Economy

A worker assembles parts at BMW Group factory in Jakarta.
Economy

Southeast Asia bucks trend of sinking global foreign investment

Strong markets make region the world's main driver of FDI growth

4 February 2019
Chinese tennis star Li Na, left, No. 2 in the world in 2014, then the highest ranking achieved by an Asian player, hands the Australian Open trophy to Naomi Osaka.
Economy

Asian money funds Australia's challenge to US Open

Grand Slam tournament sets attendance and prize money records

2 February 2019
Premium brands of baby formula often run out as savvy Chinese snatch them off supermarket shelves to resell them for a profit at home.
International relations

Chinese demand for formula brings Aussie howls of 'stealing from babies'

15 years after deadly melamine scandal, mainland parents still look overseas

31 January 2019
Smooth and effective implementation is the key to the success of CPTPP.
Opinion

The Unsexy Challenge of CPTPP

Members must focus on implementing the trade accord, or risk embarrassment

23 January 2019
The housing market contraction poses a threat to Australia's 27-year streak of economic growth.
Economy

Australian home prices slide as Chinese money dries up

December marks sharpest fall in 35 years, casting shadow on economy's resilience

23 January 2019
Melons are harvested in Yubari, Hokkaido, in May 2018. If the new Japan-Australia project succeeds, it will allow farmers to market a continuous stream of produce throughout the year.
Economy

Japan and Australia to try out year-round fruit production

Project will take advantage of seasonal difference to grow high-end products for export

9 January 2019
An excavator at an Australian iron ore mine. Chinese imports of such natural resources fueled Australia's growth, but the trade war threatens to squeeze the Asian economy.
Currencies

China-reliant Australian dollar at trade war's mercy

Investors flee as Chinese slowdown threatens to hurt resource exports

8 January 2019
Voters in some of the Asia-Pacific's biggest economies head to the polls in the new year.
Politics

Incumbents fight to keep power in series of 2019 Asia elections

Thailand, Indonesia, India, Japan, Philippines and Australia brace for new polls

3 January 2019
Although China has tightened its information controls, the country has also shown an interest in helping to create shared, international rules governing data management.
International relations

WTO seeks to ban government raids on corporate data

China and US open to multilateral effort led by Japan, Singapore and Australia

3 January 2019
A ship leaves a port in Indonesia, which has indicated interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.
Trade war

Japan rings in the year of mega free trade

TPP-11 zone covers a big chunk of global GDP -- but not US and China

30 December 2018
Some whales are protected by the IWC, but Japanese officials disagree that certain species are endangered.
26 December 2018
Residents inspect a house damaged by a tsunami, in Carita, Indonesia, on Dec. 23. 
Natural disasters

Indonesia tsunami death toll tops 370, with dozens missing

Disaster likely triggered by eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau

24 December 2018
"It concerns us that the rules-based order is under threat," says New Zealand Trade Minister David Parker.
Interview

New Zealand minister fears 'unsettled world' amid Huawei row

David Parker says 'rules-based order' under threat following multiple arrests

13 December 2018
© Illustration by Daniel Garcia
Asia Insight

A small island gets caught in China's Pacific power game with West

Bougainville's huge copper reserves and independence vote draw global interest

11 December 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

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