The world's population is likely to peak in the next 60 years and nowhere is this trend felt more than Asia, with countries such as South Korea and Japan registering some of the lowest birth rates and oldest populations.

Wei Li, Global Chief Investment Strategist at BlackRock, discusses the role demographics plays in investing and why it may be the most important megatrend. She joins John Lee of Bloomberg Intelligence and Katia Dmitrieva of Bloomberg News on the Asia Centric podcast.

The world's population is likely to peak in the next 60 years and nowhere is this trend felt more than Asia, with countries such as South Korea and Japan registering some of the lowest birth rates and oldest populations.
Wei Li, Global Chief Investment Strategist at BlackRock, discusses the role demographics plays in investing and why it may be the most important megatrend. She joins John Lee of Bloomberg Intelligence and Katia Dmitrieva of Bloomberg News on the Asia Centric podcast.

Some of the world's largest and fastest-growing markets, economies and companies are in Asia. Every Thursday, John Lee from Bloomberg Intelligence speaks with experts and newsmakers about the big ideas and trends moving money across the region.

Some of the world's largest and fastest-growing markets, economies and companies are in Asia. Every Thursday, John Lee from Bloomberg Intelligence speaks with experts and newsmakers about the big ideas and trends moving money across the region.

Asia Centric by Bloomberg Intelligence

BlackRock's Wei Li on the Demographic Megatrend

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/9506051a-d0fc-4a18-89ee-b1f8005ef182/transcript

China has long relied on massive infrastructure spending and an unstoppable export engine, leading to a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus last year. However, this investment-heavy strategy is testing its limits as global trading partners increasingly push back, making Beijing's transition toward a consumption-based economy more critical than ever.

But how achievable is this transition, and how long will it take? Hao Hong, Chief Economist and Chief Investment Officer at Lotus Asset Management, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to weigh in. He also breaks down the current regime shift in raw materials, explaining why the global economy is entering a new commodity supercycle driven by Western supply chain investments, AI infrastructure demands and a decade of severe industry underinvestment.

China has long relied on massive infrastructure spending and an unstoppable export engine, leading to a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus last year. However, this investment-heavy strategy is testing its limits as global trading partners increasingly push back, making Beijing's transition toward a consumption-based economy more critical than ever.
But how achievable is this transition, and how long will it take? Hao Hong, Chief Economist and Chief Investment Officer at Lotus Asset Management, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to weigh in. He also breaks down the current regime shift in raw materials, explaining why the global economy is entering a new commodity supercycle driven by Western supply chain investments, AI infrastructure demands and a decade of severe industry underinvestment.

Can China Pivot to Consumption-Led Growth? 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0bff4c74-91b9-48db-aba4-b40a0039a4e7/transcript

Opportunities in fixed income are the best in over a decade, according to BlackRock. Investors can now build a 6% yielding portfolio without taking on the substantial credit or long-duration risks required in the past. Meanwhile, central bank policies have become desynchronized globally, creating a unique environment where Asian local bonds are negatively correlated to US debt. This wide dispersion in rates is creating unprecedented opportunities for investors to diversify portfolios and differentiate returns.

Navin Saigal, head of global fixed income, Asia Pacific at BlackRock, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. He discusses how the AI and tech revolution is driving productivity gains and high GDP growth alongside a net-negative job environment — a dynamic that could put a dampener on global inflation. Saigal also explains why Asian local bonds remain among the most compelling, yet under-owned, diversification opportunities in the market today.

Opportunities in fixed income are the best in over a decade, according to BlackRock. Investors can now build a 6% yielding portfolio without taking on the substantial credit or long-duration risks required in the past. Meanwhile, central bank policies have become desynchronized globally, creating a unique environment where Asian local bonds are negatively correlated to US debt. This wide dispersion in rates is creating unprecedented opportunities for investors to diversify portfolios and differentiate returns.
Navin Saigal, head of global fixed income, Asia Pacific at BlackRock, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast. He discusses how the AI and tech revolution is driving productivity gains and high GDP growth alongside a net-negative job environment &mdash; a dynamic that could put a dampener on global inflation. Saigal also explains why Asian local bonds remain among the most compelling, yet under-owned, diversification opportunities in the market today.

Fixed Income Enters A Golden Age, Says BlackRock

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/501c15e8-c940-45e6-b77d-b4030078eb0c/transcript

The US dollar is under pressure again as shifting geopolitical risks – from uncertain tariff policies to the Greenland controversy – drive a renewed case for currency diversification and weigh heavily on the greenback. This is being compounded by a widening global policy rift: the Federal Reserve remains on track for multiple rate cuts this year, while other central banks, including Australia and Japan, move in the opposite direction.

Is the 15-year dollar bull market officially over? Audrey Childe-Freeman, Chief FX Strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to unpack the dollar’s recent trajectory. She also discusses why the Swiss franc, euro, Australian dollar, and gold have strong tailwinds in 2026.

The US dollar is under pressure again as shifting geopolitical risks &ndash; from uncertain tariff policies to the Greenland controversy &ndash; drive a renewed case for currency diversification and weigh heavily on the greenback. This is being compounded by a widening global policy rift: the Federal Reserve remains on track for multiple rate cuts this year, while other central banks, including Australia and Japan, move in the opposite direction.
Is the 15-year dollar bull market officially over? Audrey Childe-Freeman, Chief FX Strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence, joins John Lee on the Asia Centric podcast to unpack the dollar&rsquo;s recent trajectory. She also discusses why the Swiss franc, euro, Australian dollar, and gold have strong tailwinds in 2026.

Geopolitical Risks Are Sinking The Dollar Again

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b4199f44-4739-43b1-90d9-b3fc00c6ae13/transcript

BlackRock's Wei Li on the Demographic Megatrend

Asia Centric by Bloomberg Intelligence

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