© Illustration by Ailsa Johnson
Asia Insight

Asia's overstretched airports brace for 4bn flyers

Passenger count far outpaces construction but new tech offers hope

27 November 2018
Many observers expect Beijing to tighten control over Hong Kong after democrats' by-election loss.
Politics

Concerns for Hong Kong outlook grow after democrats' election loss

City seen losing charm as Beijing pushes for tightened political controls

26 November 2018
The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan pulls into Hong Kong on Nov. 21. Chinese People's Liberation Army officials were invited to tour the vessel and observe fighter jet exercises. (U.S. Navy photo)
Trade war

USS Ronald Reagan visits Hong Kong in hint of pre-summit thaw

Vessel's docking marks turnaround from China's refusal to harbor warship

22 November 2018
China's national flag flies in Hong Kong's commercial district.
Politics

Hong Kong pro-democracy camp fights for veto power in by-election

Split vote increases fears of legislative council becoming a rubber-stamp body

19 November 2018
Bishops from China’s state-backed Catholic Association last month invited Pope Francis to come to the country.
Interview

Warming ties poised to bring pope to China as early as 2019

Hong Kong cardinal says pleas for measured approach ignored

18 November 2018
© Illustration by Tania Vicedo
Asia Insight

Asia braces for baby bust as singles wait to wed

Japan is not alone in facing low fertility and higher welfare costs

13 November 2018
Victor Mallet, right, a Financial Times journalist, speaks with Andy Chan, founder of the pro-independence Hong Kong National Party, at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Hong Kong on Aug. 14.
Politics

Financial Times journalist barred from entering Hong Kong

Crackdown against independence activists raises free speech concerns

10 November 2018
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the territory "always welcomes more bilateral and multilateral relationships" in an interview with the Nikkei Asian Review. (Photo by Takeshi Kihara)
Interview

Hong Kong taps UK for post-Brexit trade deal

Territory targets RCEP membership amid US-China tensions, says Chief Executive Lam

23 October 2018
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the opening ceremony for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge in Zhuhai on Oct. 23.
Politics

Xi marks opening of world's longest sea bridge to Hong Kong

55 km link holds key to China's envisioned Greater Bay Area economic zone

23 October 2018
Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, is thought to be hiding in China to avoid facing charges connected to Malaysia's 1MDB scandal.
Malaysia in transition

Chilly ties with China seen hindering Mahathir's hunt for Jho Low

Alleged 1MDB mastermind now a fugitive, still runs his business

21 October 2018
Hong Kong authorities have denied a visa extension to a longtime journalist at the Financial Times, raising concerns over press freedom in the territory. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Business trends

Foreign companies in Hong Kong warn on free speech crackdown

Business leaders fear damage to city's competitiveness

16 October 2018
Hong Kong has been suffering from an acute housing shortage for years. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Hong Kong plans artificial islands for housing

Chief Exec Lam unveils plan to rein in home prices with 1,700 hectares of new land

10 October 2018
Victor Mallet, the Financial Times Asia news editor, right, speaks with Andy Chan, founder of the separatist Hong Kong National Party, during an event in August.
Politics

Hong Kong refusal of FT visa seen as retaliation

Editor hosted lecture by pro-independence advocate

6 October 2018
Andy Chan, founder of the Hong Kong National Party, speaks during a luncheon at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Hong Kong on Aug.14, 2018.
Politics

Hong Kong bans independence party as Beijing tightens grip

Pro-democracy activists fear precedent for outlawing more groups

25 September 2018
Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link trains in Hong Kong.
Economy

Rail link key to China's development plans for country's south

'Bay area' integration signals further erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy

21 September 2018
Members of Societas Linguistica Hongkongensis advocate for the importance of Cantonese in education in Hong Kong on July 1.
Politics

Future of Cantonese another worry for pro-democracy Hong Kongers

Growing presence of Beijing-promoted dialect puts territory's identity at risk

20 August 2018
Pro-China protesters demonstrate outside the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Hong Kong
Politics

Hong Kong press club defies Beijing to allow separatist's speech

China had urged foreign correspondents club to cancel talk by Andy Chan

14 August 2018
Addressing police, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday that he would "not allow" new casinos to open.
Companies

Duterte vows no new casinos, as Chinese investors push on

Philippine president says he 'hates gambling,' putting Galaxy and Landing plans at risk

8 August 2018
Pro-independence protesters demonstrate outside police headquarters in Hong Kong on July 21.
Politics

Hong Kong shows China it can tame separatists under status quo

Island pushes political stability as alternative to tough national security bill

8 August 2018
The 2017 LGBT Pride Parade in Taipei: Taiwan's top court last year became the first in Asia to rule in favor of same-sex marriage, but the fight is not over.
Asia Insight

LGBT progress in Asia met with conservative pushback

From Singapore to India, companies risk being caught in 'culture war' crossfire

7 August 2018
Bottles of rabies vaccine made by Liaoning Chengda are displayed at a Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention station in Jiujiang in southern China's Jiangxi Province.
Politics

Fears of bad vaccines drive Chinese to seek care far from home

Scandal-plagued health system leaves parents and women looking for options

1 August 2018
Singapore's residential property prices have shot up over 9% in a year
Politics

Hong Kong and Singapore move to curb housing prices

Tax increases may turn into double-edged sword

22 July 2018
Protesters prepare for a candlelight vigil in Hong Kong to mark the anniversary of the crackdown on democracy in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989.
Politics

Hong Kong proposes outlawing separatist party on national security concerns

Financial hub faces further squeeze on freedom as China tightens grip

17 July 2018
Regulations regarding use of so-called e-cigarettes vary from country to country. 
Politics

Asian consumers push for right to use smoking alternatives

Debate over regulations heats up as some claim devices are less hazardous

15 July 2018
Gina Tsai, head of public policy at Airbnb Hong Kong and Taiwan, said on July 12 that Hong Kong should allow home-sharing. (Photo by Nikki Sun)
Sharing Economy

Airbnb faces tighter legal squeeze in Hong Kong

Company says tough hotel law would hurt city's competitiveness in Asia

13 July 2018