Asia news

• Solomon Islands prime minister says US must respect Pacific leaders

  27-09-2023 13:49 via theguardian.com
  
  Manasseh Sogavare hits out at US after skipping Biden summit as $200m in funding for Pacific nations draws criticism for ‘trying to play catch up’China’s rising power in the Pacific explained in 30 secondsThe prime minister of Solomon Islands has criticised Washington, saying the US must respect Pacific leaders, after Joe Biden pledged $200m for the region in an effort widely seen as a push against China’s growing presence.Biden hosted a group of Pacific leaders at a summ
  
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• North Korea to expel US soldier after he confesses to entering country illegally

  27-09-2023 12:49 via theguardian.com
  
  Travis King harboured ill feelings over inhumane treatment and racial discrimination within US army, says North KoreaNorth Korea has decided to expel the American soldier Travis King who, according to the state news agency KCNA, has confessed to illegally entering the country.Releasing the results of an investigation into King’s border crossing in July, KCNA said the soldier harboured ill feelings over inhumane treatment and racial discrimination within the US army. Continue reading...
  
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• Chair of China’s Evergrande reportedly put under police surveillance

  27-09-2023 09:09 via theguardian.com
  
  Another missed bond payment raises doubts over future of world’s most indebted property developerThe chair of China’s Evergrande Group has reportedly been put under police surveillance as another missed bond payment casts further doubt over the future of the world’s most indebted property developer.Hui Ka Yan, who founded Evergrande in 1996, was taken away earlier this month and is being monitored at a designated location, according to Bloomberg. Continue reading...
  
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• Russia is increasingly using China’s currency to evade sanctions

  27-09-2023 07:00 via ft.com
  Also in this newsletter: why Bosnia should get rid of its Serb separatist leader before joining the EU
  
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• Military exercises near Taiwan aimed at combating ‘arrogance’ of separatists, says China

  27-09-2023 06:56 via theguardian.com
  
  Increased frequency of Chinese drills has raised the risk of events ‘getting out of hand’, the island’s defence minister saidChina’s government has said that recent drills near Taiwan were aimed at combating the “arrogance” of separatist forces, after Taipei reported a rise in military activity in recent weeks, including exercises on land facing the island.Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory – a claim Taipei rejects – has said this mont
  
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• Chinese battery groups invest in Morocco to serve western markets

  27-09-2023 06:00 via ft.com
  North African country emerges as bridge to US and Europe that reduces risk for producers
  
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• China’s economic malaise hits efforts to raise $41bn chip fund

  27-09-2023 04:57 via ft.com
  Biggest financing round to date to support domestic semiconductor industry struggles to attract capital
  
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• Pacific divided on Biden’s charm offensive with calls for more ‘results on the ground’

  27-09-2023 03:40 via theguardian.com
  
  US pledges $200m in funding for Pacific nations as Washington draws criticism for ‘trying to play catch up’ in the regionChina’s rising power in the Pacific explained in 30 secondsUS president Joe Biden’s latest bid to woo Pacific nations has been broadly welcomed by the region’s leaders and analysts, while some called for more to be done to support their economies and sought “results on the ground” over pledges.Biden hosted a group of Pacific leaders at
  
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• What ‘peak oil’ will mean for China

  27-09-2023 03:00 via ft.com
  Slowing demand as EV use grows will have an impact on everything from energy security to refineries
  
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• Australian vineyards struggle to stay afloat amid wine glut

  27-09-2023 01:01 via ft.com
  With 2bn litres in storage the industry hopes tariff resolution with China will boost trade
  
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• How a politician most people won’t vote for could shape the New Zealand government | Henry Cooke

  27-09-2023 00:59 via theguardian.com
  
  Potential return of Winston Peters in any National-led coalition highlights electoral system where one party can rarely govern aloneWay back in 1979, when New Zealand prime minister Chris Hipkins was in nappies and his likely replacement was in primary school, Winston Peters entered parliament for the first time, fresh off a court battle to overturn the election night result and win his seat.That fight has never stopped. In the 45 years since the pugilistic populist has been booted from parliame
  
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• FirstFT: China TV presenter linked to ex-minister had surrogate child in US

  26-09-2023 23:41 via ft.com
  Also in today’s newsletter, the FTC sues Amazon and JPMorgan settles Jeffrey Epstein lawsuits
  
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• How China can avoid the Japan trap

  26-09-2023 16:57 via ft.com
  Income needs to accrue to those who will spend it — but this will require redistribution on a significant scale
  
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• Chinese TV presenter linked to missing foreign minister had surrogate child in US

  26-09-2023 14:47 via ft.com
  Beijing is examining the relationship between Fu Xiaotian and Qin Gang, who was abruptly dismissed in July
  
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• Japan gaming: Capcom brings street fighting spirit to mobile games

  26-09-2023 13:50 via ft.com
  Share price increase reflects expectations of sales boost from mobile offerings
  
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• Tesla to face EU anti-subsidy probe over China exports, says Brussels trade chief

  26-09-2023 11:42 via ft.com
  Valdis Dombrovskis claims ‘sufficient prima facie evidence’ to examine foreign electric-vehicle makers’ operations
  
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• Foreign brands including Tesla to face scrutiny as part of EU probe into China car subsidies

  26-09-2023 11:42 via ft.com
  Valdis Dombrovskis claims ‘sufficient prima facie evidence’ to examine foreign electric-vehicle makers’ operations
  
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• EU trade chief says Tesla to face anti-subsidy probe over China exports

  26-09-2023 11:42 via ft.com
  Valdis Dombrovskis claims ‘sufficient prima facie evidence’ to examine foreign electric-vehicle makers’ operations
  
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• China, Japan and South Korea agree talks to calm fears over US ties

  26-09-2023 11:32 via theguardian.com
  
  Trilateral discussions to resume in response to Beijing’s fears over growing US influence in regionThe leaders of China, Japan and South Korea will hold three-way talks “as soon as possible” after a meeting intended to ease Chinese concerns over Washington’s stronger security presence in the region.Official said on Tuesday that the three countries’ deputy foreign ministers had agreed to revive trilateral talks after a four-year hiatus during which tensions have rise
  
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• Where the Wind Blows review – a heady mix of gangster lore, lust and lawlessness

  26-09-2023 10:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Hong Kong stars Aaron Kwok and Tony Leung Chiu-wai play corrupt police officers in Philip Yung’s ambitious but over-the-top crime epicThis stunning-looking but chronologically restless Hong Kong-set crime epic unfurls across 50-odd years from the mid-20th century; it revolves around two frenemy protagonists, corrupt police officers played here by Aaron Kwok and Tony Leung Chiu-wai, who were inspired by real-life Hong Kong cops/triad front men back in the day. Altogether, it’s a heady
  
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• Brown bear cubs in Japan die of starvation amid salmon shortage

  26-09-2023 09:39 via theguardian.com
  
  Experts blame rising sea temperatures caused byclimate crisis for cub deaths at Unesco heritage siteAs many as eight in 10 brown bear cubs born this year in a remote part of northern Japan have died amid a shortage of salmon, with experts blaming rising sea temperatures caused by the climate crisis.Along with acorns, pink salmon are an important source of food for the estimated 500 brown bears living along Hokkaido’s Shiretoko peninsula, a Unesco world heritage site known for its dramatic
  
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• Thai pro-democracy activist jailed for speaking out at monarchy protest

  26-09-2023 08:54 via theguardian.com
  
  Human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa imprisoned after calling for reform of country’s strict lese-majesty lawA prominent pro-democracy activist has been sentenced to four years in prison for a speech he delivered during protests calling for reform of Thailand’s powerful monarchy.Arnon Nampa, a human rights lawyer, was at the forefront of a protest movement that erupted in 2020, when hundreds of thousands of people, many of them young students, took to the streets to call for democratic ch
  
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• South Korea optimistic of inclusion in key world bond index

  26-09-2023 06:00 via ft.com
  Becoming a constituent of FTSE Russell WGBI could provide boost of up to $67bn in foreign capital inflows
  
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• Indonesia vows to sue UK over Airbus corruption probe settlement

  26-09-2023 05:00 via ft.com
  Jakarta unhappy it was shut out of British share of €3.6bn deal after helping Serious Fraud Office with investigation
  
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• JPEX probe tests Hong Kong’s crypto-friendly stance

  26-09-2023 03:28 via ft.com
  Police are investigating allegations of fraud in connection with the trading platform
  
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• Hong Kong fraud probe tests city’s pro-crypto stance

  26-09-2023 03:28 via ft.com
  Regulators accuse trading platform JPEX of misleading investors
  
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• How TSMC’s chip plant is shaking up Japan

  26-09-2023 02:45 via ft.com
  Semiconductor giant’s arrival in a small town highlights broader challenges for Asia’s most advanced economy
  
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• How TSMC’s chip plant is shaking up a small town in Japan

  26-09-2023 02:45 via ft.com
  Semiconductor giant’s arrival highlights broader challenges for Asia’s most advanced economy
  
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• A hidden US-China decoupling

  26-09-2023 01:01 via ft.com
  Private equity firms are becoming the arbiters of a competing set of demands from investors whose interests are political
  
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• FirstFT: Top Nomura banker banned from leaving mainland China

  25-09-2023 23:41 via ft.com
  Also in today’s newsletter, Russian oligarch ‘surprised’ at economic resilience and China and the EU agree export controls ‘mechanism’
  
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• Biden pledges more aid to Pacific islands to counter growing Chinese influence

  25-09-2023 22:40 via theguardian.com
  
  Leaders of Pacific island states have been given star treatment in Washington but Chinese influence is the spectre at the feastJoe Biden has offered $40m in economic aid to Pacific islands at a White House meeting with leaders from the region aimed at bolstering US engagement in the face of a growing Chinese presence.The president also announced formal US recognition of two new island nations, the Cook Islands and Niue, at the start of the Pacific Islands Forum, two days of Washington meetings w
  
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• Germany leads push to delay electric vehicle tariffs between EU and UK

  25-09-2023 20:14 via ft.com
  Berlin and carmakers back UK call for three-year pause on requirement for batteries to be produced locally
  
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• Biden pledges $40bn to Pacific islands to counter growing Chinese influence

  25-09-2023 20:01 via theguardian.com
  
  Leaders of Pacific island states have been given star treatment in Washington but Chinese influence is the spectre at the feastJoe Biden has offered $40bn in economic aid to Pacific islands at a White House meeting with leaders from the region aimed at bolstering US engagement in the face of growing a growing Chinese presence.The president also announced formal US recognition of two new island nations, the Cook Islands and Niue, at the start of the Pacific Islands Forum, two days of Washington m
  
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• Biden pledges $40bn to Pacific islands as summit seeks to reassert influence

  25-09-2023 20:01 via theguardian.com
  
  Leaders of Pacific island states have been given star treatment in Washington but Chinese influence is the spectre at the feastJoe Biden has offered $40bn in economic aid to Pacific islands at a White House meeting with leaders from the region aimed at bolstering US engagement in the face of growing a growing Chinese presence.The president also announced formal US recognition of two new island nations, the Cook Islands and Niue, at the start of the Pacific Islands Forum, two days of Washington m
  
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• The Indian dilemma for America and its allies

  25-09-2023 19:54 via ft.com
  New Delhi’s alleged role in a murder on Canadian soil requires due legal process
  
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• China and EU agree export controls ‘mechanism’ to ease trade tensions

  25-09-2023 17:53 via ft.com
  Signal of willingness to engage as EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis warns two sides could ‘drift apart’
  
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• ‘The kids had all been tortured’: Indonesian military accused of targeting children in West Papua

  25-09-2023 17:00 via theguardian.com
  
  Exclusive: Australia is seeking to strengthen ties with Indonesia, despite new reports of brutality by the military — including the torture and murder of civilians — in West PapuaThe body of 17-year-old Wity Unue was brought back by the Indonesian military in a box, witnesses say. When soldiers couldn’t find his family, they burned the cardboard coffin, with his body inside, in a clearing at the end of a road in the remote highlands of West Papua.The high school student, a prom
  
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• Chinese government probe casts new doubt over Evergrande restructuring

  25-09-2023 16:54 via ft.com
  World’s most indebted developer says it cannot issue new debt because its mainland business is ‘being investigated’
  
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• China property: accelerating meltdown threatens other markets

  25-09-2023 15:27 via ft.com
  Nervousness over the risk of contagion could spread into commodities
  
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• And the winner is . . . 

  25-09-2023 13:14 via ft.com
  Drumroll
  
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• China drastically cuts seafood imports from Japan in wake of Fukushima water release

  25-09-2023 07:46 via theguardian.com
  
  Imports fell by 67% in August from the same month a year earlier, to about ¥3bn ($20.2m)Chinese seafood imports from Japan have plummeted following Beijing’s ban on marine products from its neighbour in response to the discharge of wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.Imports fell by 67% in August from the same month a year earlier, to about ¥3bn ($20.2m), the public broadcaster NHK said, citing data from Chinese customs. Continue reading...
  
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• Western companies take slow steps towards China ‘de-risking’

  25-09-2023 06:00 via ft.com
  Most strategies are focusing on ways to insulate China operations rather than reduce them
  
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• Solar supply chains must diversify away from China, warns EDP

  25-09-2023 06:00 via ft.com
  Energy company turns to alternative supply sources after US import legislation causes delays
  
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• Nato’s €1bn venture fund offers defence start-ups an alternative to China

  25-09-2023 06:00 via ft.com
  US-led military alliance to boost financial clout for companies from ‘multi-sovereign’ VC investors
  
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• India’s dream of green energy runs into the reality of coal

  25-09-2023 06:00 via ft.com
  The fossil fuel accounts for around three-quarters of power generation and demand is expected to grow, despite an ambitious renewables plan
  
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• Biden seeks to win over Pacific leaders as Solomon Islands turns back on talks

  25-09-2023 05:27 via theguardian.com
  
  ‘Historic’ summit seen as part of effort to counter Beijing in the region as Pacific leaders seek more support on climate changeChina’s rising power in the Pacific explained in 30 secondsPresident Joe Biden will host Pacific leaders at the White House this week as the US seeks to bolster its engagement with the nations amid growing concern about China’s presence in the region.The US is expected to offer funding for infrastructure and more maritime cooperation, and new emb
  
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• Dombrovskis says China-EU ties are ‘at a crossroads’

  25-09-2023 03:45 via ft.com
  Senior Brussels official tells Chinese audience the two sides could ‘drift apart’ and Beijing must change its ways
  
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• Brussels trade chief says China-EU ties ‘at a crossroads’

  25-09-2023 03:45 via ft.com
  Valdis Dombrovskis tells Chinese audience the two sides could ‘drift apart’ and Beijing must change its ways
  
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• Senior Nomura banker barred from leaving mainland China

  25-09-2023 03:32 via ft.com
  Exit ban on Charles Wang Zhonghe will send chill through foreign business circles
  
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• New Zealand election: Luxon says National open to NZ First coalition

  25-09-2023 03:05 via theguardian.com
  
  National leader ends long-running question over whether party is prepared to work with Winston PetersAfter months of prevarication, National leader Christopher Luxon has said he will pursue a coalition with Winston Peters’ New Zealand First after the October election, but only as a last resort.Luxon even left open the prospect of a sensational return for Peters as deputy prime minister in declaring himself open to a deal with the politician. Continue reading...
  
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