China's $11bn canal, data center backlash dominate September

In Guangxi province, China is nearing completion of a significant $11 billion canal project. Policymakers hope this infrastructure development will stimulate economic growth in the southern region and neighboring inland provinces, underscoring China's increasing focus on Southeast Asia.

Beijing has also implemented sweeping new entry and exit rules that explicitly tie border control to national security concerns, tightening its legal framework for managing who can enter and leave the country.

Across Asia, a boom in data center development is fueling public backlash. In Moss Vale, Australia, residents expressed opposition to a proposed gas-fired power plant intended to support data center operations, highlighting growing environmental and community concerns.

Meanwhile, the Musk family's activities in China have drawn attention. Maye Musk, mother of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, made her second visit to the country in less than five months, amidst speculation about the electric vehicle maker's plans.

Geopolitically, Chinese President Xi Jinping's decision to skip the UN General Assembly during his visit to the U.S. was interpreted as a deliberate move to project China as an equal to its rival, the United States.

The collection also included a piece on the enduring old-school coffee culture in Medan, Indonesia.