Asia

China Spring Festival 2026 draws record 596 million trips, $116.7 billion tourism spend

Hainan saw 12.32 million visits with duty free sales in Sanya jumping more than 214 percent

Japan’s services inflation rises 2.6 percent in January amid wage-driven price growth

The central bank has indicated it is prepared to continue tightening policy if price gains persist alongside solid wage growth

Brazil deepens strategic minerals partnerships with India and South Korea

Brazil possesses the world's second-largest reserves of rare earth minerals, which are essential for numerous products

Indonesia and U.S. finalize trade deal, cutting tariffs to 19 percent from 32 percent

The revised 19 percent tariff rate aligns Indonesia with other Southeast Asian economies that have reached similar deals with Washington

Indonesia, U.S. companies ink $38.4 billion trade and investment deals

Agreements form part of the implementation framework of the broader U.S.-Indonesia trade deal Prabowo is set to sign with Trump on Thursday

U.S. and Taiwan finalize trade deal with 15 percent tariff, $500 billion in semiconductor and AI investments

Agreement exempts more than 2,000 export items from reciprocal tariffs, cutting average duty to 12.33 percent 

Alibaba showcases AI-powered “Intelligent Olympics” Vision at Milano Cortina 2026

AWI transforms one of Milan’s most iconic public spaces into a living showcase of how digital innovation can intersect with culture, commerce, and sport

Pakistan pledges $1 billion investment in Artificial Intelligence to modernize digital economy by 2030

AI funding will modernize sectors like agriculture, industry, and trade enhancing national productivity 

U.S. hits South Korea with 25 percent tariff hike over trade deal delays

New levies target South Korean automobiles and pharmaceuticals

India and EU seal landmark trade deal, slashing tariffs on most goods

The European Union will eliminate or reduce tariffs on 99.5 percent of imports from India over a seven-year period

Bank of Japan holds interest rates steady at 0.75 percent, upgrades growth and inflation forecasts

An 8-1 vote reveals divided opinions on potential rate hikes amid Japan's economic recovery efforts

China retains world’s largest online retail market title for 13th consecutive year with $3.39 trillion digital spend

China e-commerce sector emerges as primary economic engine supporting 78 million jobs

South Korea’s central bank holds rates at 2.5 percent, signals shift away from further easing

BOK's latest meeting shows a commitment to steady interest rates amidst rising inflation

China posts record $1.2 trillion trade surplus in 2025 despite Trump tariffs

China posted monthly trade surpluses of more than $100 billion on seven occasions last year, partly supported by a weaker yuan

Nepal’s economic recovery to continue at a slower pace amid global uncertainty in 2026, says IMF

As the country moves forward, policymakers face the challenge of striking a careful balance between political stability and prudent economic and financial reforms

China’s consumer inflation surges to 34-month peak as Beijing misses annual growth target

The Producer Price Index decline narrowed to 1.9 percent in December as government policies targeted excessive industrial competition 

Korea posts record current account surplus on export strength

According to the Bank of Korea (BOK), the country posted a current account surplus of $12.24 billion in November of last year

China’s central bank extends gold buying streak to 14 months as reserves surpass $319 billion

Holdings now represent 5-6 percent of China’s foreign exchange reserves 

China maintains benchmark lending rates for seventh consecutive month

Economic indicators suggest ongoing struggles, with the property sector and consumer spending driving concerns 

Bank of Japan raises interest rates to 30-year high

The central bank's first rate increase since January came amid expectations that the momentum for wage hikes will continue into next year

China’s trade surplus surpasses $1 trillion on strong exports despite U.S. decline

Economic support from exports is crucial as China faces sluggish domestic consumption and debt crisis 

South Korea’s card payments market to reach $1.1 trillion by 2029 amid government efforts to promote cashless transactions

The market is expected to reach KRW1,510.2 trillion ($1.1 trillion) by 2029, supported by the country’s exceptionally high card penetration, robust payments infrastructure, and continued government efforts to promote cashless transactions

South Korea’s exports rise 8.2 percent in early November on strong semiconductor, auto demand

Semiconductors continued to power overall export growth despite U.S. tariff measures affecting global trade flows