Learning from SARS

Learning from SARS
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 376
Release: 2004-04-26
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309182158

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in late 2002 and 2003 challenged the global public health community to confront a novel epidemic that spread rapidly from its origins in southern China until it had reached more than 25 other countries within a matter of months. In addition to the number of patients infected with the SARS virus, the disease had profound economic and political repercussions in many of the affected regions. Recent reports of isolated new SARS cases and a fear that the disease could reemerge and spread have put public health officials on high alert for any indications of possible new outbreaks. This report examines the response to SARS by public health systems in individual countries, the biology of the SARS coronavirus and related coronaviruses in animals, the economic and political fallout of the SARS epidemic, quarantine law and other public health measures that apply to combating infectious diseases, and the role of international organizations and scientific cooperation in halting the spread of SARS. The report provides an illuminating survey of findings from the epidemic, along with an assessment of what might be needed in order to contain any future outbreaks of SARS or other emerging infections.

Why Complementarity Matters for Stability—Hong Kong SAR and Singapore as Asian Financial Centers

Why Complementarity Matters for Stability—Hong Kong SAR and Singapore as Asian Financial Centers
Author: Mrs.Vanessa Le Lesle
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 46
Release: 2014-07-08
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 149835713X

There is much speculation regarding a “race for dominance” among financial centers in Asia, arising from the anticipated financial opening up of China. This frame of reference is, to an extent, a predilection that results from a traditional understanding of financial centers as possessing historical, geographic, and scale economy advantages. This paper, however, suggests that there is an alternative prism through which the evolution of financial centers in Asia needs to be viewed. It underscores the importance of “complementarity” rather than “dominance” to better serve regional and global financial stability. We posit that such complementarity is vital, through network analysis of the roles of Hong Kong SAR and Singapore as the current leading financial centers in the region. This analysis suggests that a competition for dominance can result in de-stabilizing levels of interconnectivity that render the global “network” as a whole more susceptible to rapid propagation of shocks. We then examine the regulatory and policy challenges that may be encountered in furthering such complementary coexistence.

Review of the Method of Valuation of the SDR

Review of the Method of Valuation of the SDR
Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 100
Release: 2015-11-13
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1498344011

This paper provides the basis for the quinquennial review of the method of valuation of the Special Drawing Right (SDR). The review considers the composition, size, and weighting of the SDR currency basket and the financial instruments used to determine the SDR interest rate. The analysis in this paper is guided by the informal discussion of Executive Directors in July on initial considerations for the review. In light of Directors’ preference, the two currency selection criteria for SDR inclusion are maintained. Since China continues to meet the export criterion, a key focus of this paper is on assessing whether the renminbi (RMB) could be determined to be a freely usable currency, which is the second criterion. The paper documents the rising international use and trading of the RMB since the 2010 SDR valuation review. A range of indicators suggests that use of the RMB in international transactions has risen substantially, albeit from a low base. The paper also finds that the RMB has become far more actively traded in foreign exchange markets, with sufficient depth to support operations of the size Fund members might undertake without an appreciable change in the exchange rate. Full Text also available in Chinese.

China's Growth and Integration Into the World Economy

China's Growth and Integration Into the World Economy
Author: Eswar Prasad
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Total Pages: 80
Release: 2004-06-17
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

China’s transformation into a dynamic private-sector-led economy and its integration into the world economy have been among the most dramatic global economic developments of recent decades. This paper provides an overview of some of the key aspects of recent developments in China’s macroeconomy and economic structure. It also surveys the main policy challenges that will need to be addressed for China to maintain sustained high growth and continued global integration.

China’s Grand Strategy

China’s Grand Strategy
Author: Andrew Scobell
Publisher: Rand Corporation
Total Pages: 155
Release: 2020-07-27
Genre: History
ISBN: 1977404200

To explore what extended competition between the United States and China might entail out to 2050, the authors of this report identified and characterized China’s grand strategy, analyzed its component national strategies (diplomacy, economics, science and technology, and military affairs), and assessed how successful China might be at implementing these over the next three decades.

Asia, America, and the Transformation of Geopolitics

Asia, America, and the Transformation of Geopolitics
Author: William H. Overholt
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 366
Release: 2007-11-05
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1139469266

American security and prosperity now depend on Asia. William H. Overholt offers an iconoclastic analysis of developments in each major Asian country, Asian international relations, and US foreign policy. Drawing on decades of political and business experience, he argues that obsolete Cold War attitudes tie the US increasingly to an otherwise isolated Japan and obscure the reality that a US-Chinese bicondominium now manages most Asian issues. Military priorities risk polarizing the region unnecessarily, weaken the economic relationships that engendered American preeminence, and ironically enhance Chinese influence. As a result, US influence in Asia is declining. Overholt disputes the argument that democracy promotion will lead to superior development and peace, and forecasts a new era in which Asian geopolitics could take a drastically different shape. Covering Japan, China, Russia, Central Asia, India, Pakistan, Korea, and South-East Asia, Overholt offers invaluable insights for scholars, policy-makers, business people, and general readers.

Sustaining Global Growth and Development

Sustaining Global Growth and Development
Author: Michele Fratianni
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 364
Release: 2016-04-01
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1317047532

Sustaining Global Growth and Development focuses on the new challenges for sustaining growth in the twenty-first century and the role of the G7 and IMF in meeting these challenges amidst the new processes of regionalism now emerging. The volume has three central purposes: · to assess how and how well the G7 has addressed its core 2002 agenda of sustaining global growth, reducing poverty in Africa, and combating terrorism and its financing · to examine how the IMF has approached these issues, and related work of the G7 · to explore how the G7, IMF and other international institutions are addressing global growth and development challenges in the context of the new processes of regionalism. Pressures such as currency consolidation in Asia and economic union in Africa are studied. This book builds on previous volumes in the series with a heavy focus on the World Bank, the regional development banks and the many other international institutions that work in the field of development.

The Challenge of Hong Kong's Reintegration with China

The Challenge of Hong Kong's Reintegration with China
Author: Ming K. Chan
Publisher: Hong Kong University Press
Total Pages: 250
Release: 1997-07-01
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9789622094413

The seven essays in this volume address some of the critical issues underlining the process of Hong Kong's reintegration with China. In reviewing the drastic changes in Hong Kong since the mid-1980s, the authors provide multi-disciplinary perspectives to articulate the major institutions and forces that shape the interaction between Beijing and Hong Kong and help to define the challenges ahead.