Economy

APEC leaders including, from left, China's Xi Jinping, Papua New Guinean host Peter O'Neill, Japan's Shinzo Abe and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence pose in Port Moresby on Nov. 18.
Trade war

APEC chair statement underlines US-China divisions

Fight against 'protectionism' removed from document released five days after summit

23 November 2018
APEC leaders including, from left, China's Xi Jinping, Papua New Guinean host Peter O'Neill, Japan's Shinzo Abe and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence pose in Port Moresby on Nov. 18.
Trade war

US-China trade clash blocks APEC declaration

Forum ends without statement for first time in its history

19 November 2018
Leaders from RCEP countries met for a Summit in Singapore on Nov. 14: Some, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, second from left, worry that announcing a deal could hurt their standing at home.
International relations

Asian leaders reaffirm commitment to RCEP trade talks

Members hope to conclude deal in 2019 after failing to reach agreement this year

14 November 2018
Economic ministers representing members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) pose for a group photo in Singapore, Nov. 12. 
International relations

Ministers defer agreement on RCEP trade deal to 2019

Asia-Pacific pact risks bogging down as some member nations go to polls

13 November 2018
Building such infrastructure as LNG terminals would be financed under the arrangement.
International relations

US, Japan and Australia team on financing Indo-Pacific infrastructure

Trio to support energy and communications projects with loans and credit guarantees

11 November 2018
The 16 countries negotiating the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership bring widely differing interests and concerns to the table.
Economy

Five things to know about Asian trade megadeal RCEP

Negotiations in Singapore will be closely watched for progress on tariff reduction

10 November 2018
Free trade will be the focus of APEC talks in Papua New Guinea mid-November. 
Politics

APEC to focus on advancing Asia-Pacific free trade

The 21 countries to share concerns over protectionism

8 November 2018
A liquefied natural gas facility in northwest Australia operated by Woodside Petroleum, which is ramping production as the global supply glut comes to a close. (Photo courtesy of Woodside Petroleum)
Economy

Australia boosts LNG output to feed China's growing appetite

Beijing's energy shift and US trade war provide an opening

26 October 2018
New Zealand's Parliament building, the Beehive, in Wellington
Politics

New Zealand approves TPP-11

Move puts revamped trade pact on track to take effect in January

24 October 2018
Representatives from Trans-Pacific Partnership members pose for photos in March after the signing ceremony in Chile.
Economy

Australia approves TPP-11, raises chance of pact taking effect in early 2019

New Zealand and Vietnam set to debate ratification of trans-Pacific trade deal

17 October 2018
The Kuantan plant, the biggest in the world, has an annual capacity for refining 20,000 tons of rare earth minerals.
Commodities

Australian rare earth producer raises questions over Mahathir-led review

Lynas' Malaysian plant comes under scrutiny as operating license up for renewal

2 October 2018
© Nikkei illustration
Asia Insight

Australia looks for boost from Chinese trade war stimulus

After 27-year growth run, the economy is weaker than it seems

25 September 2018
Chinese telecom equipment makers such as Huawei and  ZTE hope to dominate the global market for 5G mobile networks.
Economy

China's dreams of 5G dominance hit roadblock in Western markets

More countries likely to follow Australia's move to exclude Huawei and ZTE

17 September 2018
SUEK, Russia’s largest coal producer, intends to boost sales to Thailand, Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. (Courtesy of SUEK).
Commodities

Russia to take on Australia and Indonesia in Asian coal market

Tough share battle likely as consumption declines in Europe

16 September 2018
Australian household consumption picked up 0.7% in the quarter through June.
Economy

Australian economy grows for 27th year with forecast-beating quarter

But analysts say fall in household savings and stagnant incomes not sustainable

5 September 2018
Scott Morrison
Economy

Australia's new PM flies to Indonesia in bid to seal trade deal

Morrison's meeting with Jokowi comes as China's sway grows and the rupiah falls

30 August 2018
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks at the opening of ASEAN meetings on Aug. 29.
International relations

Conclusion to RCEP talks 'finally in sight,' Singapore PM says

Members seek harmony in two-day gathering amid escalating US-China trade war

29 August 2018
One person arrives to live in Australia every minute, according to the country's statistics bureau.
Economy

Australia's population soars to 25m on brisk immigration

Economy grows but strained infrastructure provides fodder for election debate

17 August 2018
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, center, who has announced an upcoming ban on single-use plastic bags, works with schoolchildren on a beach cleanup in Wellington on Aug. 10.
Environment

Asian economies join the anti-plastic crusade

Growing concerns about microparticles in the oceans prompt action

17 August 2018
Osaka's improvements in transport infrastructure and crime rates helped it climb up the EIU's 2018 liveability rankings. (Photo by Nozomu Ogawa)
Economy

Asia dominates liveable city rankings with Tokyo and Osaka in top 10

Upgraded transport and lower crime boost quality of life in Japanese cities

14 August 2018
The New Zealand dollar hit its weakest level in more than two years due to a continued expansionary monetary policy.
Economy

New Zealand will keep interest rate at historic low until 2020

Unexpectedly dovish policy, prompted by slackening growth, weakens currency

10 August 2018
ASEAN economies are increasingly concerned over "collateral damage" from the U.S.-China trade war. (Photo by Mayuko Tani)
Trade war

ASEAN urges partners to speed up RCEP talks amid US-China trade war

Ministers call for 'swift' conclusion, but obstacles remain to deal by year-end

3 August 2018
U.S. beef prices have fallen about 5% in Japan over one month.
Trade war

Aussie beef prices rise as China loses appetite for US meat

As trade war kicks in, Australian products take over hot pot menus

2 August 2018
Australia's Foreign Ministry has announced a partnership with Japan and the U.S. to promote infrastructure investment in the Indo-Pacific and counter China's effort to gain influence in the region.
Economy

US, Japan and Australia team up on Indo-Pacific building push

Trilateral infrastructure framework aimed at countering China's Belt and Road

31 July 2018
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s Coalition government came away empty-handed in five by-election contests on July 28, and now faces an uphill battle for re-election in a national poll due by May 2019.
Politics

Australian prime minister's economic plans take by-election hit

Losses dent Turnbull's hopes for another term as head of Coalition government

30 July 2018