivered – from the air. Chinese food delivery giant Meituan says its new drone service, announced last week, will bring food, drinks and other goods such as medical supplies to customers at a far-flung section of the ancient monument on the outskirts of Beijing.
China becomes a player in console games (August 23, 2024, Financial Times) (Subscription required)
The inside story on the Asia tech trends that matter, from Nikkei Asia and the Financial Times
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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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