SHANGHAI -- With China Evergrande Group just a day away from defaulting on a dollar denominated bond, investors are focusing on three questions -- what happens to the property developer's other outstanding debt, does it cease operations after default, and will it end up in legal bankruptcy proceedings?

Evergrande, which faces more than $300 billion in liabilities, narrowly averted a default last week when it paid $83.5 million interest payment for a dollar-denominated bond just before the grace period expired on

BANGKOK -- Flexing its economic might in impoverished Laos, China has hit a snag on the religious front, provoking anti-Chinese anger over a gigantic statue of Buddha that a Shanghai company plans to build in Vientiane.

Social media posts have crackled with criticism against Wan Feng Shanghai Real Estate Co.'s plan to build a towering 100-meter-tall Buddha statue as a tourist attraction in a special economic zone in Vientiane, the Laotian capital on the banks of the Mekong River. If the company goes

SEOUL -- Samsung Electronics said Thursday that it plans to triple its foundry production capacity by 2026 amid a global chip shortage disrupting production in key industries from autos to smartphones as it reported strong third quarter earnings.

The world's biggest chipmaker by sales said that it will expand its production lines in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, and may build a new factory in the U.S. to meet rising demand for the chips that are made-to-order for corporate customers. The South Korean tech

TAIPEI (Reuters) -- A small number of U.S. forces are stationed in Taiwan to train with Taiwanese soldiers, President Tsai Ing-wen said in an interview with CNN, confirming the presence of U.S. troops on the self-governing island that China considers its own.

Tensions between Taiwan and China, which has not ruled out taking the island by force, have escalated in recent weeks as Beijing raises military and political pressure.

"We have a wide range of cooperation with the U.

SEOUL -- Samsung Electronics said Thursday that it plans to strengthen its foundry chip technology and add clients amid a global chip shortage disrupting production in key industries from autos to smartphones as it reported strong third quarter earnings.

The South Korean tech giant is raising its game in the foundry business -- which manufactures chips tailor-made for corporate clients -- and plans to make the components more cost-effective. The company announced earlier this month that it is scheduled to produce its first 3 nanometer-based chip designs for customers

TOKYO -- Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten Group will use digital tools to root out customers on its trip platform who are likely to cancel at the last minute, tackling a wider problem that has cost hotels and other businesses billions of dollars.

Rakuten Travel, the nation's largest travel website, will adopt an auditing system developed by TIS, a Tokyo-based technology company. The program grades new bookings on 200 factors based on analysis of data.

If a booking indicates a substantial risk of cancellation,

SHENZHEN -- China's push to equalize educational opportunities has unexpectedly caused condominium prices to plunge in areas near prestigious schools in Shenzhen and other major cities, as Beijing plans to expand school districts to allow children to attend schools outside of previously designated zones.

Shenzhen's Baihua district, a 20-minute drive from the main Shenzhen train station, is filled with high-rise condos close to popular schools. Children living in the district can attend Shenzhen Experimental School, a renowned public institution offering primary, junior and

TOKYO -- The Bank of Japan on Thursday trimmed its growth forecast for the current fiscal year after COVID-19 disruptions forced automakers to slash production amid a shortage of microchips and other key parts.

Coronavirus outbreaks in countries such as Malaysia and Vietnam have overshadowed semiconductor supply chains, sparking 30-40% drops in output in Japan's key auto sector over the September-October period, although cuts are expected to ease from November.

In its quarterly outlook, the central bank estimates economic growth at 3

SEOUL -- Samsung Electronics said Thursday that it plans to strengthen its foundry chip technology and add clients amid a global chip shortage disrupting production in key industries from autos to smartphones as it reported strong third quarter earnings.

The South Korean tech giant is raising its game in the foundry business -- which manufactures chips tailor-made for corporate clients -- and plans to make the components more cost-effective. The company announced earlier this month that it is scheduled to produce its first 3 nanometer-based chip designs for customers