Kusturizatsiya: One word that explains Kyrgyzstan’s fight against economic crimes (December 27, 2024, Global Voices)
The arrival of Kyrgyzstan’s current president Sadyr Japarov to power in October 2020 gave birth to a new term called “kusturizatsiya,” denoting the country’s new approach to fighting economic crimes. Tashiyev has promised that those suspected of economic crimes will both return stolen funds and serve custodial prison sentences…
Why supporters of South Korea’s impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol are flying US flags (January 3, 2025, The Guardian)
To outsiders, the unexpected combination may seem baffling. But to Yoon’s supporters, America represents more than an ally: it’s a perceived ideal. The symbolism of the US flag is a declaration of a broader cultural and spiritual order they believe is under threat.
Central Asia's Shining Star: Uzbekistan on the Road to Success (December 27, 2024, Euronews)
As a rising star in Central Asia, Uzbekistan has taken bold steps in sustainability, governance, education and international leadership, reflecting a dynamic transformation that few could have predicted just a decade ago.
Critics decry Vietnam’s ‘draconian’ new internet law (December 23, 2024, The Guardian)
Social media users in Vietnam on platforms including Facebook and TikTok will need to verify their identities as part of strict new internet regulations. The law, which comes into force on Christmas Day, will compel tech companies operating in Vietnam to store user data, provide it to authorities on request, and remove content the government regards as “illegal” within 24 hours.
Taliban infighting adds to Afghanistan’s woes (December 20, 2024, Arab News)
As 2024 comes to a close, the outlook for Afghanistan remains grim. Unless the international community takes meaningful action, the country’s downward spiral will only accelerate, with devastating consequences for its people and global security.
Why reviving Maldives’ political agenda is important (December 20, 2024, Observer Research Foundation)
Even as Maldives is still stuck in legacy economic issues, President Mohamed Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC) rushed an anti-defection law through Parliament that has raised eyebrows. Following Muizzu's prolonged popularity with voters over the past year, the MDP now aims to leverage an issue that could reignite political discourse, which has largely been overshadowed by the nation’s economic crisis.
China Is Building More Prisons for Xi's Political Enemies—Report (December 30, 2024, Newsweek)
Analysts have said China's existing anti-graft crackdown has served as a tool for Xi to eliminate political rivals. Academics have called Xi's new expanded detention processes "deeply disturbing."
After year of big corruption crackdown, China promises more probes, retribution (January 6, 2025, Reuters)
One day before a key meeting of China's anti-graft watchdog, the state broadcaster aired a programme on how grassroots corruption is being crushed, dispelling any notion that China is losing its grip on graft.
Explainer: Hong Kong’s national security crackdown – month 54 (January 5, 2025, Hong Kong Free Press)
December 2024 was the 54th month since a Beijing-imposed security law was enacted in Hong Kong, and nine months since further security legislation was passed into law by Hong Kong’s opposition-free legislature. As the public was beginning to feel the festive vibe on Christmas Eve, the government announced another round of action against overseas activists.
How China turns members of its diaspora into spies (December 26, 2024, The Economist) (Subscription required)
China’s hacking of American computer networks and its efforts to steal Western military and trade secrets have made headlines in recent years. But it has also been pursuing a more subtle campaign, one that involves bribery, blackmail and secret deals, and which uses people of the Chinese diaspora to carry out surveillance, information-gathering and influence operations around the world.
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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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