Yuan Internationalization - China has established its own financial infrastructure, enabling transactions without relying on the US dollar system [1] - This development has implications for the Chinese Yuan (CNY) [1]

Geopolitical Landscape & US-China Rivalry - The Philippines is strategically important due to its location near Taiwan and the South China Sea, making it a key US ally in Asia [2][7] - The Philippines is caught in the middle of the US-China power struggle, with its foreign policy direction having global consequences [4][6] - China's territorial claims in the South China Sea, represented by the "10-dash line," are disputed by the Philippines and an UN court ruling [21] - The US has access to nine locations in the Philippines to rotate troops, some near Taiwan and the South China Sea, indicating a long-term presence [18] Political Dynamics & Internal Conflicts - The political feud between President Marcos Jr and Vice President Sara Duterte is impacting the country's foreign policy [1][5][8] - Sara Duterte has expressed a desire for closer ties with China and a more neutral stance between the US and China [3][6][18][19] - Tensions escalated when Marcos' government acted on an ICC arrest warrant against Duterte's father, former President Rodrigo Duterte [15] - The alliance between the Marcos and Duterte families, known as the "Uniteam," has fractured due to disagreements over policy and positions [11][12] Economic & Trade Implications - The Philippines' post-pandemic economy has grown steadily, outpacing many regional peers [7] - The Philippines is a target of US trade anger and tariff wars, with exports to the US facing a 19% tariff [24] - The Trump administration's economic pressure on allies could push the Philippines towards China [28] - Marcos Sr and his wife are accused of stealing $10 billion USD from the state during his term [9]

China has displaced Germany in the top ten of a new global ranking—and the Swiss are on a roll https://t.co/f7vwQx6yZO ...

To counter Russia and China in the high north, America must expand its icebreaker fleet. To do so quickly, it will need Finland’s help https://t.co/2GFGbwPokG ...

China this week built on its lead over the US in the race to secure access to Africa’s critical minerals https://t.co/zhIUsTmXIc ...

Geopolitical & Financial Strategy - China has established independent financial infrastructure [1] - China can now engage in international transactions bypassing the US dollar system [1] Currency Implications - This development has implications for the Chinese Yuan (CNY) [1]

A Gonzo Plan To Beat China With Giant Robot Boatshttps://t.co/6LutGhpqSG https://t.co/Dn3h2RR4fD ...

China has displaced Germany in the top ten of a new global ranking—and the Swiss are on a roll https://t.co/rXFskz7qIC ...

Investment Trends - European pension funds, endowments and other large pools of long-term money are re-exploring private equity investments in China [1] - This renewed interest comes after years of shunning the world's second-largest economy [1]

Joining us now is Afan Bash. She is founder and CEO of Rock Creek and it's great to have you back on the show. Welcome.Great to be with you. So, let's start right there because this has been a global bull market. Um, we focus so much on the US, but how do you see that versus the rest of the world.So, we had such low valuations in places like emerging markets that we were just talking about. And of course, you've had a number of companies that are in getting better. plus they're benefiting from inflation and ...