tensions rise again between beijing and taipei, eventually speaking investors in the region. we will have the latest. and as the easter weekend wraps up, special look into how staff shortages are still hitting the tourism sector. hello and welcome to asia business report. i'm karishma vaswani. ourtop business report. i'm karishma vaswani. our top story, investors are only welder waking up to new of an escalation in tensions between china and taiwan. over the weekend china's military has been simulating attacks on the

self—willed island of taiwan. this comes after a meeting between the taiwanese president and the house speaker kevin mccarthy in california last week. the sentence, as the international monetary warns of severe weakness in the global economy over the next half a decor —— have other decade. the outlook for economic growth in the next five years is the weakest in a while. earlier i spoke with peter mwai, chief executive of xm australia. he told me situations like these are when investors may look to rebalance their portfolios. well, they look at escalation, they look at rhetoric, they look at market interpretation as far as news, and they said there and they say right, are there and they say right, are there other opportunities? are there other opportunities? are there certain sectors of the market to be removed from all other markets only to be looking stronger out, be it gold or retail versus institutional or mindset, so we have a degree of concern and we just need to wear this one through of the next matter of a

week. figs through of the next matter of a week. �* , , through of the next matter of a week. a ,, ., through of the next matter of a week. a , ., ., week. as this plays out, of course. — week. as this plays out, of course. we _ week. as this plays out, of course, we have _ week. as this plays out, of course, we have had - week. as this plays out, of course, we have had the i course, we have had the international monetary fund already talking about concerns in terms of global economic outlook, warning of severe weakness, i think the phrase was that they used, particularly as countries engaged in that war in ukraine, further geopolitical concerns with what is happening between china and taiwan, when you look at their assessment, do you agree with that, do you think things are as bad as they could get? things are as bad as they could net? ~ , things are as bad as they could iet? . , ., ., get? well, they are far brighter _ get? well, they are far brighter than _ get? well, they are far brighter than i, - get? well, they are far brighter than i, and - get? well, they are far. brighter than i, and when you're looking at the collective of what they are putting together you would have to say that yes, it probably is quite worrying moving forward and these are the issues that main street are certainly worried about for inflation to geopolitical concerns across asia and whether they can be a contagion that can move very quickly to create more uncertainty, so, yes, why would have to say most majority of

traders would be worrying about that rhetoric. an? traders would be worrying about that rhetoric.— that rhetoric. any bright spot in our that rhetoric. any bright spot in your view? _ that rhetoric. any bright spot in your view? i _ that rhetoric. any bright spot in your view? i think - that rhetoric. any bright spot in your view? i think there i in your view? i think there are. i think— in your view? i think there are. i think we _ in your view? i think there are. i think we still- in your view? i think there are. i think we still have l are. i think we still have earning season in the states. we had a big rally in the upside sincei we had a big rally in the upside since ijanuary, whether upside since i january, whether that upside since ijanuary, whether that will continue and many traders are saying it is a 50-50 traders are saying it is a 50—50 split, whether we are at the end of that rate cycle with jay powell and the feds, i think there are still green shoots out there and some good signs. shoots out there and some good sins. . , ~ ., , signs. that is peter mwai is speaking — signs. that is peter mwai is speaking to _ signs. that is peter mwai is speaking to me _ signs. that is peter mwai is speaking to me a _ signs. that is peter mwai is speaking to me a little - speaking to me a little earlier. meanwhile, the chinese city of shanghai is that you hao is another tesla mega factory. in a tweet on sunday, the elect car maker's chief executive elon musk said the new facility will be capable of producing 10,000 mega back a year, a mega pack is a very large battery which stores energy. according to chinese state media, construction is expected to begin in the third quarter of this ian sadler to start production around the middle of next year. let's take a look at food prices now,

because according to the united nations was latest index, international food commodity prices dipped for the 12th consecutive month in march. the index, which was released on friday, had reached used demand and the extension of the black sea grain demand as reasons. an analyst from the economist intelligence unit told me there are economies in asia that are still dealing with sticky inflation.— still dealing with sticky inflation. , . ., , inflation. yes, the countries that have — inflation. yes, the countries that have seen _ inflation. yes, the countries that have seen sticky - inflation. yes, the countries i that have seen sticky inflation are the likes of the philippines and singapore into certain extentjapan. and philippines and singapore into certain extent japan. and that has to do with, you know, what is the idiosyncrasy of those economies, not the full price trend normally.— economies, not the full price trend normally. how has china's reapening. _ trend normally. how has china's reapening. do — trend normally. how has china's reopening, do you _ trend normally. how has china's reopening, do you think, - reopening, do you think, affected food prices in asia, is it driving up consumption,

is it driving up consumption, is it driving up consumption, is it putting pressure on prices? is it putting pressure on rices? ., , ~ . �* prices? not yet. we haven't really seen _ prices? not yet. we haven't really seen that _ prices? not yet. we haven't really seen that affect - prices? not yet. we haven't really seen that affect veryl really seen that affect very obvious. like i say, in some countries inflation numbers of come down quite significantly, for example thailand, the overall inflation is now in the central bank's target range, the latest one in march, and that was a surprise to us. there is a combination of things, it depends on the inflation index and also the subsidies and the bottleneck on the distribution network in that country. if it's not as efficient and inflation tends to be more sticky. and injapan there is widespread expectation for higher wage growth and i think the expectation of higher wage growth sometimes leads to, you know, businesses adjusting prices in anticipation of higher wages and higher earning

power. higher wages and higher earning ower. ~ ., ., ., power. well now, time for a few ofthe power. well now, time for a few of the other— power. well now, time for a few of the other things _ power. well now, time for a few of the other things we _ power. well now, time for a few of the other things we are - of the other things we are watching on the economic calendarfor watching on the economic calendar for you this week. on tuesday will find out if the bank of korea will keep interest rates steady when it holds its monetary policy meeting. the south korean central bank kept rates on hold last month, pausing a tightening cycle that started in august of 2021. now, mid week we will be getting a read on us inflation for the month of march. we will also be looking out for minutes from the us federal reserve's meeting last month. that was when it hiked the cost of borrowing by another 25 basis points, despite talks of a possible pause. lots of investors worried about sentiment when it comes to the us fed right now, because, of course, they are weighing whether or not the us fed will continue to raise rates and thatis continue to raise rates and

that is making global sentiment certainly something on the minds of investors. despite the increased cost of living, many people have been enjoying days out and short trips this easter weekend. but many of the hospitality businesses they are visiting in the uk are suffering from severe staff shortages more than a year after the end of pandemic restrictions. peter ruddick has more. these hands started the debt this morning at 6:30am but there was already an hour ahead of that doing menus ahead of that. so, easter holidays, fun, fun, fun. that. so, easter holidays, fun, fun. fun-— fun, fun. the owner has given more than _ fun, fun. the owner has given more than just _ fun, fun. the owner has given more than just her— fun, fun. the owner has given more than just her name - fun, fun. the owner has given more than just her name to i fun, fun. the owner has given l more than just her name to the business, staff shortages means she is having to fill many of the recent roles herself. irate the recent roles herself. we drove nobody _ the recent roles herself. - drove nobody available. it has got worse, no question, 100%. we have always offered above minimum wage, we have offered apprenticeships, we have offered alternate weekends off,

so if you were weekends working, we've offered for me to do the shipping on evenings so they can have evenings of, we're still not even candidates apply. we're still not even candidates a. .l _ ., we're still not even candidates a- -l . ., ., , we're still not even candidates a--l. ., ., ., apply. not even any candidates? no, not apply. not even any candidates? no. not even _ apply. not even any candidates? no, not even any _ apply. not even any candidates? no, not even any candidates. - no, not even any candidates. money beautiful and busy easter weekend, it is a familiar story was nationally, there are more than 140,000 vacancies in hotels and restaurants like this. but the issue is particularly challenging here in the lakes where there are problems with affordable housing and public transport. it means operators are having to come up with pretty innovative solutions. we've got a blend of _ innovative solutions. we've got a blend of accommodation - innovative solutions. we've got a blend of accommodation in i innovative solutions. we've got. a blend of accommodation in the hotel. ,, ., , a blend of accommodation in the hotel, ,, ., , ., a blend of accommodation in the hotel. ,, ., , ., , hotel. stop on the south shores of windermere _ hotel. stop on the south shores of windermere is _ hotel. stop on the south shores of windermere is not _ hotel. stop on the south shores of windermere is not just - of windermere is notjust tourists spending the night in the leg side hotel. we tourists spending the night in the leg side hotel.— tourists spending the night in the leg side hotel. we have to be creative, _ the leg side hotel. we have to be creative, we _ the leg side hotel. we have to be creative, we are _ the leg side hotel. we have to be creative, we are fortunate l be creative, we are fortunate that we do have some live—in accommodation, some here at the hotel and other accommodation in the local town, so we have an advantage. we also provide

transport ourselves to bring people from other areas, we have three minibuses, they are constantly backwards and co nsta ntly backwards a nd forwards, constantly backwards and forwards, from seven o'clock in the morning right through till midnight. the cost annually for that for the businesses on the ground hundred £20,000. the heapitality _ ground hundred £20,000. the hospitality industry is calling for short—term immigration reform to allow businesses to fill roles from overseas. however, the government wants employers to make jobs however, the government wants employers to makejobs more attractive to the local workforce.— attractive to the local workforce. ., workforce. we look to the complete _ workforce. we look to the complete package - workforce. we look to the complete package of- workforce. we look to the i complete package of rewards workforce. we look to the - complete package of rewards and benefits and introduced 50 cents discounts, we have long service awards, appreciation was, staff parties. 50 service awards, appreciation was, staff parties.— was, staff parties. so that is all in the — was, staff parties. so that is all in the short _ was, staff parties. so that is all in the short term, - was, staff parties. so that is all in the short term, what l all in the short term, what about in the long—term, keeping people in the company? that about in the long-term, keeping people in the company?- people in the company? that is where our _ people in the company? that is where our development - where our development programmes come in and rather than spending a lot of money on entry—level, we will train teams up so that we have got the tools to develop a career in our industry.—

in our industry. for maria's hotel group _ in our industry. for maria's hotel group that _ in our industry. for maria's hotel group that focuses i in our industry. for maria's - hotel group that focuses paying off. it hotel group that focuses paying off. . , �* hotel group that focuses paying off. ., , �* , ., off. it wasn't my initial career _ off. it wasn't my initial career choice, - off. it wasn't my initial career choice, i - off. it wasn't my initial| career choice, i wanted off. it wasn't my initial. career choice, i wanted to off. it wasn't my initial- career choice, i wanted to be in information and technology and i moved into catering. and i'm glad i did, because it has changed my health and aspects in life and now i've got a career. in life and now i've got a career-— in life and now i've got a career. ~ ., ., ., career. what works for the bi est career. what works for the biggest businesses, - career. what works for the i biggest businesses, though, career. what works for the - biggest businesses, though, is not an option for everyone. we were able _ not an option for everyone. we were able to — not an option for everyone. - were able to take on and in turn but she came from sweden, from a ship school in sweden and she came and lived in our house, that was the only way we could get somebody. we were approached by the same people again to do it and we can't find it, we can't have someone living in a home, we have realised. living in a home, we have realised-— realised. for now, asher cookson. _ realised. for now, asher cookson, without - realised. for now, asher cookson, without more i cookson, without more cost—effective short—term solutions stuffing for small businesses like hers remains is difficult to predict as the great british weather. peter ruddick, bbc news, keswick. that is it from us. thanks so

much for watching. do so with bbc news for the latest local headlines and analysis. i'll be backin headlines and analysis. i'll be back in an hour with the business. i'm going to start here with you. fix. i'm going to start here with ou. �* , i'm going to start here with ou. ~ , , you. a student led well being workshop _ you. a student led well being workshop at _ you. a student led well being workshop at this _ you. a student led well being workshop at this school- you. a student led well being workshop at this school here | workshop at this school here being open about mental health and supporting people is a key focus, especially since the pandemic. a national school survey of 11—16 —year—olds found girls were almost twice as likely as boys to experience high levels of mental health symptoms. high levels of mental health symptoms-— high levels of mental health s mtoms. . symptoms. spending too much time on my _ symptoms. spending too much time on my phone, _ symptoms. spending too much time on my phone, but - symptoms. spending too much time on my phone, but also . time on my phone, but also doesn't have to be on screens, i find that i am impacted what has been lots of time just not doing anything. the has been lots of time 'ust not doing anythingh doing anything. the survey, which is carried _ doing anything. the survey, which is carried out - doing anything. the survey, which is carried out every i doing anything. the survey, i which is carried out every two years, found that between 2017 and 2020 one fewer teenagers

said they were exercising regularly. there was an increase in the amount you said they were looking at screens before going to bed and when it comes to diet, few were said they ate breakfast on weekdays before school stop it is hoped the findings of the latest survey will continue to influence changes in communities across wales. today we are looking at this stage of british politics stop are we to obsessed with our phones? are we to obsessed with our -hones? . are we to obsessed with our hones? ., ., , are we to obsessed with our phones?— are we to obsessed with our hones? ., ., , , ., phones? how hot is the planet auoin to phones? how hot is the planet going to get? _ phones? how hot is the planet going to get? and _ phones? how hot is the planet going to get? and we - phones? how hot is the planet going to get? and we will- going to get? and we will exlain going to get? and we will explain why _ going to get? and we will explain why prices - going to get? and we will explain why prices keep l going to get? and we will- explain why prices keep going up explain why prices keep going up and up. explain why prices keep going up and up— explain why prices keep going pp and up— explain why prices keep going up and up. also rates. did you has its own — up and up. also rates. did you has its own smell? _ up and up. also rates. did you has its own smell? the - up and up. also rates. did you has its own smell? the world | up and up. also rates. did you. has its own smell? the world is fast moving _ has its own smell? the world is fast moving and _ has its own smell? the world is fast moving and can _ has its own smell? the world is fast moving and can be - fast moving and can be confusing.— fast moving and can be confusin.. �*, ., ,, ., confusing. let's talk about it. listen on _ confusing. let's talk about it. listen on bbc— confusing. let's talk about it. listen on bbc sounds. -

some of the most interesting stories i have told the audience as they can look back to the very beginning of my career, jr reported during 9/11, that was a huge story and it was so difficult to tell, particularly because they had to interview people who had lost colleagues and loved ones in those towers in new york. moving on, the economic crisis of 2008, that was a huge story both in the uk and globally. they talked to so many people's lives had been turned upside down by the then banking crisis and subsequent economic

fallout. i was 80 presented during the covid pandemic and i was coming into work trying to convey the story to viewers who were stuck at home during lockdown not only new cable across the world, more recently i was sent to windsor to cover the funeral of prince philip, the duke of edinburgh, was there getting a real sense of loss and sadness, you know, it was a great honor for me to be sent there by the bbc to cover a story like that.

hello, i'm olly foster, here's what's coming up on sportsday. arsenal drop points at liverpool to reignite manchester city's ttile hopes what a night for the knight riders as singh smashes five 6s in a row for victory. and there's revenge for ons jabeur as she claims victory in charleston.