Pacific Islands

A port in the Samoan capital of Apia: China is poised to help the island country redevelop another, well-located but disused port.
International relations

US and China leave Biden 'high stakes' inheritance in South Pacific

Washington lined up new ships as Beijing closed in on port before Election Day

23 November 2020
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech in Noumea, New Caledonia on May 5, 2018. 
Politics

New Caledonia set for vote on ending 167 years of French rule

China watching Sunday's independence poll on increasingly strategic island

1 October 2020
A surfer in Tahiti: French Polynesia is due to lift its border restrictions entirely on July 15.
Travel & Leisure

Pacific islands await 'travel bubble' as French Polynesia reopens solo

Economic pressure prompts bold gamble in face of coronavirus risks

13 June 2020
Rescue personnel help move flood victims to safer areas in the southern Indian state of Kerala in August 2019.
Opinion

Central banks must connect climate change and financial inclusion

Extreme weather can wash away people's livelihoods

5 June 2020
With exports and domestic consumption crashing, China, the world's second largest economy, could be on course for losses of up to $1.6 trillion this year, according to the ADB. 
Economy

ADB warns coronavirus threatens to chop 10% off global output

Bank says fiscal and monetary responses needed immediately to soften fallout

15 May 2020
People sleep on benches at Hua Lamphong train station in Bangkok on Apr. 3: the urban poor are at risk, living in overcrowded spaces.
Opinion

Governments facing tough choices in COVID-19 crisis: World Bank VP

Countries in East Asia and Pacific must expand effective programs for poverty relief

27 April 2020
Chinese military hospital ship the Peace Ark travels on the Pacific Ocean: the ship launched free medical services for the citizens of Vanuatu in July 2018.
Opinion

China's coronavirus aid to Pacific islands is part of geopolitical game

Beijing is using health care to improve relations in strategically significant area

23 April 2020
A Chinese flag flies outside the Chinese Embassy in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. China is pouring billions of dollars in aid and low-interest loans into the South Pacific, as part of a battle for power and influence in the region.
International relations

Coronavirus gives China an edge as it expands sway in the Pacific

Island nations such as Samoa and Tonga need loans to pay for stimulus

10 April 2020
Tourist and school buses are seen at a parking lot near Kwai Chung Container Terminal in Hong Kong, April 1: The novel coronavirus outbreak has devastated the territory's tourism industry.
Economy

Pandemic to cut Asian growth to 2.2%, worst since 1998 crisis: ADB

Thailand, Hong Kong and seven other economies to shrink, China to slow sharply

3 April 2020
An Indian woman walks to get water from a communal tube well at Raichi Wadi village, India: women and girls are responsible for water collection in 80% of households without access to piped water.
Opinion

Follow Greta and listen to women in fight against climate change

Poor and marginalized women are most affected by it but least heard

5 March 2020
The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery in western Japan has become a magnet for the world's whisky aficionados. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)
Business Spotlight

Suntory, Asahi and Kirin face sober reality in Japan

Big three brewers move abroad as domestic alcohol consumption dries up

28 February 2020
AI is creating unfamiliar possibilities.
Opinion

It is time for G-20 to give way to tech-driven AI-20

Multilateral body based on harnessing artificial intelligence is way forward

28 February 2020
Facebook's plan to create a virtual currency called Libra has prompted some emerging nations to consider developing their own.
Cryptocurrencies

Libra threat spurs small nations to create own digital currencies

Cambodia and Marshall Islands look to safeguard monetary sovereignty

16 February 2020
A staff member wearing a face mask stands in front of a restaurant on Valentine's Day in Beijing.
15 February 2020
The University of Melbourne campus. Thousands of Chinese students have been unable to attend class at schools in Australia because of the government's harsh response to the new coronavirus outbreak. (Photo by Jason Koutsoukis) 
Coronavirus

Australian universities stung by absence of Chinese students

Billions of dollars at risk as travel ban interrupts return of tens of thousands

14 February 2020
Residents on the Natuna Island protest against bringing evacuees from Wuhan to a military facility there. 
Coronavirus

'Worse than prison': Asia strains to quarantine masses

Coronavirus wreaks havoc on region's tourism industry

12 February 2020
Foreign students in Japan are allowed to work in unskilled-labor positions, such as convenience store work, for up to 28 hours per week. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) 
Japan immigration

Japan intensifies crackdown on student visa overstayers

Number of countries subject to stricter checks to increase tenfold

11 February 2020
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
Passengers wear masks to prevent an outbreak of a new coronavirus at Hong Kong West Kowloon railway station.
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