Connect scheme for gold shines light on China’s financial liberalisation
The Connect model has evolved from isolated reforms into a blueprint for China’s financial opening up, with Hong Kong as the bridgehead
· Matteo Giovannini
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+11:00Who is Mel Sarmiento, head of gov’t peace implementing panel for Bangsamoro?
Already have Rappler+? Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism.
· Bea Cupin
Philippines starts active school shooter drills after deadly attack in Tacloban City
June’s fatal shooting at a school in the Visayas region shocked the nation, where mass violence in educational settings is very rare
· Bloomberg
Philippines starts active school shooter drills after deadly attack in Tacloban City
June’s fatal shooting at a school in the Visayas region shocked the nation, where mass violence in educational settings is very rare
· Bloomberg
Leveraged chip ETFs test Korea's market structure
Daily rebalancing fuels debate over whether Korea's cash-based structure amplifies volatility more than Hong Kong's swap-based model
· Choi Yeon-jae
JCS chief to attend trilateral meeting with U.S., Japanese counterparts in Washington
SEOUL, July 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top military officer was set to attend a trilateral meeting involving his U.S. and Japanese counterparts in Washington to discuss security cooperation in the face of North Korean nuclear and missile threats, officials said Wednesday.
· Kim Hyun-soo
Bea Alonzo gives fans first glimpse of wedding to Vincent Co
MANILA, Philippines — Newlywed Bea Alonzo gave fans their first glimpse into her intimate civil wedding with businessman Vincent Co, posting a collection of black-and-white photographs on Instagram.
· Iza Iglesias
Amid soaring China exports, Europe’s ports are feeling the heat
Amid heatwaves, strikes and surging import volumes, strains on the transport network are causing frequent logistics bottlenecks
· Huizhao Huang
Amid soaring China exports, Europe’s ports are feeling the heat
Amid heatwaves, strikes and surging import volumes, strains on the transport network are causing frequent logistics bottlenecks
· Huizhao Huang
‘China’s real-life transformer’: new rescue tech used in dramatic flood evacuation
Rapid-deployment, heavy-duty pontoon barge deployed to ferry 6,000 stranded people from flooded college in southern China
· Carol Yang
‘China’s real-life transformer’: new rescue tech used in dramatic flood evacuation
Rapid-deployment, heavy-duty pontoon barge deployed to ferry 6,000 stranded people from flooded college in southern China
· Carol Yang
Marcos appoints Mel Sarmiento as head of gov’t peace implementing panel for Bangsamoro
Already have Rappler+? Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism.
· Iya Gozum
Inside India newsletter: Modi is exporting India's workforce to a world turning against immigration
Hello, this is Priyanka Salve, writing to you from Singapore.
· Priyanka Salve
Got thoughts on banking in Korea? KB wants to hear them
KB Kookmin Bank is recruiting foreign residents in Korea to join its new customer panel, the “KB Global Star Supporters.”
· Lim Jae-seong
Chinese self-propelled pontoon barge deployed for rescue work in flood-stricken Guangxi | South China Morning Post
Manufacturer Anneng says the barge can carry more than 500 people on a single trip.
Taiwan orders dozens of sea drones to fend off China's maritime squeeze
Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling attends an event to unveil a new Coast Guard patrol ship in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on May 15. The government is working to bolster the force's capabilities with sea drones. © Reuters
· THOMPSON CHAU
Pag-IBIG, DHSUD partner to build 7K affordable houses in Tarlac
MANILA, Philippines — The Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pag-IBIG Fund partnered with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to build more than 7,000 affordable houses to benefit low-income families in Tarlac province.
· Arlie O. Calalo
LDP and JIP decide on Kyoto route for Hokuriku Shinkansen line extension
Japan’s ruling coalition adopted a plan Wednesday that will extend the Hokuriku Shinkansen line from the city of Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, to Osaka through Kyoto on a route taking it near — but not directly to — Kyoto Station.
· Eric Johnston
Norway football star Haaland's Korean-made hair tie sells out: manufacturer
CHUNCHEON, South Korea, July 15 (Yonhap) -- The hair tie worn by Norway's star striker Erling Haaland at this year's FIFA World Cup is attracting growing attention after it was revealed to have been made by a South Korean firm, company officials said Wednesday, adding the custom-made hair piece has already sold out.
· Yoo Cheong-mo
India’s ethanol rush prompts anger among vehicle owners, questions for gov’t
When Krishna Kumar pulled into a petrol station in New Delhi a few months ago, he expected nothing more than a routine fuel stop. Instead, like millions of motorists across India, he found that E20 petrol – a blend containing 20 percent ethanol – was the only fuel available.
· Numan Bhat
Allianz PNB Life at 10 commits to earning Filipinos' trust every day
AS it celebrates its decade-long service in the Philippines this 2026, Allianz PNB Life (Allianz) reiterates its commitment to serving Filipino families and honoring their trust.
· The Manila Times
France, Korea to deepen strategic solidarity, envoy says on Bastille Day
For over a decade, I’ve navigated the complexities of North Korean affairs, security, and foreign policy from both Seoul and Washington, D.C. As the National Desk Political Team Lead, I track the pulse of geopolitics, closely following developments from the Unification Ministry and the Foreign Ministry. My mornings …
· Ji Da-gyum
US-China moon race could turn into a lunar land grab
Keep independent journalism alive
· Chris North
Malaysia says residents at tech commune run by ex-Coinbase exec have valid travel documents
Already have Rappler+? Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism.
· Victor Barreiro Jr.
US$402,000 bonus splits Samsung device and chip workers as anger, feud mount
A 100-fold compensation gap sparks calls for ‘same company, same rights’ amid soaring profits and discontent
· The Korea Times
US$402,000 bonus splits Samsung device and chip workers as anger, feud mount
A 100-fold compensation gap sparks calls for ‘same company, same rights’ amid soaring profits and discontent
· The Korea Times
Police deployed at Malabon school following threats of killing spree
MANILA, Philippines — Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval on Wednesday asked the deployment of lawmen and investigators following viral posts about a killing spree set to occur at a national high school.
· Arlie O. Calalo
Korea eyes slice of global SMR market after pact with US, Japan
Doosan, SK and HD Hyundai to benefit as three countries join forces to deploy next-generation nuclear reactors in overseas markets
· Ahn Sung-mi
India's weak monsoon hits crop sowing, raising inflation fears
Farm workers replant paddy saplings in a field after monsoon rains on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India, on July 10. © AP
· SOUMYAJIT SAHA
Chinese AI stock trade remains intact despite 10% correction from jumbo IPO, Fed jitters
Global investors’ diversification into Chinese assets coupled with strong AI earnings could make the pullback in tech stocks short-lived
· Zhang Shidong
Chinese AI stock trade remains intact despite 10% correction from jumbo IPO, Fed jitters
Global investors’ diversification into Chinese assets coupled with strong AI earnings could make the pullback in tech stocks short-lived
· Zhang Shidong
House prosecutors: Impeachment trial to test Duterte's fitness for office, not criminal guilt
MANILA, Philippines — House prosecutors on Wednesday said the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte was not meant to determine criminal guilt but to decide whether she was fit to hold public office.
· James Daniel Danio
Scientist behind global stem cell scandal stripped of top honor after 22 years
Hwang Woo-suk was once celebrated as the face of South Korea’s scientific ambitions. Twenty-two years later, the government has stripped the disgraced stem cell researcher of its highest science honor.
· Yoon Min-sik
S. Korea, U.S. stage joint logistics drills on record scale
SEOUL, July 15 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean and U.S. militaries have launched a combined logistics exercise aimed at strengthening their capabilities to sustain operations during contingencies, involving the largest number of troops to date, the allies said Wednesday.
· Kim Hyun-soo
Lee calls for AI-led fight against fake news, bigger role for data ministry
For over a decade, I’ve navigated the complexities of North Korean affairs, security, and foreign policy from both Seoul and Washington, D.C. As the National Desk Political Team Lead, I track the pulse of geopolitics, closely following developments from the Unification Ministry and the Foreign Ministry. My mornings …
· Ji Da-gyum
China's big three airlines lose up to $1.33bn amid Middle East war
A China Southern Airlines Airbus A321 plane is towed at Changi Airport in Singapore: The carrier expects to post the biggest loss among the country's big three. © Reuters
· Staff Writer
Popular pygmy hippo Moo Deng predicts World Cup semi-final winners | South China Morning Post
Ahead of matches, pigmy hippo was presented with watermelon slices bearing flags of each semi-final team.
Indonesia's Indika Energy bets on gold as coal volatility increases
Indika Energy's gold project in Indonesia's South Sulawesi province. The miner is accelerating diversification into gold as coal demand and prices become increasingly volatile. (Indika Energy)
· Staff Writer
China’s savvy pivot in courting Muslim Indonesia
Keep independent journalism alive
· Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, Yeta Purnama
AI investor mania: China’s DeepSeek chases US$70 billion valuation in fresh round
Company’s fresh fundraising talks come straight off its landmark Series A, as investors scramble to back national AI champion
· Ben Jiang
AI investor mania: China’s DeepSeek chases US$70 billion valuation in fresh round
Company’s fresh fundraising talks come straight off its landmark Series A, as investors scramble to back national AI champion
· Ben Jiang
Ex-baseball player gets 10 years for running ketamine smuggling ring
A former baseball player was sentenced to 10 years in prison Tuesday for smuggling 1.9 kilograms of ketamine into South Korea from Thailand between September and October 2025.
· Lee Seung-ku
Honne credits BTS as early supporter, hopes to collaborate with NewJeans
British duo reflects on decadelong bond with Korea ahead of 10th anniversary Seoul concerts
· Lee Jung-joo
Threats against Marcos, first lady 'consummated,' Palace insists
MANILA, Philippines — The threats by Vice President Sara Duterte against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez were consummated given that the utterances were not made in secret, Malacañang said on Wednesday.
· Kristina Maralit
Chinese in the driver’s seat? India-China reset hits a bump on Delhi’s streets
Indian government pulls the plug on Chinese battery apps after e-rickshaws are stopped in their tracks, sparking national debate
· Khushboo Razdan
Chinese in the driver’s seat? India-China reset hits a bump on Delhi’s streets
Indian government pulls the plug on Chinese battery apps after e-rickshaws are stopped in their tracks, sparking national debate
· Khushboo Razdan
Chinese motorcycle tycoon donates US$735,000 to flood victims after clearing US$15 million debt
ZXMOTO founder Zhang Xue, who also sends a team with supplies to Guangxi, hopes contribution will have ‘great impact’ on people
· Fran Lu
Chinese motorcycle tycoon donates US$735,000 to flood victims after clearing US$15 million debt
ZXMOTO founder Zhang Xue, who also sends a team with supplies to Guangxi, hopes contribution will have ‘great impact’ on people
· Fran Lu
Australia unveils AI standards to shape roll out of technology
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivers a speech titled "AI in Australia's Interests" at the University of Sydney on July 15. © Reuters
· Staff Writer
MBK promotes Korea Zinc project in US amid Homeplus crisis
Private equity firm highlights Project Crucible as Homeplus struggles to secure emergency funding
· Im Eun-byel