[Focus Asia] the China Conference: Southeast Asia 2026 Will Be Held in Indonesia, Freeport’s Papua Mine Deal Buys Time, China’s Theme Parks, and SHINee’s Onew Makes Producing Debut with “Tough Love”
·6 min
The episode opens with host Kaltina introducing the week's news from Southeast Asia, Indonesia, China, and K-pop. The first segment focuses on the China Conference Southeast Asia 2026, scheduled for February 10, 2026, at the St. Regis Jakarta. The conference is organized by the South China Morning Post in collaboration with Guardian Indonesia, marking its first edition in Indonesia. Zuraida Ibrahim is cited emphasizing the platform it provides for leaders in government, business, and investment. China's investment in Indonesia is projected to exceed US$18 billion by 2025. Sinta Kamdani notes opportunities to expand trade and investment, particularly in increasing Indonesia's exports. The conference will cover topics like geopolitical balance, the China Plus One supply chain, digital connectivity, green transition, and China-Southeast Asia economic dialogue. The second segment shifts to Indonesia, discussing a Papua mine deal. The deal involves issues of downstreaming policy, domestic value creation, and social and political concerns in Papua. It mentions that while new investment in healthcare and education isn't planned, long-term stability depends on inclusive governance and fair benefit sharing. The agreement secures continuity but its impact hinges on balancing industrial strategy, energy, sovereignty, and social justice. The third segment covers China's tourism industry preparing for the 2026 Lunar New Year holiday from February 17 to 23. The Chinese government estimates around 5.5 billion passenger trips during the Spring Festival travel period. Theme parks and tourist attractions expect a boost, with visits to amusement parks predicted to increase by about 30% compared to the previous year. New attractions like Aiki Land, a VR theme park in Yangzhou, are opening. Traditional destinations such as mountains and historical sites remain strong competitors. Local governments are supporting tourism through events, discounts, and travel coupons. The fourth and final segment reports on K-pop, focusing on SHINee member Onew. Onew is stepping into a new chapter as a producer, moving beyond his role as a vocalist. On February 24, he revealed the tracklist for his fifth mini-album, 'Tough Love', through his official social media. The album features five tracks: 'Tough Love', 'Dot Dot Dot', 'Flex On Me', 'Lie', and 'X or Why'. Onew participated in writing and composing the title track and is credited on all songs, showcasing his artistic growth. The album was completed in collaboration with international producers, reflecting his expanding global reach. He aims to present his identity as both an artist and producer, exploring dimensions of love. The episode closes with a reminder to listen weekly for updates on Asia.
