WeChat allegedly monitoring its overseas users

WeChat, China’s ubiquitous social networking app, rules the roost in China with functions ranging from messaging to mobile payment that cater to user’s modern needs. It also has an unrivaled user base among the Chinese diaspora and netizens across Taiwan and Southeast Asia, with over one billion active monthly users worldwide. Read More

How Covid-19 will and won’t change Vietnam

Vietnam has emerged as a coronavirus crisis success story, thanks in large part to its competent and uncharacteristically transparent handling of the viral outbreak. Now, analysts wonder if the trend will hold as the Communist Party-led nation exits lockdown and looks towards a leadership transition. Read More

Anger in Korea after nightclubber spreads virus

Concern is spreading across South Korea, where social distancing was officially relaxed this week, about a potential explosion of infections after a 31-year old man who tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday was found to have visited five bars and nightclubs last weekend. Read More

EU best choice to lead Covid-19 probe in China

Currently there is mounting international pressure for an independent investigation into the origin of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Chinese government has not yet expressed interest in cooperating, but were the UN and European Union to play active roles in such an inquiry, it could help ensure the objectivity of the process and be more amenable for Beijing. Read More

US, Australia play good cop, bad cop with China

A de facto US-Australia alliance is seeking greater transparency and accountability for China’s role in the global Covid-19 pandemic, with Washington taking a tough tack approach and Canberra adopting a more moderate line. The Trump administration has threatened to cutoff support to the WHO for supposedly kowtowing to China, while US congressmen call for reparations from Beijing for pandemic-related losses. Read More

Congratulate Kim for successful anti-virus push?

Almost lost from sight during the recent kerfluffle over where Kim Jong Un had disappeared to for nearly three weeks, –and why – was another very big question that is still unanswered even after his May Day reapperance. We don’t really know how badly or sparingly the Covid-19 pandemic has intruded upon the isolated country. Read More

Covid-19 infecting India’s property market

Samir Shah, a stock picking guru, believes the pandemic could give rise to alluring property deals in India. Buying an apartment has been on Shah’s mind for the past two and a half years, but high prices kept him out of the market. But this may be the time for buyers like himself, he says. Read More

From the archives

Cold War chill sweeps through China and the US: A ‘worst-case scenario of armed confrontation’ was highlighted in an alleged report seen by President Xi Jinping.

Curious revival of Myanmar’s rag-tag Rohingya rebels : Myanmar military is pumping up the poorly armed and shadowy insurgent group's threat to justify its Rohingya genocide.

China squeezes debt repayments from virus-hit nations: Interest rates on Belt and Road project loans can be up to ‘6% for poor countries struggling’ with Covid-19.

What Asia Times staff are reading

Virus has unleashed a 'tsunami of hate' across world, says UN chief: António Guterres pleads for an end to ‘hate speech.

China’s Bargain on Global Influence Is Paying Off: The U.S. gives more money than China to many international organizations. So why do they seem more sympathetic to Beijing?

Can robotaxis ease public transport fears in China?: The rise of self-driving taxis in China comes at a time when people are nervous about taking public transport.