Perspectives

by Lia Sciortino

Perspectives

Reading Media

Johanna Son

BANGKOK -- Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia. What images might these words conjure up in the minds of international consumers of news? Perhaps war, maybe the Khmer Rouge. Or they might say, ‘Oh, it’s that those countries that had that war some time ago. . . they’re near one another, and they’re all the same’.
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China: Benign Bully of the Mekong?

Johanna Son

Chinese road signs in Chiang Rai, Thailand underscore China's footprint in the region

SYDNEY, Oct 3 (IPS Asia-Pacific) – Over the last decade or so, China’s deft use of soft power has seen South-east Asian neighbours’ view of it change from a looming threat to a largely friendly, if still imposing, giant to the north. »»

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Cheap Chinese Products in Laos

Documentaries | Culture | Economy | Laos

Souvannaphet Champhone, Lamgneune Latsaath and Somphavanh Khamphachane, Producers, Lao National Television

If you have a limited budget, buy products made in China. This is common knowledge in Laos, where cheap household items, clothes and other consumer goods have been flooding in from the People’s Republic of China.

Lao businessmen, however, are protesting against their aggressive Chinese competitors. Some allege that the low prices of Chinese products are due to unskilled laborers and low quality machines churning out substandard products. Illegal practices, such as unregistered businesses and tax evasion, are also rampant.

With this documentary, Souvannaphet, Lamgneune and Somphavanh seek to show the different implications of foreign trade and challenge the law enforcers to maintain control.

“Laos is one of the most desirable countries for foreigners seeking residency and a place for business.”

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Mekong Photos Make Their Way to Ethiopia

A selection of photographs -- the work of photojournalists and writers under the Imaging Our Mekong programme -- will be on exhibit at the Second International Forum on Water and Food in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from Nov. 10-14, 2008. »»

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By Lynette Lee Corporal

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By Andrew Nette

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Mekong Media Roundup

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