Courtesy of Foreign Policy, a look at China’s sovereign funds: One of the enduring mysteries of China’s economic rise is why the country’s extended engagement with Western capitalism and democracy didn’t diminish the role of the state and lead to greater political and economic liberalization. After all, dictatorships in South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and other countries […]
Read more »Courtesy of The Diplomat, a report on Mongolia’s energy security, which needs to be viewed holistically, as a function of its economy, environment, and geopolitical situation: Mongolia sits in a unique position where its energy situation is deeply intertwined with both its economy, which is mostly driven by raw material exports, and its geographic location between […]
Read more »Via Iran Wire, an article on a controversial Chinese contract with Iran: Alireza Zakani, the mayor of Tehran and a presidential candidate, revealed details of a controversial municipal contract with China during the ongoing election debates This announcement comes despite his previous insistence on the confidentiality and security of the contract, to the extent that […]
Read more »Via South China Morning Post, a report on how Beijing and Tripoli are rebuilding ties after China pulled investors out in 2011: Before the 2011 revolution that toppled Muammar Gaddafi and led to a bloody civil war in Libya, China had vast interests in the oil-rich North African nation. At the time, 75 Chinese companies controlled 50 large projects […]
Read more »Courtesy of The Financial Times, a report on how Russia is using nuclear power to win global influence: Rooppur in Bangladesh’s far west may seem an unlikely place for a Little Russia. Yet in this enclave, shop signs are written in Russian, Bengali vegetable vendors haggle over “kartoshka” (potatoes) and “morkov” (carrots), and Russian expats […]
Read more »Via Nikkei Asia, a report on Myanmar efforts to revive stalled infrastructure projects with China and Russia: Myanmar’s military regime is breathing new life into major infrastructure projects with China and Russia, courting their support amid a protracted conflict with armed rebels at home. A new committee led by Deputy Electricity Minister Aye Kyaw is […]
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