Xi in North Korea, FIFA World Cup, India inflation data
Welcome to Your Week in Asia.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will head to North Korea for the first time since 2019, at the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Xi has in recent months hosted foreign leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting Beijing’s ambition to exert global influence.
The FIFA World Cup begins, having already generated controversy due to high ticket prices and questions over the involvement of Iran in the wake of the attack on the country by co-host the U.S. Several Asian teams will be vying for glory, but broadcasters in the region have pushed back against soaring rights fees because of late kick-off times and changing viewing habits. Still, Chinese tech company Lenovo is hoping its sponsorship will showcase its artificial intelligence systems to a global audience.
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MONDAY
Xi visits North Korea
Xi begins a two-day visit to North Korea as Beijing and Pyongyang step up trade and exchanges ahead of the 65th anniversary of their bilateral ties.
Data: Japan revised gross domestic product
TUESDAY
China trade data
China releases its latest trade statistics for May. The country’s exports beat forecasts in April despite global economic disruptions stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, but the outlook remains uncertain.
Data: South Korea revised GDP
WEDNESDAY
Nikkei Future of Asia
Nikkei will host its annual Future of Asia conference over two days. Heads of state and ministers from Asian countries from Malaysia to Timor-Leste to Mongolia will gather in Tokyo for the event and give their takes on the rapidly evolving global geopolitical and economic landscape in the region.
Data: China inflation
THURSDAY
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup kicks off as co-hosts Mexico take to the field to take on South Africa in Mexico City. The tournament, which is also being hosted by the U.S. and Canada, will see Asia-Pacific nations Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Uzbekistan compete for the iconic golden trophy, although none of them are favorites. The final will be played on July 19 in New Jersey.
HKEX Future Tech Summit
Hong Kong’s stock exchange, which has seen a boom in listings by mainland Chinese companies, holds a forum in Shenzhen. Key topics on the agenda include new energy systems, AI and tech companies’ global expansion.
Japanese chamber of commerce in China white paper
A white paper will give Japanese companies’ perspective on China and business conditions in the world’s second-largest economy. The report comes appears against the backdrop of diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks last November about a hypothetical Taiwan crisis.
Monetary policy: Turkey
FRIDAY
India inflation data
India is set to release inflation data, with the number expected to edge up due to the Iran war. Though India’s Finance Ministry said last month that retail inflation could soar on the back of fuel price hikes and a potentially weak monsoon, an eye-popping rise would put the spotlight on personal consumption and the potential fallout for the Indian economy.
