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This Week in Asia /
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Thailand
Thailand ‘buzzing’ with travel boom as Chinese tourists back in droves
The country’s heavy investment in wooing Chinese visitors appears to have paid off as it overcomes safety fears to secure holiday growth.
3 hours ago
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The Philippines
Views of corruption in Philippines worsen as ‘grease money’ dents confidence
21 Feb 2026 - 5:00PM
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India
India-Europe trade corridor gathers pace as Modi, Macron pledge port partnership
19 Feb 2026 - 5:38PM
India
India AI summit aims to shift focus from model races to scaled reality
The event offers emerging economies a chance to reframe AI as public infrastructure and work together to put it into public services.
17 Feb 2026 - 7:00PM
Delegates at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photo: AP
Indonesia
Can Indonesia’s US$762 million Ramadan stimulus boost spending and growth?
The package, which includes fare cuts and food handouts, is meant to keep people travelling and shopping, and help shore up early-growth momentum.
17 Feb 2026 - 6:00PM
Cambodia
Battered Cambodia seeks economic reset after Thailand border war
Shuttered borders have choked trade and sent migrant workers home, forcing Phnom Penh to seek new partners and markets.
17 Feb 2026 - 3:23PM
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Japan
Russia emerges as unlikely growth market for Japan tourism as China pulls back
New visa centres in Moscow and St Petersburg reflect a sharp rise in Russian demand as Chinese arrivals fall amid diplomatic tensions.
17 Feb 2026 - 11:00AM
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Foreign tourists wearing Japanese traditional kimono clothes pose for a photograph near Sensoji temple at Asakusa district, a popular sightseeing spot in Tokyo. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia
Crude business for Indonesia amid West’s squeeze on Russian oil
Analysts say Indonesia’s energy demand could draw scrutiny as Moscow seeks new buyers, potentially complicating US trade talks.
16 Feb 2026 - 2:58PM
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Indonesia
Why Indonesia’s US$1.67 billion China-backed dam is in limbo
Even energy regulators were kept in the dark about the abrupt crackdown that has spooked renewables investors.
16 Feb 2026 - 8:00AM
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
With non-oil trade nearly doubling, analysts say the UAE has secured a first-mover advantage that leaves regional rivals trailing behind.
14 Feb 2026 - 2:00PM
A container ship docked at the port of Jebel Ali, operated by the Dubai-based ports operator DP World. Photo: AFP
The Philippines
Philippines’ AI reckoning puts millions of jobs on the line
The US$30 billion outsourcing sector is fighting to adapt, leaving millions of workers with a stark choice: upskill or be left behind.
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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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.
16 Feb 2026 - 4:48PM
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Soldiers raid the KK Park online scam centre in Myawaddy township, Karen state, Myanmar, last year. Photo: AP
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
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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A chef picks his nose and then wipes his finger on some dough in a “baito tero” video. Photo: Handout
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
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
Mohamed Amersi (centre) and Bernardino Moningka Vega (right) take part in a plenary panel hosted by SCMP Executive Editor Zuraidah Ibrahim at the China Conference: Southeast Asia 2026 on Tuesday. Photo: SCMP
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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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
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