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Asean

A Chinese coastguard ship and a Philippine coastguard ship sailing near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea. Photo: AFP

Manila says Asean risks irrelevance by being soft on China over maritime row

Philippine defence chief Gilberto Teodoro also calls for a regional version of the Mutual Defence Treaty to counter China’s aggression.

Philippine defence chief Gilberto Teodoro also calls for alignment of Manila’s operations and the Mutual Defence Treaty to counter China

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Opinion | As Western-led order crumbles, can China and India fulfil their destinies?

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Japan-based Cambodian activist demands Hun Sen and PM son release his brother

How Asean anchors Vietnam’s diplomatic dance between China and the West

Hanoi’s deft diplomatic balancing act sees it leverage the regional bloc to resist geopolitical pressures arising from US-China competition.

An honour guard raises an Asean flag outside the foreign ministry in Hanoi on August 8 to mark the 29th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to the bloc. Photo: EPA-EFE

Opinion | Australia and New Zealand key to ensuring Asean’s food security

The challenges facing East and Southeast Asian nations’ food security efforts require looking farther south for lasting solutions.

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Letters | Vietnamese leader’s China visit highlights importance of local diplomacy

Readers discuss Hanoi-Beijing relations, and China’s energy strategy.

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As South China Sea stakes ratchet ever higher, Vietnam seeks out calmer waters

Hanoi’s new leadership is doubling down on ‘bamboo diplomacy’ to navigate choppy geopolitical currents and protect economic gains.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Vietnam’s To Lam after a signing ceremony in Beijing on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Opinion | With US rate cuts on the horizon, the glass looks half full again

Lower US rates, helped by Japan’s normalising policy, would boost liquidity and ease dollar pressure, with better days ahead for emerging markets.

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Opinion | Asia’s elderly are climate-vulnerable but they’re not victims

Ageing populations can bring unique strengths to climate efforts. There’s a need for a nuanced look at both their vulnerability and resilience.

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Opinion | Aukus is a setback for Australia’s hard-fought independence

Years after Curtin stood up to Churchill and Keating rejected the “US deputy” label, Australia seems to have lost its backbone.

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Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles (left), British Ambassador to the US Karen Pierce and US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell sign the new Aukus agreement that would allow not just an exchange of naval nuclear propulsion information, but also the transfer of nuclear material to Australia, in Washington, on August 5. Photo: Courtesy of Australia’s government

Kishore Mahbubani calls criticism of his memoir ‘fossilised’ thinking

Singapore’s veteran diplomat denies saying that Lee Kuan Yew was jealous of him over a global magazine ranking.

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Kishore Mahbubani speaks at the launch of his memoir “Living the Asian Century: An Undiplomatic Memoir” at the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore. Photo: NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy

‘Complete success’: China to work with Vietnam on railway, security and defence

As Vietnamese president ends China visit, joint declaration includes pledges to stop ‘colour revolutions’ and oppose foreign interference.

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Editorial | Stability in Myanmar paramount for China

Emphasis is on Beijing playing role of mediator and provider of solutions in relations with Asean members.

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‘Fantastic as fiction’: Penny Wong on rising to become Australia’s top diplomat

In a candid speech, the Malaysian-born foreign minister highlighted the need for more diverse leadership and deeper ties with Asia.

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Penny Wong speaking at the Centre for Asian-Australian Leadership, established by the Australian National University to address the underrepresentation of Asian-Australians in leadership positions. Photo: Erin Chew

Philippines to seek ‘peaceful approach’ with China over ship collision

Manila says it will consider agreements with Beijing to manage their air and sea encounters in the South China Sea.

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The damaged Philippine ship BRP Cape Engano following a collision with a Chinese coastguard vessel near Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea on August 19. Photo: EPA-EFE

Southeast Asia ramps up mpox countermeasures amid optimism of containment

Singapore, Malaysia, and other countries have stepped up surveillance measures and prepared their healthcare experts to contain mpox.

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Opinion | Apple’s Thai gaffe shows brands must tread with more care in Asia

Backlash from insulted Thais forced Apple to remove ad and apologise swiftly – a lesson in how soft power can be a double-edged sword.

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How Kamala Harris’ Southeast Asia trips could shape her presidency

As vice-president, Harris deepened Washington’s ties with Asean and issued a clear rebuke of Beijing’s expansive South China Sea claims.

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Kamala Harris speaks on board a Philippine coastguard ship during her visit to Palawan province, the Philippines, in November 2022. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard via AP

Opinion | Can the US lure a China-friendly Thailand back into its orbit?

As Thailand’s military exerts more control over the political process, the country has increasingly seen China as an alternative partner.

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Letters | China’s reform plan holds promise for Southeast Asia

Readers discuss the benefits of China’s reform push, the growing buzz around boys’ love, and Hong Kong’s property market.

South China Sea: PLA aircraft carrier Shandong shows combat readiness

Japan reports China’s second carrier, accompanied by three vessels, hosted take-offs and landings by jets and helicopters in Philippine Sea.

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The Shandong’s appearance in the Philippine Sea this week did not just signal PLA presence to the Americans, but showed it could carry out consecutive deployments with a short break, an analyst says. Photo: Weibo/@央广军事

Southeast Asia low priority for Donald Trump in event of US election win: report

Regional countries that have benefited from the US-China trade war could face trade barriers in a second Trump term, the Lowy Institute says.

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Then Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, US President Donald Trump and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the Asean summit in Manila on November 13, 2017. Photo: AFP

Johor-Singapore SEZ to spur investments from mainland China, Taiwan: UOB

UOB’s managing director believes investors will want to take advantage of tax incentives offered within the special economic zone.

Opinion | How Myanmar has defied international expectations

Many expected one of two outcomes for Myanmar following the military coup: isolation or functioning in China’s shadow. Neither has happened.

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As Philippines, Vietnam close ranks, China adopts ‘divide and conquer’ approach

Manila’s assertive approach contrasts with Hanoi’s “low profile” way of dealing with their respective South China Sea rows, analysts say.

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Philippine coastguard personnel wave flags as a Vietnam coastguard patrol ship makes a port call at the Port of Manila, Philippines, on August 5. Photo: EPA-EFE

Hong Kong must push for firmer business ties with Asean or ‘wither on the vine’

Adviser to city leader and former minister Frederick Ma also says John Lee’s recent Asean trip important in helping city to join RCEP trade pact.

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Chief Executive John Lee (right) recently visited Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia to foster ties with the three Asean economies. Photo: Handout

Philippines and Vietnam coastguards hold first joint drills near South China Sea

Following the drills off Manila, the Philippines says it will send a ship to Vietnam later this year to boost maritime cooperation.

Thailand, Malaysia’s Tesla hopes fade as Musk appears to go cold on Asean

The reported scrapping of a Southeast Asian Tesla factory could boost tariff-squeezed Chinese EV brands seeking new markets.

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Asean
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the Asean Declaration by Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Since then, membership has expanded to include Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Its aims include accelerating economic growth, social progress and cultural development of its member states and the protection of regional peace and stability.
last updated:
28 August, 2024
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