New Zealand

A traffic signal outside the WTO headquarters in Geneva. The U.S. has vetoed appointments of appellate judges at the WTO since 2017.
Trade

US forces standstill of WTO appeals body

Lack of judges leaves 14 trade cases hanging in the balance

12 December 2019
Governor of the Bank of Korea Lee Ju-yeol speaks during a press conference: central bank policymakers must avoid becoming ATMs for complacent governments.
Opinion

South Korea's quantitative easing would be road to nowhere

Japan shows how QE discourages deep corporate reform

12 December 2019
A voter raises his hands as he prepares to cast a vote in Buka, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, on Nov. 23.
Politics

Bougainville votes for independence from Papua New Guinea

China to step up its approach to South Pacific island if independence is granted

11 December 2019
Even after the suspension of APEC Leaders' Week in Chile, can-do attitude of participants remains.
Opinion

APEC shows virtues of multilateralism despite Chile cancellation

New host Malaysia will aid efforts to push forward free trade pacts

9 December 2019
Australian flag flutters in front of Beijing's Great Hall of the People.
International relations

Fear of China's election meddling triggers reforms across Pacific

Reports of shady contributions and spy activities push governments to act

7 December 2019
Keppel REIT is one of Asia's leading real estate investment trusts with a portfolio of Grade-A commercial assets in such cities as Singapore, Sydney and Seoul.
Business deals

Singapore-based Keppel REIT in $110m green loan from OCBC

Listed landlord plans to expand its environmentally friendly building portfolio

6 December 2019
Scott Morrison shakes hands with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during a meeting on Nov. 3: the politics of Australia's relationship with China are complex and elude easy answers.
Opinion

Australia needs clear message when it comes to Chinese meddling

Scott Morrison's government has no strategy to deal with Beijing's rise

4 December 2019
Morrison values Abe as someone who has managed how to steer a course between an unstable America and an assertive China.
Opinion

Japan can teach Australia how to carefully handle China

Scott Morrison needs to study Shinzo Abe's resolve

2 December 2019
Singapore said on Friday it had instructed Facebook to correct a post on its social media platform under its new "fake news" law.
Politics

Singapore tells Facebook to correct post, citing 'fake news' law

Social media giant ordered to run correction after author refuses to comply

29 November 2019
An almond-sorting line at a ranch in California: The U.S. state produces about 80% of the world's supply.
Commodities

Demand from health-conscious Chinese underpin world nut prices

Despite high import tariffs, China is still buying from the US

29 November 2019
A ship at a Rio Tinto aluminum refinery in northern Australia: The mining titan is working to cut carbon emissions in its extraction and processing operations.
Commodities

Rio Tinto chases greener identity in Australia and China

Mining giant's projects seek to cut emissions in carbon-heavy industries

28 November 2019
China will continue some of Taiwan's projects, such as the construction of the main stadium for the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara. (Photo by Fumi Matsumoto)
Opinion

Pacific islands avoid China's 'debt-trap' diplomacy for now

Beijing's interest in region sparks fears it is making unsustainable loans

27 November 2019
Apart from the sale of industrial equipment, Malaysia’s Sime Darby also assembles automobiles and retails mass-market and luxury brands such as BMW and Porsche.
Nikkei Markets

Sime Darby's net profit rises on strong equipment sales

Robust demand for mining equipment in China to help sustain earnings

26 November 2019
A miner looks across a mine in Kalgoorlie, located around 500 kilometers east of Perth, Australia. 
Commodities

US and Australia form scrum to break China's rare-earth grip

Washington looks to ally to end reliance on trade war rival

26 November 2019
Major LNG development projects have been launched around the world in recent years.
Energy

LNG prices in Asia plunge 43% as new US supply hits market

Production at new fields in Australia and Russia adding to glut

25 November 2019
A Lion Dairy & Drinks logistics facility in Australia. (Photo courtesy of the company)
Business deals

Kirin to sell Australian dairy unit to China's Mengniu

Japanese brewer continues streamlining to focus on alcoholic beverages

25 November 2019
Seedless Shine Muscat grapes, developed in Japan, enjoy growing popularity overseas. (Photo by Yuji Uoyama)
Agriculture

Japan to strengthen IP protections for its high-end produce

Move will curb foreign growers so Japanese farms realize the fruits of their labor

23 November 2019
An Australia-inspired offering at Bali's Sea Circus.
Life

Modern Australian cuisine makes waves in Bali

Expatriate chefs rule culinary roost on Indonesian resort island

22 November 2019
A firefighter works to contain a bush fire in the Australian town of Old Bar, in New South Wales, on Nov. 9.
Tea Leaves

Australians confront 'trial by fire'

Unprecedented bush blazes disrupt politics and social norms Down Under

20 November 2019
Spark New Zealand has decided to keep Huawei on its 5G supplier list.
Huawei crackdown

Huawei back in New Zealand's 5G plans despite security concerns

Country's No. 2 carrier addresses unease with smaller role for Chinese supplier

20 November 2019
Members of the Philippine Railway Institute observe the operations of a Marunouchi Line driver at Honancho station in Tokyo (Photo by Yuki Kohara).
Transportation

Tokyo Metro tackles $87bn global market with IPO in mind

Subway operator seeks new growth engine as aging population cuts local business

12 November 2019
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, left, with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. It is unclear whether India will return to the RCEP talks.
International relations

RCEP trade deal can take effect without India, Thailand confirms

China, Japan, ASEAN and others to write up treaty for ratification by June

8 November 2019
U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien at a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the ASEAN summit on Nov. 4 in Thailand. (Pool photo)
International relations

Trump's ASEAN snub signals US-led Asia order is in decline

Southeast Asian leaders see presidential envoy as sign of disrespect, expert says

5 November 2019
Leaders of sixteen nations pose during the Third RECEP Summit in Nonthaburi, Thailand, on Nov. 4: The members failed to reach an agreement on a free trade deal on Monday.
International relations

Five things to know about India's cool stance on RCEP

Face-saving document raises questions about New Delhi's future in trade deal

5 November 2019
The RCEP talks are expected to continue next year, but some political analysts and economists fear it may be difficult to regain momentum.
International relations

16 Asia-Pacific nations fail to seal RCEP trade deal

India blocks agreement; talks pushed to next year in blow for trade-war-weary China

5 November 2019