The new testing protocol comes ahead of the country’s largest holiday, when billions of trips are normally made nationwide. ( read original story ...)
China seeks details about Chinese crew after tankers seized by Indonesia
China said on Wednesday it was seeking details about 25 of its nationals who were among 61 crew on two supertankers seized by Indonesia on suspicion of illegally transferring oil. ( read original story ...)
China asks Indonesia to treat detained sailors fairly
China’s government has called on Indonesia to treat a group of detained Chinese sailors fairly but gave no indication what their oil tanker was doing when it was found at sea transferring fuel from an ... ( read original story ...)
Biden’s commerce secretary pick pledges a tough line on China but doesn’t detail how she’d deal with Huawei
In a Senate confirmation hearing, President Biden’s nominee to run the Commerce Department said she plans to be “very aggressive” in combating China’s “unfair” trade practices, but she declined to ... ( read original story ...)
Hong Kong asks departing finance executives to explain themselves
Fund managers and bankers leaving Hong Kong for alternative financial centres have been asked to explain their decision to a range of government agencies amid concerns that Beijing’s national security ... ( read original story ...)
Amid crisis, Hezbollah ‘bank’ a lifeline for some Lebanese
Clients can also set up accounts to deposit money, which is then used to finance the loans. The association operates under Islamic rules forbidding interest. Lebanon’s economic and financial crisis is ... ( read original story ...)
Climate change: Hong Kong’s government raises US$2.5 billion as it prices Asia’s first ever 30-year sovereign green bond
Hong Kong plans to issue up to US$12.9 billion in green bonds under programme announced nearly three years ago. ( read original story ...)
Taiwan economy seen growing 3.61% in fourth quarter on boost from exports
Taiwan's largest trading partner China registered faster-than-expected economic growth in the fourth quarter of last year, with GDP up 6.5% year-on-year. ( read original story ...)
Taiwan Lantern Launch for the Traveler’s Dream
Taiwan has a story to tell. To raise awareness about Asia’s off-the-radar destination while travelers are dreaming about future travel plans, Taiwan Tourism Bureau has launched a campaign for Bay Area ... ( read original story ...)
Laos aims for 4% GDP growth in five-year economic plan
The communist government of the Southeast Asian country of Laos is targeting annual economic growth of 4% in its five-year socio-economic plan to 2025, which aims to maintain growth and improve ... ( read original story ...)