China Power: Chinese students in Southeast Asia humanise Beijing, boost soft power

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Although Foreign students may have come to have a reputation for being wealthy, the slower economic recovery of China has caused more students and their families to focus on paying less for tuition and more affordably priced lodging and living expenses. &nbsp,

Monthly costs at prominent American universities and graduate programs range from US$ 27 to US$ 47, 770, while UK degrees is variety from US US$ 133 to US$ 40, 945. &nbsp,

In comparison, tuition costs at lesser-known South Asian universities can cost as little as US$ 5, 000 annually, which is more economically feasible, according to Weeks, specifically for several Chinese middle-class families living in lower-tier cities. &nbsp,

They are more likely to be price sensitive and believe that avoiding the ( sluggish ) job market for two years ( while ) living abroad is the most economically rational thing to do,” he said. &nbsp,

Some people will choose the less prominent place if they have to choose between studying abroad or not doing so, he said. &nbsp,

According to a survey conducted by QS University Rankings in 2024, 56 % of Chinese individuals looking to research in Southeast Asia cited value as the most crucial component, including the availability of scholarships and a lower cost of living.

Yang, who is now pursuing his PhD in sexism and movie studies, has been limited by his income and monthly rent. &nbsp,

He claimed that Malaysian students and residents can afford to pay very little in comparison to American nations. &nbsp,

However, degree from lesser-known colleges in some Southeast Asian nations are also unrecognised by Chinese employers, with the exception of Singapore’s universities, according to experts. This may pose challenges for Chinese graduates over the long run.

On Chinese social media, there has also been a heated argument about” shui bo,” a slang term used by Chinese citizens online to describe watered-down academic credentials. &nbsp,

According to Dr. Ngeow,” Chinese employers will have questions about degrees obtained from ( lesser-known ) Southeast Asian universities,” adding that students have complained that their degrees have not been recognized or viewed as credible by employers in China. &nbsp,

According to Weeks, degrees from specific South Asian institutions does not carry the same weight as those from the UK or the US, adding that a Malaysian level is unlikely to “really change heads” among Chinese employers unless the student is in the major percentile. &nbsp,

It can be a trade-off between the lower prices and the level of acknowledgment among Chinese businesses, according to Weeks. &nbsp,

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China Power: ‘Win-win’ in boosting economy, Beijing’s influence as Southeast Asia becomes haven for Chinese retirees?

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According to the most recent annual survey conducted by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute on April 3, which named China as Southeast Asia’s most powerful economic and political energy, views of China continue to differ in the region. &nbsp,

Nevertheless, more than 60 % of East Asian respondents who favored China as the most powerful nation expressed concern about its growing economic impact. &nbsp,

According to ISEAS,” ASEAN-10 states are divided in their faith toward China,” adding that hostility was higher in six nations, including those whose respondents were from Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Crucial elements that will continue to influence ASEAN’s long-term perceptions of China are optimism about China’s monetary prospects and despair about geopolitical tensions.

Leaving IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Cambodia are only five of the region’s participating countries that offer international pension visas.

The Philippines offers two main types of residency visas for foreign nationals: one is the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa ( SRRV ), a non-immigrant visa that allows foreigners to reside, work, and invest in the country, as well as benefits like tax exemptions, multiple-entry privileges, and indefinite stay. &nbsp,

According to Samantha Laureola, Head of Research at the Global Commercial Real Estate Services group ( CBRE Philippines ),” These visas grant beneficiaries various privileges,” nearly 40 percent, or about 30 percent, have been granted to Chinese nationals since mid-2019. &nbsp,

Chua claimed that because of lower living expenses, the Philippines “is fantastic for retirement.”

” Davao is significantly less expensive to live in than China or other Asian cities like Singapore,” he continued. You can use your yuan to get more for less and live in a more comfortable retirement.

It would be more economical to use a maid or nurse here than elsewhere, according to the article.

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One in five Northshore Plaza businesses shutter amid increased competition and higher rents

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Another area of contention for tenants is the increase in rents. &nbsp,

According to a stylist at Kerluxe Hair Studio, who wanted to be known as Mr. Tan, lease has increased by up to 20 % in her three and a half years of employment there. &nbsp,

The Creamier employee claimed that when Northshore Plaza first opened, first residents were given rental discounts, which eventually slowed down. &nbsp,

Northshore Plaza 1 was completed in 2021, and Northshore Plaza 2 was completed in 2022.

Janil Puthucheary, a member of Parliament for Punggol Coast hospital, said that almost all residents at the courtyard have renewed their rentals after some residents left.

Just a few of the vacant lots are being filled, and he said the HDB ( Housing Development Board ) has received requests for new residents to move in. &nbsp,

He acknowledged that the majority of stores ‘ rents have increased by 10 %, but he also expressed confidence that new ones will move in.

CNA has even reached out to Jones Lang LaSalle, a store technician, for comment.

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GE2025: Hong Kah North’s Amy Khor, Chua Chu Kang’s Don Wee to step down

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Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong announced on Monday ( Apr 14 ) that members of Parliament Amy Khor and Don Wee will not be running in the upcoming election.

When Mr. Gan announced the People’s Action Party’s ( PAP ) slate of candidates at&nbsp, the party’s branch office at Block 10 Teck Whye Avenue, both Dr. Khor and Mr. Wee were absent.

Dr. Khor, who is the Top Minister of State for Transport and for Sustainability and the Environment, &nbsp, joined the PAP team in Hong Kah GRC in the general election of 2001. Hong Kah North was created as an SMC in the 2011 vote, where Dr. Khor fought and won. &nbsp,

Mr. Wee entered politics as a first-time candidate for the 2020 General Election, joining the Chua Chu Kang group. &nbsp,

When asked about Dr. Khor during the announcement, Mr. Gan claimed that she had made the decision to step down for “personal factors.” He further advised that editors may inquire about her future strategies.

” But I believe that she has spent many years helping to foster and form some sort of society in Hong Kah North, and she has done a fantastic job. So I just want to express our gratitude for her contribution, Mr. Gan said. &nbsp,

When asked if Dr. Khor may be running in a different district, Mr. Gan replied that all such inquiries should be directed to her.

Eventually, Dr. Khor confirmed with CNA that she won’t be running for office. &nbsp,

She said,” I am happy to make way for gathering registration, and I will not be running for these upcoming elections.” &nbsp,

She thanked citizens, local officials, and participants for their support over the course of five terms of government in a Facebook post.

As I wrap up this very special and unforgettable chapter in my life, I look forward to the next paragraph where I’ll continue to look for opportunities to serve and make the most of my abilities,” she wrote. &nbsp,

Dr. Khor described her journey as “very liberating and really meaningful,” saying it was a pleasure and honor to speak with the residents of Hong Kah North, get their requirements and concerns understood, and make improvements to their life.

With the most recent changes to the political boundaries, Hong Kah North SMC was disbanded. Its regions may become combined into Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC and Chua Chu Kang GRC, respectively.

The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee noted in its statement that Tengah and Bukit Batok West’s new housing developments have led to a significant growth for Hong Kah North SMC and may continue to do so.

It suggested that the Tengah estates under the SMC be converted to Chua Chu Kang GRC, and that the remaining, potentially, Bukit Batok West estates become merged into Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC. &nbsp,

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GE Newbies Watch: Leon Perera’s possible replacement, ex-journalist and first-time voter among fresh faces

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Mr. Kumar, a first-generation Singaporean, is an expert at Applied Materials and a 25-year veteran of the industry. He was born and raised in Singapore and emigrated after serving in the United States.

At a walkabout on April 10, he said,” I’m as Taiwanese as anyone else, not just the document but the experience,” explaining with confidence. &nbsp,

Along with previous WP and NSP associate Fazli Talip and other new experience Tan Seow Hoe, he was named one of RDU’s group leads for their strategy in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC. &nbsp,

Mr. Kumar has called for the voting age to be lowered to 18 after voting for a General Election for the first time this month. He also expressed concern for young Singaporeans ‘ prospects, who are facing an uncertain job market and “very much long-term protection.” &nbsp,

We should be trusted to consider who lives here, he said,” If we are old enough to take a rifle for a land.” &nbsp,

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Indonesia looks to Turkey to up its laggard air power – Asia Times

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Indonesia is betting on Turkey’s Kaan fighter jet to modernize its aging air force—but can Jakarta’s ambition overcome its budget reality?

Breaking Defense reported this month that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is interested in joining Turkey’s Kaan fighter jet development program. The expression of interest came during a high-level meeting in Ankara with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Kaan program, spearheaded by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), focuses on creating a fifth-generation combat aircraft to address Turkey’s punitive removal from the US F-35 fighter program after it acquired Russia’s S-400 missile defense systems, which Washington considers sensitive.

At their joint press conference, Subianto emphasized Indonesia’s desire to partner with Turkey’s defense industry on the Kaan project as well as submarine development. The Kaan aircraft made its first flight in February 2024, successfully attaining an altitude of 8,000 feet and reaching speeds of 230 knots.

The program aims to deliver its first production model to the Turkish Air Force by 2028-2029, with future models having sixth-generation capabilities, such as manned-unmanned teaming with Turkish UAVs.

The potential collaboration aligns with Erdogan’s broader strategy to nationalize Turkey’s defense sector. Indonesia’s interest underscores its drive for military modernization and reflects the growing geopolitical significance of defense cooperation between the Indo-Pacific and Middle East regions. TAI declined to comment on the development.

Indonesia has faced significant struggles in modernizing its air force. In a March 2021 commentary for the Singapore-based S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Olli Suorsa mentions that Indonesia’s primary combat aircraft, the F-16, Hawk and Su-27/30 come in six variants from three manufacturers.

Suorsa says this force composition makes maintenance, repair and overhaul difficult and costly, with interoperability among various types practically non-existent. He also points out that Indonesia’s air force modernization has struggled with funding, lack of government commitment and an inefficient, highly personalized acquisition policy.

Indonesia’s attempts to modernize its air force have had mixed results. For instance, in December 2022, it dropped its plans to acquire Russian Su-35s due to US pressure and the threat of sanctions.

Also, the country has been struggling to pay its share in South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae next-generation fighter project. As of March 2025, Indonesia had only paid 25% of its pledged contribution, which is 20% of the project’s US$5.5 billion budget until 2026.

This situation led the South Korean government to take up 74.5% of Indonesia’s outstanding balance of $322.2 million, with Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) shouldering the remaining 25.5%.

These capability gaps led Indonesia to consider stopgap solutions, such as buying used Qatari Mirage 2000 jets, which did not push through due to technical, practical and corruption concerns.

While Indonesia placed an order for 42 French Rafale jets in February 2022, with the first jets expected to arrive in 2026, the fighter’s lack of stealth and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) capability makes it vulnerable to an adversary with an advanced integrated air defense system (IADS), according to a January 2025 report by the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI).

The IFRI report mentions that French pilots flying Rafales found winning against F-35s in joint exercises challenging due to the former’s sensor limitations. It adds that while the Rafale is still relevant in the short and medium term, its capabilities are becoming increasingly inadequate for high-intensity combat operations within a coalition setting.

While Indonesia’s partnership with Turkey allows the former to future-proof its air force to some degree, the Kaan’s dependency on foreign assistance may cast doubts on its exportability.

In a May 2024 War on the Rocks article, Rebecca Lucas and Stuart Lee mention that building a fifth-generation fighter is difficult, as the US is the only other NATO member with indigenous fifth-generation aircraft programs, such as the F-22 and F-35.

Lucas and Lee say countries with independent fourth-generation fighter programs, such as France with its Rafale and Sweden with its Gripen, disguise their reliance on external suppliers for key systems.

They point out that for Kaan, Turkey used technical advice from UK defense firm BAE Systems and US-supplied General Electric F110 engines while an indigenous replacement is underway. According to them, that situation raises questions about whether Turkey can turn the Kaan from a one-off test aircraft into a repeatable, exportable and sustainable program in service.

They add that export restrictions from critical Kaan technical data suppliers and subsystems may limit Turkey’s future choices.

In an October 2020 article, Luerdi and Hizra Marisa explain the possible reasons why Indonesia views Turkey as an ideal high-end military modernization partner.

They note Turkey can help Indonesia to narrow existing defense weaknesses, such as a limited domestic technology base, insufficient strategic military hardware and dependence on major powers’ supplies. Luerdi and Marisa highlight Turkey’s leading position in military technology and arms sales as key to such a partnership.

In line with that, a March 2025 report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) says that in 2024, Turkey was the 11th largest arms exporter globally, with most of its sales going to the UAE, Pakistan and Qatar.

Molly Campbell mentions in a September 2024 article for the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) that military drone exports served as Turkey’s gateway into the global arms industry. Campbell mentions that since 2018, Turkey has made 65% of all sales, overtaking China as the world’s largest military drone supplier.

Jens Bastian mentions in a February 2024 report for Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP) that Turkey’s armament projects, such as the Bayraktar TB-2, Altay main battle tank (MBT), Anka-3 stealth drone and Kaan fighter show its aim to become independent of international providers, systematically promote technological innovation with start-ups and universities and increase its capacity to export various weapons systems.

However, Turkey must keep costs down given the saturated fighter jet market. Can Kasapoglu mentions in a June 2024 Atlantic Council article that the Kaan faces competition from the US F-35, South Korea’s KF-21, France’s Rafale and Sweden’s Gripen.

Kasapoglu says that Turkey’s best sales pitch for the Kaan would be to position it as an alternative NATO-grade fighter for countries that cannot purchase the F-35.

Further, Monty Pounder mentions in a Channel News Asia (CNA) article this month that despite Subianto’s ambitious military wish list, Indonesia’s defense spending has hovered around only 1% of GDP for decades.

Pounder says the Indonesian state collects relatively little revenue and has one of the lowest revenue-to-GDP ratios in the Asia-Pacific region.

He also says that the impact of Indonesia’s planned acquisitions must be assessed against its military’s low baseline capabilities. Pounder says the Indonesian Air Force’s F-16s will approach 40 years of service as the Rafale jets arrive in 2026.

If such trends continue, even if Indonesia manages to acquire Turkey’s Kaan, it might not significantly affect its overall military capability.

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Online child sex abuse cases last year hit 5-year high since legislative changes

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Statistics ARE GOING UP, WHAT?

According to observers, there might not always be more criminals. &nbsp,

Circumstances may take years to complete, and sentences or new charges may need to be made more quickly. &nbsp,

Police initiatives are also being made more effective. &nbsp,

The Singapore Police Force ( SPF ) stated to CNA that it is collaborating more closely with international organizations to stop these crimes. &nbsp,

According to an SPF spokesperson,” the scenario of online kid sexual abuse has worsened with technological advancements, making it extremely hard for law enforcement agencies to combat this crime.” &nbsp,

This underscores the need for stronger safeguards for children from oppression as well as greater global cooperation.

SPF pointed out that with Singapore’s large internet penetration rate,” children these are prone to online sexual exploitation and uninvited sexual communications from strangers electronically.” &nbsp,

Child sexual abuse materials are investigated by a Specialized Crime Tree within the Criminal Investigation Department of SPF. &nbsp,

According to Superintendent Lim Hao Jun, mind of the unit,” Those who possess it create a desire and a source for the supplies.”

” The offer will then be met by people who try to offer it, and children will then be abused.” Therefore, those who possess child sexual abuse supplies are also at fault for sexually abusing children.

Officials are also being assisted by the abundance of intimate material, including new technologies like artificial intelligence software, in order to filter out those that involve children. &nbsp,

Recently, the officers used net pictures to uncover AI-generated child porn.

” Our kids are having quick access to online resources. They are therefore more prone to sextortion and unwelcome sexual activity with individuals online, according to SUPT Lim. &nbsp,

” We are seeing this alarming tendency where there is live streaming of child sexual abuse actions,” he continued. &nbsp,

” But offenders around the world will send money to these perpetrators who could be their parents or guardians, and who will sexually abuses the kids in real time.”

Because of these crimes’ transnational nature, Interpol has a database that enables authorities to exchange information on child sexual abuse circumstances and match suspects ‘ materials in Singapore.

Additionally, more police forces are working with foreign authorities troops.

Over 400 people were detained for website child sexual abuse, including 84 pcs, 279 phones, 32 tablets, and 150 backup devices, according to a new five-week operation.

Up to five years in prison and punishment are possible for those found guilty of possessing virtual child sexual abuse misuse.

According to SUPT Lim, “it takes a community to raise a baby, it takes a community to protect them from the evils of these atrocities.” &nbsp,

” These offences leave an indelible mark on the youthful victims, and we as a nation should collectively protect them and look out for any chance that they will be exposed to net,” he said.

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Menopause, poor muscle strength, leaking urine: How this 10-year study is helping women understand midlife health

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The MUscle Strengthening exercises and Estrogen replacement therapy Randomised Control Trial ( MUSE-RCT), a study that aims to reduce menopausal symptoms like joint pain and hot flushes, which are frequently linked to poor sleep, is being conducted by the IWHP. &nbsp,

According to Prof. Yong, sleep disruption is increase the risk of anxiety and depression, and these mental health issues can reduce physical action, leading to decreased muscle strength and obesity.

This cumulative effect pattern creates a vicious sphere and a downward spiral toward poor health in the coming years, increasing the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and despair.

Members ARE READY TO SEE ANY PROFITS

The members have already seen some advantages of the studies conducted by IWHP, despite its intention to improve understanding of Singapore women’s health issues.

Sum Sui Cheng, 64, was given the opportunity to take part in IWHP while she was at the NUH Women’s Clinic. She explained to CNA Women that she was curious to learn more about bone mineral density and circulatory health at first.

Participating in the IWHP has made me more aware of the various health risks that people encounter as they get older. The physical and cognitive evaluations even serve as indicators of general well-being as we get older.

Wong Lilin, 62, consented to the study because she thought it would be helpful for both herself and another Singaporean girls to “understand health issues particular to us.”

She recalls that the investigation and bone scan revealed a number of deficiencies in her heart function. This made me more determined to take better care of myself, and not just my family and children.

Wong set out on a more in-depth investigation into the body, including nutrition, inflammation, medications, and health.

” I’m happy to say that I’m only taking one important medicines, taking the appropriate supplements to make up for what I lack, and relying solely on diet and sunlight to maintain bone health,” she said. I’m happy to have the chance to participate in this voyage.

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