Author
Philip Bowring
Journalist
Philip Bowring is a journalist who has been based in Asia since 1973 and is a resident of Hong Kong. He divides his time between writing columns, books and helping develop www.asiasentinel.com, a news and analysis website.
From 1992 to 2011, he was a columnist on Asian affairs for the International Herald Tribune.
He also worked at the Far Eastern Economic Review for many years, including as its editor. Prior to that, he was a regional correspondent for the Financial Times.
Born in England and educated at Cambridge University, he spent his earlier career as a financial journalist in London and Sydney as well as a freelancer in Africa.
He is married to Hong Kong Civic Party legislator Claudia Mo. His hobbies are studying southeast Asian history and competitive sailing.
Articles by Philip Bowring
Indonesia’s Rising Importance
In view of China’s pin-prick strategy, the world’s third-largest democracy is developing some military teeth.
January 10, 2022
Chinese “Might Have Beens”: Big Opportunities Missed
The centenary of the Chinese Communist Party makes this a good time to consider some Chinese “might have beens” and their relevance today.
July 13, 2021
Hong Kong and Beijing: A Tale of Two Cities
The current protests show that Hong Kongers aren’t just interested in money, and mainland elites worry that Hong Kong won’t remain a separate territory where they can safely store their money.
May 28, 2020
Mahathir’s Malaysian Mayhem
The relentless horse trading among Malay politicians has not only undone the result of the 2018 election, but seemingly put an end to a genuinely multi-ethnic coalition.
March 9, 2020
China Vs. Indonesia: Intra-Asian Power Games
Beyond the constant strife with the U.S., China’s assertion of global powers runs into increasing resistance even by normally acquiescent Asian nations.
February 2, 2020
Beyond Hong Kong: Unrest in Indonesia
The once reformist President Joko Widodo, now in his second term, gets swallowed up by the bureaucracy and overall Indonesian politics.
October 11, 2019
Southeast Asia: From Trade Wind to Typhoon
Trade brought prosperity to many of the trading sultanates which lined the coast of the archipelago and peninsula.
September 15, 2019
Southeast Asia: Three Interventions
China’s rise, the spread of Islam and the arrival of Europeans had a profound effect on the region.
September 14, 2019
Southeast Asia: Sumatra and Java in their Prime
Chinese Buddhists traveled to Sumatra to improve their learning before proceeding to India and Sri Lanka.
September 13, 2019
Southeast Asia: The Silk Road and the Roman Route
The Silk Road’s historical importance has been vastly exaggerated. It was the sea that was the most important link between east and west.
May 5, 2019
Southeast Asia: Identity in Search of a Name
What does “Southeast Asia” mean beyond a random chunk of geography?
May 4, 2019
The Islam Factor in Indonesia’s Elections
Using the Islamic lens is the focus of Western analysis when it comes to assessing Indonesia’s political present and future. This limits proper understanding.
April 23, 2019
How China Castrates Hong Kong
Hong Kong is increasingly subject to the demands of the boss in Beijing.
October 14, 2018
Hong Kong: China’s Elusive Jewel
Beijing’s approach to Hong Kong is part of the surge in Chinese nationalism engendered by economic success.
July 3, 2017
Hong Kong: The West’s Last Colony
Hong Kong was the last significant Western colonial possession. Its handover to China marked the rise of Asia.
July 3, 2017
Indonesia’s Rising Importance
January 10, 2022
Chinese “Might Have Beens”: Big Opportunities Missed
July 13, 2021
Hong Kong and Beijing: A Tale of Two Cities
May 28, 2020
Mahathir’s Malaysian Mayhem
March 9, 2020
China Vs. Indonesia: Intra-Asian Power Games
February 2, 2020
Beyond Hong Kong: Unrest in Indonesia
October 11, 2019
Southeast Asia: From Trade Wind to Typhoon
September 15, 2019
Southeast Asia: Three Interventions
September 14, 2019
Southeast Asia: Sumatra and Java in their Prime
September 13, 2019
Southeast Asia: The Silk Road and the Roman Route
May 5, 2019
Southeast Asia: Identity in Search of a Name
May 4, 2019
The Islam Factor in Indonesia’s Elections
April 23, 2019
How China Castrates Hong Kong
October 14, 2018
Hong Kong: China’s Elusive Jewel
July 3, 2017
Hong Kong: The West’s Last Colony
July 3, 2017