What's in this episode:

• Spain’s King Felipe visits China, focusing on Spanish ham exports (up 8% to $700M this year).
• TOP BIT: Burger King’s XXL China Expansion
  • JV: Burger King forms a joint venture with Chinese investor CPE.
  • Investment: CPE is injecting $350 million USD into “Burger King China.”
  • Goal: Expand from 1,250 to over 4,000 stores by 2035 (McDonald's aims for 10,000 by 2028).
  • Strategy: Local adaptation with healthier, regional menus to align with "Healthy China 2030."
  • Highlights: Asia starts the week strong on hopes for an end to the U.S. government shutdown.
• NUMBER OF THE DAY: $3.1 Billion USD
  • Total investment for four newly approved data center projects in Thailand.
  • Includes an 84-MW facility by DAMAC Digital ($731M) and a 200-MW hyperscale facility ($1.5B).
  • Thailand seeks to become a new regional data hub, reviving $9.2 billion in frozen projects.
• MARKET BIT: Japan’s M&A Momentum
  • Record Year 2025: $33 billion USD in closed deals in nine months (up 80% YoY).
  • Drivers: Corporate governance reforms by the Tokyo Stock Exchange push for capital returns, fueling carve-outs and spin-offs.
  • Private Credit: Japan’s private credit market is projected to grow 34% within three years.
• HEAD OF THE DAY: Maggie Kang
  • Mastermind behind KPop Demon Hunters, Netflix’s most successful English-language film and the first Western animated franchise to center Korean culture.
  • The film has 250M+ streams and a $19.2M USD opening weekend, demonstrating cultural bridge-building as a profitable model.
• Short News:
  • EU plans network ban on Huawei and ZTE technology in critical infrastructure over espionage concerns.
  • Japan and China clash over Taiwan after Japanese PM calls attack an "existential threat."
  • FBI Director Kash Patel made a secret visit to Beijing to discuss fentanyl and law enforcement cooperation.
  • South Korea: Exports hit a record $185 billion USD in Q3.

Read more on asiabits.com