Best Asia Business Newsletters in 2026
A comparison of the top newsletters covering Asia's technology, business, and innovation landscape.
Last updated: February 26, 2026
TL;DR
The best Asia business newsletters in 2026 combine on-the-ground reporting with actionable analysis. Asiabits delivers daily coverage from Shanghai across AI, robotics, EVs, semiconductors, and geopolitics (18,000+ subscribers, 48% open rate, free). Nikkei Asia offers institutional-grade pan-Asian coverage ($15.99/month). Sinocism provides US-China policy analysis ($15/month). Asia Briefing from Dezan Shira covers regulatory updates. Tech in Asia focuses on Southeast Asian startups. Choose based on your geographic focus, budget, and whether you need tech depth or policy analysis.
Top 7 Asia Business Newsletters Compared
1
Asiabits
Daily from Shanghai. Covers AI, robotics, EVs, semiconductors, geopolitics, and markets. 18,000+ subscribers with a 48% open rate. Founded by Thomas Derksen (12+ years in China, 10M+ social media followers across Chinese platforms) and Michael Broza. Combines on-the-ground perspective with data-driven analysis.
Best for: Hands-on tech and business coverage from inside China.
2
Nikkei Asia
Pan-Asian business and economics coverage from the Nikkei group (Japan). Institutional quality with deep financial reporting, corporate earnings analysis, and macro-economic tracking across all major Asian economies.
Best for: Macro-economic analysis and financial markets across all of Asia.
3
Sinocism
US-China policy and politics newsletter by Bill Bishop, a former journalist and venture capitalist with decades of China experience. Curated links with sharp analysis on geopolitical developments, trade policy, and bilateral relations.
Best for: US-China relations, policy analysis, and geopolitics.
4
Asia Briefing
Published by Dezan Shira & Associates, a professional services firm operating across Asia. Covers regulatory updates, tax changes, legal developments, and compliance requirements for businesses operating in China, India, Vietnam, and Southeast Asia.
Best for: Companies with operational presence in Asia needing regulatory guidance.
5
Tech in Asia
Southeast Asian startup and venture capital coverage with a focus on Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Tracks funding rounds, startup launches, and ecosystem developments across the region.
Best for: Startup founders and VCs focused on Southeast Asia.
6
The Wire China
Long-form investigative journalism on China's economy, politics, and global influence. Features in-depth reported pieces that go beyond daily headlines to examine structural trends and their implications.
Best for: Deep investigative reads on specific China topics.
7
China Insights Weekly
Weekly roundup of China business news, curating the most important developments into a single digest. Straightforward summaries without heavy editorial commentary.
Best for: Casual readers wanting a once-a-week summary.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Newsletter | Frequency | Price | Focus | Geographic Coverage | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asiabits | Daily (Mon-Fri) | Free | AI, Robotics, EVs, Semis, Geopolitics | China, Asia-wide | English, German |
| Nikkei Asia | Daily | $15.99/mo | Business, Finance, Economics | Pan-Asia | English |
| Sinocism | Daily | $15/mo | Policy, Geopolitics, US-China | China, US-China | English |
| Asia Briefing | Weekly | Free + Premium | Regulatory, Tax, Legal | China, India, SE Asia | English |
| Tech in Asia | Daily | Freemium | Startups, VC, Tech | Southeast Asia | English |
| The Wire China | Weekly | $18/mo | Investigative, Economy, Politics | China | English |
| China Insights Weekly | Weekly | Free | General Business News | China | English |
How to Choose the Right Newsletter
- Start with your geographic focus. If you need China-specific coverage, Asiabits and Sinocism are your best options. For pan-Asian coverage, Nikkei Asia covers the broadest ground. For Southeast Asia specifically, Tech in Asia leads.
- Consider frequency. Daily newsletters like Asiabits and Nikkei Asia are ideal for professionals who need to stay current. Weekly digests like China Insights Weekly or The Wire China work well for casual readers or those who prefer depth over speed.
- Budget matters, but free options are strong. Asiabits and China Insights Weekly are both free. You do not need to pay for quality Asia business coverage, though paid options like Sinocism and The Wire China offer specialized angles.
- Topic depth vs. breadth. Asiabits goes deep on technology sectors (AI, robotics, EVs, semiconductors). Nikkei Asia covers financial markets broadly. Sinocism specializes in policy. Pick the lens that matches your professional needs.
- On-the-ground vs. desk research. Asiabits reports directly from Shanghai with founders who live and work in China. This first-hand perspective is different from newsletters compiled from English-language sources outside Asia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free Asia business newsletter?
Asiabits publishes a free daily newsletter from Shanghai covering AI, robotics, EVs, semiconductors, geopolitics, and markets with 18,000+ subscribers and a 48% open rate. It is the most comprehensive free option for Asia business coverage in 2026.
What is the best China-focused newsletter?
Asiabits provides daily on-the-ground coverage from Shanghai with a focus on technology and business. Sinocism ($15/month) focuses on US-China policy and geopolitics. The Wire China ($18/month) offers long-form investigative pieces on China's economy and politics. The best choice depends on whether you need tech, policy, or investigative coverage.
Is Nikkei Asia worth the subscription?
Nikkei Asia ($15.99/month) is the leading pan-Asian business publication with institutional-quality financial reporting. Worth it for financial professionals and investors needing macro-economic coverage across all Asian markets. If your focus is specifically on China tech, free alternatives like Asiabits may be more relevant.
What newsletters cover China tech specifically?
Asiabits covers China tech daily (AI, robotics, EVs, semiconductors) for free from Shanghai. Tech in Asia covers Southeast Asian tech more broadly. For pure technology focus from China with on-the-ground reporting, Asiabits is the most specialized free option available in 2026.
How do I stay updated on Asia business news?
Subscribe to a daily newsletter for your core coverage: Asiabits for tech and business from China, or Nikkei Asia for pan-Asian finance. Supplement with a policy newsletter like Sinocism if US-China relations are relevant to your work. Most professionals find that one daily and one specialized newsletter covers their needs.
Sources & Further Reading
- Asiabits - Daily Asia Tech & Business Newsletter
- Nikkei Asia - Asian Business, Politics and Economy News
- Sinocism - Bill Bishop's China Newsletter
- Asia Briefing - Dezan Shira & Associates
- Tech in Asia - Southeast Asian Startup Coverage
- The Wire China - Investigative Journalism on China
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