Category: Asia Focus

EdgeConneX has secured a second site in the Greater Osaka–Yawata region, expanding its Japanese data centre capacity to a combined total of 350 MW of utility power. The newly acquired location is slated to deliver an additional 150 MW once fully built, complementing the 200 MW project unveiled earlier in the year.

A formal ceremony marking this milestone occurred on 7 August, in partnership with Keihan Real Estate — a subsidiary of

A new teaching and research hospital at the University of Bengkulu opened its doors this week, backed by a $22 million concessional loan from the Saudi Fund for Development. The facility is expected to bolster healthcare delivery and medical training in the region, reinforcing nearly five decades of strategic collaboration between SFD and Indonesia.

Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, Chief Executive Officer of SFD, presided over the inauguration on Friday,

A vibrant showcase of Malaysia’s artistic heritage opened at Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Foundation on 26 August 2025, when the Embassy of Malaysia in the United Arab Emirates inaugurated its first-ever cultural exhibition, “To Know Malaysia Is To Love Malaysia: Highlights from the AFK Collection.” The six-month-long presentation occupies a prestigious place in Abu Dhabi’s cultural calendar and signals a renewed focus on cross-cultural engagement.

Ambassadors accredited to the UAE,

Berkshire Hathaway’s National Indemnity Company has lifted its stake in Mitsubishi Corporation to 10.23 %, up from 9.74 % earlier, signalling a reinforced commitment to Japan’s leading trading house. The investment follows similar moves in March across other sogo shosha, including Mitsui & Co.

The decision reflects Warren Buffett’s enduring confidence in Japanese megatraders, whose disciplined capital allocation, governance reforms, and investor-friendly policies align strongly with Berkshire’s investment philosophy. As

A surge in travellers tracing the on‑screen footsteps of K‑dramas is reshaping tourism across unexpected global landscapes. From lakeside Swiss villages to tranquil Japanese islets and coastal Korean towns, the ‘K‑Wave’ is turning fictional settings into real‑world destinations.

Fans of Crash Landing On You have placed the Swiss lakeside village of Iseltwald on the map. A modest community of 406 residents now sees approximately 1,000 visitors daily at the

China has officially launched the construction of a massive hydropower project along the Yarlung Tsangpo river, known as the Brahmaputra in India. This new initiative, expected to be one of the largest of its kind globally, has ignited significant debate over its environmental, geopolitical, and economic implications. The hydropower station is a crucial part of China's long-term strategy to increase its control over water resources in the region

Metaplanet, a rising star in the global financial landscape, has secured a spot on the FTSE Japan Index as part of the index provider's upcoming September 2025 Semi-Annual review. This milestone marks a significant achievement for the company, reflecting its growing influence and the wider surge of interest in Bitcoin, of which Metaplanet is a notable accumulator.

The inclusion in the FTSE Japan Index is a noteworthy development for

Cloud

A landmark onchain gaming tournament has been launched by the Moonbeam Foundation and N3MUS, with Sao Mai Games also joining the initiative. The competition, named GLMillionaiRe, is set to capture the attention of competitive gamers and blockchain enthusiasts alike. Offering a significant 1,000,000 GLMR prize pool, the event aims to promote not just high-level gaming but also to attract new users to the Moonbeam ecosystem. The entry fee

China is reportedly on the brink of a significant policy shift that may see the introduction of yuan-backed stablecoins, a move designed to bolster the international standing of its currency. With global financial markets increasingly leaning towards digital currencies, Beijing’s latest plan could mark a pivotal moment in the international adoption of the yuan.

The Chinese government is set to consider a proposal to allow the issuance of stablecoins

Singapore’s ride-hailing users faced a shocking experience when prices on the city's most popular platform surged to extreme levels on Wednesday, sending customers scrambling for alternatives. Short city trips, which would usually cost under $20, suddenly reached exorbitant amounts, with some fares topping $1,000.

The issue, which quickly sparked outrage on social media, left passengers frustrated as they found themselves unable to hail rides at

China's reliance on fossil fuels has been steadily declining despite increasing energy demand, marking a significant shift in the nation's energy landscape. Coal and gas consumption saw a dip in 2025, even during a scorching July, as the government continues to prioritise clean energy sources. This is a clear sign that China's aggressive push towards renewable energy and energy efficiency is beginning to take effect, even as the

Saudi Arabia is solidifying its role as a key player in the global content industry, with a focus on the rapidly growing demand for Korean entertainment. The country's recent partnership with South Korea highlights a strategic effort to bolster its creative sector and position itself as the leading creative hub in the Middle East.

The K-Content Expo held in Riyadh from July 22 to 24, 2025, served as a

Futu Securities International has launched Solana trading on its Futu NiuNiu App in Hong Kong, marking a significant step in expanding access to digital asset markets. The launch comes on the heels of a broader push for crypto adoption across Asia and aims to offer more flexible trading opportunities to the region's retail investors.

This move positions Futu Securities, an influential brokerage firm, as a key player in

Wuhan, once at the centre of the global pandemic, is emerging as a key tourist destination. With an increasing focus on environmental sustainability and green infrastructure, the city is reinventing itself and positioning itself as a hub for cultural tourism in China.

The city is leveraging its unique geographical advantage, nestled between the Yangtze and Han rivers, with abundant lakes and natural spaces that have made it a prime

Singapore has firmly established itself at the forefront of global digital finance innovation, particularly in the realm of tokenized assets. The city-state’s embrace of blockchain technology is reshaping the investment landscape, enabling quicker, more accessible, and transparent transactions. As financial institutions, startups, and regulatory bodies collaborate, Singapore is positioning itself as a pivotal player in the tokenization of assets.

Tokenization, the process of converting assets into digital tokens on

Samsung Electronics has secured a significant contract with Tesla, valued at $16.5 billion, to produce the electric vehicle manufacturer's next-generation AI6 chips. The chips will be manufactured at Samsung's advanced fabrication facility in Taylor, Texas, marking a pivotal development in both companies' strategic plans.

The eight-year agreement, confirmed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, is set to commence in 2025 and extend through 2033. This deal represents a substantial commitment

Ripple’s native token, XRP, has experienced a notable uptick in trading volumes, particularly within the Asian markets, indicating a shift towards institutional involvement and regional dominance.

In the past 24 hours, XRP's trading volume exceeded $9.3 billion, positioning it among the top three cryptocurrencies by market activity. This surge is attributed to several factors, including the resolution of legal disputes and increased institutional interest.

A significant portion of XRP's trading

Hong Kong has escalated its pressure on pro-democracy activists based abroad by cancelling the passports of most of the 16 individuals it has accused of endangering national security. Alongside this, authorities have imposed a ban on any financial assistance reaching these individuals. This is the latest move in a series of stringent measures that aim to clamp down on critics of the Chinese government's

Factory activity in China showed unexpected signs of contraction in July, signalling deeper challenges for the world's second-largest economy. This downturn comes despite a partial thaw in trade tensions with the US, with early data indicating a slowdown in exports and continued weakness in domestic demand.

The Purchasing Managers' Index for July, a key indicator of factory activity, dropped below expectations, highlighting a downturn in production and new

Malaysia's central bank has revised its economic growth forecast for 2025, citing increased volatility stemming from ongoing global trade tensions, notably those related to US tariffs. The Bank Negara Malaysia reduced its expected GDP growth to a range of 4% to 5%, down from an earlier projection of 5% to 5.5%. The adjustment comes as a response to the shifting dynamics of global trade, which have been

Singapore’s Monetary Authority has designated S$1.1 billion to three fund managers as the inaugural allocation of its S$5 billion Equity Market Development Programme. The scheme aims to invigorate the bourse and broaden market participation, focusing on smaller- and mid-cap equities.

MAS selected Avanda Investment Management, JP Morgan Asset Management and Fullerton Fund Management for the initial round. Fullerton is part of state-owned Temasek. MAS indicated that the providers were chosen based

China has introduced the world’s first oil tanker equipped with adjustable sails, marking a notable step in maritime decarbonisation. The 250‑metre vessel features automated sails that harness wind power, cutting diesel use by up to 14.5 tonnes per day—equivalent to around 5,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.

The ship was launched at a major Chinese port on 13 July 2025. Naval engineers report that the sails adjust in real

A once-weekly injection of Wegovy® has become available in Singapore, marking the latest step in managing obesity as a chronic disease. The product, from Novo Nordisk, is licensed for adults and those aged 12 and above who are obese or overweight with at least one weight‑related condition such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes or dyslipidemia.

The drug works by mimicking the gut hormone GLP‑1, promoting a sense of