Country Risk Rating

North Korea's diplomatic tactics of delay and obfuscation are so far proving a success in helping the Stalinist state to avoid coming clean about its nuclear weapons, but the danger... 2004-04-16

The incumbent, President Chen Shui-bian, has been re-elected as president in Taiwan in highly controversial elections, by a slim majority of just 30,000 votes. The day before the... 2004-03-25

South Korea's ability to pass laws and function effectively as a polity will grind to a halt if President Roh Moo-hyun remains in political limbo (after being impeached in March);... 2004-03-23

North Korea is at risk of losing the diplomatic goodwill it takes for granted from South Korea if politicians in Pyongyang continue to seize on the current political ups and downs... 2004-03-22

The Chinese foreign ministry has warned the US government against involving itself in the political future of Hong Kong. The caution came after a senior US State Department official... 2004-03-22

China has appointed Bo Xilai as new commerce minister, to replace Lu Fuyuan, who has resigned for health reasons. Until his appointment, Bo was governor of the northeastern province... 2004-03-22

South Korean politics, rather than economics, is perhaps the biggest source of risk for any potential investor in the country at present. Bribery allegations continue to ensnare both... 2004-02-24

The Chinese government concluded three days of talks with a Hong Kong government task force about constitution change in the former British colony in mid-February. In a statement... 2004-02-23

Taiwan's presidential election will be held on March 20 2004. The result is expected to be extremely close with opinion polls showing the incumbent President Chen Shui-bian of the... 2004-02-23

Amid rising levels of social discontent in China's poor rural hinterlands, the Chinese government has announced a major increase in government spending for the poor rural areas. The... 2004-02-23