This Month
Foreign investors want clarity on retooled FIRB
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ safeguards for higher-risk foreign investment proposals have been met with confusion overseas.
- Vesna Poljak
August
- Opinion
- Opinion
Thailand’s democracy is on shaky ground
Since 1932, Thailand has been through 12 successful coups (as well as many more attempted ones), and multiple constitutions.
- Karishma Vaswani
March
Top law firms eye big growth in South-East Asia strategy
Australian lawyers say work in the region suffers from a perception problem, despite the complex, high-value deals emerging from fast-growing markets.
- Maxim Shanahan
- Opinion
- ASEAN
How Australia can avoid predictable ASEAN pitfalls
South-East Asia will happily talk to us about stability and trade, but ignore us if we are only interested in pushing values and rivalries.
- Richard McGregor
February
- Exclusive
- Indonesian election
She helped save Indonesia’s economy. Now she’s likely to be sacked
Sri Mulyani Indrawati steadied the ship at critical moments for Indonesia, but the Prabowo camp says her approach to development differs from the new government’s.
- Updated
- Emma Connors
November 2023
Malaysia backs Hamas, defying US sanctions threat
Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim compared Hamas with Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress’s push to end apartheid in South Africa.
- Anisah Shukry and Kok Leong Chan
September 2023
NAB closes Hong Kong office, follows Westpac out
The bank has 50 staff in the city, and has told them that it intends to consolidate operations into Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo.
- James Eyers
Inside the WA premier’s plan to wean his state off China
Rather than be a quarry for Beijing or the source of a never-ending supply of FIFO holidaymakers in Bali, Roger Cook wants to reinvent the state’s image in Asia.
- Tom Rabe
June 2023
This PE fund wants to get wealthy Australians into South-East Asia
Aura Group is trying to raise up to $US200 million for a new investment vehicle that will see what worked in China and Korea, and try it in emerging markets.
- Aaron Weinman
May 2023
- Opinion
- Foreign relations
India doesn’t share our world view
New Delhi will never involve itself in any US confrontation with China that did not threaten its own security. It is guided by what it thinks is best for India.
- John McCarthy
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Thailand’s orange wave
Thais, especially the young, have voted for a fresh start by endorsing the radical pro-democracy agenda of Move Forward.
- The AFR View
Jokowi softens stance on AUKUS, the Quad
After an initially frosty reception, Indonesian President Joko Widodo is warming to Australia’s additional defence and security pacts.
- Emma Connors
- Exclusive
- Indonesia
Why global disruption is a win for Indonesia’s investment chief
The head of Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund believes US green subsidies represent opportunities for countries to enter American supply chains.
- Andrew Tillett
(Probably) the world’s largest sporting event is happening in Cambodia
The South-East Asian Games will include obstacle racing and jet skiing – and there are 581 medals at stake – nearly twice the number won at the last Olympics.
April 2023
China’s investment machine blitzes US in South-East Asia
Lowy Institute research shows Beijing has consolidated its lead in economic engagement and bolstered defence, diplomatic and cultural ties.
- Updated
- Emma Connors
March 2023
- Asia
- Wine
The surprising bright spot for Australian wine exports
China is still shut, the UK is increasing taxes, but in this group of countries wine sales are on the up and up.
- Emma Connors
- Opinion
- AUKUS
Are Australia’s neighbours ready for AUKUS?
The AUKUS fallout has not prevented positive momentum in Australia’s relations with South-East Asia, yet regional concerns still lurk below the surface.
- Susannah Patton
February 2023
- Opinion
- Opinion
Australia must come to the South-East Asia investment table
Australia has chided the US for its security-first view of South-East Asia. But this country suffers from the same syndrome of under doing investment relationships.
- Richard McGregor
- Exclusive
- Nicholas Moore
Nicholas Moore pulls in top execs to help crack South-East Asia
Australia’s new south-east Asia envoy has created a brains trust with top execs from Macquarie, Australia Post and Monash University.
- Emma Connors
January 2023
Economists see an ‘upsize surprise’ in year of the rabbit
China’s reopening has upped the feel good factor ahead of Lunar New Year celebrations starting this weekend.
- Emma Connors