Reuters Asia Business

SHANGHAI (Reuters) – A central bank digital currency trial focused on cross-border transactions has been completed, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) said, with Chinese state-owned banks participating as Beijing tries to internationalise its digital yuan. More than 160 cross-border payments and foreign exchange transactions totalling more than $22 million were made during the first …

China trials cross-border settlement involving cenbank digital currencies Read More »

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korean manufacturers’ business confidence tumbled to its lowest level in two years in October, a central bank survey showed on Thursday, with companies citing sharp rises in raw material prices and an uncertain economic outlook. The seasonally adjusted business outlook index for manufacturers fell to 73 for October, down from 82 …

South Korean manufacturers’ business sentiment slides to lowest in two years Read More »

NEW YORK (Reuters) – China’s real estate should be a point of concern for investors, short-seller Jim Chanos, founder of Chanos & Company, said at an investing conference on Wednesday. “I think what will be happening in the Chinese real estate market will be front and center for investors,” he said, adding it could be …

China’s real estate should be a point of concern, says short-seller Chanos Read More »

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Drugmaker Merck & Co said on Wednesday that it agreed to allow China’s Sinopharm to distribute and import its COVID-19 antiviral molnupiravir in China if the drug is approved for use there. The drugmaker said in a statement that it reached a cooperation framework agreement with Sinopharm that grants the Chinese …

Merck agrees to allow Sinopharm to sell molnupiravir COVID drug in China Read More »

(Reuters) -Amazon.com Inc on Wednesday announced a contactless gadget that can monitor people’s sleep, along with updates to its lineup of voice-controlled devices and e-readers. The online retailer said its $139.99 sleep gadget, known as Halo Rise, tracks room temperature, humidity and light, plus the breathing patterns of the person closest to it. The goal …

Amazon.com unveils device that tracks breath while sleeping Read More »

(Reuters) – Taiwan’s China Airlines has finalized an order for 16 Boeing Co 787 Dreamliner jets, with an option for 8 more, the companies said on Wednesday, nearly a month after disclosing a provisional agreement. The firm order for 16 jets is worth $4.6 billion at list prices, though discounts are normal in such orders. …

Boeing, Taiwan’s China Airlines finalize 787 order Read More »

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan will sign a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) with Malaysia’s state energy firm Petronas on liquefied natural gas(LNG) on Thursday, including emergency measures, a Japanese government source told Reuters. Japan, one of the biggest importers of the super-chilled fuel, faces a historic energy security risk as the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war threatens to …

Japan to sign MoC on LNG with Petronas, with emergency steps -source Read More »