XML 101 R218.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.19.1
Label Element Value
MATTHEWS ASIA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading MATTHEWS ASIA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

Total return over the long term, with an emphasis on income.

Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fees and Expenses of the Fund
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of this Fund.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text] rr_ShareholderFeesCaption SHAREHOLDER FEES (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination Apr. 30, 2020
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example of fund expenses, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 82% of the average value of its portfolio.

Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 82.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading EXAMPLE OF FUND EXPENSES
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The example reflects the expense limitation for the one year period only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategy
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

Under normal market conditions, the Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in income-producing securities, including, but not limited to, dividend-paying equity securities, and debt and debt-related instruments issued by governments, quasi-governmental entities, supra-national institutions, and companies in Asia. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in income-generating securities across currencies and the capital structure. Investments may be denominated in any currency, and may represent any part of a company’s capital structure from debt to equity or with features of both. Debt and debt-related instruments typically include bonds, debentures, bills, securitized instruments (which are vehicles backed by pools of assets such as loans or other receivables), notes, certificates of deposit and other bank obligations, bank loans, senior secured bank debt, convertible debt securities (including contingent capital financial instruments or “CoCos”), exchangeable bonds, credit-linked notes, inflation-linked instruments, repurchase agreements, payment-in-kind securities and derivative instruments with fixed income characteristics.


Asia consists of all countries and markets in Asia, such as China and India, and includes developed, emerging, and frontier countries and markets in the Asian region. A company or other issuer is considered to be “located” in a country or a region, and a security or instrument is deemed to be an Asian (or specific country) security or instrument, if it has substantial ties to that country or region. Matthews currently makes that determination based primarily on one or more of the following criteria: (A) with respect to a company or issuer, whether (i) it is organized under the laws of that country or any country in that region; (ii) it derives at least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed, or has at least 50% of its assets located, within that country or region; (iii) it has the primary trading markets for its securities in that country or region; (iv) it has its principal place of business in or is otherwise headquartered in that country or region; or (v) it is a governmental entity or an agency, instrumentality or a political subdivision of that country or any country in that region; and (B) with respect to an instrument or issue, whether (i) its issuer is headquartered or organized in that country or region; (ii) it is issued to finance a project with significant assets or operations in that country or region; (iii) it is principally secured or backed by assets located in that country or region; (iv) it is a component of or its issuer is included in a recognized securities index for the country or region; or (v) it is denominated in the currency of an Asian country and addresses at least one of the other above criteria. The term “located” and the associated criteria listed above have been defined in such a way that Matthews has latitude in determining whether an issuer should be included within a region or country.


Up to 50% of the Fund’s total net assets may be invested in securities of issuers from a single country (including the government of that country, and its agencies, instrumentalities and political subdivisions, quasi-governmental entities of that country, supra-national institutions issuing debt deemed to be of that country, and companies located in that country), and up to 25% of the Fund’s total net assets may be invested in the securities issued by any one Asian government (including its agencies, instrumentalities and political subdivisions).


The Fund may engage in derivative transactions for speculative purposes as well as to manage credit, interest rate and currency exposures of underlying instruments or market exposures. The Fund may use a variety of derivative instruments, including for example, forward contracts, option contracts, futures and options on futures, swaps (including interest rate swaps and credit default swaps) and swaptions. The Fund may seek to take on or hedge credit, currency, and interest rate exposure by using derivatives, and, as a result, the Fund’s exposure to credit, currency, and interest rates could exceed the value of the Fund’s assets denominated in that currency and could exceed the value of the Fund’s net assets. Although the Fund does not limit its foreign currency exposure, may invest without limitation in non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities and instruments and is permitted to hedge currency risks, it does not normally seek to hedge its exposure to foreign currencies.


The Fund is permitted to invest in debt securities of any quality, including high yield debt securities rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”) and unrated debt securities. The Fund may invest up to 50% of its net assets in bank loans. The Fund has no stated maturity or duration target and the average effective maturity or duration target may change. Matthews has implemented risk management systems to monitor the Fund to reduce the risk of loss through overemphasis on a particular issuer, country, industry, currency, or interest rate regime.


The implementation of the principal investment strategies of the Fund may result in a significant portion of the Fund’s assets being invested from time to time in one or more sectors, but the Fund may invest in companies in any sector.

Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks of Investment
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

There is no guarantee that your investment in the Fund will increase in value. The value of your investment in the Fund could go down, meaning you could lose money. The principal risks of investing in the Fund are:


Credit Risk: A debt instrument’s price depends, in part, on the credit quality of the issuer, borrower, counterparty, or underlying collateral and can decline in response to changes in the financial condition of the issuer, borrower, counterparty, or underlying collateral, or changes in specific or general market, economic, industry, political, regulatory, geopolitical, or other conditions. Credit risk tends to rise and fall with credit cycles that may last several years from trough to peak default rates. As such, the underlying credit risk of a borrower might be compounded by a turn in the credit cycle that is characterized by a rise in borrowing costs or a tightening of systemic liquidity. Additionally, because a portion of the securities held by the Fund may be in an external currency to the borrower (i.e., a currency that is not the home currency of the company), there are additional risks connected with the sovereign country of the issuer. For example, these risks may include, but are not limited to, capital controls imposed by the sovereign country that may undermine an issuer’s ability to meet its debt obligations on a full or timely basis. Credit risk analysis may also include an issuer’s willingness to meet its financial obligations.


Interest Rate Risk (including Prepayment and Extension Risks): Changes in interest rates in each of the countries in which the Fund may invest, as well as interest rates in more-developed countries, may cause a decline in the market value of an investment held by the Fund. Generally, fixed income securities will decrease in value when interest rates rise and can be expected to rise in value when interest rates decline. As interest rates decline, debt issuers may repay or refinance their loans or obligations earlier than anticipated. The issuers of fixed income securities may, therefore, repay principal in advance. This would force the Fund to reinvest the proceeds from the principal prepayments at lower rates, which reduces the Fund’s income. In times of rising interest rates, borrowers may pay off their debt obligations more slowly, causing securities considered short- or intermediate-term to become longer-term securities that fluctuate more widely in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities.


Currency Risk: When the Fund invests in foreign currencies (directly or through a financial instrument) or in securities denominated in a foreign currency, there is the risk that the value of the foreign currency will increase or decrease against the value of the U.S. dollar. The value of an investment denominated in a foreign currency will decline in U.S. dollar terms if that currency weakens against the U.S. dollar. Additionally, Asian countries may utilize formal or informal currency-exchange controls or “capital controls.” Capital controls may impose restrictions on the Fund’s ability to repatriate investments or income. Capital controls may also affect the value of the Fund’s holdings.


Convertible and Exchangeable Securities Risk: The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security, that is, if interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer may not be able to pay interest or dividends when due, and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock.


The Fund may also invest in convertible securities known as contingent capital financial instruments or “CoCos.” CoCos generally provide for mandatory or automatic conversion into common stock of the issuer under certain circumstances or may have principal write down features. Because the timing of conversion may not be anticipated, and conversion may occur when prices are unfavorable, reduced returns or losses may occur. Some CoCos may be leveraged, which can make those CoCos more volatile in changing interest rate or other conditions.


Exchangeable bonds are subject to risks similar to convertible securities. In addition, bonds that are exchangeable into the stock of a different company also are subject to the risks associated with an investment in that other company.


High Yield Bonds and Other Lower-Rated Securities Risk: The Fund’s investments in high yield bonds (“junk bonds,” which are primarily speculative securities) and other lower-rated securities will subject the Fund to substantial risk of loss. Issuers of high yield bonds are less financially secure, more susceptible to adverse economic and competitive industry conditions and less able to repay interest and principal compared to issuers of investment grade securities. Prices of high yield bonds tend to be very volatile. These securities are less liquid than investment grade debt securities and may be difficult to price or sell, particularly in times of negative sentiment toward high yield securities.


Liquidity Risk: The debt securities and other investments held by the Fund may have less liquidity compared to traded stocks and government bonds in Asia, particularly when market developments prompt large numbers of investors to sell debt securities. This means that there may be no willing buyer of the Fund’s portfolio securities and the Fund may have to sell those securities at a lower price or may not be able to sell the securities at all, each of which would have a negative effect on the Fund’s performance.


Dealer inventories of bonds, which provide an indication of the ability of financial intermediaries to “make markets” in those bonds, are at or near historic lows in relation to market size. This reduction in market making capacity has the potential to decrease liquidity and increase price volatility in the fixed income markets in which the Fund invests, particularly during periods of economic or market stress. As a result of this decreased liquidity, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash, or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund’s performance. If the Fund needed to sell large blocks of bonds to meet shareholder redemption requests or to raise cash, those sales could further reduce the bonds’ prices.


Derivatives Risk (including Options, Futures and Swaps): Derivatives are speculative and may hurt the Fund’s performance. Derivative products are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with stocks and bonds. The use of a derivative requires an understanding, not only of the underlying instrument but also of the derivative itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the derivative under all possible market conditions. Derivatives present the risk of disproportionately increased losses and/or reduced opportunities for gains when the financial asset or measure to which the derivative is linked changes in unexpected ways.


T   Options Risk. This is the risk that an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment in the underlying instruments and may be subject to a complete loss of the amounts paid as premiums to purchase the options.

T   Futures Contracts Risk. This is the risk that an investment in futures contracts may be subject to losses that exceed the amount of the premiums paid and may subject the Fund’s net asset value to greater volatility.

T   Swaps Risk. Risks inherent in the use of swaps (especially uncleared swaps) include: (1) swap contracts may not be assigned without the consent of the counterparty; (2) potential default of the counterparty to the swap; (3) absence of a liquid secondary market for any particular swap at any time; and (4) possible inability of the Fund to close out the swap transaction at a time that otherwise would be favorable for it to do so.

Non-diversified Risk: The Fund is a “non-diversified” investment company, which means that it may invest a larger portion of its assets in the securities of a single issuer compared with a diversified fund. An investment in the Fund therefore will entail greater risk than an investment in a diversified fund because a single security’s increase or decrease in value may have a greater impact on the Fund’s value and total return.


Volatility Risk: The smaller size and lower levels of liquidity in Asian markets, as well as other factors, may result in changes in the prices of Asian securities that are more volatile than those of companies in the United States. This volatility can cause the price of the Fund’s shares to go up or down dramatically. Because of this volatility, this Fund is better suited for long-term investors (typically five years or longer).


Political, Social and Economic Risks of Investing in Asia: The value of the Fund’s assets may be adversely affected by political, economic, social and religious instability; inadequate investor protection; changes in laws or regulations of countries within the Asian region (including countries in which the Fund invests, as well as the broader region); international relations with other nations; natural disasters; corruption and military activity. The economies of many Asian countries differ from the economies of more developed countries in many respects, such as rate of growth, inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, financial system stability, the national balance of payments position and sensitivity to changes in global trade.


Risks Associated with Emerging and Frontier Markets: Many Asian countries are considered emerging or frontier markets (newer or less developed emerging markets are also sometimes referred to as frontier markets). Such markets are often less stable politically and economically than developed markets, and investing in these markets involves different and greater risks. There may be less publicly available information about companies in many Asian countries, and the stock exchanges and brokerage industries in many Asian countries typically do not have the level of government oversight as do those in the United States. Securities markets of many Asian countries are also substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than securities markets in the United States.


Country Concentration Risk: The Fund may invest a significant portion of its total net assets in the securities of issuers located in a single country. An investment in the Fund therefore may entail greater risk than an investment in a fund that does not concentrate its investments in a single or small number of countries because these securities may be more sensitive to adverse social, political, economic or regulatory developments affecting that country or countries. As a result, events affecting a single or small number of countries may have a significant and potentially adverse impact on the Fund’s investments, and the Fund’s performance may be more volatile than that of funds that invest globally.


Risks Associated with China and Hong Kong: The Chinese government exercises significant control over China’s economy through its industrial policies, monetary policy, management of currency exchange rates, and management of the payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations. Changes in these policies could adversely impact affected industries or companies in China. China’s economy, particularly its export-oriented industries, may be adversely impacted by trade or political disputes with China’s major trading partners, including the U.S. In addition, as its consumer class continues to grow, China’s domestically oriented industries may be especially sensitive to changes in government policy and investment cycles. If China were to exert its authority so as to alter the economic, political or legal structures or the existing social policy of Hong Kong, investor and business confidence in Hong Kong could be negatively affected and have an adverse effect on the Fund’s investments.


Risks Associated with Indonesia: Indonesia’s political institutions and democracy have a relatively short history, increasing the risk of political instability. Indonesia has in the past faced political and militant unrest within several of its regions, and further unrest could present a risk to the local economy and stock markets. The country has also experienced acts of terrorism, predominantly targeted at foreigners, which has had a negative impact on tourism. Corruption and the perceived lack of a rule of law in dealings with international companies in the past may have discouraged much needed foreign direct investment. Should this issue remain, it could negatively impact the long-term growth of the economy. In addition, many economic development problems remain, including high unemployment, a developing banking sector, endemic corruption, inadequate infrastructure, a poor investment climate and unequal resource distribution among regions.


Risks Associated with India: Government actions, bureaucratic obstacles and inconsistent economic reform within the Indian government have had a significant effect on the Indian economy and could adversely affect market conditions, economic growth and the profitability of private enterprises in India. Global factors and foreign actions may inhibit the flow of foreign capital on which India is dependent to sustain its growth. Large portions of many Indian companies remain in the hands of their founders (including members of their families). Corporate governance standards of family-controlled companies may be weaker and less transparent, which increases the potential for loss and unequal treatment of investors. Religious, cultural and military disputes persist in India and between India and Pakistan (as well as sectarian groups within each country).


Financial Services Sector Risk: The Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in the financial services sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. Financial services companies are subject to extensive government regulation and can be significantly affected by the availability and cost of capital funds, changes in interest rates, the rate of corporate and consumer debt defaults, price competition and other sector-specific factors.


Bank Loan Risk: To the extent the Fund invests in bank loans, it is exposed to additional risks beyond those normally associated with more traditional debt securities. The Fund’s ability to receive payments in connection with a bank loan depends primarily on the financial condition of the borrower, and whether or not the bank loan is secured by collateral, although there is no assurance that the collateral securing the loan will be sufficient to satisfy the loan obligation. In addition, bank loans often have contractual restrictions on resale, which can delay the sale and adversely impact the sale price. Transactions in many bank loans settle on a delayed basis, and the Fund may not receive the proceeds from the sale of a bank loan for a substantial period of time after the sale. As a result, those proceeds will not be available to make additional investments or to meet the Fund’s redemption obligations. Bank loan investments may not be considered securities and may not have the protections afforded by the federal securities laws.

Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney The value of your investment in the Fund could go down, meaning you could lose money.
Risk Nondiversified Status [Text] rr_RiskNondiversifiedStatus The Fund is a “non-diversified” investment company, which means that it may invest a larger portion of its assets in the securities of a single issuer compared with a diversified fund. An investment in the Fund therefore will entail greater risk than an investment in a diversified fund because a single security’s increase or decrease in value may have a greater impact on the Fund’s value and total return.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Past Performance
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

The bar chart below shows the Fund’s performance for each full calendar year since inception and how it has varied from year to year, reflective of the Fund’s volatility and some indication of risk. The bar chart shows performance of the Fund’s Investor Class Shares. Also shown are the best and worst quarters for this time period. The table below shows the Fund’s performance over certain periods of time, along with performance of its benchmark index. The information presented below is past performance, before and after taxes, and is not a prediction of future results. The bar chart and performance table assume reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance, please visit matthewsasia.com or call 800.789.ASIA (2742).

Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart below shows the Fund’s performance for each full calendar year since inception and how it has varied from year to year, reflective of the Fund’s volatility and some indication of risk.
Performance Availability Phone [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityPhone 800.789.ASIA (2742)
Performance Availability Website Address [Text] rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress matthewsasia.com
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture The information presented below is past performance, before and after taxes, and is not a prediction of future results.
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading INVESTOR CLASS: ANNUAL RETURNS FOR YEARS ENDED 12/31
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

Best Quarter


Q3 2012


5.31%


Worst Quarter


Q2 2013


-5.37%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2012
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 5.31%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2013
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (5.37%)
Performance Table Market Index Changed rr_PerformanceTableMarketIndexChanged As of May 1, 2016, the HSBC Asian Local Bond Index became the Markit iBoxx Asian Local Bond Index. The Index performance reflects the returns of the discontinued predecessor HSBC Asian Local Bond Index up to April 30, 2016 and the returns of the successor Markit iBoxx Asian Local Bond Index thereafter.
Index No Deduction for Fees, Expenses, Taxes [Text] rr_IndexNoDeductionForFeesExpensesTaxes (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
Performance Table Uses Highest Federal Rate rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Performance Table Not Relevant to Tax Deferred rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
Performance Table One Class of after Tax Shown [Text] rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown After-tax returns are shown for only one class of shares and after-tax returns for the other class of shares will vary.
Caption rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018
MATTHEWS ASIA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND | Markit iBoxx Asian Local Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (0.44%) [1]
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 2.67% [1]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.25% [1]
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 30, 2011
MATTHEWS ASIA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND | Investor Class Shares  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Account Fee on Redemptions (for wire redemptions only) rr_MaximumAccountFee $ 9
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.55%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets
Administration and Shareholder Servicing Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.14%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.60%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.15%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets none [2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.15%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 117
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 365
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 633
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,398
Annual Return 2012 rr_AnnualReturn2012 13.62%
Annual Return 2013 rr_AnnualReturn2013 (0.50%)
Annual Return 2014 rr_AnnualReturn2014 2.54%
Annual Return 2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 (0.58%)
Annual Return 2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 8.85%
Annual Return 2017 rr_AnnualReturn2017 9.40%
Annual Return 2018 rr_AnnualReturn2018 (4.05%)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.05%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.10%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 3.89%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 30, 2011
MATTHEWS ASIA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND | Investor Class Shares | After Taxes on Distributions  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.94%) [3]
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.70% [3]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.48% [3]
MATTHEWS ASIA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND | Investor Class Shares | After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (2.33%) [3]
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 1.77% [3]
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 2.41% [3]
MATTHEWS ASIA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND | Institutional Class Shares  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Maximum Account Fee on Redemptions (for wire redemptions only) rr_MaximumAccountFee $ 9
Management Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.55%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets
Administration and Shareholder Servicing Fees rr_Component1OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.14%
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.41%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.96%
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.06%) [2]
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.90%
Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 92
Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 300
Expense Example, with Redemption, 5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 525
Expense Example, with Redemption, 10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,173
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (3.78%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 3.32%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 4.11%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Nov. 30, 2011
[1] As of May 1, 2016, the HSBC Asian Local Bond Index became the Markit iBoxx Asian Local Bond Index. The Index performance reflects the returns of the discontinued predecessor HSBC Asian Local Bond Index up to April 30, 2016 and the returns of the successor Markit iBoxx Asian Local Bond Index thereafter.
[2] Matthews has contractually agreed (i) to waive fees and reimburse expenses to the extent needed to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) of the Institutional Class to 0.90% first by waiving class specific expenses ( e.g., shareholder service fees specific to a particular class) of the Institutional Class and then, to the extent necessary, by waiving non-class specific expenses of the Institutional Class, and (ii) if any Fund-wide expenses (i.e., expenses that apply to both the Institutional Class and the Investor Class) are waived for the Institutional Class to maintain the 0.90% expense limitation, to waive an equal amount (in annual percentage terms) of those same expenses for the Investor Class. The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement for the Investor Class may vary from year to year and will in some years exceed 0.90%. Any amount waived with respect to the Fund pursuant to this agreement is not subject to recoupment. This agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2020 and may be terminated at any time by the Board of Trustees on behalf of the Fund on 60 days' written notice to Matthews. Matthews may decline to renew this agreement by written notice to the Trust at least 30 days before its annual expiration date.
[3] After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns are shown for only one class of shares and after-tax returns for the other class of shares will vary.