Philippines

Solar power systems will be installed on the roofs of more than 30 factories and other buildings in the Pampanga Economic Zone, north of Manila.
Energy

Philippines signs deal with Japan's Advantec for solar power

Panels to line roofs of dozens of factories in blackout-prone country

13 October 2023
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. listens to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris at the ASEAN-U.S. Summit in Jakarta on Sept. 6. (Pool via Reuters)
Opinion

West has to go beyond boosting Philippine defenses against China

Allies should encourage and support Marcos to undertake governance reforms

11 October 2023
A "shelter" sign is displayed as people arrive in Israel overlooking others waiting to board flights at Ben Gurion Airport on Oct. 9 in Lod, Israel.
Middle East crisis

Thailand and Philippines scramble to safeguard citizens in Israel

Deaths reported among Southeast Asian workers after Hamas attack

10 October 2023
The surging rice prices were triggered by India, the world's largest rice exporter, which banned export of its crop amid increasing demand for rice as an alternative to wheat.
Economy

On topic: How do rising rice prices affect Asia?

A collection of stories to catch up on a recent hot topic

8 October 2023
Dole, which exports bananas from the Philippines, faces a huge tax hit without a VAT rebate.
Politics

Philippines risks losing foreign investment over delayed tax rebates

Multinational companies criticize byzantine tax code, slow VAT refunds

6 October 2023
Food stores in Manila have been losing money, with prices increasing rapidly since Sept. 1.
Economy

Marcos lifts Philippines' cap on rice prices after one month

President says Manila still taking 'other measures' to curb food inflation

4 October 2023
A Chinese-backed alumina refinery complex on Indonesia's Bintan Island is fouling the surrounding waters. It is just one of a growing number of "green tech" investments by China in the region. (Photo by Dimas Ardian)
The Big Story

China's green tech giants link supply chains to Southeast Asia

From Indonesia to Vietnam, 'clean energy' ties ASEAN more closely to Beijing despite South China Sea tensions

4 October 2023
A farmer carries rice stocks in Lupao, in northern Philippines. This region is the main area where rice is farmed. (Photo by Ramon Royandoyan) 
Asia Insight

Marcos' price ceiling adds to Philippine rice farmers' insecurity

Industry fears official limits could create distortions and worsen food crisis

3 October 2023
Sea's e-commerce platform, Shopee, has become the biggest online shopping site in Southeast Asia.
Markets

Thai, Singapore tech firms surge in market value

Delta and Sea worth more since pandemic while conglomerates falter

3 October 2023
The Samasama exercise will include a wide range of drills, including in anti-submarine warfare and air defense.
Defense

Philippines, U.S. begin joint naval drills amid South China Sea tensions

Multilateral cooperation ramps up in face of Beijing's maritime moves

3 October 2023
Unfinished residential buildings in Shaanxi province. Problems in the property market are dragging on the Chinese economy.
Economy

World Bank cuts China's 2024 growth amid property crisis

'Growth shock' from Asia's largest economy affects rest of region: report

2 October 2023
Bangladesh and the Philippines see a continued role for natural gas in assisting their move to cleaner energy. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Reuters) 
Energy

Philippine, Bangladesh power giants: Gas needed in green transition

Aboitiz, Summit Power point to developing Asia's massive electricity demand

1 October 2023
A port along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok: Lackluster exports are dragging down Thailand's economic forecast.
Economy

Malaysia and Thailand GDP outlooks cut as China slows: JCER

Economists also warn that El Nino's swelter will impact India and Indonesia

29 September 2023
Officials inspect a steam separator tower at a geothermal plant in Indonesia, another hot spot for the field.
Energy

Philippines' Lopez Group to pour $1bn into geothermal energy

Conglomerate ramps up renewables push amid transition away from coal

28 September 2023
A COSCO containership moving through the Suez Canal. China's shipping companies are among the worst polluters in the industry.
Transportation

China and Japan shippers are worst emitters, says U.N. report

Global body calls on shipping industry to decarbonize 'as soon as possible'

27 September 2023
A member of the Philippine Coast Guard cuts off the floating barrier that Beijing had put in place to restrict fishing activities near the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
International relations

China tells Philippines not to 'cause trouble' in South China Sea

Comments come a day after Manila cut Beijing's floating barrier

26 September 2023
The U.S. military has access to nine outposts in the Philippines, seven of which are located on Luzon island and Palawan island.(Nikkei montage/Source photo by U.S. Navy/Getty Images)
Defense

U.S. seeks military access in Philippine eastern seaboard

Additional sites serve to respond to Chinese activity in South China Sea

23 September 2023
Metro Pacific Investments Corp. is one of the largest infrastructure groups in the Philippines. (Photo courtesy of Metro Pacific Investments)
Business deals

Mitsui acquires 5.6% stake in Philippines' Metro Pacific in buyout

Infrastructure group to go private after consortium-led tender offer

21 September 2023
Taiwanese navy ship Keelung, foreground, a U.S.-made Kidd Class destroyer, monitors the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong, background, near Taiwanese waters in September 2023.
Taiwan tensions

Taiwan seeks U.S., Japan, Philippine support to deter Chinese navy

Senior security official tells Nikkei Asia island could be 'doomed' if encircled

14 September 2023
A vendor sells rice at a store in Quezon City, the Philippines, on Aug. 14. Countries everywhere are scrambling to secure rice after a partial ban on exports by India cut supplies by roughly a fifth.
Commodities

Asia's rice squeeze after India export ban: 4 things to know

Market turmoil, government action, inflation jitters follow supply fears

14 September 2023
Kawasaki Heavy and Aboitiz have set up a research facility at a university in the Philippines. (Photo courtesy of the companies)
Energy

Kawasaki, Aboitiz eye Philippine launch for renewable energy tech

Trials focusing on stable power supply to begin this year

12 September 2023
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, right, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., left, appear at the Malacanang Palace in Manila on Sept. 8.
International relations

Australia, Philippines beef up ties amid South China Sea tensions

Annual defense minister meeting planned as Prime Minister Albanese visits Manila

8 September 2023
Stream article image
The Big Story

Inside Malaysia's $15bn battle with the lost Sultanate of Sulu

Hereditary rulers of kingdom in the Philippines see court case as way back to former greatness

6 September 2023
The seat reserved for the leader of Myanmar is left empty during the plenary session at the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta on Sept. 5.
Myanmar Crisis

ASEAN to engage Myanmar in 'troika' model to cool political unrest

Current, previous and next chairs to work together, seeking a sustainable approach

6 September 2023
A woman carries a bag of rice from a store in Quezon City in the Philippines on Aug. 14. Rising food costs have hit many in the country hard.
Inflation

Philippines considers lower rice tariffs as inflation quickens

Market volatility has already pushed government to cap prices for staple grain

5 September 2023