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September 1st, 2022

Farming out

China's food industry hunts for greener pastures

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The Big Story

Farming out: China's overseas food security quest

As the Ukraine war sparks shortages, China looks to invest abroad to secure food supplies

With the Ukraine-Russia war threatening food security worldwide, China looks to expand its agricultural industry abroad to weather the storm. 
 Construction is underway on the Tokai No. 2 nuclear power station in Ibaraki Prefecture, built nearly 44 years ago, with an eye toward restarting it. The plan faces opposition from some locals, however.
Business Spotlight

Can Japan's new nuclear policy revive its creaking industry?

11 years of no plant construction has eroded supply chains and human resources

Vietnam's Masan weighs a sundry mix of businesses: a smartphone app, a tungsten mine and an Amazon-style blend of e-commerce with stores it took over from Vingroup. (Photo by Lien Hoang) 
Retail

Can Alibaba-backed Masan be Vietnam's 'everything' company?

Retail giant juggles boring but profitable businesses with AI and IPO ambitions

The wholesale fruit and vegetable market in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan province, China, is a popular tourist destination. Piles of durians are sold out in a day.
Trade

China's durian boom sparks ASEAN alarm over mega trade deal

RCEP boosts Southeast Asian exports, but sustainability is questionable

Some potential Nusantara investors are holding onto their money until Indonesian President Joko Widodo paints a "big picture" of what he envisions.
Asia Insight

Jokowi struggles to drum up investors for new Indonesia capital

As SoftBank withdraws, Japan Inc. takes wait-and-see approach to $30bn project

Facade lights have been turned off at the Frauenkirche, Church of Our Lady, to save energy in Dresden, Germany on Aug. 22. 
Indo-Pacific

China throws Europe an energy lifeline with LNG resales

Surplus gas eases Russia's stranglehold, but gives Beijing outsize influence

LGBT+ supporters calling for the repeal of Section 377A of Singapore's penal code, which criminalizes gay sex, are about to get their wish. But the city-state also plans to enshrine male-female marriage in its constitution.
Politics

Singapore declines to follow Taiwan, Thailand on LGBT+ rights

Move to lift ban on gay sex comes with vow to enshrine male-female marriage

Before her death by suicide, Mandeep Kaur posted a video in which she accused her husband of eight years of abusing her and cheating on her. (Screenshot from Twitter)
Politics

Indian woman's suicide exposes plight of abused overseas brides

Mandeep Kaur's tearful video and death in New York shock community

Protesters gathered at Thailand's government house on Aug. 24, waving posters such as this one showing they want Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to resign.
Turbulent Thailand

Thai court orders PM Prayuth's suspension: 5 things to know

Premier's absence unlikely to have adverse impact on economy, APEC meeting

Indian military trucks move toward forward areas in Ladakh in September 2020: New Delhi is helping Taiwan's defense by tying down a complete Chinese theater force.
Opinion

India has a stake in Taiwan's defense

Chinese territorial claims in Himalayas are much bigger than the island

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, stands next to Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, acting deputy prime minister of the Afghan Taliban's caretaker government, in Kabul on Mar. 24: There is little trust in China on the Taliban side.
Opinion

Afghanistan shows the limits of China's Belt and Road

Despite its engagement with the Taliban, Beijing is unable to reach its goals

Iwami Kagura, a type of traditional theater based on Japanese mythology, was developed in the area of Iwami which surrounds Masuda, a coastal city in Shimane Prefecture. (Courtesy of Shin Totsukawa)  
Arts

In the footsteps of a famous 'Manyoshu' poet

Japan's Masuda city sheds light on a famed collection of ancient poetry

Batek guide Piyan, left, and the author wearing traditional orang asli face paint made of river mud. (Photo by Kit Yeng Chan)
Tea Leaves

Contemporary life lessons from an ancient rainforest

Jungle odyssey in Malaysia highlights importance of ancestral wisdom