Malaysia

Video PlayerClose KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's trade is set to ride on the wave of positive trade growth between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, according to government officials and experts. The 10-nation ASEAN overtook the United States to become China's second largest trading partner in the first half of the year, according to China's official statistics. For Ong Kian Ming, Malaysia's deputy minister for international trade and industry, the fact that ASEAN countries have surpassed the United States to become the second largest trading partner of China "is not surprising." The reasons he listed include the fact that China and ASEAN's economies are growing faster than the United States, which would see a larger percent increase in exports and imports among them, the increasing supply chain integration between companies operating in China and Southeast Asia, as well as the effects of trade and production diversion due to the trade … [Read more...] about Spotlight: Malaysia upbeat about increased ASEAN-China trade

        Until November 6, Geeta Kale, 27, a resident of labour camp in Bhavdhan was a house hold help looking for job. Today she is an internet sensation. Kale’s phone has not stopped ringing since her visiting card went viral on social media. The card which reads Kaamwali Maushi was an instant hit once it reached social media and Geeta never got to distribute any of her cards, so she was surprised when she started getting calls. She has been receiving calls regarding employment not just from Pune and Mumbai but US, Japan, Australia, Malaysia and Singapore too. Kale and her employer Dhanashree Shinde, resident of Bhavdhan tell us how Kale shot to fame. What made you decide to make visiting cards for Kale? Dhanashree: When Geeta Maushi came to my house for the usual household chores last week, she was very quiet. She is usually a very talkative person but that day her mood was off. After quizzing her, I found out that she had lost her job at one of the … [Read more...] about Glad people helped me find work, says Geeta Maushi

'Studying History, we come close to all of the messiness of human life -- we understand what motivates people, what makes them get along or go to war, what dreams they had for themselves and their futures.'Sunil Amrith, professor of South Asian Studies and Professor of History at Harvard University, is one of the 24 recipients of the most prestigious MacArthur Genius Grant that was announced recently. In the second part of an interview to Rediff.com's Archana Masih, the 38-year-old historian emphasises why history is more important now than ever before. Part I: 'We can no more do away with the Mughals than we can do away with the British' IMAGE: A Rohingya refugee pulls a child ashore after crossing the Bangladesh-Myanmar border by boat. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters In India, the debate is about whether to deport or provide refuge to the Rohingyas. I think India should live up to the noblest of its political traditions in extending refuge and hospitality to the Rohingyas who … [Read more...] about Why History is more important now than ever before

‘Change has to come within Myanmar itself’.‘I have called upon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to listen to her ‘inner voice’ and speak directly to the people of Myanmar.’ IMAGE: A Rohingya migrant child, who recently arrived in Indonesia by boat, eats chocolate while queuing up with others for immigration identification purposes inside a temporary compound for refugees in Aceh Timur regency, Indonesia's Aceh Province.According to recent figures, an approximate 90,000 Rohingyas have fled the country in hope of finding a better home. Photograph: Beawiharta/Reuters Imagine living in a country, but being denied citizenship. Imagine being a part of a country, but being discriminated against by the majority community and atrocities being committed against you by the state.  This is the deplorable conditions that the Rohingyas of Myanmar live in where they are cut off from their livelihoods and sources of income, unable to access markets, hospitals and … [Read more...] about EXCLUSIVE: No country for the Rohingyas

Video PlayerClose by Mao Pengfei, Nguon Sovan PHNOM PENH, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Growing economic and trade relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are crucial to securing long-term peace and shared prosperity in the region, said Cambodian officials, scholars and exporters. ASEAN became China's second-largest trading partner in the first half of 2019, overtaking the United States for the first time since 1997. China's customs data showed that China's trade with ASEAN rose 10.5 percent to nearly 2 trillion yuan (291 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of this year, as China's trade with the U.S. dropped 9 percent to 1.8 trillion yuan (262 billion U.S. dollars). Ministry of Commerce Under Secretary of State and Spokesman Seang Thay said China has been one of ASEAN's most important trade and investment partners and vice versa thanks to geographic proximity and strategic partnership between the two sides. "ASEAN and China have so far cooperated … [Read more...] about Spotlight: Rising China-ASEAN economic, trade cooperation vital for long-term peace, shared prosperity in region: Cambodian officials, scholars