Asia Centric by Bloomberg Intelligence

Esther Wong, founder of 3C AGI Partners and former managing director at SenseTime, dives into AI's transformative potential in venture capital. She explores why Asia is the ideal ground for AI innovation, highlighting investment opportunities in Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore. The conversation addresses sustainability challenges in AI and the geopolitical risks affecting investments, especially in China. Wong also shares her insights on future technologies, including the intriguing concept of data centers in space.

South Korea's short-lived martial law and impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol has shocked the world and crushed confidence in Asia's fourth-largest economy. Even before these events, the country was suffering from sluggish economic growth combined with the worst-performing stock market and currency in the region throughout 2024. What's next for South Korea's political process and what will it take to revive its financial markets? Hyosung Kwon, an economist at Bloomberg Economics in Seoul, joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva to discuss the political and economic risks that lie ahead for South Korea.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's that time of year when we look to what the next 12 months have in store. Currencies are set to weaken against a strong dollar, so which ones may provide a degree of safety? Equities outperformed in 2024 but tariffs hang over trade-sensitive countries and the tech and AI sectors may have peaked. Where can investors find the most value? And geopolitical risk and a new US-China trade war have yet to be fully priced into the market, so what does that mean for credit? Asia Centric convenes a panel of Bloomberg Intelligence analysts to preview 2025. Joining hosts John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva this week are Stephen Chiu, chief Asia FX and rates strategist, Marvin Chen, senior equity strategist, and senior credit strategist Timothy Tan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hong Kong nightlife isn't what it used to be, with fewer revelers spending less than in the pre-pandemic boom – indicative, perhaps, of wider political and demographic changes taking place in the city. Yet entertainment and property mogul Allan Zeman – known as the “father of Lan Kwai Fong” after the bar area he established in the 1980s – remains upbeat and optimistic. Despite business being slower and rents lower, he welcomes the influx of mainland visitors as new tenants adapt to the changes. For Zeman, Hong Kong is far from over. He joins hosts John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast to discuss Hong Kong’s changing landscape. Patrick Wong, senior property analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, also outlines the challenges facing office landlords and luxury retailers – and reveals who stands to gain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President-elect Donald Trump is already providing a preview of what's to come for US-China relations when he enters the White House, appointing several China hawks to his team and vowing to impose additional tariffs. Stephen Roach, economist and former chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia, believes the world should take Trump at his word over tariff threats and that it signals his second term could be more contentious than the first.Roach also defends his controversial comments earlier this year that "Hong Kong is over" as ties with the mainland strengthen and the economy remains weak. He joins John Lee and Katia Dmitrieva on the Asia Centric podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ivy Ng, APAC Chief Investment Officer at DWS Group, shares her insights on the Asia-Pacific real estate landscape. She discusses how falling interest rates may revive M&A activity in the sector. Ng highlights the contrasting conditions in markets like Australia and Singapore versus the challenges in Hong Kong. She also analyzes China's property market, noting the limited effectiveness of government stimulus and high inventory levels. With optimism, she suggests the worst may be over for real estate investments in the region.

Tom Orlik, chief economist at Bloomberg Economics and author of "China, The Bubble That Never Pops," discusses the implications of Donald Trump's election on trade dynamics and US-China relations. He delves into the complexities of imposing tariffs on Chinese imports and their potential economic fallout for both nations. Orlik also examines the Federal Reserve's independence amid political pressures, shedding light on how these dynamics could shape future economic policies. The conversation hints at a possible US-China standoff with significant repercussions for the global economy.

Food trends across Asia are shifting rapidly with declining populations, wealthier consumers eating more meat and climate change upending supply and prices. China is set to be overtaken by India as the world's number one driver of food demand, according to the UN, further shifting the picture. Darin Friedrichs, co-founder of Sitonia Consulting, speaks with Bloomberg Intelligence's John Lee and Bloomberg News' Asia economics correspondent Katia Dmitrieva about how best to navigate the changes to come.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weijian Shan, Executive Chairman of PAG and a veteran investor, shares his insights on China's economic landscape. He highlights the potential for further stimulus measures and the shift towards consumer-driven growth. Shan discusses the challenges facing China's property market and the need for ongoing support. He also reflects on his journey from the Cultural Revolution to the forefront of private equity, revealing lucrative investment opportunities in Asia, particularly Japan. His perspectives on economic resilience are both enlightening and thought-provoking.

Reports of active management's demise have been greatly exaggerated. Active continues to grow and evolve in ETFs while mutual funds prosper and define benefit plans. Bloomberg Intelligence strategy team uncover active opportunities and glean insights from active managers and those who cover the industry. Listen to Inside Active by Bloomberg Intelligence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.