https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/324751/feed Latest news, in-depth features and opinion on the Philippines, covering politics, economy, society, and Manila’s relationships with China and its Southeast Asian neighbours. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Mengzhen Liu,Ziya Guo Mengzhen Liu,Ziya Guo Manila sent two strikingly different messages to Beijing on October 13. At the Malacanang Palace, a presidential spokeswoman reaffirmed Manila’s commitment to sustaining diplomatic and economic ties with China, saying “China needs the Philippines, and the Philippines needs China”. That same day, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr rejected a call for military-to-military communication with China, a move that received public support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Teodoro... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3372147/manila-speaks-2-voices-china https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3372147/manila-speaks-2-voices-china Wed, 28 Oct 2026 01:30:07 +0000 Han Li,Seong Hyeon Choi Han Li,Seong Hyeon Choi The 2027 US defence bill, covering more than US$1 trillion in proposed defence spending, will be one of the most closely watched pieces of legislation when Congress returns after the midterm elections, with efforts to counter China running through nearly every corner of the text. The US House of Representatives passed its version of the bill, known as the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA), in July. The bill faces a tougher path in the US Senate, where a July procedural vote to begin... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3372355/5-things-watch-out-2027-us-defence-bill-aimed-countering-china https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3372355/5-things-watch-out-2027-us-defence-bill-aimed-countering-china Tue, 27 Oct 2026 20:58:44 +0000 Amber Wang Amber Wang China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun will skip this week’s meeting of Southeast Asian defence chiefs and their dialogue partners in Cebu, with Beijing instead sending its defence attache in the Philippines. Dong has attended the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) for the past two years. This year’s ADMM and ADMM-Plus, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, coincide with a major Communist Party meeting known as the fifth plenum, which is running in Beijing from Monday to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3372323/chinas-defence-minister-dong-jun-miss-asean-defence-talks-fifth-plenum-convenes https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3372323/chinas-defence-minister-dong-jun-miss-asean-defence-talks-fifth-plenum-convenes Tue, 27 Oct 2026 12:12:28 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran A 50-million-peso (US$780,000) bounty for information leading to the arrest of fugitive Philippine senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has raised questions over the Marcos administration’s ability to enforce the law against high-profile political figures, with analysts warning the move risks making Manila appear weak and reactive. Dela Rosa, who served as national police chief under former president Rodrigo Duterte, faces an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for alleged crimes... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/politics/article/3372324/philippines-bounty-bato-dela-rosa-exposes-marcos-dilemma-duterte-feud https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/politics/article/3372324/philippines-bounty-bato-dela-rosa-exposes-marcos-dilemma-duterte-feud Tue, 27 Oct 2026 12:00:52 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar Two years after her death, Roslyn Loveless, the former wife of Meghan Markle’s father, Thomas Markle Snr, is making headlines over a letter sent to London’s Metropolitan Police in 2019, accusing her ex-husband of sexual offences against minors. According to The Telegraph, it was Loveless who wrote the letter, claiming Markle Snr, now 82, spoke to her about travelling to the Philippines and Thailand “because 12-year-olds are legal there”. Earlier this year, Markle Snr came under investigation... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3372301/all-about-late-roslyn-loveless-ex-wife-meghan-markles-father-thomas-snr https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3372301/all-about-late-roslyn-loveless-ex-wife-meghan-markles-father-thomas-snr Tue, 27 Oct 2026 11:00:07 +0000 Jeoffrey Maitem Jeoffrey Maitem The collision of two Philippine Air Force training aircraft that killed four pilots has raised questions about whether the service’s training, maintenance and safety systems can keep pace with Manila’s ambitions to acquire more advanced combat aircraft. The crash, which occurred during a fly-by rehearsal at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas province, south of Manila, on Friday has renewed calls for a comprehensive review of the Air Force’s ageing fleet, pilot instruction, maintenance... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/politics/article/3372299/air-force-crash-revives-debate-philippine-militarys-modernisation-limits https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/politics/article/3372299/air-force-crash-revives-debate-philippine-militarys-modernisation-limits Tue, 27 Oct 2026 09:45:50 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk The estranged half-brother of Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, has called their father a “disgusting monster” after handing over a trove of alleged child abuse material belonging to their shared parent to police in the Philippines. The four boxes containing mobile phones, computer equipment and other personal belongings were handed over to the Philippine National Police’s Women and Children Protection Centre last week by Thomas Markle Jnr, who was previously his father’s full-time carer. Markle... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3372251/disgusting-monster-meghan-markles-dad-slammed-son-amid-philippine-police-probe https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3372251/disgusting-monster-meghan-markles-dad-slammed-son-amid-philippine-police-probe Tue, 27 Oct 2026 05:11:53 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven stories from the SCMP’s coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Filipinos split on Marcos’ sea handling amid row over Chinese envoy’s remarks Filipinos are almost evenly divided over the Marcos administration’s handling of the maritime dispute with China, even as nearly three in four favour diplomacy over confrontation, according to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/article/3372227/why-paper-straws-are-worse-plastic-japans-silver-divorce-rise-7-asia-highlights https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/article/3372227/why-paper-straws-are-worse-plastic-japans-silver-divorce-rise-7-asia-highlights Tue, 27 Oct 2026 04:30:07 +0000 Gloria Tso Gloria Tso El Nido may not be the most convenient place to get to, but the destination is very much worth the hassle. The coastal Philippine municipality in the province of Palawan, famous for idyllic beaches and towering karst cliffs, is currently only serviced by the tiny Lio Airport, a domestic airstrip owned and operated by the airline Cebu Pacific. Considering how clean and clear the sands and waters in this protected area are – El Nido serves as the gateway to the Bacuit Bay archipelago, which is... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3372122/lagen-island-resort-blends-michelin-key-luxury-and-filipino-craft-el-nido https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3372122/lagen-island-resort-blends-michelin-key-luxury-and-filipino-craft-el-nido Tue, 27 Oct 2026 04:00:28 +0000 Vincent Tan Vincent Tan In parts of Southeast Asia, unsold homes are piling up as developers struggle to clear housing stock – yet young buyers hoping to land their first property still cannot find an affordable home. The paradox reflects a growing mismatch between the homes being built and what aspiring buyers can afford, according to analysts, who point to speculative investment, financing hurdles and poor locations as factors leaving properties empty even amid demand for affordable housing. In Vietnam, the problem... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3372208/southeast-asias-housing-paradox-too-many-homes-too-few-buyers https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3372208/southeast-asias-housing-paradox-too-many-homes-too-few-buyers Tue, 27 Oct 2026 00:00:24 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran The Philippines faces the highest climate-driven port damage costs in Southeast Asia, with annual losses projected to hit US$70.2 billion by 2100, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has warned. Analysts say the damage could cripple supply chains, drive up food prices and threaten livelihoods, urging Manila to adopt a more coordinated approach to flood protection rather than simply strengthening port infrastructure. In its latest report titled “Asia-Pacific Climate Report 2026: Coastal Risks on the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3372185/climate-damage-philippine-ports-could-cost-us70b-year-2100 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3372185/climate-damage-philippine-ports-could-cost-us70b-year-2100 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 11:46:33 +0000 Khushboo Razdan Khushboo Razdan US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will travel to the Philippines this week to meet regional allies, the Pentagon announced on Sunday. The visit comes amid a push by Washington to tighten security ties in the Indo-Pacific ahead of an expected meeting between the US and Chinese presidents in southern China. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has faced criticism from Democrats and some Republicans over his handling of the war against Iran, as well as concerns that the conflict could divert US... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3372182/pentagon-chief-hegseth-visit-philippines-meet-us-allies-asean-events https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3372182/pentagon-chief-hegseth-visit-philippines-meet-us-allies-asean-events Mon, 26 Oct 2026 11:03:12 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa The Philippine interior minister confirmed Sunday that Thomas Markle Snr, father of the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, is under investigation for alleged child pornography, as it emerged that a damning letter shared with his daughter was penned by his ex-wife. Roslyn Loveless, who was married to Thomas Markle Snr until divorcing him in 1975, wrote and sent the letter to London’s Metropolitan Police, the department confirmed to BBC News on Saturday, putting the year at 2019. Initial accounts... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/article/3372174/meet-meghan-markles-estranged-half-brother-thomas-jnr-why-has-he-apologised-her https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/article/3372174/meet-meghan-markles-estranged-half-brother-thomas-jnr-why-has-he-apologised-her Mon, 26 Oct 2026 11:00:12 +0000 Juan Fernando Herrera Ramos Juan Fernando Herrera Ramos For decades, China was one of the world’s largest sources of migrant labour. Its workers staffed factories at home and built infrastructure abroad. But demographic decline may eventually force China to contemplate a striking reversal: importing workers on a meaningful scale. That change is not imminent. China still has a vast labour force and substantial youth unemployment. It is investing heavily in industrial automation, extending working lives through a gradual increase in the retirement age,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3371970/china-may-well-be-next-big-competitor-asian-migrant-labour https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3371970/china-may-well-be-next-big-competitor-asian-migrant-labour Mon, 26 Oct 2026 08:30:08 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Philippine police are investigating a laptop found alongside images of child abuse at the former home of Meghan Markle’s estranged father, with “full results” expected in a week, the country’s interior minister has said. Thomas Markle, whose daughter is married to Britain’s Prince Harry, had been living in Cebu in the Philippines until reportedly returning to the US earlier this year. Philippine interior minister Jonvic Remulla said the country planned to take “appropriate legal actions” against... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3372089/philippines-plan-appropriate-legal-action-against-thomas-markle https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3372089/philippines-plan-appropriate-legal-action-against-thomas-markle Sun, 25 Oct 2026 15:26:17 +0000 Albee Zhang Albee Zhang China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier strike group sailed beyond the first island chain last week to reach the southernmost waters of the Philippines, suggesting an intent to position itself closer to ongoing US-Japan joint exercises. Philippine news channel BNC reported that the carrier group reached about 25 nautical miles (46km) east-southeast of Balut Island, the southernmost point of the Philippines, before sailing northeast on Friday. That positioned the warships past the first island chain, a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3372078/chinas-liaoning-aircraft-carrier-and-uss-theodore-roosevelt-converge-philippine-sea https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3372078/chinas-liaoning-aircraft-carrier-and-uss-theodore-roosevelt-converge-philippine-sea Sun, 25 Oct 2026 12:13:45 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles Filipinos are almost evenly divided over the Marcos administration’s handling of the maritime dispute with China, even as nearly three in four favour diplomacy over confrontation, according to a new survey. That preference has taken on added significance after recent remarks by China’s ambassador to Manila sparked a diplomatic row ahead of November’s Asean summit. The feud underscored the challenge of managing tensions with Beijing, and increasingly hostile rhetoric could make the diplomatic... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/politics/article/3371980/filipinos-split-marcos-south-china-sea-handling-amid-row-over-jing-quans-remarks https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/politics/article/3371980/filipinos-split-marcos-south-china-sea-handling-amid-row-over-jing-quans-remarks Sun, 25 Oct 2026 08:00:06 +0000 Kolette Lim Kolette Lim Singapore is turning to major technology firms to strengthen its cyber defences, even as it presses them for greater transparency over security breaches – a balancing act facing regional governments as they seek to harness artificial intelligence while guarding against the risks it introduces. Those risks were highlighted by an AI agent linked to OpenAI that gained unauthorised access to files on an Australian government website earlier this year, raising questions over how quickly companies... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/politics/article/3371950/singapore-embraces-ai-cyber-defence-one-caveat-breach-transparency https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/politics/article/3371950/singapore-embraces-ai-cyber-defence-one-caveat-breach-transparency Sun, 25 Oct 2026 00:00:14 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Two Philippine air force planes collided during a training flight and crashed at an airbase south of Manila, killing all four pilots on board, Philippine officials said on Saturday. The two SF-260 aircraft collided while flying at a low altitude on Friday afternoon then crashed at Fernando Air Base in Lipa city in the coastal province of Batangas south of the capital. There were no injuries on the ground, the officials said. The air force did not provide details of what it called an accidental... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3372014/4-pilots-killed-mid-air-collision-philippine-military-planes https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3372014/4-pilots-killed-mid-air-collision-philippine-military-planes Sat, 24 Oct 2026 07:42:50 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran At this time of year, Fatima Ramos would normally be preparing her balikbayan boxes. Overseas Filipinos typically fill these boxes with gifts, clothes, food and household items to send to their loved ones back home in the Philippines for Christmas. Ramos has previously sent the tax-exempt parcels to her family and Philippine charity organisations from Abu Dhabi, where she is a domestic worker. Now back in the Philippines, Ramos is seeking answers about the parcels she sent last year, some of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3371982/overseas-filipinos-feel-heartache-over-missing-parcels-loved-ones-demand-answers https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3371982/overseas-filipinos-feel-heartache-over-missing-parcels-loved-ones-demand-answers Sat, 24 Oct 2026 04:00:20 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words. At a time of regional and global change, the Philippines is entering a period of significant economic opportunity. Its expanding consumer market, established role in regional supply chains, infrastructure needs and transition towards cleaner and more advanced industries are... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3371847/philippines-hong-kong-can-contribute-together-more-productive-asia https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/letters/article/3371847/philippines-hong-kong-can-contribute-together-more-productive-asia Sat, 24 Oct 2026 03:30:12 +0000 Reuters Reuters Authorities in the Philippines are investigating Thomas Markle, father of Meghan, the ⁠wife of Britain’s Prince ⁠Harry, the Philippine justice undersecretary said ⁠on Friday, after allegations he possessed child sexual abuse images. “Our Anti-Trafficking and Anti-OSAEC (online sexual abuse and exploitation of children) task force in Cebu is currently investigating the matter,” Nicholas Ty, Philippine justice undersecretary, said. Thomas Markle could not be immediately reached for comment but he... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3371976/meghan-markle-distressed-philippines-probes-father-over-child-sexual-abuse-images https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3371976/meghan-markle-distressed-philippines-probes-father-over-child-sexual-abuse-images Fri, 23 Oct 2026 14:41:01 +0000 Vincent Tan Vincent Tan Fatimah Zainal had already paid for her flights and accommodation when videos of the unrest in France made her jittery about the Paris leg of her European holiday. “The videos definitely made me panic,” said Fatimah, who plans to visit the French capital solo from October 31 to November 3 after travelling through Belgium. The press officer for an international organisation said the Malaysian government’s travel advisory gave her second thoughts, and changing her flight would cost up to an... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3371964/france-unrest-sparks-travel-jitters-southeast-asian-tourists https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3371964/france-unrest-sparks-travel-jitters-southeast-asian-tourists Fri, 23 Oct 2026 14:00:20 +0000 Khushboo Razdan Khushboo Razdan The Philippines’ dual push for stronger “minilateral” defence links and a more robust Asean security role is dividing analysts, with one calling the move “opportunistic”. Some experts view Manila’s advocacy for the “Squad” alliance as a strategic opportunity to deepen core security partnerships while chairing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Others question how much actual weight is carried by this informal defence grouping – comprising the United States, the Philippines, Japan and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3371952/opportunistic-experts-weigh-manilas-minilateral-agenda-ahead-trump-xi-meeting https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3371952/opportunistic-experts-weigh-manilas-minilateral-agenda-ahead-trump-xi-meeting Fri, 23 Oct 2026 14:00:14 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The Philippine government put a bounty on Friday on the head of the top enforcer of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody anti-drug crackdown, nearly a year after the International Criminal Court (ICC) ordered his arrest. Former Philippine police chief and sitting Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa had mostly been in hiding for months before The Hague-based tribunal unsealed the November 2025 arrest warrant against him in May and put him into flight. The bounty comes just over a month before... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3371939/philippines-offers-us786000-bounty-dangerous-senator-wanted-icc https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3371939/philippines-offers-us786000-bounty-dangerous-senator-wanted-icc Fri, 23 Oct 2026 09:53:23 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran The Philippines is turning to the United States to build its oil stockpile amid the global energy crunch, with observers saying the move could also serve Washington’s military interests and deepen strategic ties. A bilateral deal could deliver more immediate benefits than a broader Asean stockpile, which would entail coordination hurdles, analysts said, but questions remain over how quickly Manila could establish such a reserve and whether it would meaningfully reduce long-term dependence on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/politics/article/3371877/how-philippines-energy-crisis-opening-doors-deeper-us-military-ties https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/politics/article/3371877/how-philippines-energy-crisis-opening-doors-deeper-us-military-ties Fri, 23 Oct 2026 09:00:07 +0000 Reuters Reuters US and South Korean officials see the chances fading of ⁠a meeting between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un this year, according to five people with knowledge of the situation. Trump, the only US president to have met a North Korean leader, has been eager to jump-start talks with North Korea, but Pyongyang has shown little interest in diplomacy aimed at containing its nuclear programme. The US has received no response from North Korea on holding a Trump-Kim meeting, and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3371876/north-korean-silence-signals-trump-kim-summit-unlikely-us-south-korean-officials https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/east-asia/article/3371876/north-korean-silence-signals-trump-kim-summit-unlikely-us-south-korean-officials Fri, 23 Oct 2026 05:30:41 +0000 Nayan Seth,Khushboo Razdan Nayan Seth,Khushboo Razdan The Philippine ambassador to the United States signalled possible meetings of the “Squad” bloc ahead of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations gathering in Manila, as Washington confirmed that the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue would hold its first leaders’ summit in more than two years on the sidelines of the regional talks. An informal defence grouping, the “Squad” forms part of a US-led regional strategy to counter China’s growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region. It comprises the US... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/diplomacy/article/3371804/quad-confirmed-manila-envoy-signals-likely-squad-talks-trump-xi-summit https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/diplomacy/article/3371804/quad-confirmed-manila-envoy-signals-likely-squad-talks-trump-xi-summit Thu, 22 Oct 2026 15:00:05 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk Malaysian police have arrested a 16-year-old student after he live-streamed an attack on a teacher with an axe at a private school in Kuching, the capital of Sarawak state. CCTV footage shows the teenager entering a classroom at around 7.50am on Wednesday, hitting the female teacher with an axe before leaving. He re-enters through a second door and swings the axe at students as they flee the room. As the teacher tries to intervene, he attempts to hack at her again but is subdued by two male... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3371718/malaysian-teen-arrested-after-live-streaming-axe-attack-teacher-class https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3371718/malaysian-teen-arrested-after-live-streaming-axe-attack-teacher-class Thu, 22 Oct 2026 03:17:26 +0000 Vincent Tan Vincent Tan Southeast Asian nations are seeking to make it easier for businesses and consumers to operate across borders in the digital economy, but achieving the goal will depend on whether governments can align their domestic laws under a proposed pact, according to analysts. Targeted to be signed during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Manila in November, the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) is aimed at improving compatibility between rules and systems governing... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3371685/asean-wants-single-digital-economy-will-different-state-laws-hobble-its-goal https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3371685/asean-wants-single-digital-economy-will-different-state-laws-hobble-its-goal Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:30:19 +0000 Liu Zhen Liu Zhen China has allowed the Philippines to resupply a grounded warship on a disputed South China Sea reef, the coastguard said on Wednesday, as tension remains high over the Chinese ambassador’s controversial comment. The Philippines delivered necessities to its warship BRP Sierra Madre grounded at the Second Thomas Shoal on Wednesday, “with permission from the Chinese side”, the China Coast Guard said in a statement. “The China Coast Guard conducted confirmation checks and maintained full supervision... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3371693/china-says-it-allowed-philippines-resupply-warship-amid-diplomatic-tensions https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3371693/china-says-it-allowed-philippines-resupply-warship-amid-diplomatic-tensions Wed, 21 Oct 2026 20:57:34 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran A Gen Z jet-setter in the Philippines has been named commissioner for the urban poor, raising eyebrows over her qualifications for a position dealing with issues such as food and housing insecurity. Zofia Canlas took her oath as commissioner for the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) on Monday, but drew widespread attention for social media photos depicting a fashion-forward lifestyle and lavish getaways, such as posing in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and other trips around... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3371647/nepo-baby-uproar-philippines-after-gen-z-jet-setter-named-urban-poor-commissioner https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/people/article/3371647/nepo-baby-uproar-philippines-after-gen-z-jet-setter-named-urban-poor-commissioner Wed, 21 Oct 2026 09:27:00 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran When Mark Ifurung left his 18-year career as an IT professional in May, he was happy to ditch his two-hour commutes from his home in Cavite province south of Manila to his office in Makati City. So for his fresh start, the 40-year-old father of four wanted something that would allow him to work from home. “After being unemployed for five months, I decided to explore freelancing,” he said. “With my background in IT operations and application support, I realised I already have transferable skills... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3371614/filipinos-virtual-assistant-trumps-doctor-dream-job-whats-reality https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3371614/filipinos-virtual-assistant-trumps-doctor-dream-job-whats-reality Wed, 21 Oct 2026 09:00:13 +0000 Nayan Seth Nayan Seth US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Tuesday that the leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue would meet in the Philippine capital next month, marking the group’s first summit in more than two years, just days before US President Donald Trump meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Shenzhen, China. “It’s been agreement now that we’re going to do it; we’re going to do it in Manila, at the Asean conference,” Rubio said in an interview with Indian news channel CNN-News18. “We don’t... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/article/3371558/first-quad-leaders-summit-after-two-years-manila-next-month-rubio-confirms https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/article/3371558/first-quad-leaders-summit-after-two-years-manila-next-month-rubio-confirms Tue, 20 Oct 2026 17:13:44 +0000 Albee Zhang Albee Zhang China on Tuesday accused a US naval vessel of undermining regional stability by entering waters near the South China Sea’s disputed Spratly Islands. Early on Tuesday morning, the USS Charleston “illegally intruded” into the waters around Sabina Shoal “without approval”, said Yin Gang, spokesman for the People’s Liberation Army’s Southern Theatre Command Navy. The Chinese navy monitored and followed the Charleston, Yin said. China holds “indisputable sovereignty” over the Spratly Islands and the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3371517/pla-navy-followed-us-vessel-patrol-south-china-sea-hotspot-beijing-says https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3371517/pla-navy-followed-us-vessel-patrol-south-china-sea-hotspot-beijing-says Tue, 20 Oct 2026 10:10:43 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran Filipino seafarer Jay was on lookout duty aboard a vessel passing through the Strait of Hormuz one evening in August when drones swarmed overhead, darting past his ship and two others it was following. Within seconds, an explosion rang out from a tanker ahead. “That was traumatic for me when I saw that the tanker ahead of our vessel had been hit,” said Jay, whose real name has been withheld to protect him from possible employer retribution. The 29-year-old and his fellow crew members made it... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3371457/dire-straits-why-filipino-sailors-continue-brave-troubled-middle-east-waters https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3371457/dire-straits-why-filipino-sailors-continue-brave-troubled-middle-east-waters Tue, 20 Oct 2026 05:00:05 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung Taiwan’s coastguard said it warded off 16 mainland Chinese vessels in one day after they sailed into the island’s self-defined restricted waters in a coordinated, multi-pronged operation that experts say points to a shift in Beijing’s maritime pressure tactics. The vessels – 12 coastguard and research ships, as well as four fishing boats – operated simultaneously on Sunday in waters east of Hualien, south of Pingtung, southwest of Kaohsiung and around the Taiwan-controlled Dongsha Islands,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3371397/taiwan-coastguard-wards-16-mainland-ships-beijing-turns-pressure https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3371397/taiwan-coastguard-wards-16-mainland-ships-beijing-turns-pressure Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:10 +0000 Alyssa Chen Alyssa Chen Beijing’s ambassador to the Philippines Jing Quan has denied making threats after he was summoned over his recent comments that China could “easily win” a war between the two countries. Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro met Jing on Monday to express “serious concern and strong objections” over his “provocative and unacceptable” language. Lazaro added that he had aggravated an already sensitive situation and undermined efforts to build mutual understanding between the two countries,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3371399/chinese-ambassador-denies-threatening-philippines-after-saying-war-may-prove-easy-win https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3371399/chinese-ambassador-denies-threatening-philippines-after-saying-war-may-prove-easy-win Mon, 19 Oct 2026 11:43:05 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran The Philippines’ telco industry wants the country to become a regional digital hub anchored by stable underwater cables, but a leading executive and analysts warn that slow approvals for repairs, limited monitoring and fragmented official oversight could undermine the ambition. At a forum on archipelagic governance for subsea cables, PLDT, the Philippines’ largest telecommunications company, called for greater cooperation among government agencies and further reforms to expand the vital digital... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3371383/philippines-laws-underwater-cables-lagging-behind-its-digital-hub-goal https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3371383/philippines-laws-underwater-cables-lagging-behind-its-digital-hub-goal Mon, 19 Oct 2026 09:36:22 +0000 Tom King Tom King Asia-based airlines are battling stubbornly high fuel costs even as pressure mounts to accelerate their transition to more expensive sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Singapore Airlines Group reported a 78.5 per cent surge in net fuel costs in the quarter to June, contributing to a S$76 million (US$59.3 million) net loss despite record revenue. Cathay Pacific has repeatedly adjusted passenger fuel surcharges as jet fuel prices fluctuated, while India’s low-cost carrier IndiGo introduced another... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3370973/economic-realities-threaten-asias-green-aviation-ambitions https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3370973/economic-realities-threaten-asias-green-aviation-ambitions Sun, 18 Oct 2026 08:30:05 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Hong Kong’s leader has urged residents to cherish peace and stability as senior officials marked the Chung Yeung Festival with tributes to the city’s wartime defenders and public servants who died in the line of duty. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu attended the annual ceremony at the Hong Kong City Hall Memorial Garden in Central on Sunday, laying a wreath to honour those who died defending the city between 1941 and 1945. “As we remember the heroes who sacrificed their lives in war and our... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3371284/cherish-peace-and-stability-john-lee-urges-hongkongers-during-chung-yeung-festival https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3371284/cherish-peace-and-stability-john-lee-urges-hongkongers-during-chung-yeung-festival Sun, 18 Oct 2026 04:18:30 +0000 Vincent Tan Vincent Tan Almost every year, Kevin Stewart flies to China to find stock for his Indonesian businesses. But increasingly, the factories he visits are selling to his customers too, sometimes for less than they charge him. A data science manager in the tech sector by day, the Chinese-Indonesian entrepreneur also helps run home-living and pet-supply companies that sell to other businesses and direct to consumers, including through e-commerce platforms. Yet Chinese companies listing directly on Indonesian... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3371179/southeast-asias-ethnic-chinese-traders-feel-china-squeeze https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3371179/southeast-asias-ethnic-chinese-traders-feel-china-squeeze Sun, 18 Oct 2026 04:00:13 +0000 Seong Hyeon Choi Seong Hyeon Choi Senior US commanders have highlighted the importance of land-based troops and equipment stationed in the Asia-Pacific in any conflict with China, countering assumptions that such a war would be fought mainly at sea and in the air. General Ron Clark, commander of US Army Pacific, said the “tyranny of distance” made it difficult to rely on air and naval forces during a panel discussion at the Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting this week. The comments reflect mounting concerns... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/article/3371267/how-land-power-could-help-us-forces-counter-china-indo-pacific https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/article/3371267/how-land-power-could-help-us-forces-counter-china-indo-pacific Sun, 18 Oct 2026 01:00:10 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran US President Donald Trump is expected to drive hard bargains on tariffs and critical minerals in his return to the Asean summit in Manila next month, with Washington seeking greater economic and strategic concessions while remaining hawkish on China. The Philippines confirmed on Wednesday that Trump would fly in for the summit from November 16 to 18, before attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Shenzhen that same week. Trump’s second consecutive appearance at the forum... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3371132/trumps-second-asean-summit-presence-comes-price-region https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3371132/trumps-second-asean-summit-presence-comes-price-region Sun, 18 Oct 2026 00:00:08 +0000 Richard Heydarian Richard Heydarian China and the Philippines recently traded accusations over the medical evacuation of a Philippine serviceman from a grounded naval vessel in the hotly disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The incident has sparked renewed worries about potential armed skirmishes in a global artery of trade. But Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr was also quick to emphasise the economic dimensions of a major conflict. After a decade of rapid economic growth, the Philippines is facing... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3370775/philippines-china-free-manufacturing-strategy-high-risk-bet https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3370775/philippines-china-free-manufacturing-strategy-high-risk-bet Sat, 17 Oct 2026 01:30:09 +0000 Alex Lo Alex Lo Americans are souring on artificial intelligence, so Washington is trying to convince them the old-fashioned way: by citing, ad nauseam, the China threat. US President Donald Trump, flanked by tech executives at the White House late last month, warned voters that if they rejected data centres, companies would “be forced to go overseas”. He added that “whoever wins superintelligence wins” and that “you’re probably not gonna have a second place”. The implication was that detractors would be... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3370992/us-tech-bros-are-coming-asia-and-latin-americas-power-grids https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3370992/us-tech-bros-are-coming-asia-and-latin-americas-power-grids Fri, 16 Oct 2026 08:30:06 +0000 Fan Chen Fan Chen Manila has called for diplomatic restraint in response to suggestions from the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines that Beijing could “easily win” a military showdown in the region but had instead chosen peace. The war of words comes amid rising tension over the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Beijing has repeatedly driven away Philippine aircraft over the shoal in recent months, while accusing Manila of violating Chinese airspace. Ambassador Jing Quan made his comment on Thursday as... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3371121/envoy-says-china-could-easily-win-conflict-manila-claims-it-thinly-veiled-threat https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3371121/envoy-says-china-could-easily-win-conflict-manila-claims-it-thinly-veiled-threat Fri, 16 Oct 2026 06:58:59 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran As the Philippines braces for months of drought and shortages amid the deleterious effects of El Nino, questions are mounting over whether it could have been better prepared to deal with a crisis that had been predicted well in advance. The government’s haphazard response to the climate phenomenon reflects its persistent track record of failing to adequately plan, according to climate and risk specialists. El Nino is a weather phenomenon that triggers changes in winds and rainfall patterns,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/health-environment/article/3371075/philippines-geared-el-nino-critics-say-water-planning-has-run-dry https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/health-environment/article/3371075/philippines-geared-el-nino-critics-say-water-planning-has-run-dry Fri, 16 Oct 2026 04:00:07 +0000 Dewey Sim,Khushboo Razdan Dewey Sim,Khushboo Razdan Japan’s hopes for a visit by Donald Trump during his trip to Asia next month may be hanging in the balance as relations between China and the United States steadily improve. The US president spent three days in Japan ahead of last year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, and his meeting with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was hailed as a sign of a “new golden age” in the countries’ relationship. But since then Trump’s growing rapport with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping has caused... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3371045/why-japanese-pm-takaichi-still-keen-roll-out-welcome-mat-trump https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3371045/why-japanese-pm-takaichi-still-keen-roll-out-welcome-mat-trump Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:26 +0000 Aidan Jones,Ushar Daniele Aidan Jones,Ushar Daniele A private jet hired from Malaysia – seemingly destined for the Philippines – but stopped on the tarmac by Laos’ drug police who found suitcases stuffed with 512kg of crystal methamphetamine, has returned the spotlight to the unrelenting flow of narcotics from the Mekong’s drug laboratories. Cyberscams have dominated headlines and authorities’ attention across Southeast Asia for over a year as the leading criminal enterprise worth tens of billions of dollars annually. But methamphetamine – in its... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3371043/laos-private-jet-bust-reveals-how-mekong-meth-slips-past-borders https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/economics/article/3371043/laos-private-jet-bust-reveals-how-mekong-meth-slips-past-borders Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:17:17 +0000