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Asean

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.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr gestures to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a visit to Manila in 2023. She is expected to return next year to sign a trade pact. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

After EU-Philippines trade breakthrough, is Asean-wide deal next?

A bloc-to-bloc free-trade agreement offers Asean real economic clout, but analysts warn there is still a ‘long way to go’.

China-Asean relations

Opinion | How Chinese firms can avoid a Europe-style backlash in Southeast Asia

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China-Asean relations

Opinion | In a US-China world, Asean must do more than avoid choosing sides

China-Asean relations

Opinion | How Chinese firms can optimise their ‘going out’ strategy in Southeast Asia

While local partners gain valuable technical and marketing skills, Chinese companies must navigate vastly different regulatory and cultural landscapes to succeed.

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An exhibitor chats to visitors at the 23rd China-Asean Expo in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on September 21. Bilateral trade exceeded US$1 trillion in 2025. Photo: Xinhua
South China Sea

Why Brunei prefers ‘quiet diplomacy’ over confrontation in South China Sea

As a nation with a small military, Brunei would rather work with Beijing in safe zones such as peacekeeping than butt heads, analysts say.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong secures expanded equal treatment and investment guarantees across Asean

Hong Kong authorities say signing of the protocol will bring legal certainty, enhance the investment environment and boost investment flows.

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Infrastructure

Can the new Pinglu Canal become China’s Yangtze of the southwest?

The 134.2km waterway promises shorter routes to the sea and lower transport costs, potentially reshaping the fortunes of landlocked regions.

An aerial drone photo taken on June 11 shows the Pinglu Canal in Qinzhou, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Photo: Xinhua
John Lee policy address 2026

Hong Kong’s new training visa could be available in first quarter of 2027

New visa category among spate of new talent-trawling measures unveiled in city leader John Lee’s policy address.

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China exports

China launches Pinglu Canal, slashing transit time to Southeast Asia

Newly opened Pinglu Canal will allow cargo from inland provinces to reach the Gulf of Tonkin, avoiding a 560km detour, deepening trade ties.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | As the global order fragments, at least Asean is still talking

A modest lesson in a multipolar world is that sometimes the achievement is simply that disagreement does not end the conversation.

US President Donald Trump (third from left) gathers with Asean leaders for a group photo before the 13th Asean-US summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2025. Photo: AFP
China economy

Opinion | Western businesses need to crack the new CIA: China, India and Asean

The businesses that adapt early to engage China, India and Asean will help draft Asia’s next chapter and profit from it.

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The Huaihai Road commercial district in Shanghai, China, seen on March 6. Photo: AFP
Thailand

Southeast Asia weighs energy transition amid LNG supply crunch

At Gastech 2026, policymakers implore pragmatism over net-zero targets and closer cooperation to ensure affordable LNG supplies.

The Philippines

Philippines holding historic election in Muslim autonomous region

Under a 2014 peace deal brokered by Malaysia, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front gave up its goal of a separate state in exchange for autonomy.

Indonesia

Up in smoke: why Southeast Asia failed to halt the haze

Asean was going to eliminate transboundary haze by 2020. What happened?

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Scenes from across Southeast Asia as dense transboundary haze from widespread forest and peatland fires triggers severe air pollution. Photos: EPA
The Philippines

Why Marcos’ Brics trip is ‘low-risk’ chance for Philippines to make new friends

The president, attending in his capacity as Asean chair, should not miss the opportunity to diversify ties beyond the US, analysts say.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) delivers a speech as US Trade and Development Agency Deputy Director Thomas Hardy looks on during the Luzon Economic Corridor Investment Forum in Taguig City on Thursday. Photo: EPA
China-Philippines relations

Video | Beijing accuses Philippine defence chief of ‘grandstanding’

Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro read out a handwritten memo reportedly from the Chinese embassy at the Seoul Defence Dialogue on Tuesday.

Banking & finance

Yuan use grows as supply chains reshape global trade, Deutsche Bank says

Europe’s first foreign RMB clearer says Chinese firms’ overseas expansion is strengthening the currency’s role in cross-border commerce.

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China trade

China’s export machine strengthens in August as trade imbalance concerns mount

While Western officials still name China’s trade surplus as an area of concern, analysts said the 2026 surplus is on track to beat last year’s record.

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Workers inspect a turbine set for export at a factory in Deyang, southwest China’s Sichuan province. Photo: Xinhua
Malaysia

Letters | Could Indonesia be sued for the haze in Malaysia? Yes and no

Readers discuss a recourse for victims of transboundary air pollution, tourist spending, tourism videos past and present, and Hongkong Post’s options.

Extreme weather

Southeast Asia’s extreme heat exposes holes in safety net for outdoor workers

Many Southeast Asian cities lack adequate heat risk assessments, and have weak regulations protecting outdoor workers, a report says.

Malaysia

Malaysia declares emergency in Sarawak town as haze pollution level hits 521

Indonesian police have arrested 112 people suspected of starting the recent forest and peatland fires in 10 provinces on Sumatra and Borneo.

The Sarawak Government Administrative Centre in Serian is shrouded in thick haze on Friday. Photo: AP
Singapore

Video | Watch leaders of Thailand and Singapore croon Beatles tune

The performance in the Thai capital on Wednesday came as Thai PM Anutin hosts the Singapore-Thailand Leaders’ Retreat in Bangkok.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul crooned the Beatles song “Let it Be” accompanied on guitar by visiting Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
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Pacific nations

Exclusive | New Zealand ‘must never be seen as a proxy’, former PM Helen Clark warns

Calling the US Pacific strategy a ‘game of bluff’, Clark urges Wellington to defend its independent foreign policy tradition.

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Belt and Road Initiative

Opinion | 3 key belt and road connectivities that Hong Kong drives

Hong Kong’s Belt and Road Office is focusing on strengthening links related to infrastructure, rules and standards, and people-to-people connections.

Singapore

Can Singapore be the ‘natural choice’ to bridge Asean and Central Asia?

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong says Singapore aims to explore ways to boost cooperation between both regions in various sectors.

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Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong (left) and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reaffirm the long-standing relations between both states last month. Photo: Ministry of Digital Development and Information
China trade

China’s US$10.8b short cut: new Pinglu Canal prepares to supercharge Asean trade

Delivery of first command vessel looks to signal imminent opening of megaproject connecting inland factories directly to Southeast Asian markets such as Vietnam.

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Trial vessels are seen at a navigation lock on the Pinglu Canal in China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on August 12. Photo: Xinhua
China-Japan relations

How Japan aims to convert ageing warships into leverage to counter China

Tokyo plans to send retired destroyers to Manila and Jakarta, but it may not demand alignment against China as part of deal.

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Vietnam

South China Sea island build-up heightens Vietnam’s security concerns

Hanoi voices strong objections after reports emerge about Chinese construction works in the Paracels archipelago.

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