Asia's strong economic rebound early this year is losing momentum, with a weaker than expected second quarter. The International Monetary Fund has cut growth forecasts for Asia and the Pacific to 4% this year and 4.3% next year, which are well below the 5.5% average over the last two decades.
Despite this, Asia remains a relative bright spot in an increasingly dimming global economy.
Waning momentum reflects three formidable headwinds, which may prove to be persistent:
