The latest news on what's happening in the region on Thursday, December 1, 2022

ANN news highlights
Bringing Asia Closer

Obituary China I
Jiang Zemin passes away at age of 96 - China Daily

Jiang Zemin passed away due to leukaemia and multiple organ failure in Shanghai at 12:13 pm on Nov 30, 2022, at the age of 96, it was announced on Wednesday.

Obituary China II
Jiang Zemin dies: A charismatic, larger-than-life leader of China -Straits Times

China’s former president Jiang Zemin, who transformed the country into a manufacturing powerhouse after the Tiananmen crackdown, died on Wednesday afternoon in Shanghai. He was 96.

Democracy Korea-US
Yoon, Biden to hold 2nd Democracy Summit in March - Korea Herald

President Yoon Suk-yeol agreed to co-host the second Democracy Summit with US President Biden on March 29-30, the presidential office said Tuesday.

G20 India
Opinion: Today, India commences its G20 Presidency - The Statesman

The previous 17 Presidencies of the G20 delivered significant results – for ensuring macro-economic stability, rationalising international taxation, relieving debt-burden on countries, among many other outcomes. We will benefit from these achievements, and build further upon them.

Myanmar Crisis 
Over 120 clashes occurred in KNU’s Brigade-4 areas from January to November 16 | Eleven Media 

A total of 123 rounds of armed clashes had occurred in Brigade-4’s areas of Myeik-Dawei district of the Karen National Union (KNU)-controlled Kawthoolei region from January to November 16, 2022, according to a statement released by the KNU (Central).

R&D Japan
Tokyo tech, medical universities to build global research hub - The Japan News

The Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) and Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), which are aiming to merge by the end of fiscal 2024, plan to build a research hub in Tokyo to facilitate interaction with industry and the world’s researchers.

Politics Nepal
Opinion: Message from Nepali voters - Kathmandu Post

In my August 8 column, I had asked the question, "Will Nepal vote for change?" I had written that “given an obvious hung Parliament, the key would be to elect 15-20 people from across the spectrum, which would elevate the level of discourse in Parliament, and enable healthy discussions on legislation and significant reforms”.

Food India
India eyes bumper wheat harvest in 2023 | Reuters for The Daily Star

India is expected to harvest a bumper wheat crop in 2023 as high domestic prices and replenished soil moisture help farmers surpass last year's planting, while an intense heatwave cut output this year.

Crypto HK
Swiss crypto bank SEBA opens HK office | China Daily

Switzerland-based cryptocurrency bank SEBA Bank AG opened its Hong Kong office on Wednesday amid turmoil in the global crypto market — a vote of confidence in a city set to become a global virtual asset hub.

Stock Singapore 
Singapore shares rise on expectations of China relaxing Covid-19 curbs - Straits Times

Local shares were stuck in the red for most of Wednesday’s session, but a late flurry before the final whistle allowed the bourse to close in positive territory. The modest 11th-hour rally left the Straits Times Index up 0.4 per cent, or 14.13 points, to 3,290.49. Gainers beat losers 326 to 219 with 1.6 billion shares worth $2.4 billion changing hands.

Startup India 
Indian agrifood startups get record $4.6 bn investment in FY22 - The Statesman

Indian agrifood startups received a record $4.6 billion in investment in FY 2021-22, up 119 per cent year-over-year, as the country overtook China as Asia-Pacific’s biggest funder of agrifood-tech innovation, a report showed on Wednesday.

Tourism Cambodia
Over 120 int’l delegates slated to tour ‘high-end’ coastal attractions | Phnom Penh Post

The government is set to take more than 120 international delegates, who are in Preah Sihanouk province next month for the World-Bays Club’s 2022 World Congress, on a tour of various beaches, islands and ecotourism communities, to showcase Cambodia’s high-end attractions and put the Kingdom on the map as a preferred travel destination, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Digital China
China's digital industry clusters power growth - China Daily

China's digital industry clusters have gained momentum as the country's digital economy continues its rapid growth. Over 60 % of China's 25 advanced manufacturing clusters are digital economy-related, according to statistics from the China Center for Information Industry Development, People's Daily reported on Wednesday.

Trade Vietnam 
Foreign trade may hit record of US$780 billion in 2022 - Vietnam News

Surmounting difficulties to boost economic recovery, Vietnam is expected to post a foreign trade record of US$780 billion in 2022.