Kyrgyzstan

A worker shovels wheat in Kazakhstan's Akmola region. The country aims to develop its agriculture with China.
Asia Insight

China's Belt and Road sparks a battle of the breadbaskets

New infrastructure helps ex-Soviet grain exporters reach Asian markets

30 November 2017
A Mongolian performer, right, takes a selfie with her smartphone before a shortened version of a Naadam festival, a traditional Mongolian cultural and sporting event in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Business

Japanese telecom KDDI enjoys growth in crisis-battered Mongolia

Country's young population shrugs off IMF bailout and snaps up smartphones

29 November 2017
A worker shovels wheat in Kazakhstan's Akmola region. The country aims to develop its agriculture with China.
Asia Insight

China's Belt and Road sparks battle of the breadbaskets

New infrastructure helps ex-Soviet grain exporters reach Asian markets

28 November 2017
The planned missile is seen being equipped on the cutting-edge F-35 stealth fighter used by Japan's Air Self-Defense Force. (Courtesy of ASDF)
International relations

Japan and UK to collaborate on missile development

Tokyo's first non-US partnership would develop an air-to-air weapon

24 November 2017
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev speaks in Russia April 5, 2017.
Politics

Uzbek push for stronger ties may change face of Central Asia

Big diplomatic shift after past isolationism welcomed by region, world

23 November 2017
Sumo grand champion Harumafuji leaves his stable Thursday prior to being questioned by police.
Japan-Update

Police quiz sumo champion in violent bullying case

Wrestler seriously injured in assault, showing culture of hazing still plagues sport

17 November 2017
The team’s Land Rover facing the Iranian desert near the oasis of Garmeh (Photo by The Silk Road Project Team)
Life

Explorers' view of China's Belt and Road Initiative

On the ground, evidence of progress on Beijing's grand vision is hard to find

17 November 2017
Teachers on strike at a school in Ulaanbaatar: The sign reads "Salary equal to our work." (Photo by Ochir Khaidui)
Economy

Mongolian teachers strike puts government in a bind

Constrained by IMF bailout, cabinet resists call for nearly 150% pay hike

14 November 2017
Pierre Heilbronn, vice president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Economy

European development bank eager to further cooperate with AIIB

Additional syndicated loans to focus on Central Asia and Transcaucasia

14 November 2017
People take pictures as the train with a sign "First Sino-Euro Freight Train (London-Yiwu)" arrives in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, China, in April.
Opinion

China's BRI could be administrative nightmare

Multilateral institution needed to give other countries a bigger voice

31 October 2017
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev,far right, joins Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, next in front row, at the opening ceremony for the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway in Baku on Oct. 30.
Economy

'Iron silk road' threatens to sidetrack Russia

Trilateral rail project offers southern route for China's Belt and Road initiative

31 October 2017
People cast their ballots in the presidential election in Kyrgyzstan Oct. 15. This was the first instance of a non-violent, democratic transfer of power in the country.
International relations

Bloodless Kyrgyz presidential election has China and Russia smiling

First elections untainted by violence or foreign interference

21 October 2017
SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, left, celebrates with top executives of Chinese, South Korean and Russian electric utilities with which the Japanese conglomerate has teamed up for its mammoth power grid project.
Economy

Asia Super Grid: SoftBank's latest dream stretches over 6 countries

Multinational power transmission project begins in Mongolia

13 October 2017
Stream article image
12 October 2017
Central banks, particularly those vulnerable to currency volatility or economic pressure from the U.S., have been heavy buyers of gold in recent years.
Currencies

Central banks hedging against geopolitical risk with gold

Large stashes are a handy weapon against currency jitters and US pressure

11 October 2017
State-owned Kazatomprom is the world's largest uranium producer.
Opinion

Kazakhstan must do more to convince foreign investors

Privatization drive confronts wariness about state intentions

10 October 2017
Business and consumer confidence has improved in many countries, but investment demand is still lagging.
Economy

Economic breathing space is an opportunity to strengthen resilience

Tougher reforms needed to kick growth into higher gear

8 October 2017
Mongolia's legislature confirmed Khurelsukh Ukhnaa as the new prime minister.
Politics

Mongolia ushers in new prime minister

Attention turns to possible shift in North Korea stance

5 October 2017
A cargo ship is seen docked at a port in Lianyungang on January 13, 2016. The city in China's Jiangsu Province is to be the starting point of a new rail service that will carry goods to Europe.
Politics

Nippon Express climbs aboard China's Belt and Road Initiative

New service to carry goods from port along East China Sea to Europe

30 September 2017
Stream article image
Opinion

Emerging Asia investors may finally be turning more cautious

Korean tensions and US monetary policy recognized as prime 'tail risks'

28 September 2017
The new route to Europe will extend to Piraeus, Greece, from Khorgos, pictured here, on the Chinese border with Kazakhstan.
Politics

Tristan Kenderdine: The Caspian Sea is the best bet for China's Belt and Road

Route would help Beijing balance its land and maritime strategies

28 September 2017
Students learn electric circuit design at a Kosen vocational school affiliated with the Mongolian University of Science and Technology.
International relations

Thailand and Mongolia embracing Japanese 'Kosen' schools

One hopes to avoid middle-income trap; other seeks modernization

27 September 2017
China's better than expected economic expansion will buoy Asia's growth in 2017.
Economy

Global trade, China will buoy Asia's growth to 5.8% in 2018

ADB says latest outlook for the region is 'heartening'

26 September 2017
The shiny and expensive architecture of downtown Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, is part of the legacy of autocratic President Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Economy

Kazakh pension scandals stir criticism of government

Corruption allegations undermine Astana's modernizing self-image

21 September 2017
Until now, Uzbeks preferred not to change money at banks because of unattractive official exchange rates. (Photo by Ikrom Nosirov)
Economy

Drastic Uzbek devaluation whets appetite for wider reform

Observers hopeful move may signal growing confidence of new president

14 September 2017