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
Emergency teams work at the crash site of a military helicopter on Jan. 2: some politicians seized on the tragedy in hopes for gain. (image made from video)
Opinion

Taiwan helicopter crash shows disinformation danger ahead of election

Civil society combats online rumors as China looks to influence voters

8 January 2020
Three Japanese megabanks, along with HSBC, Deutsche Bank and a Japanese affilate will provide financing for a 600,000 kilowatt wind power project in Taiwan. (Photo courtesy of MHI Vestas Offshore Wind)
Energy

Taiwan wind project gets boost from Japan government and banks

Trade insurance for Mitsubishi unit's project to be among the largest ever of its kind

6 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
China has unleashed its armada of coast guard.
Opinion

2020 look ahead: China faces up to tough regional challenges

South China Sea, Belt and Road Initiative and Taiwan are all on Xi's to-do list

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
Stream article image
Asia Insight

Asia's flashpoints: What could go wrong in 2020

Missiles, military clashes, defaults and political crises in the cards

31 December 2019
Xi Jinping's ultimate aim is to win acceptance for what he has called a "community of common destiny" around Asia.
Opinion

2020 look ahead: Chinese influence a concern as ASEAN elections arrive

Taiwan, Singapore and others must beware Beijing's intentions as voters go to polls

31 December 2019
Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, left, and Foxconn founder Terry Gou have backed a number of "third-force" candidates in the parliamentary elections next month. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Taiwan elections

Taiwan's 'third force' threatens Tsai's DPP legislative majority

Independent and small-party candidates set to take seats in Jan. 11 election

30 December 2019
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen speaks at rally in Taichung on Dec. 15. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Taiwan elections

The fall and rise of Tsai Ing-wen

Taiwan's leader poised for reelection -- thanks in part to Xi Jinping

28 December 2019
Pedestrians in Taipei walk past campaign posters featuring President Tsai Ing-wen, left, and her challenger Han Kuo-yu. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Taiwan elections

Taiwan Inc. weighs loyalty to mainland in presidential election

Pro-business crowd has drawn closer to Tsai's DPP amid trade war risks

27 December 2019
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen speaks during a campaign rally on Dec. 14 in Tainan, southern Taiwan. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Taiwan elections

Taiwan's Tsai pushes anti-China 'infiltration' law before elections

President warns of 'limited time' to curb Beijing influence as opponents cry foul

25 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
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
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen and opponent Han Kuo-yu (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Taiwan elections

Taiwan's Tsai and Han clash over China in impromptu televised debate

Candidates for January's presidential election trade barbs over island's status

19 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
© Photo illustration by Michael Tsang/Source photos by Kyodo, AP
Asia Insight

Taiwan's election: A battle over identity with ballots not bullets

Tsai defends imagined state of Taiwan, while Han says he loves Republic of China

10 December 2019
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, right, and opponent Han Kuo-yu. (Nikkei Montage/ Source photos by AP and Kyodo)
Taiwan elections

Taiwan poll shows Tsai reelection is 'all but a foregone conclusion'

President widens lead over China-friendly Han in latest Apple Daily survey

9 December 2019
Australian flag flutters in front of Beijing's Great Hall of the People.
International relations

Fear of China's election meddling triggers reforms across Pacific

Reports of shady contributions and spy activities push governments to act

7 December 2019
A protester throws a Molotov cocktail at an MTR station in Hung Hom after a day of protests in Hong Kong on Dec. 1.
Interview

Hong Kong tests Beijing's wisdom, says prominent Taiwanese writer

Lung Yingtai criticizes China's system that 'suffocates' its own creativity

4 December 2019
Foxconn founder Terry Gou speaks to reporters at Taipei Songshan Airport before leaving for the U.S.
Companies

Foxconn's Gou prepares to explain himself at Trump's Christmas party

Tycoon blames strong economy and bad weather for slow progress on $10bn Wisconsin project

3 December 2019
The people of Taiwan have become obsessed with a scandal that involves a self-proclaimed Chinese spy, their country's elections and booksellers in Hong Kong. (Nikkei montage/ Source photos by Getty Images and Reuters)
China up close

'China spy' spills secrets that rattle Taiwan and Hong Kong

Investigation has potential to sway elections and regional power game

28 November 2019
Han's erratic style quickly alienated the mainstream KMT.
Opinion

Taiwan's Han Kuo-yu offers uncomfortable echoes of Donald Trump

Kuomintang candidate's supporters like his raucous, anti-intellectual populism

26 November 2019
Taiwan will hold a presidential election on Jan. 11.
International relations

Taiwan accuses China of election meddling

Foreign minister also says Taipei can do little to help Hong Kong

23 November 2019