China to fly flags at half-mast for former premier Zhu Rongji’s funeral
The late statesman, known for his pivotal role in transitioning China towards a market economy, will be cremated in Beijing on Tuesday
· Amber Wang
Follow the story
Asia
A focused view of neutral reporting on Asia, brought together across publishers.
Explore all topics →
Neutral reports only
Newest first · UTC+11:00China to fly flags at half-mast for former premier Zhu Rongji’s funeral
The late statesman, known for his pivotal role in transitioning China towards a market economy, will be cremated in Beijing on Tuesday
· Amber Wang
Chinese brain-reading AI model may help predict depression risk 4 years in advance
Scientists from Shenzhen University used data studying teenagers’ responses to facial expressions to identify possible warning signs
· Shi Huang
Chinese brain-reading AI model may help predict depression risk 4 years in advance
Scientists from Shenzhen University used data studying teenagers’ responses to facial expressions to identify possible warning signs
· Shi Huang
Musk’s headaches: meet China’s corporate matrix challenging his business empire
From Tesla to SpaceX, Starlink and Neuralink, Chinese companies are giving – or trying to give – Elon Musk’s firms a run for their money
· Christina Zhao
Musk’s headaches: meet China’s corporate matrix challenging his business empire
From Tesla to SpaceX, Starlink and Neuralink, Chinese companies are giving – or trying to give – Elon Musk’s firms a run for their money
· Christina Zhao
North Korea’s Kim, Russia’s Putin Reaffirm Ties on Korean Liberation Day
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed the deepening of ties with Russia in a message to President Vladimir Putin as Pyongyang marked the anniversary of independence from Japan's colonial rule, KCNA state news agency said on Sunday.
· Reuters
Japan aims for the moons of Mars
TANEGASHIMA SPACE CENTER, Japan — Japanese scientists are readying a mission to Mars' moons to retrieve samples that may unlock the origins of the Solar System and life on Earth, although a rival Chinese mission aims to make it back first.
· Agence France-Presse
Beijing and Manila clash over arrests of ‘illegal’ workers as tensions worsen
Manila rejects criticism of defence chief – who accused China of ‘squid tactic’ – just as president indicates he wants to ‘reset’ ties
· Cao Jiaxuan
Beijing and Manila clash over arrests of ‘illegal’ workers as tensions worsen
Manila rejects criticism of defence chief – who accused China of ‘squid tactic’ – just as president indicates he wants to ‘reset’ ties
· Cao Jiaxuan
US to warn partners they must pick sides in artificial intelligence race with China
The US is preparing to tell dozens of countries they must pick sides in the artificial intelligence race with China, warning they will be excluded from a US-led coalition if they also sign up for Beijing's competing framework, according to a US official and an internal draft reviewed by Reuters.
· REUTERS
End of an era? South Korea’s sun sets in the Premier League but Japan rise
After glory days of Park Ji-sung and Son Heung-min, the new season could be Korean-free for first time since 2005
· Johnduerden
Who will care for Korea's elderly? Foreign workers enter troubled market
As South Korea turns to foreign students to fill a shortage of caregivers, experts warn that bringing in new workers without first improving pay, conditions and career prospects could leave the underlying crisis unresolved
· Lee Seung-ku
Why the Chinese yuan could soon be Africa’s most important currency
The continent’s banks are signing up for China’s Swift alternative, smoothing transactions and potentially avoiding sanctions
· Jevans Nyabiage
Why the Chinese yuan could soon be Africa’s most important currency
The continent’s banks are signing up for China’s Swift alternative, smoothing transactions and potentially avoiding sanctions
· Jevans Nyabiage
Buy or rent? Hong Kong homebuyers face an age-old housing dilemma
Rising residential rents and the looming shadow of interest rate increases have the city’s homebuyers trying to balance out the risks
· Chris Tsang
Buy or rent? Hong Kong homebuyers face an age-old housing dilemma
Rising residential rents and the looming shadow of interest rate increases have the city’s homebuyers trying to balance out the risks
· Chris Tsang
North Korea, Russia reaffirm ties on Korean Liberation Day, as Kim sends Putin more troops
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed the deepening of ties with Russia in a message to President Vladimir Putin as Pyongyang marked the anniversary of independence from Japan's colonial rule, KCNA state news agency said on Sunday.
· REUTERS
Industry minister again heads for Washington amid growing U.S. tariff pressure
SEOUL, Aug. 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's industry minister departed for Washington earlier in the day as Seoul faces mounting tariff pressure from the United States amid a series of unresolved bilateral trade issues, sources said Sunday.
· Park Sang-soo
Torrential rain and flood kill nine in Japan amid wettest month in decades
Downpours in Japan’s east have snarled roads, caused power outages and destroyed homes in Chiba prefecture
· Agence France-Presse
Japan’s defence minister heads to Australia to meet Marles in wake of melon-gate controversy
Discussions to focus on Australia’s acquisition of Mogami-class frigates as Japan plays down Albanese’s podcast comments
· Tom Mcilroy
Heavy rain to continue in southern region until Monday
The heavy rain in the southern part of South Korea was expected to continue until Monday, as showers fell on most of the country Sunday.
· Yoon Min-sik
North Korea’s Kim, Russia’s Putin reaffirm ties on Korean Liberation Day
TIES. File photo shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their visit to Beijing to attend China's commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2025.
· Jodesz Gavilan
China’s ‘electric eel’ sensor allows robots to feel an object without touching it
The robot’s fluoropolymer-coated sensor acts like a battery to create an electric field that can detect metal, plastics, glass and wood
· Zhang Tong
China’s ‘electric eel’ sensor allows robots to feel an object without touching it
The robot’s fluoropolymer-coated sensor acts like a battery to create an electric field that can detect metal, plastics, glass and wood
· Zhang Tong
Kiss’ fingerprints quickly appearing on new-look Wallabies
It was fitting that Saturday’s 56-17 win against Japan took place in Townsville, because at times it looked like we were watching Queensland in gold jerseys.
· Paul Cully
China’s high-spending counties emerge as bright spot as domestic demand remains weak
Lower costs, lighter debt and return-migrant capital are boosting household purchasing power in China’s smaller cities
· He Huifeng
China’s high-spending counties emerge as bright spot as domestic demand remains weak
Lower costs, lighter debt and return-migrant capital are boosting household purchasing power in China’s smaller cities
· He Huifeng
China's Yu Yiting beats Summer McIntosh in 200 IM at Pan Pacs
Summer McIntosh, of Canada, looks on after the women’s 400 meters freestlye final at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships Friday, Aug. 14, 2026 in Irvine, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
· Beth Harris
Japan's cat cafes find new ways to delight animal lovers
A cat lover greets a feline friend at Neko Yokujo in Osaka: The cafe is decorated to look like a traditional Japanese bathhouse. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumida)
· Staff Writer
North Korea’s Kim and Russia’s Putin reaffirm ties on Korean Liberation Day
SEOUL – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed the deepening of ties with Russia in a message to President Vladimir Putin as Pyongyang marked the anniversary of independence from Japan’s colonial rule, KCNA state news agency said on Sunday.
· No Author
N. Korea silent on Lee's proposal for dialogue to officially end Korean War
North Korea remained silent Sunday on South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's proposal to officially end the 1950-53 Korean War.
· Yonhap
Chinese ‘family bridge’ makes 200 mountain trips yearly to connect elderly with overseas children
In 2020, China reported that 118 million elderly individuals were living alone after their children migrated for work
· Zoey Zhang
Chinese ‘family bridge’ makes 200 mountain trips yearly to connect elderly with overseas children
In 2020, China reported that 118 million elderly individuals were living alone after their children migrated for work
· Zoey Zhang
N. Korea silent on Lee's proposal for dialogue to officially end Korean War
SEOUL, Aug. 16 (Yonhap) -- North Korea remained silent Sunday on South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's proposal to officially end the 1950-53 Korean War.
· Chae Yun-hwan
No room for data centers? South Korea wants to build one underwater
Pilot project off Ulsan coast aims to find space for AI infrastructure
· Staff Writer
As China launches new gang crackdown, lawyers fear wrongful convictions
Lawyers say that officials trying to meet quotas are improperly labelling crimes as gang-related and even turning to torture
· Phoebe Zhang
As China launches new gang crackdown, lawyers fear wrongful convictions
Lawyers say that officials trying to meet quotas are improperly labelling crimes as gang-related and even turning to torture
· Phoebe Zhang
LG Electronics begins operations of new refrigerator plant in Brazil
SEOUL, Aug. 16 (Yonhap) -- LG Electronics Inc., a major home appliance maker in South Korea, said Sunday it has started the operations of a new home appliance plant in Brazil to tap deeper into the South American region.
· Park Sang-soo
Household credit surely to have topped 2,000 tln-won mark for 1st time
Household credit in South Korea is surely to have topped the 2,000 trillion-won ($1.41 trillion) landmark in the second quarter, driven by increased home-backed loans and stock loans, according to industry sources Sunday.
· Yonhap
Why China’s government is calling ‘lying flat’ a national security threat | South China Morning Post
Nation’s spy agency accuses foreign forces of ‘brainwashing’ young people, but critics say ‘lying flat’ is a rational response to a broken system.
Luxury home sales rebound in mainland China but overall market recovery unlikely: analysts
Data from a real estate consultancy shows 38 per cent rise in sales of homes priced between 30 million and 50 million yuan in first half
· Daniel Ren
Rebound in China luxury home sales divorced from rest of market: analysts
Data from a real estate consultancy shows 38 per cent rise in sales of homes priced between 30 million and 50 million yuan in first half
· Daniel Ren
Tupou has his 'mojo' back and Wallabies want more
Taniela Tupou was dominant in Australia's second Test against Japan. (Getty Images: Chris Hyde)
Household credit surely to have topped 2,000 tln-won mark for 1st time
SEOUL, Aug. 16 (Yonhap) -- Household credit in South Korea is surely to have topped the 2,000 trillion-won (US$1.41 trillion) landmark in the second quarter, driven by increased home-backed loans and stock loans, according to industry sources Sunday.
· Park Sang-soo
Takaichi keeps friends close as China ratchets up diplomatic pressure
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on July 2. © Kyodo
· TAKAKO GAKUTO
Japan's Takaichi keeps friends close as China ups diplomatic pressure
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on July 2. © Kyodo
· TAKAKO GAKUTO
Beloved Hollywood hot dog spot is taking its famous franks to Tokyo
See more of our coverage in your search results.
· Katie Jerkovich
This week in PostMag: let your mind wander with our autumn travel edition
From a sailing love story with Japan’s Sado Island, to a rail pilgrimage through China’s heartland and a stroll through the tourist-free streets of Amsterdam’s little sister city of Amersfoort, take some time out with us to consider your next trip away
· Jen Paolini