Asia Updates by Asia News Network (ANN) - Wednesday, April 5, 2023

ANN News Highlights
Bringing Asia Closer

Travel China 
Travel bookings surge as holidays approach with planned overseas trips jumped 7 times - China Daily

Election Thailand II
Opinion: Thai election could sway ASEAN’s future Myanmar engagement - Jakarta Post

Politics Philippines
More Filipinos still oppose Charter change, but support for it grew – Pulse Asia | Inquirer News

Mekong Summit
Cambodia
Sense of growing urgency at Laos Mekong River summit | Phnom Penh Post

Vietnam
Việt Nam proposes Mekong River Commission reform operational methods - Vietnam News

China
Don’t jump to conclusions over data on distressed Mekong River, says China official - Straits Times

Laos
Lao minister calls for innovation, cooperation for sustainable development of Mekong - Vientiane Times

Himalaya 
7 persons killed in Sikkim avalanche, rescue ops underway - The Statesman

AI China
Undertakers in China use AI to allow people to communicate with their deceased loved ones - Straits Times

Geopolitics Philippines
Editorial: : Aligned but independent | Inquirer

Politics India
Opinion: Bipartisan politics needed to counter critics abroad - The Statesman

Economy 
India
Indian economy continues to show resilience: World Bank - The Statesman

China
ADB: China's recovery brightens global economic outlook | China Daily

Pakistan 
World Bank cuts Pakistan’s GDP forecast on rising rates, limited fiscal space - Dawn

Nepal 
Asian Development Bank cuts Nepal’s annual growth forecast to 4.1 percent - Kathmandu Post

City Singapore
Singapore is top Asian city in Smart City Index, ranks 7th worldwide - Straits Times

Retail Vietnam 
Retail sales of goods and services rise 14 per cent in Q1 - Vietnam News

Flowers China
Rising demands blossoms Asia's largest flower market in Kunming - China Daily