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October 1st, 2020

WHY WE'RE STILL OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE ASIAN CENTURY

Reasons to be hopeful in troubled times

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The Big Story

This is the Asian Century: Seven reasons to be optimistic about it

From dominance in the US-China tech war to the end of coronavirus, experts weigh in

Today, Asia is in the same position as the U.S. at the beginning of the 20th century: an economic giant, but a political dwarf.
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International relations

Will Taiwan Strait tensions lead to conflict? Five things to know

Chinese aircraft are buzzing island with increasing frequency

A poster simulating facial recognition software in Beijing: facial recognition technology will allow borders to expand beyond points of entry.
Opinion

Big Tech and COVID-19 are fueling networked authoritarianism

Growing border industrial complex means that borders will be everywhere and nowhere

Demonstrators hold placards during a protest demanding jobs on the occasion of Modi's 70th birth anniversary in New Delhi on Sep. 17: young people are finally speaking up.
Opinion

What the death of a Bollywood star says about life in Modi's India

New forms of dissent are emerging to challenge the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party

Fosun International Chairman Guo Guangchang poses at its headquarters in Shanghai. (Photo by Gong  Xing)
Business Spotlight

'China's Buffett' refocuses Club Med owner Fosun after overseas deals

Guo Guangchang tries to defy post-pandemic downturn with shift to health

Pinduoduo displays two prices for products on its platform: one for an individual shopper, and another for a group buying in bulk.
China tech

Look out, Alibaba: Pinduoduo surges into top ranks with 680m users

Founded by ex-Googler, Chinese e-tailer creates social media buzz to sell in bulk

Data prices in India are the lowest in the world. According to U.K.-based Cable.co.uk, mobile users in the country pay 2 cents to $2.75 for 1 gigabyte of data.
Telecommunication

India cellphone users surrender world's cheapest data plans

Telcos lose billions in Supreme Court decision but gain excuse to raise rates

NTT announced on Sept. 29 that it will take telecommunications unit NTT Docomo private in a 4.25 trillion yen ($40.1 billion) takeover bid. (Photo by Nikkei)
Telecommunication

NTT to take over Docomo, aiming to accelerate research on 6G tech

KDDI and SoftBank slide as Japan's biggest carrier responds to pressure from new PM

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Announcements

Nikkei to rename flagship English publication 'Nikkei Asia'

New brand will expand on achievements of the Nikkei Asian Review

Last November, India announced it was pulling out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, mainly over fears that its agricultural sector would be swamped with imports. (Illustration by Hiroko Oshima)
Asia Insight

Japan and Australia wary of China as RCEP talks enter last stretch

Economic fallout from COVID-19 gives impetus to negotiations on trade megadeal

Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. His position was strengthened by his coalition's victory in the state of Sabah.
Politics

Malaysia's Muhyiddin wins crucial victory in Sabah state election

Result takes pressure off leadership challenge by Anwar Ibrahim

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks in a pre-recorded message that was played during the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 22.
International relations

Asian leaders hedge bets at UN as Trump throws barbs at China

'When elephants fight, it is the grass that gets trampled flat,' Duterte warns

A sign announces a lockdown in Yangon: Myanmar's largest city has imposed strict stay-at-home orders for people working in nonessential industries. (Photo by Yuichi Nitta)
Politics

Myanmar November election overshadowed by COVID-19 surge

Opposition parties call for postponing parliamentary vote as NLD presses on

BAB 2020 will take place at nine indoor and outdoor venues, including the city’s Bangkok Art & Culture Centre. (Courtesy of Bangkok Art & Culture Centre)
Arts

Bangkok Art Biennale vows to defy pandemic

Show to open in October despite worldwide cancellations of artistic events

Reporters surround Bollywood actor Rhea Chakraborty as she arrives at the Narcotics Control Bureau office for questioning in Mumbai on Sept. 6. Her boyfriend, actor Sushant Singh Rajput, died by suicide in June.
Tea Leaves

Star's death reignites Bollywood nepotism debate

Actor's passing may change India's film industry