Latest Articles about Economics
The Implications of China’s High-Speed Eurasian Railway Strategy for Central Asia
Beijing’s plan to build a high-speed railway network across Asia and Europe through Central Asia? is its key project for the continent. A reflection of the rise of China on the global stage, the proposed network will connect 17 countries and comprises three major routes... MORE
Google and China’s Changing Economic Paradigm
Following two months of tussling with the Chinese government—much of it under the glare of intense media coverage—Google Inc. (GOOG) abandoned its core business in the world's most populous nation. Specifically, on March 22, the Mountain View-based company announced it had stopped censoring search results... MORE
Rajin-Sonbong: A Strategic Choice for China in Its Relations with Pyongyang
The Rajin-Sonbong region in North Korea (also known as Rason following a 2004 administrative reorganization by central authorities) is an underdeveloped backwater near the far northeastern tip of the Korean peninsula bordering Jilin province of China and Primorsky Krai of Russia. Although the area is... MORE
Azerbaijan Seeks New Partners to Diversify its Economy
On March 19, during the launch of construction works for the large shipbuilding factory in the outskirts of Baku, President Ilham Aliyev announced: “At the moment, in Azerbaijan, we are conducting a policy of large-scale industrialization” (Azertaj news agency). As he made the statement, he... MORE
Strategic Implications of China’s Access to the Rajin Port
At the recently concluded National People's Congress (NPC), Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Deputy Secretary-General of the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in Jilin Province, Li Longxi, announced that North Korean authorities are currently studying a proposal to grant a 10 year extension to China's lease of... MORE
Russia and Kazakhstan Consider Reviving Bilateral Trade
Moscow and Astana have reiterated their earlier pledges to boost bilateral economic and energy partnership. However, the two former Soviet states have proved slow to complete existing energy projects, while bilateral trade has also declined. During a meeting in Moscow, between Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir... MORE
Shifting Regional Dynamics Force Russia to Suspend Promised Loan to Kyrgyzstan
The financial crisis and energy deficits have significantly exacerbated political and economic tensions in Kyrgyzstan. It is in these circumstances that the Kyrgyz leadership secured a $2.15 billion package from Russia in 2009, allegedly in exchange for the closure of United States base from the... MORE
Beijing Seeks Paradigm Shift in Geopolitics
China’s on-going tussle with the United States over issues including Taiwan, Tibet and trade is in a sense nothing new. For more than two decades, Sino-U.S. relations have periodically gone through rough patches over these and related causes of disagreement. What is new is China’s... MORE
China Assesses its Gold Reserve Strategy
As the U.S. economy dithers through a fragile global recovery, Chinese leaders are convening in Beijing for the annual plenary session of the National People's Congress (NPC)—China's ceremonial legislature—that begins March 5. The purpose of the meeting is to "hammer" out, among other things, a... MORE
Armenian Economy Emerging From Recession
Armenia appears to be emerging from its first economic downturn in over 15 years, which was triggered by the global financial crisis. The latest macroeconomic data released by authorities in Yerevan suggests that its unfolding economic recovery may well surpass government expectations for this year.After... MORE