The Latest Breaking News from East Asia

Global trade to grow 4% in 2026, slower than 4.4% in 2025: UNCTAD

Global trade is projected to grow by 4% in 2026, although slower than the previous year. The report indicates higher trade values resulting from energy price increases and export controls. Trade between China and the US has decreased significantly, while East Asia is expanding trade with both regions. Developing economies,…

The Economic Times · 6h ago

East Asia Is Getting An AI Export Boost. World Bank Warned The Boom Is Uneven.

The World Bank raised its 2026 growth forecast for East Asia and the Pacific to 4.5% as AI-related manufacturing lifted exports across several economies.

International Business Times · Oct 6

Kyrgyzstan in Summer: Alpine Lakes, Horses and a Visa-Free Trip for Indians

Son Kul lake sits at 3,016 metres, and in July the surrounding plateau is so green it looks implausible. Nomadic families have already driven their herds up from the valleys, and the yurt camps are open. You ride out in the morning on a Kyrgyz horse, compact, sure-footed, nothing like…

Times Life · Oct 1

The Trump Administration Promised a Pivot From the Middle East to East Asia. It's Doing the Opposite.

The U.S. military is downsizing exercises in South Korea and pulling its last aircraft carrier out of the Pacific.

Reason · Aug 18

Archaeologists find earliest physical evidence of brass-making in East Asia in southern China

Ancient crucibles found in Guangzhou offer new insights into early brass production methods. These ninth and tenth-century vessels show that local cementation techniques were employed. Residues indicate craftspeople produced brass locally rather than importing finished goods. Lead-isotope analysis suggests local raw material sources were utilised. The findings point to wider…

The Times of India · Aug 17

China bets on AI weather forecasting as extreme weather intensifies

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being tested during typhoon season in ​East Asia, where even small improvements in track forecasts can help authorities better prepare for flooding, organise evacuations and manage potential transport disruptions. The rise of AI weather forecasting has created a new arena of competition among technology ​companies, research…

The Economic Times · Aug 11

Odisha's Buddhist Triangle: How Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri Kept Buddhism Alive

The faith that disappeared from everywhere it mattered mostBuddhism was born in what is now Uttar Pradesh, reached its peak in Bihar, and was carried across Asia by monks who walked out of India in every direction. Then, somewhere between the 12th and 13th centuries, it effectively ceased to exist…

Times Life · Aug 10

Scientists looking for giant trees in Taiwan discovered a hidden forest filled with some of East Asia's tallest trees

A team of researchers has uncovered remarkable giant temperate forests nestled within the mountains of Taiwan. Utilising airborne laser scanning technology, they identified towering conifers and age-old broadleaf trees that sequester substantial carbon, acting as crucial reserves for climate stability. As an outcome of Taiwan's challenging terrain, these ancient ecosystems…

The Times of India · Aug 5

Scientists spent 10 years searching for East Asia's tallest tree—what they found was extraordinary

Researchers found East Asia's tallest tree, a Taiwania fir, standing 84.1 meters high. This discovery followed a decade-long scientific expedition using advanced laser mapping technology. Hundreds of citizen scientists assisted in analyzing data to identify these remarkable old-growth forests. The giant tree offers insights into biodiversity and vital carbon storage…

The Economic Times · Aug 4

Indian steelmakers pivot home as Europe tightens imports, China squeezes margins

Indian steelmakers are shifting focus to domestic markets amid tighter European import rules. Exports to the EU and Britain are expected to significantly decrease this fiscal year. Competition from cheaper Chinese steel is challenging this domestic strategy. Companies are also exploring markets in East Asia and the Middle East. India's…

The Economic Times · Jul 21