Hong Kong
ADB follows World Bank in revising policy on support for nuclear power financing
The Asian Development Bank has revised its energy policy to allow direct support for nuclear power, signalling a notable shift in how multilateral lenders approach baseload generation in emerging Asian economies.
COMMENT: Xi’s call to Trump smacks of a leader whose bark is worse than his bite
That Japan’s Takaichi – a known fan of Britain’s Iron Lady of the late 70s, 80s, and early 90s, Margaret Thatcher – has refused to bend, break or back down under a barrage of Chinese abuse speaks volumes.
Asian utilities locked into coal as long-term contracts slow transition
Asia’s shift towards cleaner energy is being hampered by decades-long coal power agreements that continue to bind utilities to fossil-fuel generation, even at times when cheaper renewable supplies are readily available.
China blocks Japanese film releases in latest anti-Tokyo moves
China has postponed the release of at least two Japanese films as political tensions between Beijing and Tokyo intensify over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent comments on Taiwan.
COMMENT: Head-to-head – China vs Japan. Who wins?
With the latest China – Japan spat having been blown up exponentially by Beijing in recent days, many in East Asia are asking what would happen if hostilities break out between Beijing and Tokyo.
China’s LNG tanker shadow fleet – reality or fiction?
China appears to be constructing a discreet fleet of LNG tankers capable of moving sanctioned Russian fuel in what is an emerging tactic that would allow Moscow to preserve export revenue while tightening the energy relationship between the two.
Tokyo refuses to kowtow to China’s latest round of anti-Japanese bullying
China has once more escalated a minor diplomatic skirmish with Japan, by urging its citizens to avoid travelling to the country and hauling in Tokyo’s ambassador over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remarks about Taiwan.
COMMENT: Japan and Europe come together in support of Taiwan
Over the past week, two moves in East Asia and Europe clearly signal that the handling of the Taiwan question is entering a new phase - one in which neither Tokyo nor Brussels is prepared to abide by a Beijing-centric diplomatic equilibrium.
China’s green capital powers Indonesia’s 100-GW solar ambition
Indonesia’s vision to build 100 GW of solar energy is gathering real momentum, fuelled by growing Chinese investment under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Indonesia faces fiscal dilemma over $7.27bn high-speed rail debt
The operator, PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia - China, now faces mounting pressure to service both principal and interest payments.
The US now sees China as an equal - it is time for Western media to wake up and do the same
China was long filed under “too foreign, too dangerous, too different” in many Western newsrooms. Not anymore. Beijing is now impossible to ignore as American leaders have realised. Western media outlets need to wake up to this reality too.
COMMENT: China’s latest economic conquest – Central Asia
For the five Central Asian republics - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - China has in recent years emerged not only as a dominant trading partner, but increasingly as the only partner nearby that can actually deliver.
APEC meeting closes in South Korea, WTO dead and buried
This was not a summit. It was a eulogy for the WTO, and APEC just lowered the flag to half-mast.
COMMENT: For Asia, dealing with Europe isn’t about achieving success; it’s about concealing failure
To be taken seriously in Asia, Europe must rediscover the courage to deliver, not merely declare. Asia has moved on to execution. Europe is still editing its initial policy draft.
US–China soybean sales restart
According to Scott Bessent, US Treasury Secretary, the agreement marks a significant step towards restoring normalcy for American farmers.
Presidents Lee and Xi begin diplomatic chapter at APEC summit
President Lee, who is chairing the first session of the summit at the Hwabaek International Convention Centre, stood at the entrance to personally welcome participants. President Xi reached the venue at approximately 10:02.
South Korea opens APEC summit focusing on connectivity and growth
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung chaired the opening session of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting on the morning of October 31 in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.
Global leaders gather in Gyeongju to shape APEC cooperation
Global leaders are arriving in Gyeongju, the cultural hub of North Gyeongsang Province, as South Korea hosts the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Delegates from 21 member economies are expected to discuss trade, technology and security.
US-China trade talks deliver breakthrough as markets rally ahead of Trump-Xi meeting at APEC
How and if China will react to a US-Japan rare earths deal remains to be seen but Beijing has said it will suspend its restrictions on rare earth metal exports in what is a move likely to ease pressure on the US tech and defence sectors.
US denies negotiating with China over Taiwan, as Beijing presses for reunification
Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, told reporters that the administration of Donald Trump is not contemplating any agreement that would compromise Taiwan’s status.