VENTURE CAPITAL POST

A survey by ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute shows over 50% of Southeast Asians prefer aligning with China over the US, reflecting China's growing influence.

As China has increased its influence in Southeast Asia, U.S. stepped in. United States plan to match China in rebalancing Asia by increasing partnership with ASEAN.

The changes are part of the government's economic stimulus package, expected to boost the country's economic growth and create job openings. Indonesia's new regulations on investment would loosen current restrictions on foreign investments in various sectors, including e-commerce, retail and healthcare.

Indonesia's Foreign Minister on Thursday announced that its country demanded China to explain and prove its claims on the South China Sea, as Indonesia accuses China of claiming parts of the Indonesian-ruled Natuna Islands to be part of China's nine-dash line.

The president of Mitsubishi Motors Corp (7211.T) said Japan, SouthEast Asia and Russia will become the automaker's principal production hubs after it calls time on making cars in the United States later this year because of dwindling output there.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) into China rose 2.2 percent on the year in March, while outbound flows posted a milder rise, as foreign corporate investors remain undeterred by China's weakening domestic economic performance.

Companies struggled in China and much of the rest of Asia in March, suggesting central banks may have to resort to more stimulus, just as factories in the euro zone begin to reap rewards from ultra-easy policy there.

China hopes to finish talks on creating an Asian free-trade bloc estimated to cover 28 percent of the world economy by the end of this year, the country's trade minister said on Saturday.

China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang proposed a friendship treaty with Southeast Asian countries and offered $20 billion in loans on Thursday but held firm on the line that Beijing will only settle South China Sea disputes directly with other claimants.

Asian shares held firm in early Monday trade after U.S. jobs data pointed to solid economic growth, while China's export performance showed more resilience than some had expected.

China, the world's top coal importer, will levy import tariffs on the commodity after nearly a decade, in its latest bid to prop up ailing domestic miners who have been buffeted by rising costs and tumbling prices.

China urged its Asian neighbors to forge stronger financial ties in the wake of the Federal Reserve's plan to taper its stimulus package.

Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance announced that it has agreed with Thai Life to buy a 15% stake in the insurer, beating private equity firms KKR & Co, CVC Capital Partners, and Carlyle Group LP to the deal.

Mitsui CEO stated they plan to invest more in Thailand making it their base for Asean operations

AirAsia, on Wednesday, completed its IPO netting more than US$300 million.