So far, East Asian countries have held up well economically against the pandemic. But a withdrawal of liquidity from emerging markets could spell disaster for Asian economies, which rely heavily on short-term foreign capital inflows. But a tougher US policy under Biden against China would also dim East Asia's economic prospects, said Lee Jong-Wha, who was long the Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank and now teaches economics at Korea University.
Von Ning Wang
With the 2022 Winter Olympics, Beijing wants to boost tourism and expand infrastructure. Manufacturers of winter sports equipment from the Alpine region sense the opportunity of the century. China could become one of the leading skiing nations in terms of numbers as early as next year. Beijing is hoping for a growth spurt for structurally weak areas – and the Alps for more Chinese tourists who have already learned to ski at home.
Von Frank Sieren
Even a state-imposed 30-day cooling-off period will not reduce the high divorce rates in China. Young people, in particular, no longer see the vow for a lifetime as necessary for financial security. Women are increasingly skeptical about the concept of family. The loss of prestige of marriage is increasingly becoming a problem for the Chinese government.
Von Ning Wang