Digital Transactions in Asia – Week 5

The third world countries in Asia, unfortunately do not have the accessibility to advanced technology that is provided in Australia. These developing countries are the poorer nations that have harsher living conditions and this includes poor air quality and educational opportunities. The impacts of air pollution on health are well known as about 7 million people die prematurely each year from breathing polluted air containing small particles, the air quality also leads to children having a harder time developing, overall affecting their learning.

I have also personally experienced these conditions as I have previously travelled to countries including Thailand and Bali. As soon as I got off the plane for both of these travelling experiences, I found it extremely hard to breathe from not only the air pollution but also due to the heat conditions. After reading and learning more about this issue, it really hit me and I felt sympathy for these countries as I am able to reflect on my personal experience.

However, overtime Asian countries have made changes to provide better air quality. Research shows that governments and authorities are already taking action, with new laws and stronger enforcement in recent years. These include “increasing renewable energy, more electric vehicles, improved energy efficiency in households and industry, improved public transport, methane recovery from improved solid waste management and waste water treatment, and reducing flaring and recovery of petroleum gas”. It also emphasises the transition to modern fuels from biomass in domestic cooking and includes replacing the refrigerant (HFC) commonly used in air conditioners (Sei, n.d.). Fortunately, the Asian digital economy is improving in terms of high-tech developments, business and social transformations and information-driven changes in the regions growth (Li et. al., 2020).

In order for further development, the removal to historical barriers allows for healthier living conditions and less air pollution. Digitalisation in Asia today expresses the force of social change through a vast series of digital transactions.  China’s leading online and digital platforms have become linked to the so-called ‘culture going out’ campaign; they contribute to ‘the call of government’ by revitalising Chinese cultural products and/or services and promoting them through online consumption experiences on their affiliated platforms (Keane, 2019).

Although, Asias air quality is still not perfect, there have been many changes to improve Asias digital economy. This is such a large step forward and will continue to improve as times go on and as technology advances.

References:

He, C (2015), ‘Chai Jing’s review: Under the Dome – Investigating China’s Smog’, YouTube, viewed 17 August 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6X2uwlQGQM

Keane, M (2019), ‘China’s digital media industries and the challenge of overseas markets’, Journal of Chinese Cinemas, vol. 13, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17508061.2019.1678480

Li, K., Kim, D. J., Lang, K. R., Kauffman, R. J., & Naldi, M. (2020), ‘How should we understand the digital economy in Asia?’ Critical assessment and research agenda, Electronic commerce research and applications, 44, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elerap.2020.101004

Sei (n.d.), ‘Solving the air pollution crisis in Asia’, sei.org, viewed 17 August 2021, https://www.sei.org/featured/air-pollution-solutions-asia/