Emanuele Scimia

In the worst-case scenario, the poor will increase by 11 million in in Asia-Pacific region. Some 35 million were expected to be lifted out of poverty before the pandemic struck, 25 million in China alone. Now regional growth is set to slow to 2.1 per cent or contract by 0.5 per cent if the pandemic gets worse. The region’s countries should coordinate their action and invest in healthcare to overcome the crisis.

In a video interview, a senior executive from the organization refuses to discuss Taipei. The Chinese regime boycotts the island internationally. The Taiwanese success story in fighting coronavirus. The "rebel province" cannot access sensitive information on possible pandemics.

Complaints come from the Philippines, Malaysia, Spain and Czechia. The accuracy of the Chinese kits is around 30-40 per cent when it should be 80 per cent. Chinese diplomats go into a defence mode. The Netherlands pulls 600,00 defective masks.

Large state-owned enterprises lose 32.9%; those with foreign funding 53.6%. Without demand from United States and Europe any economic recovery difficult. 100 million workers employed in tourism are in danger. Markets drop on fears of global contagion. Beijing's forecast economic growth now at 2.9% this year.

GDP per capita is growing, but also the destruction and exhaustion of environmental resources. Half of the greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere are emitted in the region. Woodland continues to be lost. The UN calls for improvements in waste management and defense against natural disasters.

The two leaders spoke on the phone. Washington and Beijing already share experiences and information to fight the COVID-19. Until recently, the US blamed the Chinese for the epidemic. For China’s ambassador to the United States, only a madman" can claim that the coronavirus was produced in a US military laboratory. Xi calls for the removal of tariff barriers. US-Chinese confrontation continues in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

From midnight today, entry for foreign nationals prohibited. However, 90% of the imported cases concern Chinese citizens. Air routes to and from the country have also been reduced. Chinese civil aviation lost € 2.7 billion in February. The profits of the big industry fall by 38.3% in the first two months of 2020. Danger of new infections in companies that reopen.

Singapore’s plan is the largest in Asia, drawing US$12 billion from the country’s national reserves. The local economy contracted 2.2 per cent in the first quarter of this year. Japan is considering a US$270 billion stimulus. China plans investments but has not provided details.

Between 3% and 10% of patients who had recovered in the capital of Hubei have contracted the virus again. The problem of asymptomatics. New case of infection in Wuhan. The Malaysian royals are quarantined. Singapore researchers develop a five-minute test.

The battle against COVID-10 has a geopolitical component. China is using aid to discredit the US and gain influence. The “Health Silk Road” is a tool to weaken European unity. With the EU, Xi uses the same strategy used in the South China Sea. However, Beijing's plans will fall on deaf ears unless the economy recovers in a major way.

All new cases in China are from people coming from abroad. Hong Kong closes its borders. Without the Olympics, Japan will lose 267 billion euros in the next 10 years. Quarantine ends for 361 Taiwanese evacuated from Wuhan. New restrictive measures in South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and India.

The statement by the member of the International Olympic Committee comes after the withdrawal of Canada and Australia, and requests for postponement by the USA and Great Britain. 93% of American athletes don't want to compete. Beijing is waiting for an official communication. Japan is expected to lose 6 billion euros. Despite bad news, the Tokyo stock exchange soars.