United States to Launch US$600bn Infrastructure Initiative Across Eurasia to Rival China’s Belt & Road Initiative

In a move set to reshape global economic dynamics, the United States, in collaboration with India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the European Union, and other G20 partners, has unveiled a transformative mega-project estimated at over US$600 billion. This ambitious initiative aims to establish a comprehensive economic and trade network that will rival China’s […]

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BRI Forum Brief: China Shifts from Building Major Infrastructure to Focusing on Digital Connectivity

In an era of evolving global dynamics, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is poised for a transformative second decade, signaling a shift towards more efficient, market-oriented, and less debt-burdened projects. President Xi Jinping’s recent pronouncement on the future of BRI as “small yet smart” is underpinned by valuable lessons learned. This strategic shift comes […]

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Positive Signs Emerge: Serviced Apartment & Landed Property Sectors Rebound Slightly in Q3 2023

In a real estate market that has largely remained stagnant, there are promising signs of recovery in the service apartment and landed property sectors. The latest data, released by CBRE Research on 5 October 2023, indicates a subtle shift in market demand. According to the report, the average quoted rent for Grade A serviced apartments […]

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China’s Economy Rebounds: Factory Activity Signals Stabilisation

China’s economy is showing signs of stabilisation as factory activity expands for the first time in six months. The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), which measures the performance of major manufacturers, rose to 50.2 in September, up from 49.7. This figure is above the critical 50-point threshold, indicating a shift from contraction to expansion. Economists had […]

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Behind Thailand’s Visa-Free Strategy: A Closer Look Role in Facilitating Chinese Capital Flight

Behind Thailand’s audacious plan to attract up to 30 million Chinese tourists and the swift implementation of visa-free access lies a more profound hidden agenda—facilitating the transfer of capital from mainland China. The veneer of tourism and visa-free access masks the real story: Chinese investors are utilizing the financial systems in Hong Kong and Thailand […]

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ADB Revises Cambodia’s 2023 Economic Growth Forecast to 5.3% from 5.5%

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has adjusted its economic growth forecast for Cambodia, revising it from an initial estimate of 5.5% to 5.3% for 2023. This slight modification comes in light of slower-than-anticipated industrial growth during the first half of the year, with a notable 18.6% YoY decline in exports of clothing, footwear, and goods, […]

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US Shifting Supply Chains: China Expected to Lose 3m Jobs to Vietnam

As the United States and Vietnam strategically realign their supply chains, aiming to reduce reliance on China, the recent shift in manufacturing could have substantial implications for China’s job market. A report by Rabobank in 2022 estimated that up to 28 million Chinese jobs directly depended on exports to the West. Consequently, this “friend-shoring” strategy, […]

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Experts Share Cambodia’s Real Estate Market Recovery Path

Amidst a challenging global economic landscape, the Cambodian real estate market has weathered a prolonged downturn since 2019, leaving industry stakeholders pondering when and how recovery will take place. Key experts have weighed in on the factors influencing this recovery and the direction developers and buyers should steer towards in these uncertain times. Balancing the […]

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China’s Belt & Road Initiative: Some Shifting Challenges Seeing China Not Expanding Investment Abroad

A decade since China first proposed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), this ambitious global investment project has significantly expanded both trade and China’s international influence. Ten years in, Beijing undoubtedly wields greater clout on the global stage, but this milestone also comes with notable shifts in new investments. Positive results from the implementation of […]

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Vietnam Emerges as Key Player in US Economic Diversification Strategy

President Joe Biden’s visit to Vietnam marks a pivotal moment in the strengthening of economic bonds between the United States and Hanoi. This strategic move aims to reduce America’s dependence on China and signifies a significant diplomatic shift, according to CNN News on 11 September 2023. The two former adversaries have formally upgraded their diplomatic […]

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