Politics

A street market in Mumbai: India faces widening gender gaps in politics, healthy life expectancy and basic literacy.
Economy

India plunges to 108th in gender equality ranking

Asia's big economies slip, with China in 100th place and Japan in 114th

2 November 2017
Top Japanese trade negotiator Kazuyoshi Umemoto, center, speaks to counterparts from the other remaining TPP signatories in Urayasu, near Tokyo, on Oct. 31.
Economy

'TPP 11' negotiators make headway before crucial summit next week

'Consensus' reached on freezing certain provisions, but obstacles remain

1 November 2017
Singapore held on to the No. 2 spot in the World Bank's latest Ease of Doing Business survey.
Business

Thailand and Vietnam jump in business-friendliness ranking

Asia's emerging economies the place to be, according to the World Bank

1 November 2017
A tirade against sugar-laden soft drinks by Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong resulted in seven beverage makers, including Coca-Cola, committing to limit the sugar content of soda sold in the city-state.
Economy

Indonesia and Malaysia follow Singapore's lead in tackling obesity

But doubts raised over role of sugar tax in curbing diabetes

30 October 2017
Tourists enjoying their day at the Singapore Zoo (Courtesy of Wildlife Reserves Singapore)
Economy

Singapore recreates itself as wildlife paradise

With Banyan Tree resort, state revamps Mandai in hope of drawing 10 million

28 October 2017
South Korean Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong speaks at the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership meeting in Incheon, South Korea on Oct. 24. (Courtesy of South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy)
Economy

RCEP deal unlikely this year: South Korean official

Participants snagged over how much to open their markets in trade pact

27 October 2017
ASEAN foreign ministers attend the closing ceremony of the 50th ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila in August.
Politics

Bilahari Kausikan: ASEAN must work harder to stay 'central'

The balance of regional vs. national interests is becoming trickier to maintain

26 October 2017
From left, Michael Green, Tang Siew Mun, Masanori Nishi, Yoji Koda, Zack Cooper and Julio Amador Ⅲ attend a panel discussion of the Asia–Pacific Geo-Economic Strategy Forum in Singapore on Oct. 25. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Politics

Experts call for ASEAN unity on South China Sea

US still plays critical role in security, but needs to clarify strategy

25 October 2017
Richard Armitage, former deputy secretary of state under President George W. Bush, speaks during a panel discussion at the Asia-Pacific Geo-Economic Strategy Forum in Singapore on Oct. 25. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Politics

'One in four chance' US will use force against N Korea: Armitage

Panelists urge calm and deeper American engagement in the region

25 October 2017
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, back center, and U.S. President Donald Trump, back right, attend the signing of a contract between Singapore Airlines and Boeing.
Politics

Southeast Asian leaders cozy up to Trump with trade carrots

Singapore's Lee the latest leader to seek continued US presence to ward off China

25 October 2017
China's Liaoning aircraft carrier with accompanying fleet conducting a drill in an area of the South China Sea.
Politics

Inaugural ASEAN-China naval drill underway

Singapore says maritime exercise will build trust and confidence amid sea dispute

24 October 2017
ASEAN Defense chiefs, led by Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, center, link arms at the start of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Monday, Oct. 23, 2017 in Clark Freeport.
Politics

ASEAN defense ministers lock in against terrorism and other common threats

Call for denuclearization of Korean Peninsula, self-restraint in South China Sea, respect for UN

24 October 2017
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party scored a decisive election victory on Oct. 22.
Politics

Asia takes stock of Japan's pacifism after Abe win

Revising the constitution could fuel tensions in the region

23 October 2017
S. Iswaran, Singapore's trade and industry minister, says he wants to encourage the use of solar panels.
Economy

Boost expected for Singapore power retailers after liberalization

Electricity market to be fully liberalized in 2018: trade minister

21 October 2017
This is the first freight train of the China Railway Express running from Rizhao to Central Asia before it departed Rizhao port in China's eastern Shandong Province on Sept. 12.
Finance

How Singapore sees itself complementing China's Belt and Road

The city state wants to be make itself a REIT and arbitration hub

21 October 2017
Commuters cross the causeway from Malaysia during morning rush hour in Singapore.
Economy

Singapore commuters fueling growth in Malaysia's Johor

But Iskandar needs a game plan to unseat rival cities as hub

18 October 2017
Malaysian ​Prime Minister Najib Razak, left, on Tuesday inspects a gallery featuring proposed train stations for the high-speed rail linking Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Economy

Malaysia advances high-speed rail project linking Singapore

Najib says land acquisition process has started, as MyHSR unveils station designs

17 October 2017
Michael Froman, former U.S. trade representative, speaks to the Nikkei Asian Review in Tokyo.
Economy

'TPP 11' should preserve all agreed-upon rules: ex-US trade chief

Michael Froman warns of 'risk that the whole thing unravels'

13 October 2017
ASEAN foreign ministers attend the closing ceremony of the 50th ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila in August.
Politics

Growing complexities threaten ASEAN consensus politics

Countries struggle to balance group and national interests

11 October 2017
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivers a speech at a Tokyo hotel during a party hosted by the Chinese embassy on Sept. 28. (Photo by Maho Obata)
Politics

Japan and China send sweet words, for now

Beijing to watch Abe's election gamble before rapprochement

9 October 2017
The Boeung Kak lake in Phnom Penh, now filled with sand to facilitate the building of a hotel, apartments and shopping mall. Several locals who protested against the project were jailed. (Photo by Simon Roughneen)
3 October 2017
Coal will remain the main source of power generation in ASEAN in the coming decades, says Wood Mackenzie analyst Edi Saputra.
Economy

ASEAN needs to double power capacity in less than 20 years

Meeting demand will take $500 billion worth of new generation facilities

2 October 2017
Malaysian and Singapore officials signed an MOU on Monday in Kuala Lumpur for a subway shuttle.
Economy

Malaysia, Singapore forming subway shuttle company

New link to complement high speed intercity service, boost Iskandar

26 September 2017
Tourists from China pose in front of Singapore's iconic Marina Bay. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Economy

Singapore works with Alipay to lift Chinese tourism experience

Providing better access to information to encourage repeat visits

25 September 2017
Stream article image
Economy

'TPP 11' talks set parameters for moving forward

Suspending rules on state-owned enterprises among sticking points

23 September 2017