A Tibetan mastiff dog is displayed for sale at a mastiff show in Baoding, Hebei province, south of Beijing on March 9, 2013. Fetching prices up to around 750,000 USD, mastiffs have become a prized status-symbol amongst China's wealthy, with rich buyers across the country sending prices skyrocketing. Owners say the mastiffs, descendents of dogs used for hunting by nomadic tribes in central Asia and Tibet are fiercely loyal and protective. Breeders still travel to the Himalayan plateau to collect young puppies, although many are unable to adjust to the low altitudes and die during the journey. (Photo by Ed Jones/AFP Photo)

A large sand sculpture is seen at the site of Yokohama Sand Art Exhibition – Culture City of East Asia 2014 on July 16, 2014 in Yokohama, Japan. Producer and sand sculptor Katsuhiko Chaen invited artists from around the world including South Korea and China, to recreate the World Heritage and historical buildings in China, Japan and South Korea. The exhibition will be open from July 19 to November 3, 2014. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Children beg for alms in a street on August 11, 2014 in Manila, Philippines. The Philippines has one of the fastest growing populations in Southeast Asia with around 100 million people. At least 12 million people live in the capital city of Manila alone, making it one of the most densely populated and largest cities in the world. Lack of space and economic opportunities has pushed around four million people to live informally along waterways, bridges and even cemeteries further straining the already weak infrastructure and straining the resources of the city. (Photo by Dondi Tawatao/Getty Images)

A greater bird of paradise (Paradisaea apoda) displaying in Badigaki Forest, Wokam Island (Aru Islands, Indonesia). Found here in Aru and on adjacent New Guinea, the greater bird of paradise represents about 40 different species of birds of paradise that depend on intact rainforest across the New Guinea region spanning eastern Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. With more than 80% of forest cover still intact, this region represents the largest remaining block of rainforest in the entire Asia-Pacific. (Photo by Tim Laman/naturepl.com/LDY Agency)

A dog poses in traditional Chinese dress on Yaowarat Road in Chinatown on the eve of Lunar New Year on January 20, 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand. The Chinese diaspora of Southeast Asia is celebrating a lively Lunar New Year as COVID-19 restrictions have been removed. It is traditionally a time for people to meet their relatives and take part in celebrations with families. In Thailand, which has a sizeable population of Chinese lineage, people gather with family and celebrate with feasts and visits to temples. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)

Actress Oh In-Hae and director Ahn Sang-Su arrives for the opening ceremony of the 16th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) during the press conference at the Busan Cinema Center on October 6, 2011 in Busan, South Korea. The biggest film festival in Asia showcases 307 films from 70 countries and runs from October 6-14. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Dragon boat racers prepare for the fancy dress race on July 5, 2015 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Carnival will be staged from 3 July 2015 (Friday) to 5 July 2015 (Sunday). The carnival featured two key programmes: the CCB (Asia) Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races in Victoria Harbour and the San Miguel BeerFest at the UC Centenary Garden in East Tsim Sha Tsui. (Photo by Taylor Weidman/Getty Images for Hong Kong Images)