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Asia-Pacific Economics

The latest news and top stories on Asia-Pacific Economics. A Singapore-based entity in the economic research and consulting sector, Asia-Pacific Economics Pte Ltd specialises in geopolitical and macroeconomic analysis and forecasts for global and Asia-Pacific economies. It primarily serves businesses, financial institutions and governments and is known for its market position bolstered by CEO Rajiv Biswas’s experience.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang says Hong Kong authorities have continued to work with counterparts work against crime. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong politics

Exclusive | Loss of fugitive transfer deals a ‘pity’ and only helps criminals: Chris Tang

Security minister tells SCMP it’s up to countries that suspended agreements whether to resume them.

25 Jun 2026 - 10:06AMvideocam

China-Russia relations

Putin left China, with no pipeline deal. Why is the valve still closed?

23 May 2026 - 6:45AMvideocam

Japan

Takaichi bound for Australia to strengthen economic, security ties

3 May 2026 - 6:11PMvideocam

Asia travel

Lack of fuel reserves forces Southeast Asian flight cuts amid Hormuz crisis

Airlines are cutting flights, as dependence on Middle Eastern fuel hits operators from Pakistan to New Zealand.

14 Apr 2026 - 12:10PMvideocam

A Vietjet Airline airplane in front of a Vietnam Airlines airplane, at Noi Bai International Airport, in Hanoi, Vietnam, on May 28, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Boao Forum for Asia

As Iran war rages, China links peace to economic growth at Boao Forum

Beijing will continue promoting free trade, openness and a sound legal system for business, top legislator says.

26 Mar 2026 - 2:39PM

China trade

Not just oil: Iran war disrupts China’s imports of key industrial material

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is choking off China’s imports of methanol – a vital input for the country’s industrial sector.

3 Mar 2026 - 11:36PMvideocam

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

Outside In | Apec’s quiet cooperation still matters in a noisy, divided world

Year-round, multiple intensive working meetings keep the forum an ‘engine room’ of cooperation, reflecting its commitment to multilateralism.

6 Feb 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

A group photo at the Apec informal senior officials’ meeting in Shenzhen, China on December 12, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

US-China relations

What Xi’s calls with Trump and Putin reveal about China’s balancing act

Beijing holds rare same-day talks with Kremlin and White House as powers face headwinds at home, energy uncertainties and nuclear pact’s end.

5 Feb 2026 - 11:58PMvideocam

China energy security

Can China’s cheap, renewable energy help it outrun the US in the AI race?

China’s energy buildout means cheap, green and reliable electricity fuels its manufacturing and tech industries, giving it an edge over rivals.

14 Jan 2026 - 9:14AMvideocam

China trade

Will Trump’s Iran tariffs send China searching for new oil sources?

Analysts urge China to protect strategic interests abroad after unexpected announcement, which is likely to push up oil import costs.

13 Jan 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

China, Iran’s largest trading partner, would be among the countries most affected by new US tariffs targeting Tehran’s commercial ties. Photo: Reuters

China trade

Japan firms seen ‘stockpiling’ rare earths as Tokyo looks to G7 amid China row

Amid fears of potential mineral export curbs by Beijing, Japanese industry is bracing, and Tokyo appears keen on a united international response.

12 Jan 2026 - 10:14PMvideocam

Japan’s finance minister said she would attend a G7 gathering in Washington on Monday with the “risk of a rare-earth-supply interruption from China in mind”. Photo: Getty Images

China trade

Battle for China’s durian market gets even juicier as Laos enters the fray

Laos could present a real challenge to other players in China’s vast durian market due to its low costs and logistical advantages.

18 Dec 2025 - 9:00AMvideocam

China trade

China sellers brace as EU moves to tighten rules on low-value parcels, as US did

Merchants warn that margins will be squeezed, consumer prices may rise, and firms may shift markets as compliance costs and customs hits bite cross-border trade.

14 Nov 2025 - 11:00PMvideocam

Rare earths

Baotou set to become China’s rare earth hub under Inner Mongolia’s 10-year plan

Initiatives include a boost to mining, refining and magnet production to supply new-energy industry and global markets while firms and nations race to diversify.

13 Nov 2025 - 6:30PMvideocam

Inner Mongolia’s second-largest city, Baotou (pictured), has plans to become a world-leading hub for critical materials. Photo: Getty Images

US-China trade war

Soybeans: China’s new bargaining chip in trade war with US?

Beijing seen holding a lot of cards in trade negotiations with Washington, while US treasury secretary says next round of talks should ‘show a pretty big breakthrough’.

3 Oct 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

A farmer handles soybeans from a field in the US state of Indiana last month. Analysts suggest soybeans could be a bargaining chip for Beijing in negotiations with Washington. Photo: AP

China trade

Malaysia flexes rare earth muscle as mineral-hungry US seeks non-Chinese sources

Kuala Lumpur’s new ban on exports of unprocessed rare earth metals reflects how Malaysia is carving out its own path in the rare earth supply chain.

23 Aug 2025 - 10:00AM

China trade

China launches anti-dumping investigation into imports of Canadian pea starch

The latest tit-for-tat trade move comes after Canada imposed tariffs targeting Chinese steel last month.

12 Aug 2025 - 8:30PM

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Asia-Pacific Economics

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Loss of fugitive transfer deals a ‘pity’ and only helps criminals: Chris Tang

Security minister tells SCMP it’s up to countries that suspended agreements whether to resume them.

Putin left China, with no pipeline deal. Why is the valve still closed?

Takaichi bound for Australia to strengthen economic, security ties

Lack of fuel reserves forces Southeast Asian flight cuts amid Hormuz crisis

Airlines are cutting flights, as dependence on Middle Eastern fuel hits operators from Pakistan to New Zealand.

As Iran war rages, China links peace to economic growth at Boao Forum

Beijing will continue promoting free trade, openness and a sound legal system for business, top legislator says.

Not just oil: Iran war disrupts China’s imports of key industrial material

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is choking off China’s imports of methanol – a vital input for the country’s industrial sector.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Outside In | Apec’s quiet cooperation still matters in a noisy, divided world

Year-round, multiple intensive working meetings keep the forum an ‘engine room’ of cooperation, reflecting its commitment to multilateralism.

What Xi’s calls with Trump and Putin reveal about China’s balancing act

Beijing holds rare same-day talks with Kremlin and White House as powers face headwinds at home, energy uncertainties and nuclear pact’s end.

Can China’s cheap, renewable energy help it outrun the US in the AI race?

China’s energy buildout means cheap, green and reliable electricity fuels its manufacturing and tech industries, giving it an edge over rivals.

Will Trump’s Iran tariffs send China searching for new oil sources?

Analysts urge China to protect strategic interests abroad after unexpected announcement, which is likely to push up oil import costs.

Japan firms seen ‘stockpiling’ rare earths as Tokyo looks to G7 amid China row

Amid fears of potential mineral export curbs by Beijing, Japanese industry is bracing, and Tokyo appears keen on a united international response.

Battle for China’s durian market gets even juicier as Laos enters the fray

Laos could present a real challenge to other players in China’s vast durian market due to its low costs and logistical advantages.

China sellers brace as EU moves to tighten rules on low-value parcels, as US did

Merchants warn that margins will be squeezed, consumer prices may rise, and firms may shift markets as compliance costs and customs hits bite cross-border trade.

Baotou set to become China’s rare earth hub under Inner Mongolia’s 10-year plan

Initiatives include a boost to mining, refining and magnet production to supply new-energy industry and global markets while firms and nations race to diversify.

Soybeans: China’s new bargaining chip in trade war with US?

Beijing seen holding a lot of cards in trade negotiations with Washington, while US treasury secretary says next round of talks should ‘show a pretty big breakthrough’.

Malaysia flexes rare earth muscle as mineral-hungry US seeks non-Chinese sources

Kuala Lumpur’s new ban on exports of unprocessed rare earth metals reflects how Malaysia is carving out its own path in the rare earth supply chain.

China launches anti-dumping investigation into imports of Canadian pea starch

The latest tit-for-tat trade move comes after Canada imposed tariffs targeting Chinese steel last month.

Exclusive | Loss of fugitive transfer deals a ‘pity’ and only helps criminals: Chris Tang

Outside In | Apec’s quiet cooperation still matters in a noisy, divided world