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December 27th, 2018

The Year Ahead 2019

Our preview of what to watch for in business, politics, sports and more

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The Big Story

The Year Ahead 2019

Our preview of what to watch for in business, politics, sports and more

The arrival of 5G and Asia's first-ever Rugby World Cup are just some of the events to look forward to in the next 12 month. (Illustrations by Eric Chow)
After years of rapid growth, Evergrande's expansion plans are now increasingly challenged by rising financing costs, a slowing domestic economy and a lackluster property market.
Company in focus

Chinese developer Evergrande tightens belt after a decade of audacity

Humbled property giant struggles to find new funding and growth engine

Wan Long, chairman and chief executive officer of WH Group, the world's biggest pork company, poses with one of the company's products.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad took center stage at the launch of the Proton X70 on Dec. 12. (Photo by CK Tan)
Companies

New Proton SUV to put Malaysia-China relations to the test

Joint project offers Geely route to crucial Southeast Asian markets

A logo of Foxconn is seen at its headquarters in Taiwan. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
China tech

Exclusive: Foxconn plans $9bn China chip project amid trade war

Zhuhai's subsidy to fund Apple supplier semiconductor ambition

Ride-hailing apps like Go-Jek and Grab have gained popularity for their motorcycles, which can weave through traffic, an advantage retailers are seeking to tap.
Business trends

Go-Jek and Grab help retailers navigate Asia's congested roads

Infamous traffic and changing tastes force brick-and-mortars to get creative

Law enforcement talk to media outside Carlos Ghosn's detention center. Prosecutors have brought new charges to keep him in custody after a court rejected their request for an extension.
Nissan's Ghosn crisis

Prosecutors sharpen offensive on Ghosn with new allegations

Ex-chairman suspected of arranging $15m Nissan payment to cover personal losses

JD.com offers Thai-produced dried durian, cosmetics and everyday goods on its platform.
Business deals

Thai retailers ride JD.com to make inroads into China

E-commerce platform opens doors for durian traders and aspiring college students

In May, Vedanta was forced to permanently shut its Sterlite copper smelter in Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu that produced 400,000 tons a year.
Companies

India environmental tribunal allows Vedanta to restart key copper smelter

The facility has remained shut since May on Tamil Nadu state's order

Analysts said IHH Healthcare is likely to miss its earlier targeted timeline to complete the deal, which was slated to be mid-December.
Nikkei Markets

IHH Healthcare to pause open offer post Fortis-buy in India

Awaiting directions from India's Supreme Court, capital markets regulator

© Illustration by Kyoko Nemoto
Asia Insight

India's 'two-child policy' debate underscores deep social divisions

The rich fear demographic changes that could threaten the establishment

An icebreaker sailing the Arctic Sea. The possibilities inherent in developing the region have captured imaginations across the globe. 
International relations

Arctic emerges as collaboration hot spot for Japan and Russia

Joint projects bloom as China and other nations eye fast-changing region

Friday evening on one of downtown Kuala Lumpur's busy commercial streets.  (Photo by Simon Roughneen)
Economy

Malaysia on track to developed country status -- but has far to go

Other Southeast Asian nations face being stuck in middle-income trap

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, right, has promised to hand over the premiership to Anwar Ibrahim, but tensions are rising within their coalition.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia opposition meltdown threatens fragile ruling coalition

Exodus of MPs to Mahathir faction portends possible revolt by Anwar forces

The U.S. is growing wary of information leaks via telecommunications equipment made by Huawei Technologies and other Chinese brands.
Trade war

China may be spying, but it learned from the best -- the US

Modern espionage is all about chips and software, not secret agents

U.S. President Donald Trump, front right, with Chinese President Xi Jinping, front left, at a working dinner after the Group of 20 leaders' summit in Buenos Aires on Dec. 1. The two leaders discussed trade at the summit.
Trade war

China proposes banning forced tech transfers in nod to US

Unclear if rules will help, since Beijing maintains transfers are already voluntary

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro talks to Nikkei at the White House on Dec. 20. (Photo by Mikio Sugeno)
Interview

China is trying to steal our future: Navarro

Hard-line White House adviser says trade agreement in 90 days will be difficult

Residents inspect a house damaged by a tsunami, in Carita, Indonesia, on Dec. 23. 
Natural disasters

Indonesia tsunami death toll tops 370, with dozens missing

Disaster likely triggered by eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau

Bank of Japan Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda must balance the need to push prices higher against the threat to lenders' financial health from ultralow interest rates.
Economy

Bank of Japan wakes up to the downside of monetary easing

Expressions of concern over weak lenders reflect shift in priorities for central bank

India is not alone in experiencing government pressure on the central bank
Opinion

Asian central bankers on the ropes

India's RBI is not alone as governments fight to curb hard-won bank independence

 (Courtesy of Fukuoka City)
Opinion

Fukuoka -- a booming population in aging Japan

Mayor says deregulation helps boost jobs, tax receipts and services

Scott Morrison, Australia's sixth prime minister in less than a decade, makes a point.
Opinion

Australia's flip-flop politics puts off Asia

Canberra risks losing regional influence despite deep ties

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, right, opposed President Donald Trump’s decision to pull troops out of Syria.
The Nikkei View

International cooperation is dying -- and Japan could save it

Abe's close ties with the inward-looking US leader is Tokyo's trump card

Foreground shows the roof space of the Tourist Burma building, before restoration began, with the Sule Pagoda center (Photo by Chiara Luxardo)
Life

Restoration project reopens 'best view in Yangon'

Tourist Burma building offers unmatched perspective on city's heritage

Olympic hopeful Sonam Deki, 23, lines up a shot while training in Thimphu. (Photo by Melyn Mckay)
Life

Bhutanese sportswomen aim for the top

Female participation in sport takes flight as mountain kingdom modernizes

Samooh Ali of the Maldives, right, defends the ball against a Singaporean rival during a friendly match in the city-state on March 23. (Pictobank/Getty Images)
Tea Leaves

When the 'beautiful game' transforms national confidence

Maldives shows that victory for Asia's soccer minnows means more than just goals