Economy

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi speaks with the Nikkei Asian Review in Tokyo. (Photo by Arisa Moriyama)
Interview

Pakistan ready for peace talks after Indian vote, minister says

New IMF bailout and Chinese investment also on horizon as economic ills persist

23 April 2019
The discussions with the IMF have run into resistance from the U.S. over Pakistan's Chinese debt.
Belt and Road

Pakistan's PM Khan eager for closer economic ties with China

Beijing visit for Belt and Road summit to highlight plans for economic corridor

23 April 2019
Crime-scene officials inspect the explosion area at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo after deadly blasts April 21.
Economy

Sri Lanka bombings hurt island's tourist destination ambitions

Death toll rises to 290 after Easter Sunday attacks on churches and hotels

22 April 2019
Pakistani Finance Minister Asad Umar holds a news conference in Islamabad in November.
Economy

Pakistan finance minister resigns ahead of visit by IMF

Sudden departure comes after provisional deal on aid worth over $6bn

19 April 2019
The practice of Chinese men paying to marry young Pakistani women has continued for the past couple of years, according to sources.
Belt and Road

Chinese illegal marriage operators exploit young Pakistani women

Belt and Road hype leaves human trafficking of underprivileged unchecked

18 April 2019
The tax amnesty plan is being promoted by Prime Minister Imran Khan as a necessary step to help reform Pakistan.
Economy

Pakistan to unveil new tax amnesty to ease debt burden

PM Khan hopes one-time charge on hidden wealth will relieve cash-strapped economy

15 April 2019
Indonesian fishermen work near pipes flushing sewage into the Porong River in the province of East Java.
Environment

Southeast Asia looks for outside help to flush sewage problems

Water treatment projects lure foreign expertise to deal with rising raw effluent

12 April 2019
Home to one-quarter of the world's population, South Asia is seen as a potential gold mine for 5G equipment makers such as Huawei. 
5G networks

Huawei takes 5G fight to India and Pakistan

Region primed for $1.2tn tech bonanza over next five years

8 April 2019
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, right, with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing last November. Officials in Pakistan’s Balochistan province say it is failing to reap the full benefits of major infrastructure projects in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Belt and Road

Khan tries to ease concerns over China's Belt and Road

Pakistani province demands fair share of $62bn development project

2 April 2019
China is left with just one real ally -- Pakistan. 
Opinion

Pakistan, China and terrorism

Beijing's support protects Islamabad from global pressure to suppress militants

18 March 2019
China is making clear that it values its strategic partnership with Pakistan for the sake of its own regional interests.
Belt and Road

China defends Pakistan by vetoing Kashmir bombing resolution

India fails to brand Masood Azhar a terrorist as Beijing prioritizes Belt and Road

15 March 2019
All mobile phones sold in Nepal are made in China and the Chinese WeChat application is the most popular means of communication. (Photo by Tom Vater)
Belt and Road

Belt and Road reaches Nepal's wild north, winning China influence

Highways, bridges and dams flow from infrastructure bonanza

9 March 2019
Imran Khan's government must develop a bold plan for inclusive, sustainable long-term growth.
Opinion

Pakistan must end damaging dependency on IMF

After 21 assistance programs in 60 years, time to create sustainable economic growth

26 February 2019
Nepal's existing rail link with India will be one of few parts of the network to use its southern neighbor's favored broad gauge. (Photo by Yuji Kuronuma)
International relations

Nepal hitches railway to Chinese standards in blow to India

Himalayan nation will use a Beijing-favored gauge except at southern border

22 February 2019
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, right, greets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Khan government has built a relationship of mutual support with Riyadh.
International relations

Saudi crown prince plots diplomatic comeback with Pakistan aid

Mohammed bin Salman plays to friendly crowds to move past Khashoggi scandal

19 February 2019
China-backed coal plants are helping to provide Pakistan with much-needed power but they are also raising environmental concerns locally.
International relations

China-backed coal projects raise heat in Pakistan

Lack of disclosure on Belt and Road plans spurs environmental fears

13 February 2019
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Beijing in November to request financial help.
International relations

China's disappointing aid offer dashes Pakistan's hope of debt rescue

Loans Beijing promised fell short of what Islamabad needs to build up reserves

11 February 2019
© Illustration by Eric Chow
Asia Insight

China runs into Belt and Road barriers in South Asia

Countries try to slow Beijing's advance without provoking hostility

5 February 2019
China has poured huge amounts of money into developing the port of Gwadar, a key hub in its China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, but Pakistan has now opened the door for Saudi investment in an oil refinery in the area, stoking tensions.
International relations

Saudi investment in Pakistan stokes tensions with China

Riyadh's billion dollar refinery projects in Gwadar seen irking Beijing

28 January 2019
Central Bank of Sri Lanka Gov. Indrajit Coomaraswamy expects the Indian Ocean tug of war between China and India to help his country secure aid. (Photo by Yuji Kuronuma)
Interview

Sri Lanka set to avert debt crisis this year: central bank chief

South Asian island plays balancing act to secure bailouts from China and India

27 January 2019
Sri Lanka is in dire straits as the debt-strapped country confronts a looming balance of payment crisis.
Economy

Sri Lanka seeks regional bailout as balance of payments crisis looms

Colombo looks to India and China for financial assistance and renegotiates with IMF

21 January 2019
Emerging economies across Asia have long had a relatively low ratio of government debt to gross domestic product.
Economy

Public debt in emerging Asia creeps past 50% of GDP

Region opens fiscal taps, but borrowing could spell trouble in next slowdown

21 January 2019
The gateway to Hambantota port in Sri Lanka, now controlled by the Chinese. (Photo by Yuji Kuronuma)
Economy

Sri Lanka taps forex reserve to whittle down debt

Billions more owed this year, much of it to China, after market fundraising fails

16 January 2019
A man shops for grocery items at a store in Peshawar, Pakistan. Indonesia is tapping Muslim markets such as Pakistan as export destinations.
Economy

Indonesia doubles trade missions to Muslim markets in export push

Widodo promotes textiles, footwear and train cars, competing with Chinese goods

15 January 2019
A controversial bidding process has resulted in a contract for a dam project in Pakistan going to a consortium that includes a company founded by one of Prime Minister Imran Khan's advisers. The dam seen here is from a file photo.
Belt and Road

Pakistan dam in spotlight as contract goes to former China critic

PM Khan's adviser faces conflict of interest cries after family company wins bid

11 January 2019