New Zealand: News & Insights

Imported Australian beef at a supermarket in Shanghai: Australia's red meat is well-regarded as premium products in China.

Opinion

Australia's farmers welcome competition from US-China trade deal

From beef to peaches, Beijing is keen on Australian exports

5 February 2020

When Chinese markets last traded on Jan. 23, the Shanghai Composite Index tumbled 2.8%, its worst single-day drop since May. The Shanghai and Shenzhen markets are due to reopen on Monday.

Your Week in Asia

Chinese markets reopen, RCEP talks and India rate decision

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

2 February 2020

Coronavirus

China faces more travel curbs as coronavirus spreads

Australia latest to bar entry and travel while Vietnam suspends flights

2 February 2020

Passengers wearing masks use their mobile phones at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia on Jan. 27.

Coronavirus

Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia plan coronavirus evacuation

Nations to quarantine citizens for around 14 days after returning home from Wuhan

29 January 2020

Public discussion about Huawei's role gets stuck between two unhelpful extremes.

Opinion

Asia must step up tech security as it hands Huawei 5G green light

Governments around world set to follow UK stance on Chinese telecoms giant

29 January 2020

An injured koala looks on while being treated at the Wildlife Emergency Response Centre on Australia's Kangaroo Island on Jan. 19.

Tea Leaves

Australia's firestorm is a wildlife disaster

More than 1 billion animals are feared to have died, and many more will follow

29 January 2020

A coal mine in eastern Australia run by BHP and Mitsubishi.

Energy

Australian coal mines ride self-driving wave

BHP and Mitsubishi eye cost reductions from autonomous trucks and AI

26 January 2020

Health officials wear face masks at an inspection site at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Jan. 21.

Coronavirus

Wuhan coronavirus confirmed in Malaysia, Australia and Nepal

Japan declares third infection in woman who traveled from Wuhan

25 January 2020

Chan Chun Sing, Singapore's minister for trade and industry, center, holds the signed joint statement for the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement with counterparts from New Zealand and Chile.

International relations

Singapore and TPP trailblazers now turn to digital rule-setting

Partners seek to draw global standards for AI, fintech and personal data

22 January 2020

Is this bush fire season presenting the kind of national crisis Australia needs to shake it from its climate malaise?

Opinion

Why should anyone trust Australia when it comes to climate change?

Politicians have been humiliated by lackluster response as country burns

20 January 2020

Infant formula on a store shelf in Sydney. Many retailers in Australia still limit how much customers can buy.

Agriculture

China's hunger for farms and food alarms Australia and New Zealand

Mengniu Dairy's baby formula deal reopens debate over security

16 January 2020

Technical staff inject chickens with the bird flu vaccine in Shangsi, China in April 2013: we must continue to strengthen collaboration between the animal and human health sectors.

Opinion

Coronavirus outbreak shows Asia needs to step up infection preparation

Region is safer after epidemic lessons but new diseases always arising

15 January 2020

Unprecedented wildfires have affected every state across Australia, the world's biggest exporter of coal and gas. Australia was recently ranked 57th out of 57 countries on climate-change action by a group of think tanks.

Natural disasters

Australia's fossil fuel giants discover charity as fires rage

Government sees no direct link between climate change and bushfires

10 January 2020

CES 2020

Amazon launches in-car smart speakers in India in Asian push

Head of Alexa and Echo targets ‘key growth regions’ of Japan, Australia and NZ

9 January 2020

An Australian Aboriginal man plays a didgeridoo at Government House in Sydney.

Tea Leaves

Acclaimed book points to a brighter Australian future

Alternative view of night sky in 'Dark Emu' illuminates debate on Aboriginal rights

8 January 2020

In this Sunday, Jan. 5 photo provided by Australian Department of Defense, the flight deck of a C-130J Hercules aircraft has a warm glow from wildfires, as they prepare to land at Merimbula airfield to deploy Fire and Rescue crews.

Natural disasters

Australia fire burns area 20 times the size of Tokyo

Prime Minister Morrison scrambles to contain political and economic damage

7 January 2020

Female journalists from around Asia discuss the role of women in the industry during a Dec. 3 meeting in Tokyo.

Media & Entertainment

Asia's newsrooms still lack female representation, journalists say

Women from around the region meet in Tokyo to discuss diversity in coverage

1 January 2020

Xi Jinping's ultimate aim is to win acceptance for what he has called a "community of common destiny" around Asia.

Opinion

2020 look ahead: Chinese influence a concern as ASEAN elections arrive

Taiwan, Singapore and others must beware Beijing's intentions as voters go to polls

31 December 2019

Prices for rare earths like Neodymium surged in the middle of 2019 as importers feared China would take the crucial elements hostage.

Commodities

Why Asia weaponized rare earths, soybeans and palm oil in 2019

Resource nationalism took hold amid trade war tensions and environmental risks

28 December 2019

French oil company Total and Australia's Woodside will each take 40% stakes in an offshore drilling project in Myamar, with local partner MPRL E&P holding the rest. (Photo courtesy of MPRL E&P)

Energy

Total and Woodside ink deal with Myanmar for offshore gas project

Agreement marks milestone in opening door to energy investment

26 December 2019

The benefits of whatever Trump brings home are likely to be modest relative to the extent of the harm.

Opinion

2020 look ahead: Trade turbulence will continue, worsened by Trump

World Trade Organization is unraveling and US growing even more protectionist

25 December 2019

An XAG drone spraying crops with pesticides (Photo courtesy of XAG)

China tech

Chinese drone maker targets farms in Japan, South Korea and Australia

XAG launches new unmanned vehicle to expand footprint in smart agriculture

24 December 2019

Qantas Airways turned in an all-time record in revenue in the year ended June 30.

Transportation

Qantas posts record earnings with 'budget carrier' tricks and new tech

CEO, who earned wings with low-cost carrier, turns around money-losing airline

24 December 2019

Wool prices are on the upswing due to the extended drought in Australia, which supplies 40% of the global market.

Commodities

Historic drought in Australia rattles global farm goods market

Wool, wheat and sugar prices spike as exports dwindle

21 December 2019

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Micronesian President David Panuelo met in Beijing on Dec. 13. (Photo by Tsukasa Hadano)

Belt and Road

Beijing courts Micronesia in push for rival base to Guam

China dangles economic assistance to Pacific island nations currently aligned with US

14 December 2019