China Executive Insights
Consumers' preference for cheap eats adds to pain of austerity law Revenue and profit at Peking duck chain Quanjude fell for a second consecutive year. (Photo by Kohei Fujimura) DALIAN, China -- Restaurants in China are struggling to make money on dine-in meals as customers choose cheaper delivery options, adding to the pressure of a government ban on expensive official dinner parties.
Militant attacks in Mali are a reminder that fragile states can incubate extremism A framed portrait and the coffin of Malian Defense Minister Sadio Camara, who was killed in a militant attack, are displayed on the day of his state funeral, in Bamako, Mali, on April 30. © Reuters Farhan Bokhari is an Islamabad-based foreign correspondent who writes on Pakistan and the surrounding region.
Net FDI doubles in 10 years as companies seek growth, holding Japanese currency down Sumitomo Forestry has decided to acquire U.S. homebuilder Tri Pointe as it sees growth overseas. (Sumitomo Forestry) TOKYO -- The yen's depreciation in recent years has not discouraged foreign investment by Japanese companies or individuals, as low interest rates at home that have not kept up with inflation and growing markets outside Japan send them looking for opportunities overseas.
Nominal move to civilian rule seen as insufficient for key members of regional bloc Myanmar's representative at last week's ASEAN summit, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs U Hau Khan Sum, left, remained very much on the periphery of the gathering as the bloc still does not recognize the government's legitimacy. © Reuters BANGKOK -- A summit of Southeast Asian leaders that ended in the Philippines on Friday has exposed the divisions within the ASEAN regional bloc about the supposed political makeover in Myanmar, which was yet again left out in the cold from the grouping's high-level gatherings.
Beijing able to avoid tapping strategic reserves despite disruptions in Persian Gulf An oil terminal in Texas, a state serving as a major U.S. energy export hub. Reports say 15 tankers departed the U.S. for China in April. (Photo by Ryosuke Hanafusa) BEIJING -- China is expanding its options for buying crude oil, including imports from the U.S., to leverage its energy security for an upper hand as President Donald Trump visits Beijing this week for a summit with President Xi Jinping.
$3.5bn project near a fault line will disrupt river, displace communities The dam for the Luang Prabang Hydroelectric Power Plant, 20 km upriver from the city that is Laos' premier tourist attraction, rises from the Mekong River. (All photos by Tom Vater) LUANG PRABANG, Laos -- Travelers heading to the Pak Ou caves, a major tourist attraction on the western banks of the Mekong River, 25 kilometers upriver from Luang Prabang in northern Laos, will see the construction of an enormous 1,460-megawatt hydropower dam. Earth movers and silos dot the denuded hillsides around the dam wall rising from the river. Trucks frequently cross a newly built bridge across the Mekong to deliver construction materials.
Power supply a concern amid AI boom, but Google to keep investing in city-state Singapore has emerged as a major AI data center hub in Asia. (Source photo by Akira Kodaka) PALO ALTO, California -- Singapore is expected to use nearly 20% of its national grid to power data centers in 2026, a greater share than any other nation on Earth, as the city-state cements its position as one of Asia's most important digital hubs.
MUFG, Sumitomo Mitsui and Mizuho were likely informed of decision by Bessent Japan's Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Mizuho Financial Group and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group are set to gain access to Claude Mythos, the powerful AI model developed by U.S. startup Anthropic. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Suzu Takahashi and Nanami Sato) TOKYO -- Japan's three megabanks are set to gain access to Claude Mythos, the powerful artificial intelligence model developed by U.S. startup Anthropic, as soon as the end of May, Nikkei learned Wednesday.
World's analog semiconductor leader makes 'foundational' play in Japan, Malaysia and US Texas Instruments is the world's largest maker of analog chips, which are used for sensing, controlling, powering and connecting devices, rather than for computing activities. © Texas Instruments TAIPEI -- U.S. chip giant Texas Instruments is expanding its global manufacturing footprint, including in Japan and Malaysia, to increase in-house production of "foundational" semiconductors needed to support the booming AI infrastructure market, a senior executive told Nikkei Asia.
AI chip leader's CEO is a last-minute addition to president's retinue Nvidia CEO is among the tech executives accompanying President Donald Trump to Beijing. © Reuters TAIPEI -- Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is joining U.S. President Donald Trump on his visit to China for a highly anticipated meeting between the world's two most powerful leaders, the company confirmed to Nikkei Asia on Wednesday.
Seoul discussions aim for stabilization despite 'wider and wider' gaps in interests U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, center, arrives at Incheon International Airport ahead of a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and trade talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, hours ahead of President Donald Trump's arrival in China. © Reuters SHANGHAI -- Trade representatives from China and the U.S. are set to huddle in South Korea on Wednesday in last-minute preparations for a high-stakes summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump.
President's policy chief suggests redistributive measure to ease AI-driven inequality The administration of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has floated the idea of having members of the public receive dividends from the massive profits of chipmakers. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Reuters) SEOUL -- A high-ranking South Korea policymaker suggested Tuesday that members of the public should be paid a share of chipmakers' massive profits, in comments that reflect the growing reliance of Asia's fourth-largest economy on semiconductor exports.