A number of issues have emerged in Asia, especially regarding its economic growth and financial stability. China has managed to build reliable economic relations with its neighbors, as well as several African countries. China’s main target has been Southeast Asia, which has a huge market for various technological products and services it develops. The economic relationship between major Asian economies such as China, Korea, and Japan has spearheaded the high rate of development in the region. However, in the recent past, countries in Southeast Asia have accused China of fast-tracking its economic growth at their expense. China is being accused of having a very low wage bill compared to countries in the Southeast. The result has been a decline in the amount of foreign direct investment entering the economies of Southeast Asia because many investors have moved their operations to China. This development has affected the relationship between China and its neighbors. Various attempts by China to promote free trade in the area have failed, as most countries are not willing to get into any agreement. Issues of population growth, development of technology, and globalization have also emerged in Asia over the last couple of years.
Population issues in Asia
Asia has various issues regarding its rate of population growth just like the case of most developing countries. Asian countries, especially those in the southeast region have been experiencing high rates of population growth over the years. The main cause of this problem has been the high rate of globalization, unequal distribution of resources, and high fertility rates. These three factors have greatly undermined various efforts to reduce birth rates by governments and international organizations such as the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA). Deep-rooted poverty in rural areas has led to people moving to urban areas, thus leading to unsustainable development. High population growth in Asia has led to abundant human labor, which is available at very low prices. Studies have established that the country’s population grows by an average of 12 million people every year. Some provinces in the country are bigger than individual countries in terms of population. High fertility rates in Asia have undermined efforts to regulate population growth amid a growing crisis of limited resources.
Reasons for East Asia to address environmental issues
Southeast Asia has several environmental issues that need to be addressed. Industrial activities in the region have resulted in serious environmental damage characterized by global warming and climate change. Southeast Asia has a responsibility to address the environmental issues as part of their obligation contained in the 1972 environmental protection policy signed in Stockholm. Second, there is a need to address the issues because they are a huge threat to human security. The greenhouse gases emitted by industries in the region are continually compromising numerous efforts by countries across the world to achieve sustainable economic development. Authorities in Southeast Asia should reorient their environmental policies to ensure that they meet the needs of their citizens and those of their neighbors.
Globalization, its advantages, and disadvantages
From an economic perspective, globalization refers to the availability of opportunities for businesses to expand and the ability of people to get more compensation for their work. It involves the ability of products and services to penetrate and thrive in foreign markets. Advantages of globalization include the availability of a larger market, creation of employment, advancement of education, improved national economies, as well as better consumer experiences because of increased variety and competitive market prices. Disadvantages of globalization include loss of cultural identity, uneven distribution of resources, environmental degradation, and high competition. Others include the development of conflicts, increased health risks, and high unemployment in countries that embrace technology.