The Survey 2014 will examine the regions challenges to support its economic growth and to promote inclusive and sustainable development. Part I of the report will focus on the regions outlook as it contends with the ongoing global recovery and assesses the regions policy response to remaining and emerging vulnerabilities. A special theme is domestic resource mobilization in Asia-Pacific, which will explore the challenges on strengthening tax revenues. Part II of the report discusses strategic approaches to strengthen regional connectivity to achieve shared prosperity.

This book reviews how China's accession to the WTO has impacted upon its education, environment, economic and social outcomes in recent years. It has been argued that China's rapid growth in output and exports and subsequent accession to WTO has significantly increased income and therefore the well-being of the Chinese population. However, doubts are now being raised that higher income is generated at the cost of deteriorating environmental and social standards which has increasingly affected the health of the Chinese people, especially those who live in major industrial cities. Also, there is a widespread perception that its accession to WTO has significantly increased social shocks, especially among the farming community, and contributed to poor health outcomes among the rural population. These issues are critically analysed in this book by experienced academics from China and Australia. - Includes contributions from Australian and Chinese scholars and thus, brings together ideas and suggestions from a broad range of perspectives - Analyses China's socio-economic challenges from a multi-dimensional focus - A very useful reference in WTO issues in general and China in particular

Weighing up the costs and benefits of economic interdependence in a finance-driven world, this book argues that globalization, understood and promoted as absolute freedom for all forms of capital, has been oversold to the Global South, and that the South should be as selective about globalization as the North. ‘Liberalization, Financial Instability and Economic Development’ challenges the orthodoxy on the link between financial deepening and economic growth, as well as that between the efficiency of financial markets and the benefits of liberalization. Ultimately, the author urges developing countries to control capital flows and asset bubbles, preventing financial fragility and crises, and recommends regional policy options for managing capital flows and exchange rates.

This book familiarizes readers with the Asia-Pacific region, presents the major social, economic and political issues, maps contemporary community development trends, and critically analyzes the challenges of and opportunities for community development practice in the Asia-Pacific region.

Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are two small states that have struggled to develop successful social policies since independence. This study traces their social histories and examines factors that have hindered progress. Future development requires a move away from traditional social structures and a focus on political stability and economic growth.