Why China’s war on deflation is faltering in real time
Keep independent journalism alive
· William Pesek
Follow the story
Asia Pacific
A focused view of neutral reporting on Asia Pacific, brought together across publishers.
Explore all topics →
Neutral reports only
Newest first · UTC+11:00Why the historic U.S.-Japan intervention has failed to halt the yen’s slide
The Japanese yen has erased about half the gains from a historic U.S.-Japan intervention less than two weeks ago, as the fundamental forces that have pressured the currency to multi-decade lows prove increasingly resilient against short-term measures.
· Lee Ying Shan
UP gets quicker with Kaw around
MANILA, Philippines — EASILY one of the fancied favorites in the forthcoming UAAP men’s basketball tournament are the University of the Philippines’ Fighting Maroons owing to a tall lineup.
· The Manila Times
Indonesian banks face tighter liquidity after strong profits
Bank Mandiri is one of Indonesia's state-owned banks enjoying strong loan and profit growth thanks to government liquidity injections. But as the state funds are due to mature in October, the banking sector overall is bracing for tighter liquidity. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
· ISMI DAMAYANTI
In Taiwan, Chinese-born spouses face questions of loyalty
Li Chen-hsiu speaks during an interview in Taoyuan, northern Taiwan, on July 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Johnson Lai)
· Huizhong Wu
KRX activates buy-side sidecar for KOSPI on sharp rise
SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's bourse operator on Wednesday activated a buy-side sidecar for the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) as the stock index sharply rose, led by a chip rally.
· Kim Soo-yeon
Furor over Albanese's melons joke could force Japan into drama it wanted to avoid
Topic:Foreign Affairs
· Natalie Whiting
Yonhap News Agency most trusted among journalists for 2nd year: survey
SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's key wire service Yonhap News Agency has been named the most trusted media outlet among domestic journalists for a second straight year, a survey showed Wednesday.
· Shim Sun-ah
Lee receives letters of credence from new U.S. Amb. Steel, 3 other envoys
SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung received letters of credence Wednesday from new U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Steel and three other newly appointed foreign ambassadors.
· Park Boram
Inventories and farming method gains bolster food system against ‘super’ El Nino
SINGAPORE/NEW DELHI – Near-record inventories, technological advances and the rise of key exporters such as Brazil and Russia have made the global food system more resilient to this year’s “super” El Nino climate phenomenon than similar past events.
· No Author
What to know about Zambia's election as Hichilema seeks second term
Supporters of Zambian incumbent President and United Party for National Development (UPND) presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema attend a campaign rally on the outskirts of Lusaka, Zambia, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Anita Reed)
· Jacob Zimba
India warns incidents on disputed border will affect China relations
India considers incidents along its disputed border with China “most serious” and “the state of the border affairs” will “reflect on the state of our larger bilateral ties,” the Ministry of External Affairs said Tuesday in response to a question about a fresh military face-off.
· Sudhi Ranjan Sen
Thailand's $3 government bonds attract retail investors
Thai baht notes are seen at a bank in Bangkok. Thai authorities are encouraging savings through a new government bond program. © Reuters
· Staff Writer
(LEAD) Chinese e-commerce platform JD.com to directly import S. Korean products
SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Yonhap) -- Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has set up a business entity in South Korea to directly purchase Korean consumer goods for sale in China, the trade ministry said Wednesday.
· Choi Kyong-ae
Passenger jet billed as China’s answer to Boeing and Airbus prepares to make first international flight
The Comac C919 will fly from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, although experts say it could take generations for it to challenge the west’s dominance of the industry
· Amy Hawkins
North Korea fires ballistic missile ahead of US-South Korea drills
SEOUL — North Korea fired a ballistic missile off its east coast towards Japan early on Wednesday, Seoul's military said, days before the planned start of massive US-South Korea joint drills.
· Agence France-Presse
Why does SK Hynix want to sell its chip facility in southwest China?
The South Korean chipmaker wants to pivot towards the high-margin AI memory sector, but analysts warn any sale would face valuation hurdles
· Ann Cao
Why does SK Hynix want to sell its chip facility in southwest China?
The South Korean chipmaker wants to pivot towards the high-margin AI memory sector, but analysts warn any sale would face valuation hurdles
· Ann Cao
Showdown in Indonesia’s Solo pits Widodo’s dynasty against Megawati’s machine
Analysts say the 2029 parliamentary bid will test whether Widodo can convert his personal popularity into lasting family influence
· Anand Mathai
Showdown in Indonesia’s Solo pits Widodo’s dynasty against Megawati’s machine
Analysts say the 2029 parliamentary bid will test whether Widodo can convert his personal popularity into lasting family influence
· Anand Mathai
China has always had a legal framework for taxation. Why is it now increasing enforcement?
Declining fiscal revenue is prompting tax authorities to scrutinize offshore trusts and equity gains
· Emma Ma
China has always had a legal framework for taxation. Why is it now increasing enforcement?
Declining fiscal revenue is prompting tax authorities to scrutinize offshore trusts and equity gains
· Emma Ma
PM holds 2045 Strategy Committee meeting, selects 17 core tasks
SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Yonhap) -- The government held a second meeting Wednesday of the 2045 Strategy Committee charged with drawing up a blueprint and strategies for what South Korea should look like in 2045 and identified 17 core tasks with the goal of announcing the final strategies by the end of the year, officials said.
· CHANG JAE SUN
Korea, Uzbekistan push business ahead of summit
South Korea and Uzbekistan can seek stronger cooperation in a range of fields, including critical minerals, artificial intelligence, business and government, the leaders of the two nations said at the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Roundtable in Seoul on Tuesday.
· Sanjay Kumar
(3rd LD) N. Korea conducts another missile launch ahead of key S. Korea-U.S. military drills
(ATTN: RECASTS headline; ADDS more details, analyst's comments throughout)By Kim Seung-yeon
· Kim Seung-yeon
China childhood staple ‘White Rabbit’ candy gains global praise for classic wrapper design
Brand’s pure milk flavour and iconic wrapper ensure it remains a beloved icon in consumer memories, says expert
· Fran Lu
China childhood staple ‘White Rabbit’ candy gains global praise for classic wrapper design
Brand’s pure milk flavour and iconic wrapper ensure it remains a beloved icon in consumer memories, says expert
· Fran Lu
Eala to face either Ruse or Linette in Cincinnati Open second round
MANILA, Philippines — Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala will face either Romanian Elena-Gabriela Ruse or Polish Magda Linette to start her campaign at the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open in Ohio.
· Niel Victor C. Masoy
Doh Kyung-soo to launch 10-city Asia tour in October
Doh Kyung-soo, also known as Exo's D.O., will launch a 10-city Asia solo tour titled “Day Off” in Seoul in October, agency Blitzway Music said Tuesday.
· Hwang You-mee
New Zealand PM Luxon survives leadership challenge months from election
WELLINGTON — New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he had the "full support" of his ruling National Party on Wednesday after surviving a leadership challenge called with less than three months until a general election.
· AFP
EVs dominate China’s car market: 5 takeaways from the country's latest auto sales data
BEIJING — Survivors have emerged in China's fiercely competitive car market, which is increasingly dominated by electric-powered vehicles.
· Evelyn Cheng
US-Japan yen intervention is another defeat for Tokyo
Gen. Douglas MacArthur arrives at Atsugi Airfield in occupied Japan on Aug. 30, 1945. (ACME/Kyodo)
· Staff Writer
What are China’s quantitative trading funds, and why are they so controversial?
China’s quant funds face scrutiny from retail traders and regulators, driven by their large returns and use of AI
· Daisy Wu
What are China’s quantitative trading funds, and why are they so controversial?
China’s quant funds face scrutiny from retail traders and regulators, driven by their large returns and use of AI
· Daisy Wu
Fishing trip mishap or grey-zone test? Taiwan arrests men after boat slips past defences
Mainland Chinese men in rubber dinghy dismissed as ‘sea clutter’ by coastguard radar operator, raising fresh concerns over island’s security
· Lawrence Chung
Fishing trip mishap or grey-zone test? Taiwan arrests men after boat slips past defences
Mainland Chinese men in rubber dinghy dismissed as ‘sea clutter’ by coastguard radar operator, raising fresh concerns over island’s security
· Lawrence Chung
LIVE UPDATES: Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Aug. 12, 2026
MANILA, Philippines – Commission on Audit Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office (COA-ICFAO) state auditor Xylene del Campo returns to the witness stand Wednesday for the 15th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, where she is set to face cross-examination by the defense over the alleged …
· INQUIRER.net
Floods, storms and landslides: Typhoon Dolphin ravages China – in pictures
View image in fullscreenVillages and farmlands are submerged by floodwaters in Yongjia, Zhejiang province.Photograph: VCG/Getty ImagesShareView image in fullscreenShanghai residents wade through flooded streets. Photograph: Yin Liqin/China News Service/Getty ImagesShareView image in fullscreenAn emergency drainage t…
· Bec Lorrimer
Hypothetical poll: Robredo-Tulfo in statistical tie with Duterte-Marcos
MANILA, Philippines — A hypothetical tandem of Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo and Sen. Raffy Tulfo is in a statistical tie with a hypothetical tandem of Vice President Sara Duterte and Sen. Imee Marcos in the 2028 elections, according to a survey by polling firm Octa Research.
· Jason Sigales
S. Korea, India vow closer ties in customs affairs
The South Korean customs agency said Wednesday it has agreed with its Indian counterpart to bolster cooperation in customs affairs and facilitate smoother trade between the two countries.
· Yonhap
Tropical storm Chan-hom moves out of Tokyo area after injuring 5
Passengers line up in front of an All Nippon Airways counter at Haneda airport in Tokyo following flight cancellations due to Tropical Storm Chan-hom Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026. (Katsuya Miyagawa/Kyodo News via AP)
· Mari Yamaguchi
N Korea launches ballistic missile as S Korea, US plan military drills
North Korea has launched a ballistic missile towards the Sea of Japan, according to Seoul and Tokyo, marking the second such test from Pyongyang in less than a week.
· Adam Hancock
Hong Kong’s 5-year plan: what’s at stake?
AdvertisementAdvertisementNEWSCMP Hong Kong SeriesHong Kong’s 5-year plan: what’s at stake?With Hong Kong’s leader expected to unveil the city’s first five-year plan in September following a two-month public consultation, the South China Morning Post examines how the financial hub can deliver on its game-changing am…
· SCMP Staff
Hong Kong’s 5-year plan: what’s at stake?
AdvertisementAdvertisementNEWSCMP Hong Kong SeriesHong Kong’s 5-year plan: what’s at stake?With Hong Kong’s leader expected to unveil the city’s first five-year plan in September following a two-month public consultation, the South China Morning Post examines how the financial hub can deliver on its game-changing am…
· SCMP Staff
Why does Hong Kong need a 5-year plan – and will it crimp its free-market economy?
As Hong Kong embraces long-term planning for the first time, economists and officials debate whether strategic state guidance can coexist with its open, market-led economy
· Natalie Wong
Chinese e-commerce platform JD.com to directly import S. Korean products
SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Yonhap) -- Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has set up a business entity in South Korea to directly purchase Korean consumer goods for sale in China, the trade ministry said Wednesday.
· Choi Kyong-ae
Cook Islands election: PM Mark Brown speaks on the diplomatic crises that defined his year
The prime minister tells the Guardian that last year’s diplomatic rift with ally New Zealand could be on voters’ minds as they head to the polls
· Rashneel Kumar in Rarotonga
S. Korea, India vow closer ties in customs affairs
SEOUL, Aug. 12 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean customs agency said Wednesday it has agreed with its Indian counterpart to bolster cooperation in customs affairs and facilitate smoother trade between the two countries.
· Kang Yoon-seung
Presidential office labels N. Korea's missile launch as provocation, urges immediate halt
The presidential office on Wednesday held an emergency meeting to address North Korea's latest ballistic missile launch, describing it as a provocation and calling for an immediate halt to such actions.
· Yonhap
Hiroshi Okuda, the Japanese businessman who led the rise of Toyota, dies
Hiroshi Okuda, then, president of Toyota Motor Corp., smiles as he sits at the steering wheel of the “Aristo,” Toyota’s remodeled sports sedan during a press conference at a Tokyo hotel, Aug. 27, 1997. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, File)
· Yuri Kageyama