Asia

This Week in Asia

US and Philippine soldiers salute on Monday during the opening ceremony of the Balikatan joint military drills. Photo: AFP

Southeast Asia

Philippines, US launch ‘full battle’ Balikatan drills, some near Taiwan

About 17,000 troops will take part in the joint exercises, which include a combined air and missile defence simulation for the first time.

2 hours agovideocam

Will Manila’s second BrahMos missile system deter Beijing in South China Sea?

1 hour agovideocam

Will red tape snarl Malaysia’s concert hub plans to emulate Singapore?

6 hours agovideocam

Southeast Asia

Vietnam tycoon on death row has life sentence cut to 30 years in laundering case

Truong My Lan’s life sentence for laundering billions was shortened on Monday – but she still faces the death penalty in a separate case.

5 hours agovideocam

Vietnamese property tycoon Truong My Lan (centre) appears at a court in Ho Chi Minh city on March 25. Photo: AFP

Economics

Is Indonesia destined to be a footnote in Africa’s growth story?

Despite President Prabowo’s heartfelt words and promises of partnership, analysts question Indonesia’s commitment to the continent.

21 Apr 2025 - 8:00AM

Politics

Will US tariffs sink Australia’s Aukus submarine delivery goals?

About one-third of the steel and aluminium used in US naval vessels, including the Aukus submarines, have been hit by Donald Trump’s tariffs.

20 Apr 2025 - 8:00AMvideocam

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Southeast Asia

Malaysia Airlines looks to profit from China’s Boeing halt

Malaysia’s national carrier is reportedly in talks to snap up delivery slots vacated by Chinese airlines amid trade tensions with the US.

5 hours agovideocam

Malaysia Airlines planes are seen on the tarmac at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Photo: Reuters

East Asia

South Korea uncovers rise in Chinese goods relabelled for US tariff evasion

Seoul’s customs agency found millions of US dollars worth of Chinese exports were disguised to dodge Trump’s hefty duties.

6 hours ago

Politics

From Bandung to Brics: Indonesia’s evolving quest for Global South autonomy

Seven decades after hosting a summit that birthed the Non-Aligned Movement, Indonesia prioritises pragmatic ties over grand gestures.

19 Apr 2025 - 8:00AM

Lifestyle & Culture

‘The law didn’t protect me’: South Korea’s losing battle against AI sex crimes

Victims lament a lack of police help to resolve their cases, while sex educators call for a change in gender attitudes to tackle the scourge.

20 Apr 2025 - 12:30PMvideocam

Activists wearing masks protest against deepfake porn in Seoul last year. The poster reads: “Repeated deepfake sex crimes, the state is an accomplice too”. Photo: AFP

Economics

US tariff threats open door to a ‘make in India’ moment

From iPhones to automotive parts, India has seen some manufacturing successes, but can it now scale up as tariff clouds gather?

19 Apr 2025 - 5:30PM

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with US President Donald Trump at the White House in February. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

Politics

‘Beauty of compromise’: Chinese scholars urge peace with Manila in South China Sea

Experts emphasise compromise and reject ‘megaphone diplomacy’ to avoid conflicts in the disputed waterway.

20 Apr 2025 - 3:30PMvideocam

Southeast Asia

Chinese executive linked to Bangkok tower collapse arrested

The 30-storey tower was reduced to rubble when a quake struck neighbouring Myanmar last month, killing 47 people and leaving 47 missing.

20 Apr 2025 - 7:40PM

East Asia

Sex tourists flock to Japan’s red-light area, lured by weak yen, social media

Money pressures are forcing women to offer cheaper services, further adding to Kabukicho’s attraction, shelter says.

20 Apr 2025 - 3:58PMvideocam

Advertisements for entertainment clubs are reflected in the window of a passing car in the Japanese red-light area of Kabukicho in Tokyo. Photo: AFP

Lifestyle & Culture

Amid ‘Jumbo’ success, can Indonesia become an animation powerhouse?

The Indonesian film has become Southeast Asia’s biggest ever animation release in terms of revenue, at US$10 million as of April 14.

19 Apr 2025 - 3:30PMvideocam

The Indonesian hit cartoon film “Jumbo” has become the highest-grossing Southeast Asian animation release in history. Photo: Visinema Group

Economics

Tokyo hotels face watchdog heat over data-sharing that may have inflated prices

A probe by the Japan Fair Trade Commission found pricing talks between hotel executives might have led to distorted market rates.

19 Apr 2025 - 3:50PMvideocam

East Asia

Selling comfort: ‘loneliness economy’ emerges as more South Koreans live alone

Loneliness-driven businesses capitalise on people’s feelings of isolation and social disconnection to make profits.

19 Apr 2025 - 1:35PMvideocam

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Politics

From Bandung to Brics: Indonesia’s evolving quest for Global South autonomy

Seven decades after hosting a summit that birthed the Non-Aligned Movement, Indonesia prioritises pragmatic ties over grand gestures.

19 Apr 2025 - 8:00AM

Illustration: Huy Truong

Economics

Asean’s ‘illusion of solidarity’ splinters amid Trump’s tariff threats

While Malaysia calls for a united front, the reality is a race for bilateral deals, with Vietnam leading the charge – as China watches on.

13 Apr 2025 - 12:21PMvideocam

Politics

Myanmar’s double disaster: an earthquake and a heartless junta

As quake survivors dig through the rubble for loved ones with their bare hands, the military bombs villages and seeks diplomatic openings.

7 Apr 2025 - 11:00AMvideocam

Politics

What Duterte’s downfall means for Sara, Marcos and the Philippines

Ex-president Duterte is behind bars in The Hague and his daughter is fighting for political survival. But don’t discount a comeback in 2028.

1 Apr 2025 - 1:55PMvideocam

Rodrigo Duterte pictured at an Asean summit in 2019 while still president of the Philippines. Photo: Reuters

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Highlights from

THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Politics

From Bandung to Brics: Indonesia’s evolving quest for Global South autonomy

19 Apr 2025 - 8:00AM

Illustration: Huy Truong

Politics

Will Manila’s second BrahMos missile system deter Beijing in South China Sea?

1 hour agovideocam

An Indian naval officer walks past the army’s BrahMos weapon systems during a rehearsal for the Republic Day parade in January 20. Photo: Reuters

Lifestyle & Culture

Will red tape snarl Malaysia’s concert hub plans to emulate Singapore?

6 hours agovideocam

Taylor Swift performs in the US. Singapore was estimated to have earned up to US$500 million in tourism receipts from hosting six of her shows. Photo: Getty Images/TNS/AFP

Economics

Is Indonesia destined to be a footnote in Africa’s growth story?

21 Apr 2025 - 8:00AM

Workers use sewing machines at a textile factory in the small African kingdom of Lesotho. Photo: AFP

Politics

‘A more reliable partner’: how France’s Palestine push could isolate the US

20 Apr 2025 - 5:00PMvideocam

French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump. Photo: AFP

MORE IN This Week in Asia

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Vintage Vespas go electric in Indonesia

Vespa love affair: Indonesians turning vintage scooters electric

Xi ends Southeast Asia tour in Cambodia

Xi wraps up Southeast Asia charm offensive tour, as Beijing calls for talks with Washington

Annual Balikatan drills with US to test Manila’s defence plans

Philippines vows major exercises in coming Balikatan military drills with US

Manila says ‘underwater warfare’ drones may be Chinese

Philippines says 5 aquatic drones with ‘Chinese markings’ found in its territorial waters

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TRENDING TOPICS

South China Sea

The Philippines

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