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February 17th, 2022

Nixon in China

50 years on

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The Big Story

Nixon in China, 50 years on

Xi-Putin friendship usurps half a century of U.S. diplomacy

Former U.S. President Richard Nixon and his wife, Patricia, visit the Great Wall near Beijing during their trip to China in February 1972. Nixon was the first sitting U.S. president to travel to the country, kicking off a tumultuous half-century of U.S.-China relations. 
SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son speaks during a news conference in Tokyo on Feb. 8. (Photo courtesy of SBG)
Business Spotlight

Collapse of Nvidia deal costs SoftBank an Arm and a leg

IPO could value chip designer at half what Masayoshi Son expected from sale, analysts say

Beijing says it wants to extend a bridge in southeast China all the way across the Taiwan Strait by 2035. (Photo by Tsukasa Hadano)
The age of 'Great China'

Beijing's bullish bridge to Taiwan and the age of 'Great China'

Trap atop the hill: omens of China's decline drive Xi Jinping to aggressiveness

Four decades after its "Look East Policy" deepened ties with Japan, Malaysia is increasingly seeking economic cooperation with China.
Asia Insight

Malaysia eyes China 40 years after it 'looked east' to Japan

Nation faces COVID, 1MDB and value chain hurdles on path to high-income status

Tokyo Stock Exchange President and CEO Hiromi Yamaji speaks to Nikkei Asia in Tokyo. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Market Spotlight

Tokyo Stock Exchange boss tells Japan to embrace activist investors

'Frank, open discussions' could help decision-making, says CEO Yamaji

Kirin had hoped to continue its beer business in Myanmar after the dissolution of the joint venture but it was not able to do so. (Source photo by Yoichi Iwata)
Myanmar Crisis

Kirin makes painful decision to exit Myanmar over human rights

Japanese Brewer posts 16.9% profit drop as it faces losing lucrative beer market

The two main contenders in the South Korean presidential race kick off their official campaigns in the early hours of Tuesday. Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party speaks in Busan, left, and Yoon Suk-yeol, of the main opposition People Power Party, speaks in Seoul. (Source photos by Kyodo and AP) 
South Korea election

South Korea election kicks off as candidates make symbolic pitches

Ruling party's Lee goes to Busan port; PPP's Yoon visits Seoul National Cemetery

Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Sara Duterte have topped the latest poll by a wide margin for Philippine president and vice president.  
Philippine elections

Marcos-Duterte alliance confirms lead in Philippine election poll

Presidential children in pole position for two top posts ahead of May 9 voting

In just over a decade, more than half Japan's road bridges and tunnels will be at least 50 years old, an age widely seen as marking the end of the normal life span for infrastructure.
Datawatch

Aging infrastructure a major roadblock to Japan's future

About 60% of road bridges, 40% of tunnels will be at least 50 years old by 2033

Calm arrivals area at the Narita International Airport in Narita, east of Tokyo, pictured in December 2021: this cannot go on forever.
Opinion

The best way to help Japan reopen

Closed borders are hurting the country but policy changes will take time

Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing on Feb. 4: China and Russia care about different things. (Handout photo from Kremlin)
Opinion

Putin and Xi manifesto signals start of a new era

Moscow and Beijing's unity stems from mutual distrust of the U.S.

The U.S. administration of President Joe Biden has made clear its intention to deter China in cooperation with its allies.
The Nikkei View

Allies must support US strategy for stability in Indo-Pacific

Cooperation needed to deter China and boost regional development

"Red Sands," Caroline Eden's travelogue-cum-cookbook focused on Central Asia, is elevated by her passion for her subject, a strong reportorial eye and arresting photography. (Nikkei montage; source photos courtesy of Quadrille Publishing) 
Arts

Books: Central Asian travelogue courts foodies and adventurers

Despite its title, 'Red Sands' is less about deserts than desserts

Sunrise in Penang as seen from The Habitat Penang Hill, with the twinkling lights of the town in the distance. (Courtesy of J&A Productions)
Tea Leaves

Pandemic unlocks a city dweller's love of nature

Malaysian biodiversity project offers conservation lesson for Asia