Debby Chan

Jun 14, 2024 | myanmar-now.org | Debby Chan

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a transcontinental infrastructure programme launched by the Chinese government a decade ago that advances Beijing’s strategic economic and political goals at home and beyond China’s borders. These ambitions, however, met with unanticipated setbacks in Myanmar in the 2010s. Why were BRI’s development projects in Myanmar beset by so many challenges and disruptions?

Apr 16, 2024 | eastasiaforum.org | Gilang Kembara |Debby Chan |Chhay Lin Lim |Yuhan Zhang

As the dust settles over the 2024 Indonesian general election, Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka have claimed victory as the next president and vice president. The former three-star general and the son of the incumbent president have promised to continue President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo’s ambitious economic development and legacy infrastructure projects, including moving the administrative capital from Jakarta to Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN) in East Kalimantan.

Apr 13, 2024 | eastasiaforum.org | Yu Tao |Alicia Garcia-Herrero |Debby Chan |Shahar Hameiri

Contrary to its depiction as an external influence, Christianity is deeply woven into modern China’s historical, cultural and political tapestry. Its presence has been notable in various pivotal movements, from the Taiping and Boxer Rebellions in the 19th century to the Christian presidents Sun Yat-sen and Chiang Kai-shek during the Republic of China era.

Apr 12, 2024 | eastasiaforum.org | Alicia Garcia-Herrero |Debby Chan |Shahar Hameiri |Mutiara Indriani

The origins of BRICS — a bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and, as of 2024, new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates — can be traced back to a 2001 publication by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill titled ‘Building Better Global Economic BRICs’. O’Neill argued that Brazil, Russia, India and China were poised to play an increasingly significant role in the global economy.

Apr 5, 2024 | eastasiaforum.org | Elena Collinson |Yu Tao |Alicia Garcia-Herrero |Debby Chan

Cordial bilateral exchange between Canberra and Beijing continued when Australia received China’s top diplomat Wang Yi for a three-day visit in late March 2024, underlining a markedly improved, if still fragile, relationship after years of absent high-level dialogue and trade punishment inflicted on Australia by Beijing.