January 21st, 2021

VIETNAM'S VIRAL MOMENT

Coronavirus controlled, deals flowing. Has it captured a rare opportunity?

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Companies

Samsung tycoon Lee sent to jail: Five things to know

De facto leader of powerful tech giant has received a 30-month sentence

The jailing of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong leaves a power vacuum at South Korea's biggest conglomerate.

Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chairs the RCEP summit in Hanoi on Nov. 15, 2020: the benefits cannot be distributed equally between countries.

Opinion

China is the dragon that will consume Asia's economic future

RCEP agreement gives Beijing a win at the expense of everyone else

A LNG carrier is docked at the ExxonMobil PNG operated plant at Caution Bay, Papua New Guinea in November 2018: the local people have seen very little of the promised benefits.

Opinion

Papua New Guinea a warning for poor nations rich in natural resources

Developing countries often do not profit from wealth lying under the ground

A view of Beijing on Jan.15: China's economy has not escaped the impact of the coronavirus.

The Nikkei View

China's economy is not out of the woods yet

Positive growth belies unresolved structural challenges

A mostly maskless crowd celebrates the new year countdown in the city of Hanoi, Vietnam.

The Big Story

Asia's COVID recovery: Vietnam's breakout moment

A once-in-a-generation opportunity for the country that got it right

To enable computers to decipher complex documents, Taiger uses a method called symbolic AI, an approach that differs from the machine learning championed by tech giants like Google and IBM.

Business Spotlight

Singapore startup Taiger earns its stripes with AI technology

'Hybrid' approach improves accuracy in a world where documents vary widely

WhatsApp's rivals, Signal and Telegram, have seen a record-breaking amount of downloads in recent days after WhatsApp dismayed many users by rewriting its terms of use. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

Technology

Asians dump WhatsApp for Signal and Telegram on privacy concerns

Facebook risks losing top markets as users look for more-secure alternatives

Sony has failed to supply consumers at home in favor of larger markets abroad, annoying many Japanese PlayStation fans.

Media & Entertainment

Japanese gamers hunger for PS5 as Sony feeds US market

North America key to new console's duel with Microsoft Xbox

Daniel Zhang, now chairman and CEO of Alibaba, at a 2016 launch event for an SAIC Motor model that featured the tech company's operating system. The two companies have been cooperating on development since 2014.

Electric cars in China

Alibaba launches electric car in tie-up with SAIC

Foxconn enters JV with Geely as tech companies forge links with China carmakers

After a tumultuous U.S. election, Asia is about to see Joe Biden in action as president. But answers to key questions like China policy and trade pacts may not come right away.

Asia Insight

Crises at home leave Biden little time for Asia in first 100 days

No quick moves expected on China and trade as COVID and political tensions burn

A machine extracts rare-earth materials at the Bayan Obo mine in Inner Mongolia, China.

Commodities

China tightens rare-earth regulations, policing entire supply chain

Stricter export controls give Beijing leverage amid US tensions

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's gives a speech inaugurating the country's COVID-19 vaccination program via video link in New Delhi on Jan. 16. (Photo courtesy of Government of India)

Coronavirus

India's Modi kicks off world's largest COVID vaccination drive

Prime minister gives emotional tribute to health care and front-line workers

A protester on Jan. 16 flashes the Hunger Games-inspired three-finger salute in front of a line of police in Bangkok.

Turbulent Thailand

Thailand arrests minors as protesters break COVID-induced silence

Lese-majeste warrant prompts pro-democracy group to hold rally despite ban

Watami, a Japanese pub operator, closed 83 locations and moved closing times up to 8 p.m. at remaining stores.

Business trends

Japan emergency will intensify losses in struggling sectors

Monthly red ink to exceed $2.2bn across restaurants, rail and air

Arts

Indonesian street fashion brand reaches for the stars

Ageless Galaxy offers style and exclusivity, at sky-high prices

An aerial view of Leh, which has become a new home for herders after being pushed from their traditional pastures due to an India-China border standoff. (Photo by Minaam Shah).

Tea Leaves

Geopolitics threatens nomads and luxury shawls

Ladakh military clash disrupts supply of premium cashmere wool