Inside Asian Gaming

January 2017 inside asian gaming 31 “Change as we are currently experiencing will only become ever more prominent in our lives.” N o less than eight national leadership changes were experienced in 2016 and as we welcome the New Year we remain in the midst of economic turbulence across the globe. Closer to home in Hong Kong, recent changes in the legislature among several young lawmakers reminds us that it is far from clear sailing for those who hold liberal and democratic values. In the midst of dynamic change in both political and corporate leadership, it seems that belt tightening exercises will no doubt continue throughout 2017. While being mindful of all these changes, it is likely among blue collar workers that the shift in many parts of the world, including China, from labor intensive manufacturing to professional services is feeding change and job insecurity. And while new alliances are being forged, other previous joint alliances are being abandoned. In America, for example, President- elect Trump has even threatened to dismantle the Trans-Pacific Partnership, while in Europe the Brexit vote is a political tsunami the effects of which have not yet become a reality in terms of its long term impact on the UK and could lead to ever more uncertainty for several countries’ currencies, including the pound and the Euro. The Chinese government has recently set aside 100 billion yuan for the relocation and retraining of workers who have been laid off in Keen observations Professor Dr Brian To is a global strategist and senior practice professor with over six advanced degrees in business, management, policy, Chinese business and managing change. He consults to several Asian governments and militaries, Fortune 500 corporations and ultra- high net worth individuals and their family-owned businesses in Asia and North America. He can be contacted at bto@post.harvard.edu Taiwan's leader Tsai Ing-wen speaking to US President-elect Donald Trump recently