Politics

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam did not wear a surgical mask at her news conference on Feb. 3 as she had done previously, and as other government officials have done.
Coronavirus

Hong Kong tightens border with mainland over coronavirus

City falls deeper into recession, marking first annual GDP contraction in a decade

3 February 2020
An employee sprays disinfectant on a train as a precaution against a new coronavirus at Suseo Station in Seoul. The new coronavirus has spread through Asia and beyond.
Coronavirus

Coronavirus: Six things to know

What is it and how can you protect yourself?

3 February 2020
Staffers at a Hong Kong hospital transport a patient suspected of contracting the novel coronavirus.
Coronavirus

Hong Kong hospital staffers to strike over virus fears

Union wants complete shutdown of border with China

3 February 2020
Hong Kong protesters hold a banner to ask for the support during Tsai's campaign event in Taipei on Jan. 10: Tsai may come under pressure to provide legal support for Hong Kong refugees in Taiwan.
Opinion

Taiwan-Hong Kong solidarity will be a thorn in China's side

Protesters went to Taipei to learn how to run free democratic elections

23 January 2020
A protester vandalizes an MTR station during a protest in Hong Kong in November. Some anti-government demonstrators have stopped riding on the city's railway after it was accused by protesters of closing down stations and aiding police during pro-democracy marches.
Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong's economy splits into pro- and anti-government camps

Protesters shun businesses that support police and establishment

20 January 2020
Agnes Chow Ting is a founding member of Hong Kong's Demosisto pro-democracy group. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong's Agnes Chow defies travel ban in Skype appeal to Japan

Prominent activist says violent protest tactics have role amid Beijing oppression

17 January 2020
Luo Huining, newly appointed director of the Hong Kong Liaison Office, will have to assert less control and do more consultation.
Opinion

Listening should be first job for Beijing's new man in Hong Kong

Moves to deepen control over the city instead bound to backfire

14 January 2020
Supporters of pro-democracy candidate Angus Wong celebrate after he won in Hong Kong’s district council elections on Nov. 24. The poll saw a sharp rise in the election of young, first-time candidates. 
Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong's new pro-democracy politicians balance competing agendas

District councillors weigh support for protests against local issues after election win

13 January 2020
Carrie Lam's government should be using its fiscal space to address chronically high rents.
Opinion

Hong Kong's leaders are in denial over poor state of economy

City needs fundamental reforms, not vague stimulus, to restart growth

13 January 2020
A protest in Hong Kong on Dec. 8: Fears of losing individual freedom have prompted many residents to consider leaving Asia's financial hub.
Neo Capitalism

Capitalism's flaws spur soul-searching, from Bill Gates to AI

Hong Kong and US pay price as beacons of economic freedom dim

13 January 2020
An influx of Chinese money and workers coupled with loose regulations fueled explosive growth in Cambodia's coastal city of Sihanoukville. (Nikkei montage)
Business Spotlight

In Cambodia's boomtown, a gamble on Chinese money goes sour

Online casino ban slams the brakes on Sihanoukville's runaway growth

10 January 2020
A man walks past an electric board showing Nikkei Stock Average in Tokyo on Jan. 8.
Iran tensions

Asian stocks dive after Iran fires missiles at US-led forces

Yen, gold and oil surge as investors fear tensions following Soleimani killing

8 January 2020
A health surveillance officer checks the temperatures of inbound passengers at Hong Kong International Airport on Jan. 4. Authorities have activated a "serious response" level as fears grow about a mysterious disease that may have been brought back by visitors to mainland China.
Coronavirus

Beijing urges calm over mysterious virus ahead of Lunar New Year

Business continues normally, as other governments in Asia raise alerts

8 January 2020
A man wearing a mask uses a smartphone at Sultan Syarif Kasim II airport in Pekanbaru, Indonesia. The outbreak of a mysterious illness in China has put Asian airports on alert.   © AP
Most read in 2020

Asia on alert over mysterious virus outbreak in China

Authorities step up airport screenings as illness triggers reminder of SARS

3 January 2020
Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing is walking a fine political line.
Hong Kong protests

Li Ka-shing takes ambiguous role in Hong Kong's political divide

Tycoon seeks to ease social grievances with cash handouts to local businesses

3 January 2020
Xi's ability to restrain his own hard-liners will be tested.
Opinion

2020 look ahead: China will be punching bag in US presidential election

Donald Trump and Democratic rival can compete to see who is tougher on Beijing

1 January 2020
An August survey by Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute found that most young people in the territory support the ongoing protests.
Hong Kong protests

Hong Kong protests fracture families on generational lines

Younger residents fight for freedoms while older ones focus on getting ahead

31 December 2019
Carrie Lam sided with the police too early.
Opinion

2020 look ahead: The political stakes go up in Hong Kong

With legislative election in focus, Beijing may finally replace Carrie Lam

30 December 2019
While many of 2019's big themes stemmed from the worsening trade war, 2020 may hold other surprises. (Photo illustration by Nikkei)
The Big Story

Asia in 2020: from tech turmoil to SoftBank's next crisis

Watch these emerging trends and political flashpoints in the year ahead

25 December 2019
Riot police walk a shopping mall in Hong Kong on Dec. 24 as unrest returned to the city on Christmas Eve.
Hong Kong protests

Christmas Eve chaos in Hong Kong sparked by fight over donations

Fresh unrest follows arrests at crowdfunding platform for protesters

25 December 2019
Children welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping at Macau International Airport on Dec. 18. The leader showed off his friendly side during the trip to the territory.
Politics

Xi flatters Macao in bid to sell 'one country, two systems'

Charm offensive stands in contrast to Hong Kong cold shoulder

21 December 2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping and new Macao Chief Executive Ho Iat-seng attend a ceremony to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the former Portuguese colony's return to Beijing's rule on Dec. 20. 
Politics

Xi hails Macao's growth without delivering expected rewards

Chinese leader attributes city's development to loyalty to Beijing

20 December 2019
A protester cries as his comrade embraces him during the demonstration: exposure to intense trauma may persist and progress into PTSD.
Opinion

Hong Kong protest violence is leading to mental health catastrophe

Psychological help and public awareness are needed to combat trauma

20 December 2019
Riot police fire tear gas on Sep. 29: their helmets have had one-way-mirror privacy film adhered to visors since late June.
Opinion

Hong Kong protesters are naming and shaming police officers

Disclosing private information on Telegram is unethical but empowering

18 December 2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, and the Chinese Flag. Tsai is leading in opinion surveys for Taiwan's presidential election next month, but many people on the island see China trying to meddle in the poll. (Nikkei Montage/ Source photo by Reuters). 
Interview

Taiwan's ex-Sunflower leader wary of Chinese election interference

Lin Fei-fan says he already sees 'military suppression' taking place in Hong Kong

17 December 2019