The lively ambiance returned to town in Hong Kong gradually in the second quarter of 2022. With pandemic restrictions abating, sharing conviviality with friends, greeting familiar faces back in offices, and exploring the abundance of outdoor activities were some of the highlights in the second quarter of 2022. French Learning …

In the first quarter of 2022, I went through a few rounds of adjustments and re-adjustments — starting the year in Hong Kong, flying back to Taiwan for CNY holidays, and re-adjusting to the WFH ritual in Hong Kong. A change of environment, pace of life, and interpersonal interactions between…

In a vivid portrayal of Merkel’s journey from East Germany to her the political arena, Kati Marton captures Merkel’s political endeavors and more arrestingly the events that shaped her early years. Her calm and analytical approach, absence of ego or theatrics, and humble understatement in communication style were shaped by…

Ukraine/Russian geopolitical headlines dominated risk sentiment this week, sending US/EU stock markets, rates markets on roller coaster rides. Despite foreign ministers committing to diplomatic talks, there was no clear clarity in the end of the week, and such turbulences are set to dominate global markets in the weeks ahead. Elsewhere…

1.5 years. This was one of the longest interludes that I’ve been away from Taiwan. Thankfully, during the CNY break of 2022, I returned home with a warm and grateful heart. The trip arrangements were made long in advance, with flexible and meticulous planning required — quarantine arrangements in both…

Russia — Ukraine tensions Russia-Ukraine geopolitical tensions was in focus in global markets this week, with Western powers doubling down on Russia on consequences if military actions were taken. Top officials from UK, US, and France held calls with Putin, reflecting high economic and geopolitical stakes. On the economics side…

“Behind each great historical phenomenon lies a financial secret”, writes British historian Niall Ferguson. From coinage development in the Islamic empire, the Medici bankers in the Italian Renaissance, to modern day financial crises, The Ascent of Money details how great powers have risen and fall. It doesn’t read like a…

This column “The Macro Muse”, is dedicated to market themes surrounding the political economy, macroeconomics, and financial markets. Knowledge of geopolitics, the micro/macro economy, and institutional investing decisions are part of my profession. Reflecting on market highlights: the closely intertwined ecosystem of politics, economics, and finance… is a luxury, as…

Succinct, straight to the point, and flourishing with technical jargons, technical writing seems to serve for professional purposes only — no matter in forms of emails, journal papers, or project manuals. Shortened acronyms are communicated efficiently within teams, technical jargons are a language of a professional clique, and unembellished passages…