In the Media | October 2023

"The proposed project has a number of implications for the West, including Australia. As noted above, Russia’s interest in the deal reflects its need to pivot to Asia. If the pipeline proceeds, it will significantly reinforce the “no limits” partnership between China and Russia. Furthermore, it reduces both countries’ reliance on the West – an example of China and Russia undertaking their own “de-risking”."
- Asia Society Policy Institute research associate, Genevieve Donnellon-May, on Russia's plan to build a second natural gas pipeline to China in the Maritime Executive.
"Effecting this transition is no simple matter, however. Large-scale deployment of renewables requires enormous investment. Yet in ASEAN, as in developing countries elsewhere, such projects face a range of problems. Private investors are less enthusiastic, and it is difficult to get projects off the ground."
- Asia Society Policy Institute associate director of clean energy, Dr Muyi Yang, on energy transition in Southeast Asia in China Dialogue.
"It would be reasonable to expect China's diplomats to be dusting off their long list of asks of Australia. Among these are that Australia step back from participating in what Beijing regards as a U.S.-led effort to contain China."
- Asia Society Australia executive director of policy, Richard Maude, on the release of Cheng Lei in Reuters.
“If Vietnam introduces a ban the domino effect across the region will spike. It’s all interconnected and we’re waiting to see if one thing sparks off another chain reaction."
- Asia Society Policy Institute research associate, Genevieve Donnellon-May, on the impact of rice and other food shortages in The Australian.
"Canberra would continue to be “very cautious” about any kind of institutional connection to the BRI, even as Beijing refined the project in response to criticism over debt burdens and the quality of some projects."
- Asia Society Australia executive director of policy, Richard Maude, on the 10 year anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative in The Australian.
"While Albanese's foreign policy team has ducked some battles with China -- foregoing imposing sanctions for human rights abuses, for example -- it has not conceded to Beijing on any top-tier national interest. At the same time, a change of heart in Beijing has helped improve the atmosphere too."
- Asia Society Australia executive director of policy, Richard Maude, and Asia Society Policy Institute research associate, Genevieve Donnellon-May, on Prime Minister Albanese's upcoming trip to China in Nikkei Asia.
"Southeast Asia’s leaders have condemned the intensifying violence in Israel and Gaza, especially toward civilians. Yet official and popular sentiments through the region have ranged from support for Israel to solidarity with Palestine. In Indonesia, the region’s largest country, support has favored the Palestinian side.
Without naming Hamas, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) called for an immediate cessation of violence and bloodshed."
- Asia Society Policy Institute senior Fellow, Natalie Sambhi, on the current situation over in Gaza for the Brookings Institution.