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2018 in review

2018 in review
The latest news, analysis and opinion on 2018 in review. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Protesters from the climate change pressure group Extinction Rebellion demonstrate outside the BBC offices in central London on December 21. They called on the broadcaster to give top priority to climate change and environmental issues, in both editorial coverage and corporate management. Photo: Reuters
Climate change

Letters | 2018 may not have been the best, but hope lives on for 2019

The global forecast dips and rises in cycles, with recent times leaving us despairing and bruised, yet offering hope that the world might just turn the corner for the better in 2019.

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These are the most memorable satellite photos of 2018

The four big issues that will push Hong Kong’s buttons in 2019

US-China trade war: All stories

Which economy stories were the most popular in 2018?

The ongoing trade war between Xi Jinping’s China and Donald Trump’s United States dominated the top stories of 2018.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a working dinner after the G20 leaders summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina on December 1. Photo: Reuters
Netflix

Top digital stories 2018: Netflix, Vivo, and world’s worst video game

This year saw Apple release three new iPhones, Huawei launch its triple-lens P20 Pro and streaming services reach new heights. We round-up the best articles of the last 12 months in the digital world.

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K-drama news

Your favourite Chinese and Korean TV dramas from 2018

The favourites include two Chinese imperial stories from the Qing dynasty. The Korean dramas include a 19th century tale and an augmented reality story.

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China economy

Review of a turbulent 2018 for China’s economy

The world’s second largest economy started the year with the strong intentions to improve the quality of growth but ended it hoping for a better 2019.

US President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping met in Argentina on December 1 and agreed to a 90-day truce in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies. Photo: AP
On Her Watch

Richard Mille’s art deco ‘talisman’ and other best ladies’ 2018 watches

Timepieces by Graff, Breguet, Cartier, Patek Philippe, Montblanc, Harry Winston, Jaquet Droz and Chaumet also caught the eye

Chinese language cinema

The top 10 films and five biggest flops at China box office in 2018

Patriotic hit Operation Red Sea, franchise comedy Detective Chinatown 2, and a Chinese Dallas Buyers Club took top honours, eclipsing Hollywood films; Hong Kong stars had a hand in some of the worst performers.

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A look at some of the people who made the news in Hong Kong this year

MTR Corporation head Frederick Ma faced a number of crises; Andy Chan saw his Hong Kong National Party banned; Victor Mallet fell foul of immigration authorities; Teresa Cheng had some legal trouble, and Andy Lau ended the year on a low note.

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah meets the media at Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok after returning from holiday on December 26. Photo: Dickson Lee

Ten feel-good stories of 2018: overcoming adversity, inspiring others

Put aside the world’s troubles and end the year on a high note; read about the blind violinist who commutes 12 hours for lessons, the yoga class for old folk, the Chinese adoptees back helping the country of their birth.

Offbeat

Odds and ends: Our pick of 2018’s most offbeat Asia stories

Some ended in tragedy while others seemed more like the stuff of fiction

Remembering some departed Hong Kong luminaries in 2018

Sinologist Jao Tsung-i, Nobel Physics laureate Charles Kao and writer Louis Cha were among those who died this year. ‘Godfather of Hong Kong politics’ Chung Sze-yuen embodied a frankness and independence that was melded with pragmatism in the pre-handover era.

Hong Kong housing

One own goal and misses all round: here’s how the government did in 2018

The administration’s mishandling of the National Party affair, which led to the denial of visa for a journalist, was notable among its misses.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam and her ministers, including (from left) Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-kwong, Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung, Secretary for Home Affairs Lau Kong-wah and Secretary for Innovation and Technology Nicholas Yang, attend a Lunar New Year reception on February 23. Photo: Sam Tsang

What will 2019 bring for Asia? Here are nine big issues to watch

They include the US-China trade war, the outcome of four key elections, the rise of new technology and North Korean denuclearisation

The US-China trade war remains a threat. Photo: AP
Smartphones

Best of 2018: an iPhone so good it won over an Android fan

Chinese smartphones – from OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo and Huawei – take four of the top five spots in our ranking of the best smartphones of 2018, but the No. 1 spot goes to Apple.

Performing arts in Hong Kong

Dance in 2018: triple Giselles and Hong Kong Ballet’s forward strides

No fewer than three productions of Giselle, the farewell appearance of Jin Yao and an epic performance of Yuri Grigorovich’s Spartacus were highlights. But Hong Kong Dance Company’s puzzling season was a disappointment.

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China society

From ‘Ice Boy’ to cockroach farms: the stories you loved most in 2018

Of the thousands of articles we published last year about day-to-day life in the world’s most populous country, these are the nine you clicked on, shared and talked about more than any others.

The story of eight-year-old Wang Fuman, or ‘Ice Boy’, warmed hearts around the world. Photo: News.163.com

Holocaust survivor to mountaineer doctor – 2018’s most inspiring people

We look back at some of the year’s most worthy role models, from a transgender university lecturer fighting prejudice to an intensive care doctor who treats patients at altitude

Classical music

Midori, Joshua Bell, Evgeny Kissin among star soloists of a stellar year

The HK Phil went from strength to strength in 2018, while the programming of city’s other leading orchestras brought diversity – a touchstone of Yip Wing-sie’s tenure at the Sinfonietta, which is to end in 2020, we learned.

Performing arts in Hong Kong

The best stage shows of 2018, from Evita to an Irish Swan Lake

Theatre companies from Ireland, Oklahoma, Slovenia and the UK put on the city’s top stage shows. Angel’s Bone, a commentary on human trafficking, was the best of the performances.

Asia in 2019: buckle up for a year of uncertainty and volatility

Five commentators and This Week in Asia’s editor say the next 12 months for Asia will be shaped by China’s relations with the US, shifts in global trade, and key elections in Australia, India, Indonesia and Thailand

Storms, both metaphorical and literal alike, are brewing for Asia in 2019. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
Video gaming

From Red Dead Redemption 2 to God of War: 2018’s 10 best video games

This year saw Rockstar Games’ long-awaited Wild West sequel dominate conversations. Other titles include new Call of Duty, Spider-Man, Pokemon and Assassin’s Creed games.

Luxury Hotels

Opinion | Our pick of Asia’s best luxury hotels, nightspots and spas from 2018

Capella Singapore, the site of Donald Trump’s talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was just one of the many properties to catch the eye

Malaysia

Newsmakers: people behind the stories that fascinated Asia in 2018

Individuals whose unique experiences helped define 2018 look back on a tumultuous year and share their hopes for 2019

Wellness

The 10 most popular diets of 2018 – Atkins diet doesn’t make list

Intermittent fasting and high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet plans among the most popular; some oddball diets may have topped online searches because they are new, not because they are better than other plans.

US-China trade war

US-China trade war: a timeline from first tariffs to the 90-day truce

Ceasefire has yielded some positive signs as both sides engage in intense talks.

Where to eat in Hong Kong

Chinese, Japanese, you name it: the best new restaurants of 2018

Subtle Cantonese, delicate Shanghainese, stunning sushi, surprising Middle Eastern, the best tacos in Hong Kong – it’s all here; we tell you the dishes to go for at our favourite newcomers of the year.

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