Reuters Asia Business

BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand recorded 2.14 million foreign tourist arrivals in January, a surge from 133,828 in the same period a year earlier, tourism ministry data showed on Monday, as the vital tourism sector gathered pace with the return of Chinese travellers. There were 91,841 Chinese visitors in January, compared with 3,110 in the same …

Thailand receives 2.14 million foreign tourist arrivals in January – ministry Read More »

BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s new home sales rose sharply in February from a slump in the previous month, buoyed by a rise in demand in small and medium-sized cities after the scrapping of COVID curbs and supportive property policies, a private survey showed on Monday. New home sales by floor area in 16 selected Chinese …

China new home sales rise sharply in February – private survey Read More »

BEIJING (Reuters) -China Renaissance Holdings said in an exchange filing on Sunday that its missing chairman and star dealmaker Bao Fan was currently cooperating with relevant Chinese authorities conducting an investigation. This is the first time the mainland China-based boutique bank has given a reason for the disappearance of its founder — who was reported …

Chinese bank says missing chairman is cooperating with Chinese authorities in an investigation Read More »

HONG KONG (Reuters) – Authorities in Macau, the world’s biggest gambling hub, said on Sunday they would drop COVID 19-related mask requirements for most locations, except for public transportation, hospitals and a handful of other areas. The rule change takes effect from Monday, the government said in a statement on its website. “The epidemic situation …

Gambling hub Macau drops COVID mask mandate for most locations Read More »

BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese ambassador to the European Union Fu Cong said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel may visit China in the first half of 2023, China’s state-backed Global Times reported. Preparations for the visit by the EU’s top two officials are under way and “very frequent …

China’s EU ambassador says EU leaders may visit China by mid-2023 Read More »

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan must spread the momentum of wage growth across the country to conquer rising inflation as annual labour negotiations wrap up next month, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Sunday, with backing from a major business lobby. For years wages have been slow to grow in Japan as cautious firms hoarded a …

With backing from business lobby, Japan PM calls for workers’ pay hikes Read More »

By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has mobilised young labourers to launch a new housing project in Pyongyang, state media said on Sunday, as he pushes for an ambitious plan to build 50,000 homes in the capital despite deepening economic hardships. Kim attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction …

North Korea’s Kim mobilises young labourers in new housing plan amid economic woes Read More »