Baby bump in South Korea as fertility rate rises for first time in 9 years (February 26, 2025, Financial Times) (Subscription required)
South Korea’s fertility rate has risen for the first time in nine years, as a surge in marriages after the pandemic has spurred hopes that the world’s fastest-ageing society may have turned a corner.
No passengers, no planes, no benefits. Pakistan’s newest airport is a bit of a mystery (February 24, 2025, The Associated Press)
With no passengers and no planes, Pakistan’s newest and most expensive airport is a bit of a mystery. Entirely financed by China to the tune of $240 million, it’s anyone’s guess when New Gwadar International Airport will open for business.
Vietnam lures global tech giants with high-tech workforce push (January 26, 2025, The Business Times) (Subscription required)
Armed with a bold new Investment Support Fund, Vietnam is stepping up its game to court tech giants, offset the impact of the global minimum tax (GMT) and tackle its high-tech talent crunch, with targeted workforce training that sets it apart from regional rivals.
Asia easing fast and furious against Trump’s tariffs (February 28, 2025, Asia Times) (Subscription required)
From Bangkok to Seoul to Jakarta, Asian central banks are cutting rates in monetary response to Trump’s intensifying trade war.
Bangkok named the world’s second-best city (January 19, 2025, The Nation)
Bangkok has once again proved its charm, securing the No 2 spot on British media and hospitality company Time Out’s list of the world's best cities in 2025.
Why China's high-level opening up matters to Central Asia? (March 5, 2025, DKN World News)
During this year's Two Sessions, top priorities were assigned to enhancing institutional opening up and willingly subscribing to high-standard international economic and trade norms.
Behold China’s innovative golden age (March 5, 2025, Asia Times)
China’s peak is truly spectacular — a marvel of state capacity and resource mobilization never seen before on this planet. In just a few years, China built more high-speed rail than all other countries in the world combined. Its auto manufacturers are leapfrogging the developed world, seizing leadership in the EV industry of the future.
Hong Kong universities asked to return reserves to government (February 26, 2025, Times Higher Education) (Subscription required)
Hong Kong has asked public universities to return some of their reserves in a cost-cutting budget aimed at shrinking the city’s fiscal deficit.
China’s AI Breakthrough Signals a New Era of Tech Innovation (February 22, 2025, The Diplomat) (Subscription required)
China’s major tech companies are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the shift to real-world applications for AI. Both domestically, with Xi’s symposium with China’s top tech leaders, and internationally, China’s most senior leadership is taking a stance that they embrace AI and tech development and are open to global collaboration.
Hong Kong to slash 10,000 civil service jobs, push AI in bid to reverse deficit (February 26, 2025, Reuters)
Hong Kong aims to cut spending by slashing 10,000 civil service jobs in an effort to rein in a rising deficit, and plans a big AI push as it navigates headwinds from global economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and a weak property market.
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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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