Economy

Malcolm Turnbull, Australia's prime minister from 2015 to 2018, advocates a "no-shame, no-blame investigation" examining the origins and management of COVID-19.
Interview

Malcolm Turnbull argues Australia can withstand China's pressure

Ex-PM says reason Beijing buys iron ore is not 'because they like kangaroos'

15 June 2020
A surfer in Tahiti: French Polynesia is due to lift its border restrictions entirely on July 15.
Travel & Leisure

Pacific islands await 'travel bubble' as French Polynesia reopens solo

Economic pressure prompts bold gamble in face of coronavirus risks

13 June 2020
Rescue personnel help move flood victims to safer areas in the southern Indian state of Kerala in August 2019.
Opinion

Central banks must connect climate change and financial inclusion

Extreme weather can wash away people's livelihoods

5 June 2020
A boy receives polio vaccine drops at a Karachi train station in 2016.
Politics

Coronavirus threatens to upend Pakistan's long war against polio

39 nations at risk as public funds are diverted to fight COVID-19

3 June 2020
Asia is exercising an advantage over the "wild" West, remaining more cautious about reopening stores and restaurants amid the risk of additional novel coronavirus outbreaks. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
The Big Story

Exits from coronavirus lockdown split 'wild' West from 'cautious' East

Economies are impatient to reopen. Experts say it will trigger a second wave of infections

27 May 2020
A moratorium on insolvent trading appears to have allowed many Australian businesses to forge ahead, when they normally would have had to wind up their operations.
Economy

Australia risks 'insolvency tsunami' when coronavirus aid ends

'October cliff' looms for weak businesses that were likely doomed before pandemic

26 May 2020
Students from China at the Australian National University in Canberra: Chinese students looking for English-language education have few options outside of Australia, as the U.S. and U.K. struggle with the virus.
Opinion

China and Australia's relationship is souring but not weakening

COVID-19 and politics are driving them apart but trade keeps them together

23 May 2020
A Chinese flag placed on a street in Belgrade, Serbia, pictured on Apr. 13: countries which are reliant on China are being required to thank Beijing for the medical supplies.
Opinion

Winning compensation from China for coronavirus is a long shot

Legal claims stand no chance, but there are other kinds of punishment

22 May 2020
With exports and domestic consumption crashing, China, the world's second largest economy, could be on course for losses of up to $1.6 trillion this year, according to the ADB. 
Economy

ADB warns coronavirus threatens to chop 10% off global output

Bank says fiscal and monetary responses needed immediately to soften fallout

15 May 2020
Shanghai Disneyland will reopen this week since it closed on January 25 amid China's coronavirus lockdown. 
Your Week in Asia

Shanghai Disney, Sony results and Bitcoin 'halving'

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political news

10 May 2020
Governor Shaktikanta Das at a news conference in Mumbai, pictured on Feb. 6: in return for handing its wallet to Team Modi, the RBI should extract reform pledges.
Opinion

World watches as India's central bank prepares to fund government

Direct financing of fiscal deficits is looking attractive despite inflation risks

4 May 2020
A soldier guards an empty street following the lockdown in Manila on Apr. 24: policymakers need to cushion the current impact, even if it entails costs later on.
Opinion

Stimulus-driven inflation is the least of Asia's problems

Cost of inaction is much higher than putting too much money into system

3 May 2020
Meat, fish vegetables and fruit are among the items covered under a mutual supply initiative signed by Singapore and New Zealand.
Trade

TPP countries defy protectionist trend to maintain supply chains

Singapore teams with New Zealand and Japan to keep food and medical gear flowing

2 May 2020
People sleep on benches at Hua Lamphong train station in Bangkok on Apr. 3: the urban poor are at risk, living in overcrowded spaces.
Opinion

Governments facing tough choices in COVID-19 crisis: World Bank VP

Countries in East Asia and Pacific must expand effective programs for poverty relief

27 April 2020
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on April 20 announces plans to ease the country's lockdown, saying the chain of coronavirus transmission has been broken.
Coronavirus

New Zealand to ease lockdown after 'breaking' coronavirus chain

Construction and manufacturing to restart but tourism remains crippled

20 April 2020
Despite doubts about China's transparency, analysts give it credit for its aggressive pandemic response, including in Wuhan where the outbreak started.
Coronavirus

South Korea and China earn high marks in pandemic safety ranking

Israel leads while Philippines and Indonesia lag on venture fund's list

14 April 2020
China's Landbridge Group signed a 99-year lease for the strategically important Darwin Port in Australia's Northern Territory in 2015, sparking concerns about Chinese influence over national interests.
International relations

Australia tightens foreign investment rules after market tumble

Move seen as aiming at Chinese bargain hunters as coronavirus rattles stocks

14 April 2020
Scott Morrison during a press conference on Apr. 7: his team does not have anything concrete to say about weaning Australia off its addiction to China.
Opinion

Coronavirus hit means Australia is about to run out of luck

Collapse of Chinese demand puts first recession in 30 years within sight

13 April 2020
Singaporean freelance photographer Nicholas Yeo says he has lost around $4,200 from canceled gigs as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Economy

'Gig economy' workers fall on hard times in Singapore and Australia

Freelancers say coronavirus has taken $215m bite out of incomes so far

8 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
An empty harbor in Sydney on March 24: Australia has shut down nonessential businesses in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Economy

Australia faces end of world's longest boom with recession coming

After 29 years, coronavirus puts stop to economic run

1 April 2020
A child wears a mask in Thailand slum. The World Bank's forecast of a "third shock" could devastate economic growth and increase poverty across developing Asia. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Interview

World Bank warns of 'third shock' after coronavirus and trade war

Developing Asia urged to address expected poverty surge, financial distress

31 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
A member of the Indonesian Red Cross looks through goggles as she and her team disinfect in a Jakarta school on Monday. 
Economy

Four Asian central banks cut rates as virus rips markets

Indonesia, Australia, Philippines and Taiwan all move even as currencies slide

19 March 2020
U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the White House on March 11.
Markets

Asian markets slide after Trump bans European travelers over virus

Circuit breakers triggered in Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines

12 March 2020