China
Xi looks beyond Putin as Beijing quietly prepares for post-Putin Russia
Russia's president Putin will not live forever and Chinese President Xi is already looking beyond, to a post-Putin world. But that is part of a longer-term plan to make a lasting multipolar order.
China challenges dollar dominance with Africa-wide yuan clearing hub
China appoints Standard Bank and ICBC to operate Africa's first continent-wide yuan clearing hub, deepening renminbi trade settlement and challenging the greenback's dominance in China-Africa commerce.
North Korea's unlikely economic revival reshapes life in Pyongyang as Russia and China deepen support
Pariah no longer, since the war in Ukraine started, Russian and Chinese money has poured into Pyongyang, fuelling a rapid economic development and unexpected real estate boom in a country better known for repression and poverty.
Iran war switches energy investment priorities from climate to security where electricity is king - IEA
The Iran war has switched up government’s priorities and energy investments are now driven less by climate targets than by security concerns, as governments respond to the second major energy crisis in five years.
Coal’s unexpected comeback on Middle East conflict energy security fears
The disruption to global energy markets caused by the conflict in the Middle East has triggered an unexpected resurgence in coal demand, as energy security fears outweigh Climate Crisis commitments.
From Sapura to Vantris, Malaysia's biggest corporate rescue
Because of the firm's scale, an uncontrolled insolvency was never an option for Malaysian regulators, as the company was too embedded in the domestic O&G ecosystem, supporting over 59,000 jobs in the nation's energy sector.
Russia's meat exports to China rise 26% in five months
Russia's meat and edible offal exports to China rose to more than 53,000 tonnes worth over $156mn in the first five months of the year, up 26% on the year, with pork forming the bulk of supplies.
Mongolia's risky fuel strategy gamble
Country’s dependence on Russian gasoline gives it short-term supply stability but leaves it structurally exposed.
Deal total signed with Global South at SPIEF likely tops $100bn
This year’s St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) was considered a flop as few international companies bothered to make the trip. However, some $100bn worth of deals were signed with Global South companies.
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Markets bet big on De la Espriella, Colombia's next president. Economists are not so sure
Colombian markets were upbeat on De la Espriella's victory. But two economists tell IntelliNews the celebration may be premature, with deep state cuts, fracking and a harsh security crackdown carrying steep hidden costs.
Expert views: Addressing water-management challenges in Central Asia
A Eurasianet partner post.
China, Philippines in naval head-to-head near Scarborough Shoal
The confrontation reportedly took place on the same day Manila concluded Salaknib 2026, a nearly three-month exercise involving more than 7,000 troops from the Philippines, the US, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.
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ECB comments on yuan valuation draw Chinese pushback
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde has called for global discussion on the perceived undervaluation of the Chinese yuan.
COMMENT: Iran war shows why Asia must quit fossil fuels
Across Asia, governments are now accelerating approvals for renewable projects and grid modernisation schemes. Battery storage investments are making headlines almost daily.
Pro-EU sentiment remains strong across Eastern Partnership countries, but divides widen
Public support for European Union membership remains robust across much of the EU’s eastern neighbourhood, with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova showing particularly high levels of trust and optimism.
Malaysia's ringgit under pressure as Fed outlook, Middle East diplomacy unsettle markets
This local depreciation is not an isolated event, as the Malaysian currency has traded lower against a comprehensive basket of major global and regional peers.
Rio Tinto’s giant Mongolia copper mine blocked by protesters, exports halted
Demonstration demands higher percentage of profits go to ordinary Mongolians.
US blocks Serbia Zijin copper imports over forced labour concerns
US measure could disrupt access to the American and other markets for one of Serbia’s key copper mining and processing facilities.
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Iran business leaders urge shift from Chinese contracting to investment
Iran's private sector has urged Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to use his upcoming visit to China to attract more Chinese investment.
China lives within its means, the resulting fuel demand slump easing pressure on oil markets
Petrol sales at Sinopec, China’s largest refiner and fuel retailer, fell 8% year on year in April, while diesel sales were also down – by 6%.