Category: Culture
Hong Kong’s ASEAN Pivot: Strategic Muslim Outreach Amid Global Trade Uncertainty
As U.S. trade policy uncertainty casts a shadow over Asia, Hong Kong is moving decisively to deepen its economic and cultural ties with ASEAN. By positioning itself as China’s gateway to the region, the city is actively courting Muslim tourists ...
Jakarta Main Airport Scandal: 30 Immigration Officers Under Investigation for Extorting Chinese Visitors
Indonesia’s Ministry of Immigration and Correctional Affairs (Imipas) has removed 30 immigration officers from their posts and conducting investigation at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport following allegations of extortion targeting Chinese nationals. Minister of Immigration Agus Andrianto confirmed the action after receiving ...
Fears of Scam Center Kidnaps Keep Chinese Tourists on Edge in Thailand
By Montira Rungjirajittranon and Sarah Lai Chinese tourists visiting Thailand for Lunar New Year are worried about being kidnapped by gangsters to work in hellish scam centers, despite efforts to reassure them. Chinese nationals topped ...
Thai PM Makes AI Video Appeal to Chinese Tourists
Thailand on Wednesday posted an AI-generated video of its prime minister speaking in Mandarin, encouraging Chinese tourists to visit the kingdom despite reports of kidnappings on the Thai-Myanmar border. In the clip made by generative artificial intelligence posted to the government's ...
Thailand and Myanmar Agree to Step Up Fight Against Online Scams, Fraud, and Trafficking
The recent high-profile kidnapping of a Chinese actor in Thailand has raised safety concerns, diminishing the country's appeal among tourists ahead of China’s biggest holiday. Amid these concerns, Myanmar has stepped up, pledging to work with Thailand to tackle transnational ...
China Calls on Southeast Asia to Crack Down on Online Gambling, Scam, and Telecom Fraud
In a pointed appeal to Southeast Asian nations, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged governments in the region on Thursday to intensify their efforts against online gambling and telecom fraud, issues he said are harming citizens across borders. Wang’s remarks ...
Online Scam and Trafficking Lead to Mass Cancellations from Chinese Tour Groups to Thailand
As the Chinese New Year approaches, what should have been a bustling season for Thai hotels and airlines is taking a sharp turn. Tour groups from China are canceling their bookings en masse, and independent travelers are hesitating to finalize plans. The reason? Safety concerns from ...
Australia to Spend $385 Million on Papua New Guinea Rugby League Team With Eye on China
Australia will spend $385 million to establish a team from Papua New Guinea in its rugby league competition, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Thursday, a move designed to help ward off China. Papua New Guinea has long lobbied for a side ...
‘Once-in-a-Lifetime’: Fans Revel China-India Chess Showdown
By Martin Abbugao In a large room separated from spectators by a one-way glass panel, two chess combatants Wednesday faced each other in a silent battle of cunning, calculation and patience. World chess champion Ding ...
Malaysia is Becoming More Mandarin-Speaking
The enrollment of non-Chinese students in Chinese-language schools in Malaysia is reportedly increasing rapidly, partly because employers are increasingly favoring speakers of Mandarin, according to a new report by the Singaporean publication Fulcrum. While numbers aren’t officially recorded, there are indications that this trend is expanding in line ...
Homecoming: The Journey of China-Trained African Professionals
By Pamela Carslake China has emerged as a leading destination for African students, attracting a growing number of Africans seeking diverse educational and training opportunities. The Chinese government's initiatives, including the pledge to provide 50,000 scholarships in 2018 and 60,000 training ...
China Space at Istiqlal Mosque: Stepping Up Muslim Diplomacy in Indonesia
This article is co-authored by Yeta Purnama, a researcher at the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS), and Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, Director of the China-Indonesia Desk at CELIOS. On September 5, 2024, the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia launched what it ...