New Zealand

Smooth and effective implementation is the key to the success of CPTPP.
Opinion

The Unsexy Challenge of CPTPP

Members must focus on implementing the trade accord, or risk embarrassment

23 January 2019
The housing market contraction poses a threat to Australia's 27-year streak of economic growth.
Economy

Australian home prices slide as Chinese money dries up

December marks sharpest fall in 35 years, casting shadow on economy's resilience

23 January 2019
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, left, meets with Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas on Jan. 16 in Port Vila, Vanuatu. (Photo by AAP)
International relations

Australian leader embarks on Pacific trip to regain 'backyard'

Morrison pledges high-quality infrastructure as neighbors deepen ties with China

17 January 2019
Australian coal prices are rising, due in large part to stronger demand from China and industry consolidation.
Commodities

Coal expected to be Australia's most valuable export in 2018-19

Recovering demand lifts prices, underscoring dependence on China

13 January 2019
 Picky Japanese diners are warming up to rice from Down Under.
Commodities

Australian rice finds favor in Japan as cheaper option

Price surge for domestic varieties and TPP-11 quota drive import trend

12 January 2019
Japanese naval self-defense forces on patrol. Tokyo has stepped up intelligence sharing with Five Eyes members on China's military activities in the South China Sea and on North Korean smuggling.
International relations

Japan lends its vision to 'Five Eyes' intelligence alliance

Deepening ties focus on sharing information as China's presence grows

10 January 2019
Melons are harvested in Yubari, Hokkaido, in May 2018. If the new Japan-Australia project succeeds, it will allow farmers to market a continuous stream of produce throughout the year.
Economy

Japan and Australia to try out year-round fruit production

Project will take advantage of seasonal difference to grow high-end products for export

9 January 2019
An excavator at an Australian iron ore mine. Chinese imports of such natural resources fueled Australia's growth, but the trade war threatens to squeeze the Asian economy.
Currencies

China-reliant Australian dollar at trade war's mercy

Investors flee as Chinese slowdown threatens to hurt resource exports

8 January 2019
Vendors set up their stalls at a roadside market in New Delhi. The South Asian nation is worried that eliminating tariffs would lead to an influx of cheap goods from abroad.  
International relations

Asia trade pact RCEP aims for fall signing, after India elections

Negotiators set to meet in February to restart negotiations

7 January 2019
Scott Morrison's first trip overseas as Australian Prime Minister was to neighboring Indonesia in August.
International relations

Australia's canceled Israel embassy move shows country's Asian concerns

Government buckles amid backlash from Muslim-majority Indonesia and Malaysia

5 January 2019
Voters in some of the Asia-Pacific's biggest economies head to the polls in the new year.
Politics

Incumbents fight to keep power in series of 2019 Asia elections

Thailand, Indonesia, India, Japan, Philippines and Australia brace for new polls

3 January 2019
Although China has tightened its information controls, the country has also shown an interest in helping to create shared, international rules governing data management.
International relations

WTO seeks to ban government raids on corporate data

China and US open to multilateral effort led by Japan, Singapore and Australia

3 January 2019
These marble Tibetan snow lions were carved in Vietnam for Bendigo's Great Stupa. (Photo by Geoff Hiscock)
Arts

Great Stupa brings Buddhism to Australia's bush

Pagoda will hold one of the world's top collections of the faith's sacred relics

31 December 2018
A ship leaves a port in Indonesia, which has indicated interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.
Trade war

Japan rings in the year of mega free trade

TPP-11 zone covers a big chunk of global GDP -- but not US and China

30 December 2018
Tech companies say no one's data is safe without secure encryption. The Australian government says terrorists will imperil safety if encryption cannot be bypassed by authorities.
Politics

Australia shocks global tech community with anti-encryption law

Vaguely worded legislation threatens privacy and security of smartphone users

29 December 2018
Some whales are protected by the IWC, but Japanese officials disagree that certain species are endangered.
26 December 2018
Samooh Ali of the Maldives, right, defends the ball against a Singaporean rival during a friendly match in the city-state on March 23. (Pictobank/Getty Images)
Tea Leaves

When the 'beautiful game' transforms national confidence

Maldives shows that victory for Asia's soccer minnows means more than just goals

26 December 2018
Residents inspect a house damaged by a tsunami, in Carita, Indonesia, on Dec. 23. 
Natural disasters

Indonesia tsunami death toll tops 370, with dozens missing

Disaster likely triggered by eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau

24 December 2018
Mitsubishi Corp. has decided to sell interests in two Australian coal mines and use the proceeds to get ahead of what it sees as an approaching copper boom.
Companies

Mitsubishi Corp. to sell interests in Australian coal mines

Proceeds to go toward increasing copper positions ahead of electric vehicle boom

20 December 2018
A Madame Tussauds artist works on Malcolm Turnbull’s likeness before it is shelved. (Photo by Madame Tussauds)
Tea Leaves

Assassins at work in Australia's chamber of horrors

Canberra's leadership fiasco makes it the 'coup capital of the democratic world'

19 December 2018
Wan Long, chairman and chief executive officer of WH Group, the world's biggest pork company, poses with one of the company's products.
19 December 2018
Dalal Karra-Hassan leads a group of women through a workout program at a Sydney park.
Business trends

Women-only gyms and fitness groups draw Australian Muslims

For the modest, workouts away from the prying eyes of men are a comfort

17 December 2018
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison delivers a speech at the Sydney Institute on Saturday.
International relations

Australia recognizes West Jerusalem as Israeli capital

Prime minister says embassy will not move until city's status is settled

16 December 2018
"It concerns us that the rules-based order is under threat," says New Zealand Trade Minister David Parker.
Interview

New Zealand minister fears 'unsettled world' amid Huawei row

David Parker says 'rules-based order' under threat following multiple arrests

13 December 2018
© Illustration by Daniel Garcia
Asia Insight

A small island gets caught in China's Pacific power game with West

Bougainville's huge copper reserves and independence vote draw global interest

11 December 2018