Asia’s year in review: Who had it best
What a year this has been. Understandably for many, it could not be over soon enough.
TL;DR
- Cybercrime gangs in Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia defrauded billions, with victims also being enslaved to work in scam centers.
- Natural disasters like earthquakes, typhoons, and floods resulted in thousands of deaths and millions displaced across Asia.
- A fire in Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court apartment complex killed at least 160 people due to faulty alarms and construction.
- Gen Z protests against corruption and inequality occurred in several Asian nations, successfully toppling Nepal's government.
- Asian economies demonstrated resilience, adopting flexible 'bamboo economic tactics' to navigate global economic shifts and tariffs.
- China's soft power grew significantly with the launch of AI models, the popularity of 'The Monsters' collectibles, and success in electric vehicles, film, and coffee chains.