Iran picks new president, China lawmaking body meets, Vietnam GDP
Welcome to Your Week in Asia.
Iran picks a new president this week and Mongolians head to the polls for parliamentary elections, with corruption-busting policies high on the agenda.
After its own election wrapped up this month, India kicks off a new session of parliament. China's top legislative body meets in Beijing, while in Washington, the U.S., Japan and South Korea hold their first industry minister talks. Automaker Geely reports earnings on Friday.
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This is an adapted version of Nikkei Asia’s Your Week in Asia newsletter - a briefing of the most important business, economic and political events happening across Asia this week. Register to our full selection of newsletters.
MONDAY
India's parliament restarts
India begins a new session of parliament after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a third term in power following June elections, although without the sole majority it held for a decade.
Chinese developers in court
Chinese property developers Kaisa Group Holdings and Shimao face court proceedings in Hong Kong this week over wind-up petitions, amid the country's relentless real estate crisis. Kaisa's hearing is scheduled for Monday, while Shimao's is set for Wednesday.
TUESDAY
Davos in Dalian
The World Economic Forum's "Summer Davos" conference opens in Dalian, China. Around 1,500 business leaders and other luminaries will gather to discuss the global economy's prospects, AI, climate change and other topics.
China's top lawmaking body meets
The National People's Congress Standing Committee convenes in Beijing for a four-day session. China's top legislative body has 10 bills on its agenda, including one that has raised eyebrows for seeking to ban behavior and clothing that "hurts the feelings" of the Chinese people. Amendments are expected.
Sony AGM
Sony Group holds its annual shareholders meeting with possible acquisition deals grabbing headlines. In mid-June, Sony Pictures Entertainment acquired U.S. theater chain Alamo Drafthouse, while media reports have said that the company is in talks to buy American film and television giant Paramount.
Chinese lunar probe
China's Chang'e 6 lunar probe is due to return to Earth carrying the first samples ever collected from the far side of the moon. The completion of the mission, if it goes according to plan, will mark another leap for an accelerating Chinese space program that is giving the U.S. a run for its money.
WEDNESDAY
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U.S., Japan, South Korea hold first industry minister talks
The U.S., Japan and South Korea hold their first trilateral industry ministers' meeting in Washington, where they reportedly plan to confirm cooperation on technology development to counter China and Russia. The gathering comes as leaders of the three nations have reached agreement to hold regular industrial ministerial meetings during the Camp David summit in August.
THURSDAY
U.S. presidential debate
U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will face off in the first debate of the 2024 presidential election in Atlanta. The 90-minute event will take place in a studio with no audience. The candidates' microphones will be muted throughout the program except for when it's their turn to speak.
Monetary Policy: Turkey, Philippines
FRIDAY
Iran picks new president
Iran holds its presidential election after the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter accident. Hardline parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf is among the front runners for the job.
Mongolians head to the polls
Mongolia holds its first election under a new system that includes the expansion of parliament, to 126 seats from 76. The parliament chairman, Gombojav Zandanshatar, recently told a Nikkei forum that "significant policy and legal reforms are underway to eliminate corruption, strengthen the rule of law, and ensure transparency."
Earnings: Geely Automobile Holdings
SATURDAY
Vietnam's economy
Vietnam is slated to release gross domestic product data for the second quarter and first half of 2024. The post-COVID recovery is dragging on, as the currency and domestic consumption remain weak, though imports and exports have risen and foreign investment into the supply-chain hub has maintained momentum.
SUNDAY
China factory activity
China releases its purchasing managers' index data for June, providing the latest snapshot of factory activity amid tensions over what the West considers its industrial "overcapacity."
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