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As Chinese consumers’ belts stay tightened, Beijing banks on foreign tourists splurging

But economists caution that such spending by foreign visitors is unlikely to solve China’s deeper consumption problems.

Wangfujing Pedestrian Street tourist attraction in Beijing, China.

News analysis

Taiwan premier’s rare visit to Japan to watch baseball a home run for diplomacy

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Thailand orders bureaucrats to use stairs and work from home in energy saving drive

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In south-east Pakistan, Ramadan brings Hindus and Muslims closer

Jeju joins list of South Korean regions paying grandparents for childcare

Locals left asking what comes next after Johor’s data centre rush swallows their villages

Trending

Newsletter

Insurance

Israel-Iran conflict

Iran

Oil prices/Crude oil

Asian Insider

For kinship, not gifts: China’s rise redefines ties with relatives abroad

Chinese Singaporeans and their ancestral families now place more focus on mutual understanding.

Thailand is wracked by floods and quakes. But what’s holding it back is far harder to tackle

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How the Chinese minority navigates identity and politics in PAS’ Kelantan

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From the bureaus
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Four crime families in Myanmar in spotlight as China deepens fraud crackdown

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Beijing’s message to HK: Get your act together

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PM Anwar set to dump Malaysia’s embattled anti-graft chief as pressure over abuses mounts

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‘Crazy’ Yangon property prices despite struggling economy, civil war in Myanmar

Climate change

‘Significant’ acceleration of global warming since 2015, study shows

Scientists say the last 11 years have been the warmest ever recorded.

Over the past 10 years, the estimated warming rate has been around 0.35 deg C per decade, researchers said, compared to just under 0.2 deg C earlier.

Green Pulse Podcast

Why is S’pore even considering nuclear energy?

News analysis

Prudence or backsliding? China’s new climate target mirrors shifting realities

What you need to know about Singapore’s Year of Climate Adaptation in 2026

Latest

Two more Iranian women's soccer players seek asylum in Australia, media reports

Supporters of the Iranian women's soccer team gather at Sydney Airport, after five of the players were granted asylum, in Sydney, Australia, March 10, 2026. REUTERS/Jeremy Piper
Supporters of the Iranian women's soccer team gather at Sydney Airport, after five of the players were granted asylum, in Sydney, Australia, March 10, 2026. REUTERS/Jeremy Piper

‘I’ll be the one to lose’: Hawkers, drivers in Asia brace themselves for fuel shortage amid Iran war

Mr Abhijit Chakraborty, who owns a tea stall in Kolkata, India, is worried that rising cooking gas prices could hurt his earnings.
Mr Abhijit Chakraborty, who owns a tea stall in Kolkata, India, is worried that rising cooking gas prices could hurt his earnings.

Branded Content

580,000 applicants, 270,000 new residents in three years: Why global talent are choosing Hong Kong

Hong Kong's open policies and enhancements to various admission schemes have made it increasingly attractive to global talent.
Hong Kong's open policies and enhancements to various admission schemes have made it increasingly attractive to global talent.

China frustrated by last minute scramble to plan Xi-Trump summit

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Busan, South Korea, on Oct 30, 2025.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Busan, South Korea, on Oct 30, 2025.

First group of Indonesians evacuated from Iran arrives home

A mother and daughter reunite after the first batch of Indonesians evacuated from Iran arrives at Soekarno Hatta International Airport in Jakarta on March 10.
A mother and daughter reunite after the first batch of Indonesians evacuated from Iran arrives at Soekarno Hatta International Airport in Jakarta on March 10.

China's leaders mourn the death of 109-year-old Communist Party elder

FILE PHOTO: Retired official Song Ping arrives next to Wen Jiabao, former Chinese premier, Zhang Dejiang, former vice premier, and Zeng Qinghong, former vice president, for the opening ceremony of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China October 16, 2022. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Retired official Song Ping arrives next to Wen Jiabao, former Chinese premier, Zhang Dejiang, former vice premier, and Zeng Qinghong, former vice president, for the opening ceremony of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China October 16, 2022. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/File Photo

Thai police arrest Myanmar man over alleged fuel smuggling amid export ban due to Mid-East war

Earlier in March, Thailand announced it was suspending fuel exports to conserve its holdings.
Earlier in March, Thailand announced it was suspending fuel exports to conserve its holdings.

As Chinese consumers’ belts stay tightened, Beijing banks on foreign tourists splurging

Wangfujing Pedestrian Street tourist attraction in Beijing, China.
Wangfujing Pedestrian Street tourist attraction in Beijing, China.

US designates Afghanistan as ‘state sponsor of wrongful detention’

President Donald Trump in September 2025 signed an executive order that created the blacklist, similar to designations by the United States on terrorism.
President Donald Trump in September 2025 signed an executive order that created the blacklist, similar to designations by the United States on terrorism.

Nearly 400 evacuated as fresh floods hit northern Sabah

This is the second severe flooding in the Paitan and Pitas districts, which are still recovering from the floods that hit the neighbouring areas on Feb 18.
This is the second severe flooding in the Paitan and Pitas districts, which are still recovering from the floods that hit the neighbouring areas on Feb 18.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.