as China raised domestic mining, smelting and separation quotas for the first time in five years, and production in Myanmar and the US surged. During the same period, Adamas estimates that illegal production in China fell by 50%, creating a vacuum that was filled by record-high imports from Myanmar and the US, resulting in China becoming a net-importer of at least seven rare earth oxides (or oxide equivalents) in 2018. MORE

Yunnan Province, located in far southwest China, has a population of about 50 million, concentrated in about eight large cities, and borders with Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam. Yunnan Investment Holdings Group and BYD intend to open new energy vehicle manufacturing plants in Yunnan Province, expanding BYD’s EV and new-energy businesses into southwest China and neighboring Asian countries. MORE

On 1 February 2021, a coup d’état in Myanmar brought down the civilian government and imposed military rule. Myanmar is the world’s third-biggest miner of tin and in 2020 accounted for more than 95% of China’s imports of tin concentrate, used by smelters to make refined tin for circuit-board soldering. While China is the world’s dominant producer of rare earths, it relied on Myanmar for about half its heavy rare earth concentrates in 2020. MORE

The overall study area covered East-Southeast Asia and included 17 countries: China (including Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR); Taiwan; Japan; Mongolia; North Korea; South Korea; Brunei Darussalam; Cambodia; Indonesia; Laos; Malaysia; Myanmar; Philippines; Singapore; Thailand; Timor-Leste; Vietnam. MORE

The ASEAN member states are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. MORE

Grab currently offers services in Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia. Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) is introducing “total-care service,” a pioneering set of mobility services specially designed for ride-hailing companies. MORE

Although it is the world’s dominant producer of rare earths, China still imports the minerals from abroad—primarily from Myanmar, Malaysia and Vietnam. China has increased its production quota for rare-earth metals by close to 30% for the first half of this year, according to a report by the Nikkei. MORE

Forest protection activities and promotion of environmental education for biodiversity conservation in the central “dry zone” of Myanmar. Creation of sustainable mangrove community forest with grassroots participation in the Uto Village in Myanmar. MORE

Air Pollution EV Policy & Politics Human Rights Burma/Myanmar military climate Ecuador EVobsession Greenwashing human rights Racial Justice MORE

Some of the largest migratory outflows are driven by the demand for migrant workers (Bangladesh, Nepal and the Philippines) or by violence, insecurity and armed conflict (Myanmar, Syria and Venezuela). The world’s population is expected to increase by 2 billion persons in the next 30 years, from 7.7 billion currently to 9.7 billion in 2050, according to a new United Nations report. MORE