Asia

Morning News Brief: GOP Continues Work On Health Care Bill, JAY-Z Releases New Album

10:26am June 30, 2017

Republican senators are working on revisions to their health care plan. Also, Hong Kong is marking 20 years under Chinese rule, and rapper JAY-Z has a new album.

Queue Listen Now

Weiqi Zhu, an equity derivatives trader in Hong Kong, is one of an increasing number of financial sector employees from mainland China who are dominating the city's banking sector.

World News

How Hong Kong's Banks Turned Chinese

9:40am June 30, 2017

by Rob Schmitz

As China celebrates the 20th anniversary of Great Britain's handover of Hong Kong to Chinese control, it can celebrate another type of takeover: the city's financial sector.

Queue Listen Now

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gives a speech during Eid al-Fitr celebrations marking the end of Ramadan at the Malacanang Palace in Manila on June 27.

World News

Philippine President Duterte's First Year In Office Is Marked By Bloody War On Drugs

9:39am June 30, 2017

by Michael Sullivan

Some 7,000 alleged drug suspects have been killed so far in Rodrigo Duterte's drug war. And he's more popular than ever — except among the poor, where the drug war's effects are most keenly felt.

World News

Indians Are Nervous And Confused Over Upcoming Tax Changes

9:09am June 30, 2017

by Julie McCarthy

On Saturday, India rolls out what is being called a game-changing reform: an overhaul of the country's tax system. But many Indians say they're anxious and unprepared for the momentous occasion.

Queue Listen Now

Philippines' Duterte Is A Divisive Figure, Even Abroad

4:58am June 30, 2017

by Ashley Westerman

The first year of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's administration has come to a close. But Filipinos at home and in the U.S. are still deeply divided over his leadership.

Over the years, Beijing has tightened its political grip over Hong Kong, a city of more than 7 million people, and income inequality has risen.

World News

20 Years After Handover, Hong Kong Residents Reflect On Life Under Chinese Rule

4:31pm June 29, 2017

by Rob Schmitz

Great Britain returned Hong Kong to China on June 30, 1997. Since then, Beijing has tightened its political grip and income inequality has grown. But not everyone is unhappy with China's impact.

Queue Listen Now

U.S. and South Korean soldiers of the combined 2nd Infantry Division train at Camp Red Cloud in Uijeongbu, South Korea, in 2015.

In Trump Meeting With South Korean Leader, A Chance To Reaffirm 'Ironclad' Ties

4:10pm June 29, 2017

by Elise Hu

North Korea will top the agenda as President Trump and South Korea's Moon Jae-in meet Thursday. But whatever tensions brew below the surface, there will be reassurances that the relationship is solid.

Queue Listen Now

A driver uses his smartphone to pay the highway toll with Alipay, an app of Alibaba's online payment service, in the Chinese city of Hangzhou.

World News

In China, A Cashless Trend Is Taking Hold With Mobile Payments

12:28pm June 29, 2017

by Anthony Kuhn

Consumers there are finding convenience and security in using smartphones to pay. An estimated $5.5 trillion was spent through mobile platforms in 2016, about 50 times the amount in the U.S.

Queue Listen Now

World News

China's President Visits Hong Kong To Mark 20 Years Of Chinese Rule

5:21am June 29, 2017

by Rob Schmitz

This Saturday Hong Kong and China celebrate the 20th anniversary of the territory's return to China from Great Britain. President Xi Jinping plans to attend the ceremonies.

U.S. Looks To Revive Talks On North Korea's Nuclear Program

5:29pm June 28, 2017

NPR's Robert Siegel speaks with Sue Mi Terry of Bower Group Asia about her participation in a recent meeting with North Korea officials to try to get nuclear talks back on track. She explains why those talks made her conclude that attempts at dialogue with North Korea's leader is a waste of time.

Queue Listen Now