In the Media | January 2024

"China is seeking to boost domestic agricultural production as part of broader food security efforts. This is seen through the many measures introduced in recent years and significant financial resources backing these efforts."
- Asia Society Policy Institute research associate, Genevieve Donnellon-May, on why food security is a top priority for China in Indian Strategic Studies.
"As recent discussions at COP28 showed, water is increasingly important on the global security and climate agenda. Yet cross-border river governance still remains one of this century's most pressing concerns and an often overlooked geopolitical issue."
- Asia Society Policy Institute research associate, Genevieve Donnellon-May, on transboundary water governance in Bangkok Post.
"Transparency will help foster trust, which can lead to a common river management framework for the benefit of all."
- Asia Society Policy Institute research associate, Genevieve Donnellon-May, on how multilateral cooperation can improve South Asia’s water woes in The Interpreter, South Asia Journal.
"Beijing has sought to strengthen its focus on food security through increased agricultural production and diversification of imports, and President Xi Jinping’s recent comments signal continued concerns at the top about China’s food security."
- Asia Society Policy Institute research associate, Genevieve Donnellon-May, on understanding China’s food priorities for 2024 in The Diplomat.
"Beijing is still worried that food supplies and food imports may be weaponized by other countries, thereby affecting China's national security."
- Asia Society Policy Institute research associate, Genevieve Donnellon-May, on China's food security is still a potential strategic gap in Radio Taiwan International, Line Today, Yahoo Taiwan.
"The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam has been under construction since 2011 and has had serious political implications for Ethiopia’s relations with Sudan and Egypt."
- Asia Society Policy Institute research associate, Genevieve Donnellon-May, on the politics of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in London School of Economics.
"The PRC’s focus on improving food security is evident in legislative and policy measures, including the Food Security Law set to take effect on June 1, 2024, emphasizing domestic production and self-sufficiency."
- Asia Society Policy Institute research associate, Genevieve Donnellon-May, on GM soybeans and China’s food security dilemma in The Jamestown Foundation.
"China’s recent decision to expand the pilot planting of genetically modified soybeans has the potential to reshape the global soybean trade."
- Asia Society Policy Institute research associate, Genevieve Donnellon-May, on how China’s push to genetically modify more beans could reshape the global agriculture trade in The Strategist.
"Indonesia's expanded military role in civillian government will be something to watch for Australia following Indonesia's February election."
- Asia Society Policy Institute Senior Policy Fellow, Natalie Sambhi, on civil-military relations and democracy in Indonesia in Development Intelligence Lab.
"Competing water uses for agricultural and industrial purposes across the region place even greater pressure on shared water resources. Despite simmering regional challenges and the flaring up of bilateral tensions amid global geopolitical shifts, water security concerns offer a chance for riparian countries to seek cooperation over conflict."
- Asia Society Policy Institute research associate, Genevieve Donnellon-May, on Central Asia’s water crisis in The Astana Times.