Business trends
Law firm layoffs rise in Hong Kong as China business slows
Beijing's focus on security curbs dealmaking, with less work for lawyers
China
Automobiles
Ford pauses construction on battery plant that would use CATL tech
Decision on Michigan factory comes amid talks with autoworkers union
Indo-Pacific
U.S. recognizes Cook Islands and Niue amid China's Pacific inroads
Solomon Islands PM Sogavare skips Biden-led summit as Beijing ties deepen
Automobiles
Chinese EV makers ramp up European production amid subsidy row
BYD, SAIC and others tout job-creating projects as EU tightens scrutiny
Materials
China boosts rare earths production to bolster booming EV industry
Output quota of critical elements for 2023 increases 14%
International relations
EU, China rein in trade angst, set agenda for further dialogue
Working groups to address issues in financial services sector, cosmetics industry
South China Sea
Philippines dismantles Chinese floating barrier at Scarborough Shoal
South China Sea 'special operation' aids Filipino fishing, in rebuke to Beijing
China tech
Huawei 'working extra hours' to meet surging smartphone demand
Chinese tech giant quiet on 5G specs but says displays, earbuds use its own chips
China debt crunch
Distressed developer China Oceanwide declared bankrupt in Bermuda
Rival company Aoyuan dips over 70% as trading resumes after suspension
International relations
U.S. envoy's Gwadar tour shows Pakistan's evolving China strategy
Islamabad balances superpowers while seeking stronger hand for Beijing negotiations
Defense
U.S. weighs stationing Patriot air defense systems in Palau
Island's president calls for 'peace through strength' as China tensions mount
Caixin
China's Everbright to pay $361m in British sports media fiasco
Settlement follows pledge to cover partners for losses if MPS deal went south
Electronics
LG Chem to bow out of LCD films as panel makers pivot
Squeezed by Chinese competition, South Korean company focuses on battery materials
Market Spotlight
China property crisis holds Singapore, Hong Kong REITs back
Asia's real estate shares suffer doldrums as investors tread cautiously
China debt crunch
China Evergrande says it can't issue new debt
Distressed property group blames investigation into subsidiary
Food & Beverage
China's pork prices climb after government tops off reserves
Futures jump more than 20% from July, following bulk purchases by Beijing
Economy
China village lures young workers with perks in transformation push
Village in Shandong province defies odds to become model for rural development
Defense
Philippines condemns Chinese 'floating barrier' in South China Sea
Coast guard, fisheries bureau discovered 300-meter barrier on routine patrol
Materials
LG Chem to build joint LFP cathode plant in Morocco with Youshan
EV battery materials will be supplied to North American market
Your Week in Asia
Japan-China-South Korea meet, Vietnam GDP, Indonesia's train
Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events
International relations
North Korea's Kim tells Xi in letter he hopes to promote cooperation
Note comes after Chinese leader expressed willingness to bolster communication
Sports
Xi opens China's COVID-delayed Asian Games to raucous cheers
Organizers hope event will lift mood as nation struggles with economic slump
International relations
China's Xi: Willing to work with South Korea ahead of summit with Japan
Chinese president tells Prime Minister Han to promote a strategic partnership
International relations
India spars with China over visas for Asian Games athletes
Modi's sports minister cancels visit to the host nation in protest
International relations
China, resource-rich East Timor upgrade bilateral ties
Strategic partnership may give Beijing more regional influence