An excavator loads a dump truck with zinc-bearing soil in Russia.
Commodities

Glencore on offensive as zinc prices recover, China cuts production

Swiss mining giant's production cuts still dealing a blow to steelmakers

4 January 2018
People walk at the financial district of Pudong in Shanghai.
Economy

Asia seen leading global wage growth in 2018

Raises solid in India, Vietnam, China, but meager in Japan, US, Europe -- survey

4 January 2018
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Capital Markets

Japan joining Asian funds passporting scheme

Move will smooth cross-border marketing of investment trusts

3 January 2018
New Zealand is growing concerned about Chinese influence through trade and immigration.
Politics

China sends chills through South Pacific politics

Suspicion over New Zealand MP stokes fears of widespread meddling

30 December 2017
Former Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt in the water at Portsea, a suburb of Melbourne, in 1966
Politics

A missing PM 50 years ago still affects Australian-Chinese relations today

Harold Holt's disappearance remains a mystery, and a symbol of changing regional power dynamics

28 December 2017
Protesters take part in a demonstration in Sydney against Adani's planned coal mine project in northeast Australia on Oct. 7.
Business

Australia's biggest mine faces fresh hurdles

Collapse in outsourcing deal is latest setback for Adani's controversial project

28 December 2017
Xiang Xiang plays in a tree as she is introduced to the media at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo on Dec. 18. (Photo by Maho Obata)
Politics

Panda diplomacy grows with China's ambitions

Public needs to look beyond the furry animal's cuteness and see what's really at play, experts say

27 December 2017
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop delivers her opening remarks during a ministerial meeting of Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Manila on Aug. 6.
Economy

Australia seeks 80% free trade coverage by 2020

Foreign minister backs 'all options' on North Korea, including force

26 December 2017
Japanese strawberries are known for their sweet taste.
Economy

Japan eyes Australia as new market for its strawberries

Imports of Japanese beef, banned in 2001, are also set to resume

26 December 2017
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Stocks

Resource stocks track higher on rosy global economic outlook

Tailwinds from US tax cuts could also spur on demand

23 December 2017
A logo of NHA on the rooftop of a building in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province
Business

HNA Group buy approved amid mounting scrutiny

Austria backs deal by Chinese conglomerate, but international probes intensify

22 December 2017
The deckhouse of the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System. Japan plans to deploy two of the systems to counter the growing threat from North Korea.
Economy

Rising Asia tensions push Japan's defense budget to record high

No end in sight for spending as Pyongyang and Beijing continue to flex military muscle

22 December 2017
Bitcoin has almost topped $20,000. The cryptocurrency's meteoric rise this year has Asian central bankers worried.
Economy

Asian central bankers on high alert over bitcoin frenzy

BOJ's Kuroda warns of the crypto's 'undoubtedly abnormal' rise

21 December 2017
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, right, is delighted at the passage of the same-sex marriage bill on Dec.7 in the lower house of the Australian parliament.
Business

Same-sex marriage law in Australia has wedding sector in a swoon

New law will encourage gays to marry in-country while luring those from abroad

20 December 2017
A protester holds a sign as he participates in a demonstration against the Indian mining company Adani's planned Carmichael coal mine project in northeast Australia, at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Oct. 7.
Business

Giant Australian coal mine faces new hurdle as Adani deal collapses

Cancellation of $1.5bn outsourcing plan raises doubts about project's future

19 December 2017
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Economy

Australia trims growth forecast to 2.5% on slower wage gains

Fiscal surplus target remains on track; Treasurer affirms push for corporate tax cut

19 December 2017
A protester holds a sign as he participates in a national Day of Action against the Indian mining company Adani's planned coal mine project in north-east Australia at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Oct. 7.
Economy

Adani scraps coal-mine contract with Australia's Downer

Funding challenges mount along with opposition to coal

18 December 2017
Paragliders fly over Queenstown and lake Wakatipu in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Life

New Zealand's improbably 'hot' Southern Alps under pressure

Once isolated high country faces housing crisis and environmental pressures

17 December 2017
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks to reporters at Parliament House in Canberra on Dec. 5.
Politics

Australia-China mistrust steals spotlight in Sydney by-election

PM's future in balance amid talk of covert meddling and 'racial paranoia'

15 December 2017
Protesters participate in a national Day of Action against the Indian mining company Adani's planned coal mine project in north-east Australia at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Oct. 7.
Business

India's Adani to 'adjust' as Queensland to veto coal mine funding

New premier of Australian state said she would veto loan for Carmichael mine

13 December 2017
Philip Lowe, governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, doubts the future of bitcoin.
Economy

Central banker lashes bitcoin 'speculative mania'

Reserve Bank of Australia governor joins critics of modern 'tulip bubble'

13 December 2017
A Taiwan Coast Guard officer stands guard under a Taiwanese flag in Pengjia Islet, north of Taiwan.
Politics

Taiwan eyes 'important role' in alternative Asian sphere of influence

Mainland affairs minister intrigued by Trump references to 'Indo-Pacific'

13 December 2017
Australia's Sen. Sam Dastyari attends question time in the Senate chamber at Parliament House in Canberra on Dec. 4.
Politics

Prominent Australian senator resigns over China links

Government moves to block foreign political money as China looms larger

12 December 2017
Australia's AWE is developing domestic natural gas projects. (Courtesy of AWE)
Business

China hits resistance in bid for Aussie gas developer AWE

A $350m buyout offer faces government scrutiny and local competition

12 December 2017
The Chatree gold mine in the northern Thai province of Phichit was closed in January after a government order. (Photo by Hiroshi Kotani)
Economy

Australia's Kingsgate battles Thai government over gold mine closure

Case moves to international arbitration after military junta's decision

10 December 2017