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This Week in Asia /
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South Korea
Why do South Korea’s Hallyu heroes find taxes so … taxing?
As K-culture conquers the world, its wealthy stars keep falling foul of a tax system ‘that has not yet fully caught up’.
15 Feb 2026 - 8:00AM
UAE
‘Surpassing Hong Kong’: UAE challenges Singapore for the global trade crown
14 Feb 2026 - 2:00PM
The Philippines
Philippines’ AI reckoning puts millions of jobs on the line
14 Feb 2026 - 4:03PM
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The Philippines
Philippines flood fund theft of ‘people’s money’ forces tax rethink
Abolishing the much maligned travel tax is a good start but the whole system needs an overhaul, critics say.
13 Feb 2026 - 5:15PM
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Protesters, one wearing a mask of President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, take part in an anti-corruption protest in Manila, the Philippines, on November 30, 2025. Photo: AP
India
India pushes for domestic weapons manufacture with French jet purchase
Around 80 per cent of the fleet will be assembled in India, with parts being progressively made in the country.
13 Feb 2026 - 6:47PM
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Scams and swindles
More Southeast Asian human trafficking gangs use crypto to move illegal funds
The transactions are linked to activities such as forced labour recruited by scammers and international escort services, a report says.
12 Feb 2026 - 9:00PM
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Singapore
Singapore set for US$12 billion surplus as Wong unveils AI ambitions in budget
PM Lawrence Wong says while defence spending will be kept at about 3 per cent of GDP, Singapore is prepared to spend more if the need arises.
12 Feb 2026 - 9:50PM
People relax on beach chairs along the boardwalk during sunset at Marina Bay in Singapore on February 9. Photo: AFP
Malaysia
Malaysia courts US to climb critical minerals value chain, keeps raw export ban
Analysts say Kuala Lumpur wants US capital and technology without being drawn into the US-China minerals rivalry.
11 Feb 2026 - 9:33PM
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Japan
‘Job terrorism’: 1 in 4 workplaces in Japan victims of employee pranks
Psychologists say the quest for online clout is driving the rise in ‘meaningless’ workplace pranks, also known as part-time job terrorism.
11 Feb 2026 - 1:07PM
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Japan
Japan’s wage squeeze undermines Takaichi’s ‘trickle down’ plans
Fresh labour ministry figures show the cost of living crisis is deepening, as inflation continues to outpace salary increases for workers.
11 Feb 2026 - 7:25PM
China Conference: Southeast Asia
Ambassador urges ‘shared prosperity’ in China-Asean ties as protectionism grows
Wang Qing says both sides should uphold multilateralism and oppose external interference, even as Asean members seek trade deals with US.
11 Feb 2026 - 11:43AM
Wang Qing, China’s ambassador to Asean, at the South China Morning Post’s China Conference: Southeast Asia 2026 on Tuesday. Photo: SCMP
China Conference: Southeast Asia
Indonesia on track for 10% growth by 2029, energy envoy Hashim says
The figure will be beyond Prabowo’s 8 per cent target, Hashim says, as he credits the president’s ‘iron will’ in overcoming bureaucracy and corruption.
10 Feb 2026 - 11:11PM
China Conference: Southeast Asia
Asean urged to rewrite trade rule book as US turns transactional
The US and China are the top two trading partners for Asean but it is questionable how long that status quo will last, observers say.
11 Feb 2026 - 8:40AM
China Conference: Southeast Asia
Indonesia’s economy tipped to gain from deeper mainland China, Hong Kong ties
Increased investments and lessons learned from improving capital markets could help Indonesia as it ‘opens shop’, insiders and observers say.
10 Feb 2026 - 9:00PM
China Conference: Southeast Asia
Profits, not politics: Danantara Indonesia chief vows to keep fund professional
Chief Investment Officer Pandu Sjahrir is committed to operating the fund with transparency – even if he has to say no to the government.
10 Feb 2026 - 7:02PM
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Danantara Indonesia Chief Investment Officer Pandu Sjahrir speaks at the South China Morning Post’s China Conference: Southeast Asia 2026 on Tuesday. Photo: SCMP
India
‘Structural reality’: why US tariff deal cannot sever India-Russia defence ties
While the pact demands a halt to Russian oil imports, analysts say New Delhi’s military dependence on Moscow is non-negotiable.
9 Feb 2026 - 5:51PM
Bangladesh
Outcry in Bangladesh over politician’s call to curb women in workforce
The proposal has sparked concerns that it would damage the country’s vital garment sector, which is dominated by female workers.
8 Feb 2026 - 4:00PM
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India
India’s trade blitz seeks to keep afloat a sinking global order
‘Jolted out of its slumber’ by US tariffs, New Delhi is aggressively diversifying trade alliances to act as a bridge in a polarised world.
10 Feb 2026 - 8:54PM
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (centre) with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (right) and European Council President Antonio Costa at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on January 27. Photo: European Council/dpa
Singapore
Singapore Airshow: airlines ‘crying out loud’ for planes amid supply crisis
With Boeing and Airbus set back by production bottlenecks, airlines are eager for more supply to tap Southeast Asia’s potential, analysts say.
6 Feb 2026 - 11:45PM
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Donald Trump
Why gold still glitters in Asia despite volatility triggering ‘panic selling’
Investors are also looking to buy more silver despite the recent rush of funds towards the US dollar, analysts say.
6 Feb 2026 - 5:07PM
South Korea
Coupang data leak threatens South Korea-US ties amid tariff tensions
The breach, which has fuelled public anger, shows how a domestic corporate scandal can escalate into a diplomatic flashpoint.
6 Feb 2026 - 5:45PM
Malaysia
Malaysian waters see return of oil transfer by ‘dark fleet’ of tankers
A crackdown against two vessels off Penang was the first disruption of such a ship-to-ship oil transfer in the state for over 10 years.
4 Feb 2026 - 7:48PM
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A transfer of oil between MT Nora ship (left) and Rcelebra ship (right) off Penang last month. Photo: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Indonesia
Exclusive
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Indonesia’s top economic minister vows capital market reforms
Airlangga Hartarto also tells This Week in Asia that Indonesia is not on a nationalisation drive, but merely targeting illegal operations.
4 Feb 2026 - 11:46AM
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India
Why India may ‘gravitate back’ to US bloc after Trump-Modi tariff deal
Analysts doubt that India can buy more than US$500 billion of US products in a short span of time and stop buying Russian oil.
3 Feb 2026 - 5:00PM
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Singapore
Singapore aims for stars with its new space agency, in a boost for Asia-Pacific
By launching a national space agency, Singapore aims to scale its satellite capabilities and lead the Asia-Pacific in space sustainability.
3 Feb 2026 - 9:35AM
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