Economy

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said Washington will no longer treat Hong Kong, flag on left, as autonomous from Beijing. (Nikkei Montage/Reuters) 
Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong's special trade status with the US: Five things to know

City's preferential position for trade and technology at stake

29 May 2020
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been one of the Trump administration's leading China critics.
Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong no longer autonomous, Pompeo tells Congress

Legislators pass bill to sanction Chinese officials over Xinjiang rights abuses

28 May 2020
Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Premier Li Keqiang applaud during the second plenary session of China's National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on May 25
The Nikkei View

China faces challenging times as it forgoes GDP target

Beijing should heed market's warning on Hong Kong security law

27 May 2020
Hong Kong police fire pepper spray in a clash with demonstrators against Beijing's national security legislation on May 24.
Interview

Hong Kong minister shrugs off risk of US penalties for security law

Commerce Secretary Edward Yau vows city will remain 'freest' market

25 May 2020
Pro-China supporters hold up Chinese national flags facing Victoria Harbour in September 2019: the more Xi damages China's liberal financial zone, the more the foreign companies will question why they should stay.
Opinion

Hong Kong security law is going to devastate its economy

Companies will reject Beijing control and US can withdraw trade privileges

25 May 2020
Delegates applaud as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives for the opening session of China's National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 22. (Xinhua via AP)
Politics

Xi's Hong Kong power grab deftly masks domestic shortcomings

With a single stroke, president shuts down critics in his party and justifies US tensions

23 May 2020
Police officers detain an anti-government protester in December 2019: the report glossed over police misconduct.
Opinion

Police report on Hong Kong protests is a shameful whitewash

It exonerated officers' violence and tried to lay blame on protesters

19 May 2020
Li & Fung thrived as a sourcing agent for western retailers but now faces headwinds. To revive its fortunes Chairman William Fung, left, and CEO Spencer Fung plan to take the company private. (Nikkei Montage/Source photo by Getty Images)
Business Spotlight

Hong Kong's Li & Fung plots future as global supply chain frays

Century-old business icon pounded by e-commerce, coronavirus and protectionism

8 May 2020
Hong Kong will adopt a "suppress and lift" strategy, in which health authorities will introduce tougher measures when the coronavirus transmission rate is high and loosen them when it drops, so as to contain the outbreak.
Coronavirus

Hong Kong to relax social-distancing controls and reopen schools

Measures come as locally transmitted coronavirus cases fall to zero in recent days

5 May 2020
Hong Kong's first-quarter gross domestic product dropped 8.9% compared with the same period a year earlier, marking the city's steepest GDP decline on record.
Economy

Hong Kong GDP shrinks 8.9% in worst decline on record

Economic outlook remains dim despite expected relaxing of some restrictions

4 May 2020
Closed shops in Singapore's Chinatown: The economic impact of coronavirus countermeasures is starting to show up in unemployment data.
Economy

Singapore and Japan jobless rates show coronavirus pain setting in

Over 7% of Asia-Pacific working hours to be wiped out in second quarter

29 April 2020
The Singapore Airshow in February. Exhibitions are now proving difficult to organize due to global travel restrictions and social distancing measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Business trends

Hong Kong and Singapore fret over trade shows after coronavirus

Businesses rethink value of exhibitions in Asia amid an industry in transition

22 April 2020
A restaurant closed due to the coronavirus outbreak is seen next to the Chao Phraya river with a view of Wat Arun temple, one of the city's top tourist spots, in Bangkok, Thailand March 27.
Economy

Asian Development Bank triples coronavirus war chest to $20bn

Governments get the most, but companies can access $2bn in financial aid

14 April 2020
Firefighters spray disinfectant to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease in Jakarta.
4 April 2020
Tourist and school buses are seen at a parking lot near Kwai Chung Container Terminal in Hong Kong, April 1: The novel coronavirus outbreak has devastated the territory's tourism industry.
Economy

Pandemic to cut Asian growth to 2.2%, worst since 1998 crisis: ADB

Thailand, Hong Kong and seven other economies to shrink, China to slow sharply

3 April 2020
Food delivery drivers in Bangkok keep safe distance: As borders close, economies in Asia that have thrived on openness and connectivity are having to undo decades of integration. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
The Big Story

How the coronavirus is reshaping Asia's borders, business and trade

As countries turn inward, pandemic threatens the foundations of globalization

1 April 2020
How quickly growth rebounds is crucial for President Xi Jinping to achieve Communist Party's goal of doubling GDP by 2020 compared with 2010. (Source photo by Reuters) 
Economy

China 2020 GDP to slow to 3.3%, lowest since 1976: survey

1Q likely shrank 3.7% as coronavirus drags down world's second-largest economy

31 March 2020
A Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER plane taxis at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago: the company concluded sale and lease-back transactions on six of its Boeing aircraft.
Opinion

Asian airlines need government support now as situation spirals

Cathay, Singapore and Korean have all slashed capacity as travel bans take effect

31 March 2020
A man is tested for the coronavirus outside a hospital in Bangkok on Thursday. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Coronavirus

From light touch to total lockdown: How Asia is fighting coronavirus

Countries begin to toughen their approach as infections continue to rise

28 March 2020
Congress gave final approval to the largest economic package in U.S. history. 
Coronavirus: Free to read

Coronavirus: Week of Mar. 22 to Mar. 28, US House passes a $2.2tn stimulus

Hong Kong bans gatherings of over 4 people; Trump tweets he is working with Xi

28 March 2020
While avoiding using cash may reduce personal contact, there is no evidence that banknotes or coins carry disease.
Coronavirus

Merchants shun cash as coronavirus infection fears widen

Global health crisis speeds up cashless payments in Asia

26 March 2020
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Nikkei Markets

Asian stocks rise more on hopes US measures will ease virus impact

AIA Group and Tencent Holdings fuel gains in A300 index

25 March 2020
Passengers get off the train at the Lo Wu station on Feb. 3: MTR's business remains sound.
Opinion

MTR has kept Hong Kong moving in challenging times

CEO says that through protests and coronavirus, trains run against the odds

25 March 2020
WH Group, an integrated supplier with a presence across hog production, supplies of raw pork as well as packaged meats.
Nikkei Markets

WH Group says virus won't interrupt pork imports into China

Company sees China pork prices at least 3.5 times higher than in US by year-end

24 March 2020
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Nikkei Markets

Asian stocks surge after US Fed unveils more stimulus

China Unicom, Samsung Electronics, Tencent boost A300 index

24 March 2020