Surin Pitsuwan, then secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, speaks during a lecture in Kuala Lumpur in 2012.
Politics

Michael Vatikiotis: The statesman who raised Southeast Asia's profile

As secretary-general of ASEAN, Surin Pitsuwan fought the odds to do good in the region

7 December 2017
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington: The U.S. money-creating spree has flooded the world with dollars.
The Big Story

Asia braces for the end of easy money

Higher foreign exchange reserves should help avoid a 'taper tantrum' but other risks remain

6 December 2017
British Prime Minister Theresa May, right, and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in New Delhi in November 2016
Opinion

Brexit Britain's troubled quest to 'Asianize' the Commonwealth

London is struggling to find partners, even in India, where it has focused diplomatic efforts

6 December 2017
China's President Xi Jinping is shown on a screen during the fourth World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, China on Dec. 4.
Politics

China toughens web censorship, encourages others to follow

Beijing sees internet controls as a 'question of sovereignty'

5 December 2017
Pope Francis, right, and Myanmar Buddhist leader Bhaddanta Kumarabhivamsa, chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, speak in Yangon on Nov. 29.
Asia Insight

Pope Francis clearing new path for Christianity in Asia

Vatican watches over minorities while making overtures to China

5 December 2017
The Yangon Stock Exchange has listed only four companies since its debut in March 2016.
Finance

TMH Telecom set to become Myanmar's first true IPO

Equipment maker serves as a test case for nation's infant stock market

5 December 2017
Talk of abolishing large-denomination bank notes largely centers on preventing criminals from hoarding cash.
Economy

The case for getting rid of high-denomination bank notes

Softer cashless route would hinder criminals, crack interest rate constraints

4 December 2017
"We Were Kings" producer Alex Bescoby, left, interviews Soe Win, the great-grandson of the last king of Burma, in Mandalay. (Courtesy of Grammar Productions 2017)
Life

Myanmar's living royals reclaim their past

Descendants of the last king, featured in a new film, enjoy growing renown

2 December 2017
Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 16.
Politics

Myanmar and China to cooperate on economic corridor

Suu Kyi seeks closer ties with Xi amid condemnation over Rohingya crisis

2 December 2017
Surin Pitsuwan, then secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, speaks during a lecture in Kuala Lumpur in 2012.
Politics

Statesman who raised ASEAN's international profile

Former Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan sought reform and cohesion

1 December 2017
Sun Chanthol
Economy

Cambodia sets up task force for PPP infrastructure projects

Senior minister seeks funds from Japan, AIIB

30 November 2017
Team members try to save a squirrel balloon. (Photo by Steve Gilmore)
Business

Fire balloon competition lights up Myanmar's Shan State

Modernity meets tradition -- and a bit of danger -- at the annual festival

30 November 2017
The Doha skyline
Economy

Qatar looks beyond its neighbors as embargo goes on

Deals in the works with Southeast Asia over gas and food

30 November 2017
Police officers stand guard at the Supreme Court in Phnom Penh on Nov. 16 during a hearing prior to the ruling to dissolve the main opposition party.
Politics

Sebastian Strangio: Cambodia's troubling return to de facto one-party rule

China-backed authoritarianism is on the rise in Asia as the US retreats

30 November 2017
Pope Francis moves through a crowd at an open-air mass at the Kyaikkasan Grounds stadium in Yangon on Wednesday. (Photo by Thurein Hla Htway)
Politics

Pope Francis calls for forgiveness in Myanmar

'Anger not the way' says first pontiff to visit Southeast Asian nation

29 November 2017
A man rides a motorcycle past the Cambodia National Rescue Party headquarters in Phnom Penh on Nov. 17, 2017.
Politics

Chinese support fuels Southeast Asia's authoritarian tilt

Hands-off Beijing enables Cambodia's political repression, Myanmar's ethnic persecution

29 November 2017
Myanmar State Counselor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi speaks to journalists after a meeting of Asian and European foreign ministers Nov. 21 in Naypyitaw.
Politics

Rohingya backlash pushes Suu Kyi toward Beijing

Myanmar leader set to visit China amid swirl of Western condemnation

28 November 2017
Christians line the streets of Yangon to welcome Pope Francis on Monday. (Photo by Thurein Hla Tway)
Politics

Pope makes first visit to Myanmar amid Rohingya crisis

Pontiff to play delicate balancing act or risk backlash against Christians

27 November 2017
Cath Kidson is planning to expand in Japan.
Business

UK retailer Cath Kidston to double stores in Japan

Handmade accessory chain targeting South Korea and Thailand, but cautious on China

26 November 2017
Three World War II veterans attend a remembrance ceremony at a military cemetery in Yangon on Nov. 12 (Photo by Denis D. Gray)
Life

Hero's commemoration links WWII with Rohingya crisis

Memorial to British officer recalls long-standing aspirations of Myanmar minorities

25 November 2017
The Doha skyline
Economy

Qatar looks to build Asia ties as Gulf isolation drags on

World's top LNG producer wants to import more food and sell more gas

25 November 2017
Japanese companies lifted wages 5.55% this fiscal year at operations elsewhere in Asia, such as this Honda Motor factory in Thailand.
Business

Wage growth plateaus at Asian ops of Japanese companies

Poll shows trend of smaller raises likely to continue next fiscal year

25 November 2017