World

Singapore has announced that it will accept the Chinese yuan as a payment option for tourists visiting the city-state, in a move that could boost its tourism sector and reduce its reliance on the US dollar. The decision, which will take effect from January 2024, was made after consultations with the Chinese government and the BRICS group of emerging economies, …

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday warned top EU officials not to engage in confrontation with China, as he held a virtual summit with the bloc amid rising tensions over human rights and trade issues. Xi said that China and the EU should push their relations to “a new level with new prospects”, and that if the two sides choose …

DBS Private Bank, a subsidiary of Singapore’s DBS Group Holdings, has been named the best private bank in Asia-Pacific for the third consecutive year by Global Finance magazine. The bank has also been recognized as the best innovative private bank in the region, thanks to its digital transformation and its focus on sustainable and family office investments. According to Global …

The US Navy on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, rejected China’s claim that it had driven away a US guided-missile cruiser that allegedly intruded into its territorial waters near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. In a statement, the US Navy said that the Chinese statement was “false” and that the USS Chancellorsville was conducting a “freedom of navigation …

In the wake of a devastating Osprey hybrid plane crash near Yakushima island, Japan has requested the US military to pause its Osprey operations temporarily. This comes as search and rescue operations continue following the fatal incident during a routine training mission. One crew member has been confirmed dead, and the search for the remaining six intensifies. The Osprey, renowned …

FinanceAsia, the leading source of financial news and analysis in Asia, has announced the winners of its annual Achievement Awards for 2023. The awards recognize the most outstanding transactions and institutions in the region, as well as the best banks, law firms, and rating agencies that facilitated them. The year 2023 was a challenging one for the Asian financial markets, …

In a celestial ballet high above the South China Sea, two Chinese fighter jets engaged in a mesmerizing orbital dance around a Philippine aircraft during joint sea and air exercises with Australia. The ethereal display unfolded on the second day of collaborative patrols, casting a spotlight on the complex geopolitical choreography in the contested waters. The South China Sea, cradling …

In an effort to “systematically cultivate” a sense of national identity among primary school pupils, Hong Kong’s Education Bureau has announced a new mandatory humanities subject that emphasises “patriotic education”. It is slated to replace general studies from September 2025. The comprehensive humanities curriculum encompasses Chinese culture, history and geography, with topics ranging from national security legislation to the achievements …

In a historic turn of events, the Seoul High Court in South Korea has handed down a verdict favoring a group of former “comfort women,” injecting renewed vigor into their protracted battle for justice against the Japanese government. This pivotal ruling defies the 2021 decision by a lower court, challenging the notion of “sovereign immunity” and asserting South Korea’s jurisdiction, …

In a move triggering heightened global concerns, North Korea has officially declared plans to launch a satellite, possibly within days, intensifying tensions on the international stage. This marks North Korea’s third attempt to deploy a military satellite, with previous efforts in May and August encountering setbacks. Despite explicit warnings from South Korea, Japan, and the United States against such provocations, …