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May 10th, 2018

Shifting currents

China seizes control of the Mekong’s future

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The Big Story

Mekong River nations face the hidden costs of China's dams

Dozens of projects threaten agriculture and fishing in Southeast Asia

Mekong River nations face the hidden costs of China's dams
Rice farmers in the Mekong Delta rely on the river for irrigation and nutrient-rich sediment, both of which are under threat.
The Big Story

Investment floods into Mekong Delta

Vietnam seeks to foster high-tech agriculture, renewable energy

The Galaxy Macau casino resort, which opened in 2011, was designed to cater to Asian tastes, with a wide range of Chinese restaurants and few Western-style bars.
Company in focus

Macau's upstart casino champ makes play for new markets

Galaxy Entertainment faces hurdles to entry in Japan and the Philippines

China is already the world's biggest semiconductor market, and Beijing seeks to make its chipmaking industry a more powerful contender.
Companies

Arm's China joint venture ensures access to vital technology

Document also reveals chip venture seeks to outsell SoftBank-owned parent

Lei Jun, chairman and CEO of Xiaomi, introduces the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S smartphone at an event in Shanghai in March 2018. (Imaginechina via AP Images)
Business trends

Xiaomi's lead on Samsung fuels Indian smartphone competition

International brands jostle for survival with marketing and production focus

If Xiaomi is successful in its IPO, it will become the third biggest Chinese tech company by market capitalization after Alibaba Group Holding and Tencent Holdings.
Capital Markets

Xiaomi's jumbo IPO seen igniting Chinese tech boom in Hong Kong

Phone maker is first to seek listing in the city after major overhaul of rules

Facebook has more than 870 million users in Asia.
Business trends

Facebook's fact-checking in Asia faces challenges

In Philippines, Indonesia and India, third-party organizations struggle to deter the spread of fake news

A Hindu holy man pays for a book using Paytm’s digital wallet service during the annual Magh Mela religious service in Allahabad.
Companies

Paytm chief wants to challenge Flipkart, Amazon at home

India's youngest billionaire says winner of e-commerce sector yet to be determined

Ryde debuts the ride-hailing service in Singapore on May 2, five days before Uber formally exits the market. (Photo by Mayuko Tani)
Companies

Singaporean startup Ryde challenges Grab's ride-hailing empire

Founder seeks 20%-25% market share in city-state with asset-light approach

Benihana was founded in 1960s New York City, where it still has this location on West 56 Street. (Photo by Fernando Alves)
Business deals

Flashy teppanyaki chain Benihana sold to Thailand's Minor

Hotel group pays $12m for restaurants famous for chef performances

Min-Liang Tan, co-founder and CEO of Razer, left, and Arthur Lang, CEO of Singtel's international group
Companies

Singtel ties up with US gaming company Razer

Mobile payments and esports are their initial focus

Passenger complaints have been on the rise as Garuda has suffered numerous delays and flight cancellations.
Companies

Garuda pilots threaten strike unless 'cost cutter' is sacked

Union says new management is responsible for 'crazy' delays

© Illustration by Luis Mendo
Asia Insight

Japan kicks inefficient work habits as labor crunch worsens

Employers recognize lethally long hours and low productivity hold them back

A panda-shaped solar plant built by Panda Green Energy Group in Shanxi Province was connected to the grid last year.
Economy

Asia leads the charge in growth of renewable energy

China and India are the key sites of growth

With his country's currency having lost nearly 20% of its value against the dollar since 2015, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe visits a Chinese-funded reclamation project in Colombo in January.
Most read in 2018

Sri Lanka's currency suffers as debt trap deepens

China-financed infrastructure projects put country in vicious cycle

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International relations

China's power closing in on US, warns think tank

New Asia Power Index shows Japan and India lag behind in regional influence

Higher minimum wages approved by Vietnam's government in 2017 will likely affect labor-intensive industries such as garment manufacturing.
Economy

Asian manufacturing expands in April but wage pressures grow

Job cuts followed pay rise in South Korea, PMI survey shows

Chinese companies' shift from contract manufacturing to developing their own technology has led to a surge in patent applications in the U.S.
Datawatch

The rise of Chinese groups applying for US patents -- in 3 charts

Huawei and BOE head surge in filings for intellectual property protection

The Chinese technology giants' rapid growth owes much to their close collaboration with the government.
Opinion

Facing up to China's state-led tech revolution

Success of authoritarian innovation challenges liberal market theories

Philippines' new taxes on business process outsourcing and other growth sectors have put off some foreign investors.
Opinion

Dutertenomics -- less than meets the eye

Western investors are holding back due to concerns over rule of law and tax plans

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping walk together in Wuhan, China, on April 28.
Opinion

India-China summit highlights Modi's hope vs Xi's strategy

An unpredictable and transactional Trump puts India on the back foot with Beijing

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Opinion

Disaster awaits if graying Japan delays social security reforms

Time to raise the pension eligibility age and share the health insurance burden more equally

Japanese cuisine made UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2013 -- a sign, one expert said, that it is "at risk of extinction."
Education

Colleges study Japan's delicious, dramatic and disregarded culture

Academically, gastronomy and ninja history remain unexplored frontiers

Thai official gives a durian to Jack Ma Yun of Alibaba Group Holding on April 19 as Thailand start selling durians on TMALL.
Tea Leaves

Thai junta reaps bounty of 'durian diplomacy'

Bangkok turns controversial fruit into diplomatic 'secret weapon'