Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC
 / company

Asia-Pacific Economics

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.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin interacts on August 13 with local residents on Iturup island, one of four islands in the contested chain known as the Kuril Islands. Photo: AFP
Japan

What does the first visit to the Kuril Islands by Vladimir Putin mean for China?

Diplomatic offensive seen to signal growing alignment between Beijing and Moscow to isolate Tokyo ahead of key November summit.

videocam
Vietnam

Vietnam’s To Lam eyes trade, defence boost during trip to Australia, New Zealand

videocam
Hong Kong economy

Mega-events drive HK$5.8 billion spending in first half of year, Paul Chan says

Mainland China

Perfume ban, no-fly zone – as Apec summit looms, Shenzhen ramps up security

The southern city has prohibited more items from the subway and outlawed drones from the downtown area.

videocam
After Shenzhen's local government tightened security on the city's subway, long queues were seen as travellers went through checks. Photo: Sohu
2026 Xi-Trump summits

China and US still in contact on Xi summit trip despite Trump’s election claims

‘Head-of-state diplomacy provides irreplaceable strategic guidance’, foreign ministry says, after Marco Rubio downplays derailment fears.

videocam
China shipbuilding

China’s grip on global ship repair worries Japan. Can Tokyo end its dependence?

Tokyo’s new industrial strategy reflects growing concern over economic security amid frayed bilateral ties with Beijing, analysts say.

videocam
6
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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.

videocam
9
Secretary for Security Chris Tang says Hong Kong authorities have continued to work with counterparts work against crime. Photo: Dickson Lee
China-Russia relations

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

Though this week’s China-Russia summit featured many agreements, none progressed the long-delayed Power of Siberia 2 natural gas pipeline.

videocam
8
Japan

Takaichi bound for Australia to strengthen economic, security ties

The Prime Minister’s three-day visit will focus on defence, critical minerals and broader economic security as Japan takes a more assertive military stance.

videocam
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.

videocam
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.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, at the Boao Forum for Asia in Boao, south China’s Hainan province, on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua
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.

videocam
14
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.

videocam
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.

videocam
12
There is growing speculation that Chinese President Xi Jinping (centre), US President Donald Trump (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) could make a rare appearance together at the Apec summit in China in November. Photo: AFP/Xinhua/Reuters
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.

videocam
24
Illustration: Henry Wong
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.

videocam
19
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.

videocam
9
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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.

videocam
A local vendor sells durians at a stall near Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Several Southeast Asian nations including Cambodia export the fruit to China, which is the world’s largest buyer by far. Photo: AP
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.

videocam
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.

videocam
4
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’.

videocam
15
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.

The Lynas rare earth processing plant in Pahang, Malaysia, processes 12 to 15 per cent of the world’s rare earth elements, but China still dominates the process of separating and purifying rare earth ores that are mined. Photo: Handout
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.

8
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement