This month US President President Joe Biden landed in the region, while India's Adani Ports and Israeli partner Gadot agreed to buy Haifa port for 4.1 billion shekels ($1.18 billion).

Beijing and the EU hold economic, trade talks amid tension over issues including the war in Ukraine, Xinjiang and an as yet unratified investment deal

China markets seen as unlikely to attract new inflows till economy stabilises, as trade tensions, regulatory crackdowns and Covid lockdowns have hurt confidence and earnings

Tong Lee Seung Industrial Development gained permission to excavate 3 square kilometres in Xieng Khouang province’s Phaxay district

The country has “extremely strict” standards for issuing permits for prospecting for minerals, it said, so companies and individuals that do this without a permit risk being detained.