Pacific Islands

Most of South America's lithium is harvested from salt flats.
Commodities

China's electric-car push sparks gold rush for lithium

Companies chase deals with Chilean, Australian miners

27 November 2017
BTC China, the country's largest bitcoin trading platform, shut down in response to a ban on digital cryptocurrency trading.
Opinion

Asian regulators should focus on light touch for ICOs

Coin offerings are a valuable fund-raising mechanism that should not be banned

27 November 2017
Vietnamese refugee-turned-Australian entrepreneur David Chiem plans to expand preschool business from Singapore to China and the world.
Business

Singapore's MindChamps plans to teach kids in China how to learn

Backed by Chinese funds, the company raises $34.3 million in IPO to expand

24 November 2017
The planned missile is seen being equipped on the cutting-edge F-35 stealth fighter used by Japan's Air Self-Defense Force. (Courtesy of ASDF)
International relations

Japan and UK to collaborate on missile development

Tokyo's first non-US partnership would develop an air-to-air weapon

24 November 2017
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop shake hands at the end of a June 5 press conference in Sydney (© Reuters)
Politics

Australia hedges bets on US in foreign-policy balancing act

China's rise prompts new outlook from longtime Washington ally

24 November 2017
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, right, in Auckland, New Zealand, with then New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English in March
Politics

China's BRI -- swimming with the whale

Small countries can profit from Beijing's projects as New Zealand shows

24 November 2017
A startup booth at Singapore's Fintech Festival draws interest.
Finance

Singapore widens crossborder tie-ups in fintech

World biggest fintech event attended by record 30,000 participants

23 November 2017
Stream article image
Life & Arts

Monocle's ranking of soft power in Asia

Our international partner looks at which countries sell themselves best

23 November 2017
Vietnamese Trade Minister Tran Tuan Anh, left, and his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi shake hands in Danang, Vietnam, on Nov. 11.
Opinion

The revised TPP is still a big deal

Agreement provides substantial benefits to companies despite loss of US

17 November 2017
Ant Financial: The world's No. 1 fintech company according to KPMG
Finance

Alibaba affiliates sweep top 3 spots in global fintech ranking

KPMG's new list spotlights the rise of Chinese financial technology

16 November 2017
A protester mocks Australian One Nation party leader Pauline Hanson during a rally in support of refugees in Melbourne, Australia.
Politics

Populist party gathers momentum in Australian state election

Rising anti-establishment sentiment may fuel ultra-nationalist agenda

16 November 2017
A Japanese rocket launch: The country aims to send up a new emissions-monitoring satellite next fiscal year.
Politics

Japanese satellite to beam down emissions data for emerging Asia

Tokyo vows to help Southeast Asia and Pacific islands in the climate fight

16 November 2017
Japan's Minister of Economic Revitalization Toshimitsu Motegi, right, and Vietnam's Industry and Trade Minister Tran Tuan Anh shake hands after a news conference at the TPP Ministerial Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam on Nov. 11.
Economy

The TPP 11 rekindle multilateral trade hopes as Trump looks on

Broad agreement on US-less trade pact could set the tone for other deals

16 November 2017
Leaders attend the APEC-ASEAN dialogue, on the sidelines of the APEC summit, in Danang, Vietnam on Nov. 10.
Economy

The TPP aims to be a template for 21st-century trade deals

Agreement's 11 signatories hope to counter growing protectionist moves

16 November 2017
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte chairs a meeting on the RCEP trade deal in Manila on Nov. 14.
Economy

After delay, RCEP leaders resolve to wrap up pact in 2018

Duterte stresses Asia-Pacific framework is not just another trade deal

14 November 2017
Trade ministers and delegates from the remaining members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership attend the TPP Ministerial Meeting in Danang, Vietnam, on Nov. 9.
Economy

TPP 11 trade agreement is a deal to build on

US-less pact can help set standards for an even broader high-quality trade zone

14 November 2017
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, U.S. President Donald Trump, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong pose for a family photo during the ASEAN-U.S. 40th Anniversary Commemorative Summit in Manila on Nov. 13.
Economy

Trump's devotion to trade puts North Korea issue on hold

ASEAN meetings proving to be missed chance to secure China's commitment

14 November 2017
Trade ministers and delegates from the 11 members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership attend the TPP ministerial meeting during the APEC 2017 summit in Danang, Vietnam.
Economy

Vietnam and Malaysia play vital roles in making TPP 11 happen

Two ASEAN members see big economic gains in multilateral trade pact

13 November 2017
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, left, U.S. President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull meet on the sidelines of an ASEAN Summit in Manila on Nov. 13. (Pool photo)
Politics

Trump, Abe and Turnbull talk North Korea and trade

America's 'deficits will be cut very quickly,' US president says

13 November 2017
Japan's Economy Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, right, and Vietnam's Industry and Trade Minister Tran Tuan Anh shake hands at a press conference announcing an agreement in principle for the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal in Danang, Vietnam on Nov. 11.
Economy

TPP nations reignite multilateral trade hopes as Trump looks on

11-nation agreement could have knock-on effects on future trade deals

12 November 2017
National leaders pose during group photo session at the APEC Summit in Danang, Vietnam on Nov. 11.
Economy

Trump's isolation stands out as APEC leaders embrace multilateralism

Gathering focused on trade, leaving China unchecked on South China Sea issue

12 November 2017
Japan's Minister of Economic Revitalization Toshimitsu Motegi, right, and Vietnam's Industry and Trade Minister Tran Tuan Anh shake hands after a news conference at the TPP Ministerial Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam on Nov. 11.
Economy

TPP aims to set template for future trade deals

Agreement's 11 signatories hope to counter growing protectionist moves

12 November 2017
Country leaders pose during the family photo session at the APEC Summit in Danang, Vietnam on Nov. 11.
Economy

APEC statement addresses Trump criticism of 'unfair trade'

Leaders call for removal of 'market distorting subsidies'

11 November 2017
Ministers from the 11 Trans-Pacific Partnership member states discuss the trade deal in Danang, Vietnam on Nov. 9.
Economy

TPP ministers affirm agreement in principle but no summit

Details to be laid out Saturday at news conference, Japanese minister says

11 November 2017
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at a press briefing at the Government Office in Hanoi on Nov. 8.
Economy

'TPP 11' trade pact official agreement still up in the air

Japan PM says Canada not ready to make decision

10 November 2017