A long-term developing trend in Asia, according to international investing expert Yiannis Mostrous, is a rise in domestic demand within their own economies.

In Personal Finance, he looks at one favorite sector that will benefit -- wireless phone services -- and highlights two of his top choices, Chunghwa Telecom (NYSE: CHT) and China Mobile (NYSE: CHL).

"The current crisis will lead to profound changes in the global financial system. Societies in developed economies will begin to save more, while people in developing nations will begin to spend, nurturing domestic demand economies.

"The Asian economies should be able to move even closer to their ultimate economic goal: domestic demand-led economies.

"These countries have realized that factory building and manufacturing to satisfy consumer needs in the developed world can't remain their primary growtth engine.

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

A leading expert on Asia, Yiannis Mostrous looks to international bank, Standard Chartered (OTC: SCBFF) as his top pick for 2009. Here's the latest from The Silk Road Investor.

"Standard Chartered has been doing business in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East for more than 100 years.

"It's an international bank focused on retail and corporate banking and treasury activities. Although domiciled in the UK, its biggest single concentration of customers and profits is in Hong Kong.

"More than 40% of its retail income is generated by deposits and related fees. Its income streams are highly diversified, with no consumer or wholesale geography contributing more than 9% of revenues, and its loan/deposit ratio is 85%.

"The bank offers pure exposure to some of the most dynamic areas in the emerging market world and is run in a prudent manner, especially compared to most of its competition.

This post is part of a special annual report -- Top Stock Picks '09 -- in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked 75 leading newsletter advisors to select their favorite investment for the new year.

China expert Paul Goodwin selects E-House Holdings (NYSE: EJ) -- the leading real-estate firm in China -- as his favorite idea for the coming year.

The editor of The Cabot China & Emerging Markets Report explains, "In 2008, housing values in China plunged, and E-House's stock price plunged right along with them." Here, he explains why this year should see improving prospects.

"E-House is the leading real-estate firm in China, and that's becoming a bigger deal these days. The massive migration from China's farms and villages to the cities put huge pressure on housing stocks and E-House's role in providing agency and brokerage services to market new housing developments gave the company a huge boost in 2007.

"On the other hand, 2008 was a different story. A slowing Chinese economy and overvaluation caused by rampant speculation had the same effect in China as it did in the U.S. Housing values plunged, and EJ's price plunged right along with them.

"Whenever anyone asks, 'Why invest in China?' the answer is very simple: that's where the money is, and it's where exponential future economic growth is also," says Jim Trippon.

The editor of The China Stock Digest then asks, "Will China suffers an Oympic hangover?" Here, he explains why that should not happen and offers a look at China Mobile (NYSE: CHL), which he calls the "top dog" in the Chinese wireless sector.

"The Bank of China (BOC) conducted a study of the effects of 12 Olympiads on their host countries over the course of 60 years. They found that nine of the twelve Olympic host countries suffered a decline in GDP growth in the eight years after the games.

"The key to a post Olympic slump is the size of the economy. Smaller economies like Korea suffered larger downturns after the games, while larger economies like the United States were not affected at all. In smaller economies the enormous investment dedicated to staging Olympic games created an arti?cial bubble which was followed by a slump when Olympic building booms came to an end.

"China has made one of the largest investments ever in the Olympic Games with some estimates of spending topping $40 billion. But we don't believe the capital city will go into a slump after the games.

"For the next two-and-a-half weeks, almost all you'll hear in the news will be related to the 29th Olympiad in Beijing," points out Brandon Clay, who focuses on a China ETF as his latest investment idea.

In his All Star Investor newsletter, he explains, "Beyond this, in 2010, we will see the World Expo in Shanghai and the Asian Games in Guangzhou." So is now a good time to invest in China? Here's the advisor's assessment and his top pick for exposure to the region.

"China has been gearing up for the Games for the past few years. Finally, with a dozen new sports stadiums and a cross-city underground railway to ferry visitors to different venues, China will be on display to the world.

"If you've been investing internationally, you're no stranger to China. Depending on when you bought, you may either love it or hate it. For instance, in 2007 Chinese stocks rocketed up the charts 97%.

"In 2006, the gains were even more impressive at 130%! But it hasn't been all fun and games in the past two years. China peaked at the same time U.S. stocks in October 2007.

"When you own iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index (NYSE: FXI), you own the 'best-of-the-best' blue chip stocks traded in the Chinese market," explains Doug Fabian in his The ETF Trader.

"I had been waiting for what I thought would be the inevitable turnaround in Chinese stocks. Much to my dismay, that turnaround hadn't really materialized -- that is, until now.

"For the past couple of months, the value of the iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index (NYSE: FXI) has undergone a prolonged move to the downside.

"However, the recent strengthening in price has led me to believe that a short-term bottom may be in place for Chinese stocks. I now am recommending that you add the iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index to your portfolio.

"I like to say FXI is the Dow Industrials of China. This investment seeks results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 index.

"As FXI has just started to turn off of its lows, I think it has a strong possibility of moving up another 5%-to-10% from here. Make the move into FXI and jump on that fast train to China. We also note that the iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index just underwent a 3-for-1 share split."

Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers the latest market commentary and favorite investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

"Growth investors can hitch their portfolio to any number of Asian stars; I think one big winner is going to be China Mobile (NYSE: CHL)," says Tony Sagami in his specialized Asia Stock Alert.

"Mobile phones are much, much more than telephones to Asians. If you travel to Asia, one of the first things you'll notice is how most locals walking down the street have mobile phones glued to their ears.

"It would be a big mistake to think of China Mobile as simply a mobile phone provider. In addition to traditional calling services, the company offers value-added services such as voice mail, conference calling, instant messaging, text messaging, as well as accessing the Internet.

"Even though the price of computers has fallen dramatically in the last few years, a personal computer (PC) is still out of financial reach for the average Chinese. Meanwhile, mobile phones are both cheap and capable of many of the same functions as PCs.

"Look, $500 to $1,000 dollars for a PC may seem reasonable to you and me, but that is a small fortune for the typical Chinese consumer, who makes less than $3,000 a year.

"Since 2002, Macau has become a gambling mecca like no other, even Las Vegas" says Jim Trippon, who looks at Melco Crown Entertainment (NASDAQ: MPEL).

In his specialty newsletter, The China Stock Digest, he explains "Simply put, the Chinese love to gamble, and the combination of their new freedoms and new wealth have uncorked a gusher of revenue."

He explains, "Melco has delivered industry-beating earnings growth in the booming Macau gaming, entertainment, and hospitality industries. The company's recent reorganization has lifted it from a loss to profitability. Net revenue for the first quarter of 2008 was $482.9 million, up from $179.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. That's a 267% jump!

"Net income for the first quarter of 2008 was $43.2 million, compared with a net loss of $36.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. In a few short months the company's key asset, Crown Macau, has become the busiest casino in the world in gaming volume.

"Macau's government announced in April that it would rein in the booming gaming industry by halting the issue of new licenses and by freezing land allocations for the construction of more casinos.

"While most funds have been dumping stocks in India's sliding market, billionaire global investor George Soros has turned contrarian on India," says international expert Nick Vardy who now suggests "bottom fishing" in India.

In his Global Bull Market Alert, he explains, "One of the best ways to follow in his footsteps are by purchasing the WisdomTree India Earnings ETF (NYSE: EPI)."

"According to the Times of India, the Hungarian born Soros -- who since last August is again actively managing his famed Quantum fund -- recently went on a buying spree in India making investments valued at $140 million in a wide range of Indian companies.

"In many ways, Soros' call is a vintage contrarian bet. India has been one of the worst performers in the global markets this year.

"Institutional investors have pulled out more than $7 billion from Indian equities as the BSE Sensex crashed 7,400 points, or 35%, from its peak of 20,873 back on Jan. 8 amid concerns over a weak global markets, soaring global oil prices and spiraling inflation in India.

"Brokerages and investment banks are uniformly gloomy about India. Inflation has accelerated to just under 12%, a 13-year high. Industrial output in May 2008 rose 3.8%, the slowest in six years. Manufacturing growth slowed to 3.9% in May, while capital goods output growth slowed to 2.5% vs. a robust 22.4% last year.

"The Olympics have long been a boon to stock markets of host countries," notes Tony Sagami, a leading global stock advisor with a noted specialty in Asian markets.

In his Asia Stock Alert newsletter, he notes, "I believe the chief beneficiaries of the Olympic Games will be consumer and travel-related stocks. And within these sectors, I've chosen six stocks poised to bring home Olympic gold from Beijing."

"We saw a 19% gain in the Spanish stock market in the 12 months before the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and the 27% gain in the Greek stock market in the year before the 2004 Athens Olympics. And those countries were not growing at a fraction of the breakneck pace that China is. So it wouldn't surprise me to see the Chinese stock market do even better.

Olympic Gold Winner #1: China Mobile (NYSE: CHL):

"It seems like every person I see in China has a cell phone glued to their ear. And the cell phone is not just the primary voice communication medium in China; it is also the common way most Chinese access the Internet and email. In China, the cell phone 'is' the personal computer.

"Heck, most new high-rise condominium and apartment complexes being built in China aren't even wired for land lines. Once you understand the device's role, you'll see why China Mobile has more cell phone users (360 million) than the U.S. has people. I expect a lot of cell phone calls and text messages during the Beijing Olympics!

Sohu.com (NASDAQ: SOHU), an Internet media provider in China, is a recent featured addition to the aggressive growth portfolio of Vahan Janjigian.

The leading quantitative analyst and editor of The Forbes Growth Report explains, "Long-term growth is also promising as Internet usage expands in China." Here is the advisor's review.

"Sohu offers media content from more than 1,600 partners through 35 interest-specific channels, which cover news, business, sports, and entertainment. The website also offers tools such as free email accounts, web logs (blogs), message boards, and picture galleries.

"SOHU also runs Sogou.com, a proprietary Internet search engine; Chinaren.com, the largest online youth community in China boasting more than 80 million users; 17173.com, which provides information about online video games and has alliances with thousands of Internet cafes; and Focus.cn, a real estate website.

Global expert John Christy combines Asia and technology in the latest fund recommendation in his Forbes International Investment Report.

"Our latest buy is Matthews Asian Technology Fund (MATFX), which has been added to our Global Core and Asia-Pacific Portfolios. While there's plenty of uncertainty in global markets at the outset of 2008, the tech sector and Asia's economies both look well-positioned to weather the storm.

"The Matthews Asian Technology Fund gives you the best of both worlds. With $245 million in assets, the fund has delivered annualized returns in excess of 25% over the past five years. It invests in a mixture of both large-cap and small-cap companies, with varying degrees of exposure to 'technology.'

"Some holdings, like Chinese search engine Baidu.com and the Japanese social networking site Mixi, are pure technology plays, whereas Korea's Samsung Electronics and Japan's Sony fall into the more mature camp of consumer electronics.

"Telecom is also among the fund's biggest holdings, with China Mobile and India's Bharti Airtel among the top 10 holdings. That means the fund won't always deliver eye-popping returns, but it offers a bit more protection on the downside."

Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers the latest market commentary and favorite investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

For 25 years, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, has surveyed the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is one of 100+ ideas in the Best Stocks for 2008 report.

"If China is Asia's ultimate growth story, the Philippines qualifies as the region's biggest turnaround story," says John Christy, editor of The Forbes International Investment Report.

"Long plagued by political instability and disastrous economic policies, the Philippines is finally getting its act together under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Economists expect GDP growth of nearly 7% this year and foreign investment capital is pouring into the country.

"My favorite stock for 2008 is Philippines Long Distance Telecom (NYSE: PHI), which is an easy way for US investors to get a piece of the action. It is the leading provider of wireless telecom services in the Philippines, with nearly a 60% market share.

"But wireless penetration rates in the Philippines are among the lowest in Asia, suggesting considerable room for future growth before the market becomes saturated. And broadband services in the Philippines are still in their infancy.

"PHI is currently trading at 13 times estimated 2008 earnings and roughly 7 times earnings before interest taxes depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). That makes PHI one of the cheapest names in the emerging markets telecom universe. Investors in PHI also enjoy a dividend yield of more than 5% as an added bonus."

For 25 years, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, has surveyed the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is one of 100+ ideas in the Best Stocks for 2008 report.

"Everyone knows about the economic boom in China, but US investors may not be aware that several of its Southeast Asian neighbors are also growing by leaps and bounds," explains Sean Broderick, resources expert for Money and Markets.

"Take the iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund (ASE: EWM), our top speculation for 2008. The country's economy surged 6.7% in the third quarter, the fastest pace in three years. Exports are rocketing -- up 14.3% in October alone.

"Domestic inflation is under control. And its currency, the ringgit, is climbing. Malaysia's economy is expected to grow by more than 5% both this year and next. That's a heck of a lot better than the US is doing, and it's being fueled by strong demand for Malaysian exports.

"EWM, an exchange-traded fund, holds 56 of the top financials, utilities, and other companies operating in Malaysia, including Bumiputra-Commerce Holdings, Malaysia's second-largest commercial bank, IOI Corp., the world's largest producer of palm oil, and Genting, the largest casino and hotel operator in Asia.

"Malaysia's benchmark Kuala Lumpur Composite Index was up more than 30% year-to-date as of early December. We expect another year of double-digit gains in 2008."

For 25 years, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, has surveyed the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is one of 100+ ideas in the Best Stocks for 2008 report.

"My favorite, and more conservative investment idea for 2008 is Japan -- specifically, the iShares MSCI Japan ETF (ASE: EWJ)," says Mike Burnick, editor of Global Market Investor.

"Japan has been one of the most out-of-favor major industrial stock markets over the past two years, yet corporate profits are growing at a fast pace, thanks to a robust export market. Japan's proximity to China certainly helps in this regard, as Japan has become a key exporter to China, as well as other emerging Asian nations.

"From a valuation perspective, Japan appears to be the most undervalued major market in the world right now. Many blue-chip Japanese banks and industrial firms sell at book value or even less then book.

"Meanwhile, bonds typically yield more than stocks, to compensate investors for the lack of appreciation potential in bonds. However, in Japan today the normal stock/bond risk/reward relationship is turned upside-down.