Pacific Islands

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison waves to supporters in Sydney on May 19. The conservative Liberal-National coalition is projected to secure an outright majority in the lower house of parliament.
Politics

Australia's conservatives set to win a majority in lower house

Benchmark stock index surges to 11-year high on news of coalition victory

20 May 2019
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to supporters after his opponent, Labor Party leader Bill Shorten, conceded defeat in the federal election in Sydney on Sunday.
Politics

Australia's conservatives owe 'miracle' win to economic promises

Prime Minister Scott Morrison's shrewd marketing proves successful

19 May 2019
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, left, gestures after casting his ballot in a federal election in Sydney.
Politics

Australia's government pulls off shock win in federal election

Prime Minister Scott Morrison looks to remain in office

19 May 2019
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison, left, faces off against Labor leader Bill Shorten.
Politics

Early returns point to Labor win in Australian federal election

Slower economy brings Liberal-National coalition to brink of defeat

18 May 2019
Some economists say they are worried that the Labor Party's tax policies could hurt Australia's housing market.
Politics

Australia elections pit landlords against renters

Labor pledge to end tax breaks for the wealthy met with fears of economic pain

17 May 2019
Rio Tinto's fleet of autonomous trucks has helped improve output efficiency at iron ore mines.
Commodities

Australia iron ore miners see a light at the end of the tunnel

Chinese economic stimulus to give Rio Tinto and BHP a leg up

17 May 2019
Kamori Kanko is hoping to lure Australian tourists to its Rusutsu Resort in Hokkaido with package deals. (Photo courtesy of ANA)
Companies

Qantas to sell 5,000 seats to Hokkaido resort operator

Carrier revives direct flight to Japanese island for first time in 12 years

17 May 2019
A Singtel booth is pictured at the Money 20/20 Asia Fintech Trade Show in Singapore March 21, 2019. The company reported its lowest annual profit in 16 years in the year ended March. 
Companies

Singtel profit skids to 16-year low amid challenges in India

Company expects performance of associates to improve

15 May 2019
Balancing relations with China and the U.S. has long been a difficult task for Australia.
International relations

Australia's Labor plans foreign policy pivot to Southeast Asia

If party wins election, it is likely to show a softer attitude to China

15 May 2019
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, right, and Labor leader Bill Shorten take part in "The Leaders' Debate'' in Canberra on May 8.
Politics

Five things to know about the Australian election

Polls point to the first change of government since 2013

13 May 2019
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison, left, faces off against Labor leader Bill Shorten.
Politics

Labor leads over ruling coalition as Australian election nears

Country may see its first change of government in six years in May 18 poll

12 May 2019
The first two leaders' debates of the campaign between Scott Morrison, left, and his challenger Bill Shorten did not discuss foreign policy at all.
Opinion

Time for Australia's campaigning leaders to debate China?

Politicians avoid arousing voter concern despite Huawei and South China Sea disputes

8 May 2019
Climate change, and its effect on Pacific island nations, will be discussed at this year's Asian Development Bank board of governors meeting in Fiji. (Photo by Hisao Kodachi)
2 May 2019
One half of the time Australian prosperity is based on digging things out of the ground and selling them to foreigners at good prices. 
Opinion

Australia's irrelevant election

Short sighted policies have left economy at the mercy of external events

30 April 2019
Lion Dairy and Drinks will keep its alcohol business as it continues to unload other operations.
Business deals

Kirin to sell Aussie cheese business to Canada's Saputo for $178m

Japanese brewer still looks to offload subsidiary's juice and beverage operations

26 April 2019
The Solomon Islands' former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare speaks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2016.
Politics

Solomon Islands' next prime minister faces choice over Taiwan ties

Taipei's few remaining allies waver in the face of China's investment promises

22 April 2019
Labor Party lead by Bill Shorten, left, seems to be offering the young a bit more than the Coalition of Scott Morrison, right.
Opinion

Australia's struggling youth may decide election

Intergenerational conflict marks polls, with young people angry at poor prospects

22 April 2019
Nippon Paint looks to complete its buyout of Australia's DuluxGroup in mid-August.
Business deals

Nippon Paint to buy Australia's DuluxGroup for $2.6bn

Company looks to expand sales channels in Oceania as China market cools

17 April 2019
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday.
Politics

Australia's Morrison calls for May 18 election

Ruling party trails in polls ahead of first parliamentary contest since 2016

11 April 2019
Fortescue CEO Elizabeth Gaines says the company will continue to develop relationships with customers in Japan and South Korea.
Interview

Chinese steel output to grow 3-4%, says Fortescue CEO

Beijing's push for high-speed rail, airports to create demand despite trade war

11 April 2019
Couples across Asia are seeking fertility treatments amid a sharp fall in birth rates.(Photo by Wataru Ito)
Business trends

Chinese demand for fertility treatment spurs IVF deals

Mason Group races to build a regionwide network of clinics to consolidate demand

7 April 2019
Tax concessions have not alleviated Australia's housing shortage.
Opinion

Heady election tax pledges can bring on long hangovers

Australian fiscal policymaking highlights danger of politicizing economic decisions

3 April 2019
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government announced active investments in roads, railroads and other infrastructure to improve traffic in urban areas.
Economy

Australian government vows tax relief ahead of general election

Coalition offers help with electricity bills to low- and middle-income earners

2 April 2019
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, left, meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on April 1. The countries have been at odds over the security risk posed by Chinese communications products.
International relations

Xi meets with New Zealand prime minister to court US ally

Beijing aims to drive wedge into Five Eye intelligence pact

2 April 2019
China's shift toward Brazilian soybeans may not be easily undone, even if tariffs on imports of the crop from the U.S. are lowered.
Trade war

Trade war carves new paths for LNG and soybeans

One year on, US exporters see China opportunities lost to Brazil and Australia

1 April 2019