Tajikistan

Journalists and citizens rally in May 2016 to demand protection of press freedoms after the abrupt firing of a veteran editor at Chinese-language newspaper Ming Pao. (Photo by Kenji Kawase)
Politics

Asia-Pacific press freedom takes another step back

North Korea, China at rock bottom as Hong Kong slips from top 10

29 April 2017
The Yangshan Deep Water Port in Shanghai
Economy

The long, frustrating quest for free trade in Asia

A defanged TPP and an undercooked RCEP make for a murky future

27 April 2017
The Yangshan Deep Water Port in Shanghai
Economy

The long and frustrating quest for free trade in Asia

A defanged TPP and an undercooked RCEP make for a murky future

27 April 2017
Former U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman
Economy

If US won't lead on trade, China will: Ex-US trade rep

Michael Froman urges engagement in Asia-Pacific to counter Beijing's influence

27 April 2017
A laborer sits atop debris from of a monastery damaged during the 2015 earthquake in Kathmandu on Jan. 11.
Politics

Nepal feels both geopolitical and geotectonic squeeze

Himalayan nation under pressure to stay prepared for fresh tensions, geographic and political

23 April 2017
Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif speaks at the inauguration of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor port in Gwadar, Pakistan, on Nov. 13.
Economy

China-Pakistan corridor could help stabilize South Asia

Dialogue with India and Afghanistan needed to maximize regional benefits

20 April 2017
Mobile ad spending grew 49% in 2016.
Business

The internet poised to dethrone TV as ad king

Advertising dollars follow consumer eyes to smartphones

7 April 2017
The heyday of hedge funds is long gone.
Finance

Hedge funds suffer money exodus

Meager returns, high fees drive investors away

6 April 2017
Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Takehiko Nakao poses in front of the logo of ADB at its headquarters in Manila on January 8, 2016.
Economy

ADB scholarships help foster human resources

Some 3,500 people across Asia have benefited from bank program

3 April 2017
Activists take part in a rally to support ethnic Madhesis and condemning killing protesters in Rajbiraj, during a demonstartion in Kathmandu, Nepal, March 9.
Politics

Hindu nationalism could hinder modern development

After Modi's state poll victory, Nepal and other neighboring countries must deal with India's expanded influence

22 March 2017
A Zara store in Barcelona highlights the mainstay apparel brand of Spanish company Inditex.
Business

H&M, Zara operator fashion aggressive global expansion

Powerhouse apparel pair show no need to narrow focus

16 March 2017
Th opening ceremony of a railway link to Afghanistan in the Ymamnazar customs control point, Turkmenistan, in November 2016.
Politics

Russia-India rail link could undermine Suez Canal's importance

Expanding transport networks in Central Asia will help shape global routes

14 March 2017
Oil drilling services workers in the Kazakh town of Zhanaozen prepare to go on shift at dawn. (Photo by Naubet Bisenov)
Politics

Kazakhstan risks backlash over labor crackdown

International criticism could hamper government image-building effort

14 March 2017
Supporters of detained opposition politician Omurbek Tekebayev, the leader of the Ata Meken party, hold a rally in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on Feb. 26.
Politics

Kyrgyzstan set for more unrest ahead of November elections

Detention of opposition leader sparks widespread protests against 'repression'

4 March 2017
A man tends a poppy field in eastern Afghanistan.
Politics

Hamish McDonald: Afghanistan's opium problem could also be a solution

It's time to revisit scuttled plans to license the deadly crop

2 March 2017
Kokubu Group looks to participate in business fairs to boost its exports of fresh Japanese produce.
Business

Traders help small producers beef up Japanese-food exports

Demand grows globally amid popularity of Japanese dishes

1 March 2017
Mongolian Foreign Minister Tsend Munkh-Orgil and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi attend a joint news conference at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Feb. 20.
21 February 2017
Choijilsuren Battogtokh, center, the finance minister of Mongolia, is seen at Saturday’s press conference to announce the IMF rescue package.
Economy

Mongolia dodges bond default, agrees to bailout with IMF

Mineral-rich country accepts outside supervision of reforms

20 February 2017
A man tends a poppy field in eastern Afghanistan.
Politics

Turning Afghan opium ills to good

Is it time to revisit plans to license some of the deadly crop?

13 February 2017
Mongolian Finance Minister Choijilsuren Battogtokh (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Economy

Goodbye volatility, hello steady growth, says Mongolia's finance chief

IMF is helping set the stage for years of 6-8% growth

3 February 2017
Dawn breaks over a smog-shrouded Ulaanbaatar. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Economy

Battered Mongolia faces make-or-break moment

Government reforms, commodity upswing set stage for an economic resurgence

2 February 2017
Trucks travel along a road inside a copper mine.
Commodities

Trump, Xi to impact resource-dependent countries in 2017

US infrastructure spending, China's capacity cuts to sway commodities prices

2 February 2017
Mongolian Finance Minister Choijilsuren Battogtokh (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Economy

Goodbye volatility, hello steady growth, says Mongolia's finance chief

IMF is helping set the stage for years of 6-8% growth

2 February 2017
Dawn breaks over a smog-shrouded Ulaanbaatar. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Economy

Battered Mongolia faces make-or-break moment

Government reforms, commodity upswing set stage for an economic resurgence

2 February 2017
The parliament building in Ulaanbaatar (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Politics

Mongolia's bumpy journey to independence

Former satellite state was long at the mercy of Russia and China

2 February 2017