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
Asia Got Religion
Religion is proving an increasingly divisive factor in the politics of Asian nations.
June 24, 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
Philippines: On Top of the World?
An uncertain nation, a happy-go-loose leader and a global beauty pageant.
January 27, 2019
Philippines Vs. Political Dynasties
The Philippines badly needs a constitutional requirement for a law against political dynasties.
November 24, 2018
How China Castrates Hong Kong
Hong Kong is increasingly subject to the demands of the boss in Beijing.
October 14, 2018
When China Rules the World
Chinese journalists and diplomats increasingly act as enforcers of rampant displays of Chinese nationalism abroad.
October 7, 2018
Balancing Asia: India Is Late to the Game
India sees the Belt and Road Initiative as an attempt to clip India’s own wings and build a China-centric world order.
February 6, 2018
The Real Significance of the Rohingya Issue
Asian nations must worry that Myanmar's moves against the Rohingyas won't start untangling all colonial-era boundaries, however illogical in terms of ethnic or religious issues those may have been.
September 15, 2017
Tillerson in Asia
With its short-term focus on what currently occupies the American mind (North Korea), the U.S. is actually playing into China’s hands in Asia.
August 10, 2017
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
Duterte of the Philippines: In the Footsteps of Ferdinand Marcos
Duterte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao is a personal power grab that won’t make the Philippines safer.
May 28, 2017
Chinese Showboating in World History
China’s Belt and Road initiative is eerily reminiscent of a 15th century Chinese vanity exercise.
May 12, 2017
Trump’s Meddling in Asia
U.S. pressure on China to "do something" about North Korea results from the Trump team's lack of regional knowledge.
May 6, 2017
Duterte Is Getting More Desperate
More fumbles from the new Philippines president, who now picks on a distinguished woman senator to distract from himself.
March 4, 2017
Malaysia and the Trump Connection
Will Donald Trump, in order to protect his golf buddy, have his administration close down the investigation into 1MDB?
February 28, 2017
Trump’s Amazing International Role Model: Rodrigo Duterte
The Phillipines’ new President, not Russia’s Putin, is the international leader closest to Trump’s heart and mind.
January 28, 2017
Donald Trump, King of the US, and Rama X, New King of Thailand
Thailand and the US are in the process of adjusting to controversial new leaders. Look out for the amazing parallels.
December 10, 2016
Duterte: The Making of a Philippines President
What can be expected of a prizefighter-turned-death-squad-mayor in the country’s top job?
June 3, 2016
China’s ASEAN Coup
Washington is outmaneuvered on the South China Sea Dispute by deft diplomacy, as ASEAN renders itself useless.
May 5, 2016
The U.S. Global Business Community Must Speak Against Trump
Silence now will cost critical economic partners and strategic allies all over the world.
December 12, 2015
Indonesia: Why the US Needs to Pay Closer Attention
The United States needs to treat the unassuming Indonesian President Widodo with the attention due to his country.
October 24, 2015