China has created concrete landscapes on reclaimed islands in the South China Sea that were previously little more than reefs and sand bars. REUTERS/Erik De Castro
International relations

China, ASEAN still far from South China Sea code of conduct

Leaders endorse framework after 17 years, but the 'legally binding' question remains

17 November 2017
Japan's Minister of Economic Revitalization Toshimitsu Motegi, right, and Vietnam's Industry and Trade Minister Tran Tuan Anh shake hands after a news conference at the TPP Ministerial Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam on Nov. 11.
Economy

The TPP 11 rekindle multilateral trade hopes as Trump looks on

Broad agreement on US-less trade pact could set the tone for other deals

16 November 2017
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping make joint statements at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 9.
Economy

Xi Jinping bests Trump in Asia-Pacific diplomacy

US push for bilateral trade deals could make or break its regional influence

15 November 2017
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte chairs a meeting on the RCEP trade deal in Manila on Nov. 14.
Economy

After delay, RCEP leaders resolve to wrap up pact in 2018

Duterte stresses Asia-Pacific framework is not just another trade deal

14 November 2017
Leaders at the ASEAN+3 meeting make a show of unity in Manila on Nov. 14.
Economy

ASEAN+3 pledges to fight deglobalization, protectionism

Leaders vow to work together in face of' 'inward-looking' politics

14 November 2017
China's economic growth is expected to slow over the next five years, according to the OECD. Here, a laborer works on a screw processing machine at a factory in Zhoushan, China, in May.
Economy

Growth in emerging Asia to slow to 6.3% in 2018-2022: OECD

China expected to decelerate while India, Southeast Asia gather steam

14 November 2017
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, U.S. President Donald Trump, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong pose for a family photo during the ASEAN-U.S. 40th Anniversary Commemorative Summit in Manila on Nov. 13.
Economy

Trump's devotion to trade puts North Korea issue on hold

ASEAN meetings proving to be missed chance to secure China's commitment

14 November 2017
U.S. President Donald Trump participates in the U.S.-ASEAN Summit in Manila, Philippines November 13.
Trump's Asian Visit

Trump pitches 'reciprocal' trade to ASEAN

US president had plenty of sugar for 'strong and prosperous' partners

13 November 2017
Trade ministers pose for a photo during the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Ministerial Meeting in Manila on Nov. 12.
Economy

RCEP trade agreement delayed till 2018

Japan signs deal with ASEAN covering services and investment

12 November 2017
Japan's Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, right, and Vietnam's Industry and Trade Minister Tran Tuan Anh shake hands at a press conference announcing an agreement in principle for the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal in Danang, Vietnam on Nov. 11.
Economy

TPP nations reignite multilateral trade hopes as Trump looks on

11-nation agreement could have knock-on effects on future trade deals

12 November 2017
National leaders pose during group photo session at the APEC Summit in Danang, Vietnam on Nov. 11.
Economy

Trump's isolation stands out as APEC leaders embrace multilateralism

Gathering focused on trade, leaving China unchecked on South China Sea issue

12 November 2017
Country leaders pose during the family photo session at the APEC Summit in Danang, Vietnam on Nov. 11.
Economy

APEC statement addresses Trump criticism of 'unfair trade'

Leaders call for removal of 'market distorting subsidies'

11 November 2017
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit in Danang, Vietnam on Nov. 10.
Economy

Trump warns Indo-Pacific nations on 'trade abuses'

President demands 'fairness and reciprocity' through bilateral deals

10 November 2017
Manufacturers experienced rising global commodity prices in October.
Economy

Asian manufacturing logs slow growth in October

Nikkei PMI shows higher costs pinching output across the region

9 November 2017
Ships in the Strait of Singapore (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Coming week may determine fate of TPP and shape global trade

Rival RCEP deal also up for discussion in Asian meetings

8 November 2017
A boy harvests rice in Babelan village in the Bekasi district of Indonesia's West Java province.
Economy

Asian farmers can't meet rising food demand: Rabobank

Dutch lender joins UN in $1bn campaign to alleviate problem

5 November 2017
South Korean Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong speaks at the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership meeting in Incheon, South Korea on Oct. 24. (Courtesy of South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy)
Economy

RCEP deal unlikely this year: South Korean official

Participants snagged over how much to open their markets in trade pact

27 October 2017
A tourist takes a picture of Malaysia's landmark Putra Mosque shrouded with haze in Putrajaya outside Kuala Lumpur.
Economy

Travel spending by Muslim millennials to top $100bn by 2025

More are choosing to travel to Asia-Pacific region

26 October 2017
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen attends an event in support of garment workers in Phnom Penh on Oct. 11, 2017 (Photo by Thomas Cristofoletti/Ruom)
Economy

Hun Sen woos garment workers ahead of Cambodian election

Manufacturers concerned about scale of government-mandated wage rises

25 October 2017
Many plants are under construction at the Thilawa special economic zone industrial park outside Yangon.
Economy

Myanmar's flagship industrial park ready for takeoff

Number of companies at Thilawa set to double in the next year

21 October 2017
Grab says it controls 95% of third-party taxi-hailing in Southeast Asia, with more than 63 million app downloads and over 1.8 million drivers.
Finance

Grab lands $700m in debt facilities to boost rental car business

Goal is to build Southeast Asia's largest fleet by October 2018

20 October 2017
This site in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China, is making way for the Hong Kong-Zhuahai-Macao bridge. It was pictured on June 29, 2016.
Economy

Asia has $26tn in infrastructure projects up for grabs

Multilateral lenders, foreign governments handle much of the financing

18 October 2017
Hundreds of Rohingya people cross Bangladesh's border as they flee from ​Rakhine state after crossing the Naf River in Bangladesh. (Getty Images)
Economy

World Bank eyes redirecting Myanmar funds for Rohingya crisis

Bank to consider $270m for Rakhine response in wake of refugee exodus

13 October 2017