China Miniapps – the next weapon in WeChat’s expansion bid By Benny Kung The popular China mobile application wants to wipe out the need to download an app by introducing a new function that will go online on January 9
Politics Japan to recall envoy from South Korea over “comfort women” statue By Reuters Japanese ambassador to South Korea is recalled over a statue commemorating Korean women forced to work in Japanese military brothels in World War Two
Climate Change World heat shatters records in 2016 in new sign of climate change By Reuters The data are the first of the New Year to confirm projections that 2016 will exceed 2015 as the warmest since reliable records began in the 19th century.
women Inclusive Development: Can trade be good for women? By Ben Shepherd Ben Shepherd of the Asian Development Bank Institute writes on how trade affects the livelihood of women.
Culture Singapore’s Subsonic Eye playing happy music for sad people By William Marshall The dream-popsters release their debut album early in 2017 in the city-state that mostly dreams of business and boardrooms
Culture War on elephant poachers is front line to halt extinction By Nicolas Delaunay It is no coincidence that the demand for ivory has soared along with the rising wealth of Asia, particularly in China
China Ratings websites blamed for hurting China’s film industry By Benny Kung A People's Daily commentary has attacked two websites offering ratings services and alleged that hacking may be responsible for low scores
Culture Taiwan designer with a New York state of mind By David Zhu Chloe Chen has always dreamed big. Today the retailer-designer has 20 stores across Asia – and is on the verge of going global
Culture Dresses for excess – meet Guo Pei, China’s couture queen By Mark Graham The Beijing-based designer, who hit the limelight in the US after Rihanna wore one of her extravagant gowns, may be quiet and softly-spoken in person, but her outfits are anything but toned down
South Korea South Korea cuts 2017 GDP forecast on slump in spending, jobs By Reuters South Korea lowered its growth outlook for next year on Thursday as it foresees weaker domestic demand and waning job growth.
China China state-owned firms’ profit growth edges higher By Reuters Both factory prices and industrial profits showed robust growth in November
Business Speed is of the essence for retail firms to survive By Ben Richardson Digital disruption is handing greater power to consumers, says Global Brands Group's Bruce Rockowitz
China China’s change of economic tactics in the spotlight By Steve Wang and Agencies Economic strategy's success critical for China, which is expected to select its new leadership late next year
Tax havens Panama Papers, tax havens and the global fight against corruption By Munza Mushtaq Investigative journalists, whistleblowers, brave prosecutors and judges remain champions of the cause
Politics Daughter of South Korea’s ‘Rasputin’ arrested in Denmark By Agence France-Presse A state probe previously found Chung Yoo-Ra, 20, was admitted to an elite university at the expense of other candidates with better qualifications.
Politics Duterte will throw corrupt officials out of helicopter… ‘again’ By Martin Petty Philippine president says he once hurled a Chinese man suspected of rape and murder out of a helicopter in mid-air
China China going cashless thanks to fintech boom By Johan Nylander The surge of fintech services is a growing headache for traditional banks which have been left far behind
Business Markets living on the edge By Steve Wang and Benny Kung Recent events and upcoming challenges around money market rates, exchange rates and shocks in the bond market are putting the banking sector on the defensive heading into 2017
China China tourism giant eyes fintech boost from Shenzhen startup By Johan Nylander New venture to tap twin trends of booming demand for credit and travel
China Chinese Catholics must “Sinicise”: Communist Party official By Ben Blanchard Catholics should "run their church independently and better integrate it into society" says Yu Zhengsheng as decades-old tug-of-war with Vatican persists
Hong Kong Hong Kong’s pro-independence lawmakers make final appeal against ban By Agence France-Presse Elected lawmakers Yau Wai-ching and Baggio Leung aim to overturn Beijing-linked decision to block them from taking seats in parliament.
South Asia India’s leading bank cuts lending rates by 90 basis points By Asia Times staff and Agencies Flush with funds due to the recent demonetization, India’s largest lender, SBI, has cut lending rates and other banks are expected to follow
South Asia Modi gives healing touch after the pain of note ban By Asia Times staff Opposition parties denounce PM's populist steps as a ploy to win upcoming assembly elections; minister says fight against corruption is not over yet
South Asia India to jail people caught with banned banknotes By Asia Times staff Up to four-year jail term for being caught with more than 10,000 rupees worth of illegal banknotes after December 31