Economy

The skyline of Shenzhen, China. The country has been struggling to recover property investment sentiment since it launched a crackdown in 2020. (Photo by Yusuke Hinata)
Market Spotlight

As China's property market slumps, foreign investors get pickier

Singapore capital ticks up while Western buyers shy away from commercial sites

5 August 2024
Ola Electric founder Bhavish Aggarwal on a scooter at a press briefing in Mumbai on July 29. Ola is set to go public in India's biggest IPO this year.
Your Week in Asia

India's Ola Electric goes public, Australia-U.S. two-plus-two, Indonesian GDP

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

4 August 2024
Workers in Thailand prepare rubber sheets for shipment. (Photo by Hiroshi Kotani)
Commodities

Rubber prices fall to 2-month low on concerns over Chinese demand

Looser supplies, slower EV sales in China drag the market down

3 August 2024
In July, BYD opened its first Southeast Asian EV assembly plant in Rayong, Thailand. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
2 August 2024
GDP for the ASEAN six is expected to increase by an average of 5.1% annually until 2034, outpacing China's projected growth of 3.5% to 4.5%. (Source photos by Ken Kobayashi and Reuters)
Economy

Southeast Asia to outpace China's GDP growth and foreign investment: report

Think tank projects 5.1% average growth next decade in six key economies

1 August 2024
The Bangkok headquarters of CP All, one of the companies whose shares have benefited from announcements related to the government's digital wallet initiative.
Equities

Thailand's top stocks reap gains on digital wallet rollout

Food retailers, convenience stores and lenders among main beneficiaries

1 August 2024
While Southeast Asian retailers and manufacturers are seeking relief from what they see as unfair competition, government officials are trying to persuade Chinese companies to invest in local production, especially in high-tech sectors. (Illustration by Daniel Garcia)
The Big Story

Southeast Asia pushes back on cheap Chinese imports

E-commerce and EVs force balancing between tariffs and pursuit of high-tech investments

31 July 2024
With To Lam, center, assuming interim leadership of the Vietnamese Communist Party after the death of Nguyen Phu Trong, right, observers wonder whether the former security chief may be more influenced by China than the U.S. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AFP/Jiji, EPA/Jiji and AP) 
Asia Insight

Vietnam veers into unknown as career cop makes Communist Party power play

Death of party chief Trong brings fears of tilt toward China-style leadership

30 July 2024
A drone view show of an oil lick in the waters off the coast of Manila Bay in the Philippines on July 29.
Natural disasters

Philippine oil spill threatens livelihoods in fishing village

Fishermen of Tanza in Cavite province distraught as slick washes ashore

29 July 2024
The education sector will get the lion's share of next year's budget, with an allocation of $16.7 billion.
Defense

Philippine defense budget to rise 6.4% amid South China Sea tensions

Coast guard to receive $536.5m to carry out Second Thomas Shoal missions

29 July 2024
A man pushes a hand cart equipped with benches as he ferries passengers along a railway in Manila.
Economy

Philippines seeks Japan, U.S. funding for Subic-Clark railway

$850m plan, part of Luzon Economic Corridor, on hold after China pulls out

29 July 2024
Members of the World Trade Organization released an agreement on e-commerce rules following negotiations that began in 2017.
Trade

WTO members reach digital trade deal to ban tariffs on data

Proposed e-commerce rules also cover cybersecurity and regulatory transparency

27 July 2024
Singapore's inflation figures came in lower than expected.
Economy

Singapore keeps monetary policy tight, lowers inflation outlook

Central bank expects price pressure to ease further later this year

26 July 2024
Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo hands a "golden visa" certificate to Shin Tae-yong, a South Korean who coaches Indonesia's national soccer team. (Photo by Ismi Damayanti)
Politics

Indonesia launches 'golden visa' program to attract business investment

Pricey permits might also reduce the number of digital nomads living in Bali

25 July 2024
In this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, an aerial survey is conducted as part of an oil spill response operation in Manila Bay on July 25. The sinking of a tanker raised fears over a possible spill. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)
Natural disasters

Taiwan and Philippines lashed by typhoon, oil tanker sinks

Dozens killed in flooding and landslides as storm moves toward China

25 July 2024
Rescuers assist residents in the Metro Manila city of Marikina on July 24 amid heavy rains brought by Typhoon Gaemi.
Natural disasters

Typhoon Gaemi dumps heavy rain in Manila; 114 flights canceled

More than 600,000 people displaced, with 16 cities asking for emergency funding

24 July 2024
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is likely to stay in power until the next general election, expected in 2027.
Opinion

Malaysia sheds short-termism to become Asia's comeback kid

Investors embrace political stability as alarms sound over Thailand's fragility

24 July 2024
Thailand's Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira says the government's ($14 billion) digital wallet program is needed to raise incomes in the countrty. (Photo by Hiroki Endo)
Economy

Thailand sets $14bn digital wallet registration for August 1

Srettha government stands firm on handout to revive flagging economy

24 July 2024
This SRT train in Bangkok's Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station prepares to depart for Vientiane on the newly opened line on July 19. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Transportation

Thailand's new rail links carry hope for expanded Chinese trade

Laos-China railway become a key gateway for Thai and Malaysian exports

23 July 2024
To Lam's rise to lead the Communist Party of Vietnam follows a 20-month period of political turmoil.
Opinion

Why To Lam's pragmatic authoritarianism will be good for Vietnam

Nguyen Phu Trong had been the last of a dying breed of Marxist ideologues

22 July 2024
Vietnam's Bamboo Airways Chairman Trinh Van Quyet applauds near an Airbus A321 aircraft at a ceremony at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi on Jan. 16, 2019. 
Crime

Vietnam $28m stock pump-and-dump trial opens

FLC property and airline founder accused of 'sky-high' price manipulation

22 July 2024
The RTS Link, seen here in an artist rendering, will have the capacity to handle 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction. (Singapore Land Transport Authority)
International relations

Singapore and Malaysia bolster ties with rail, special economic zone

Commuter line to ease border congestion while 3,500 sq. km area to promote investment

21 July 2024
Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the government's full annual budget on July 23. It is expected to focus heavily on welfare programs and infrastructure.
Your Week in Asia

India budget, ASEAN foreign ministers meetings, SK Hynix earnings

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

21 July 2024
Containers are offloaded from the freighter Alula Express at South Korea's Busan Newport International Terminal, one of the largest container ports in the world.
Economy

Developing Asia's growth revised up by ADB as tech exports grow

Regional lender keeps forecasts for ASEAN economies, China, India unchanged

17 July 2024
Foreign tourists wait at immigration at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Thailand extends visa-free travel to 60 days for 93 countries

Tourism authority sets $94.1bn revenue target for 2025

16 July 2024