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Where startups are born, global firms grow and capital flows - Asia in 2025
From 2017 to 2023, private equity and venture capital assets under management in Asia surged by an astonishing 130%, significantly outpacing growth in Western markets.
Global banking’s new powerhouse: Asia
Asia's level of digital banking infrastructure has enabled it to challenge and even surpass traditional Western players such as Citi and HSBC in key regional markets.
ASIA BLOG: Southeast Asia should pivot away from Trump’s America and steer in the direction of Europe
Trump's confrontational approach to China, while superficially aligned with concerns within ASEAN, is neither strategic nor consultative. It is built more on spectacle than substance, more on division than dialogue.
ETF investment trends in Asia in 2025
While ETF markets in Asia have historically lagged behind those in North America and Europe in terms of depth and diversity, 2025 is witnessing a decisive maturing of the regional ETF ecosystem.
Asia’s fruit boom: how the continent is feeding the world’s sweet tooth
Asian growers are now tapping into global markets more aggressively than ever before.
ASIA BLOG: Which side leading Asian nations would back if Iran VS Israel escalates
In the event of an escalation, Beijing would likely call for restraint and push for a negotiated settlement. It may be doing so already behind the scenes. However, its silence or perceived tilt towards Tehran could provoke criticism from the West.
What the Iran-Israel war could mean for much of Asia
From energy security and trade disruptions to political polarisation and rising tensions among Muslim-majority nations such as Indonesia, Malaysia and nuclear armed Pakistan, the consequences for Asia could reshape regional dynamics.
COMMENT: What Japan, Southeast Asia and the US can expect from South Korea’s new president
While he has not shied away from criticising Tokyo, Lee has sensibly signalled a willingness to compartmentalise some issues in order to foster cooperation on trade, technology and regional security.
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ASIA BLOG: How US tariffs are driving Asia closer to itself – and China
What’s striking right now is how ASEAN is operating on two levels. Publicly, it champions inclusivity and dialogue. Privately, it’s hedging harder than ever.
COMMENT: Asian unity in a fragmenting world boosted by the RCEP
In the face of renewed US protectionism and the use of tariffs as economic weapons, RCEP offers the Indo-Pacific region something far more strategic: a framework for resilience, integration and independence.
COMMENT: Asia's team lists in the Washington VS Beijing bout
While fewer in number, some Asian nations have displayed clear signs of alignment or strategic proximity to China.
COMMENT: US Defence Secretary Hegseth tells Asian countries war with China “could be imminent”
US Secretary for Defence Pete Hegseth put the cat amongst the pigeons during a speech at the at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 31, by telling the leading Asian countries they should join with the US and get ready for war with China.
China launches international mediation organisation in Hong Kong
China has launched a new international mediation organisation in Hong Kong on May 30, signed by 31 countries
BERTRAND: ASEAN, GCC countries and China come together, forming the world’s largest economic bloc
China, the countries of South-East Asia (ASEAN) and the Arab states (GCC) just held a summit in Kuala Lumpur to forge what could become the world's largest economic bloc, covering everything from free trade agreements to de-dollarisation.
Combined effort to tackle Asian climate change gaining momentum
Over the past five years Asia has witnessed unprecedented heatwaves, with countries like Bangladesh recording temperatures up to 43.8°C in 2024, leading to nationwide school closures affecting tens of millions of children
Gulf States, China dominate ASEAN Summit with a pledge to strengthen ties
Meeting in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, the GCC, China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations issued a joint declaration committing to “chart a unified and collective path towards a peaceful, prosperous and just future.
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China shifts from global banker to leading debt collector
Once the primary provider of capital across much of the world, Beijing now finds itself at the receiving end of record repayments, particularly from some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable nations.
US tariffs: threat or opportunity for ASEAN’s clean energy ambitions?
In April, when US President Donald Trump announced steep import tariffs targeting a swathe of sectors, reigniting concerns among many ASEAN countries that have flourished under the China+1 strategy.
COMMENT: China’s debt-trap diplomacy - lessons from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and beyond
For the nations affected this results in economic dependence on China and often the surrender of strategic assets - or both.
COMMENT: Vying for influence in Southeast Asia – Russia VS America
Although both nations have engaged with the region historically and continue to do so in the present day, their roles, influence, and staying power differ markedly.