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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.
Women walk past the illuminated Sultan Abdul Samad Building in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 26. In recent weeks, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s multi-ethnic governing coalition has suffered two consecutive defeats in state elections following campaigns dominated by racial and religious appeals. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Opinion | Why Malaysia’s political turmoil matters to Beijing

Malaysia shows how local battles over race and national identity could complicate China’s Southeast Asian playbook.

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Myanmar

Myanmar rebuffs Asean call to free Aung San Suu Kyi

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong commerce chief to lead joint local and mainland delegation to Malaysia

Thailand

Thailand looks to Siam Silica to propel it to top Asean semiconductor player

As Thailand is coming late into the game, it will have to look for ways to make itself indispensable in the industry, analysts say.

Robots assemble chips during Semicon Southeast Asia 2026 in Kuala Lumpur on May 5. Photo: Reuters
Myanmar

Can war-torn Myanmar finally realise its economic potential?

Myanmar’s economy has shown signs of life after years of sky-high inflation and negative growth, but experts say it is far from recovering.

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China-Japan relations

‘Ghosts of the 20th century’: how China and Japan clash over post-WWII narrative

In quest to win trust of Asian neighbours, Beijing is intensifying its rhetoric against Tokyo’s changing defence posture.

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Diplomacy

Why the UK is doubling down on Asean ties amid European reset

Observers say the move to engage Asean is less a policy reset than continuity in Britain’s post-Brexit engagement with the bloc.

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UK Foreign Minister Ed Miliband (left) speaks during the Asean Post-Ministerial Conference with the United Kingdom in Metro Manila, the Philippines, on July 22. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong urged to be ‘super partner’ in businesses’ overseas expansion push

Chinese General Chamber of Commerce chief Jonathan Choi says city should invest and operate abroad, while urging annual review of first five-year plan.

Hong Kong economy

Food Expo vendors hoping for tasty profits with items such as caviar sake gelato

Abalone for HK$1, handcrafted caviar mooncakes and discounted coffee and milk tea packs among products at next week’s Food Expo.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s Prabowo eyes North Korea trip. But no one’s invited him

While a visit could boost Indonesia’s diplomatic clout, it also threatens to raise another outcry about Prabowo’s frequent flights.

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto speaks at a press conference in Jakarta on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Myanmar

Myanmar president heads to Thailand amid civil war at home

Thailand’s acknowledgement of Min Aung Hlaing’s legitimacy stems from a ‘straight up pragmatism’, analysts say.

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Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing leaves after delivering a speech in parliament on Friday. Photo: AP
Asian diaspora

Opinion | Why global migration data should recognise subgroups like the Teochew

Until our data systems see past broad labels like Asian or Chinese, and recognise subgroups, our picture of global migration is incomplete.

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The Philippines

Will Philippines’ push for seabed rights derail South China Sea code talks?

Analysts say Manila’s move could make it harder for Asean to agree on a common position regarding the code of conduct.

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Malaysia

Why Malaysia is urging global powers to uphold international law ‘consistently’

Analysts say the remarks are aimed broadly at powerful states as Southeast Asian nations seek stronger deterrence against coercion.

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Malaysia’s Defence Minister Khaled Nordin (right) at the 37th International Military Law and Operations Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday. Photo: EPA
Myanmar

‘She is alive’: new Suu Kyi photos emerge as Myanmar junta faces pressure

In photos released by the president’s office, Suu Kyi is seen shaking hands with Arnaud de Baecque and cutting a birthday cake.

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A Myanmar government handout photo shows ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi (left) talking to Arnaud de Baecque in Naypyitaw on Monday. Photo: Myanmar President Office/EPA
Malaysia

What Turkey’s upgrade to Asean dialogue partner status means

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan calls the development ‘of utmost importance’ in its relationship with Asia-Pacific countries.

India

Ready player 3: India offers Asean a US-China alternative

India pitches trade, missiles and room to hedge as the US and China vie for regional influence.

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China exports

Chinese motorcycle exports roar to record highs amid tech gains, upmarket push

Chinese makers drive into upmarket segment and catch up with foreign peers in design and engine development.

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A CFMoto booth at the 82nd edition of the International Motorcycle and Accessories Exhibition in Rho, near Milan, Italy. Photo: Getty Images
Diplomacy

Justice beyond borders: East Timor’s Myanmar case tests Asean diplomacy

The case, which alleges abuses in Myanmar’s northwestern Chin state, is now under consideration by the courts in Dili.

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South China Sea

‘Negotiation fatigue’ risks stalling South China Sea code of conduct progress

Efforts to finalise the code between Asean and China this year are hampered to a large extent by differences between Manila and Beijing.

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Hong Kong economy

80% of mainland Chinese firms eye Hong Kong as launch pad for Asean expansion

Trade Development Council research indicates that mainland firms are actively pursuing diversified footprints across Asean markets.

A drone view shows traffic during evening rush hours at the business district in Jakarta, Indonesia. Mainland Chinese firms are expanding into Asean markets. Photo: Reuters
US-Asean relations

Inside America’s US$1.5 billion play for Southeast Asian energy

Gas exports and mini reactors serve US interests as much as Asia’s – provided promised projects actually lead anywhere.

A power plant and transmission lines in Thai Nguyen province, Vietnam. The International Development Finance Corporation has reportedly held talks with Vietnam on grid modernisation. Photo: AP
United Nations

Asian scam gangs snare educated English speakers with fake job ads: UN agency

Victims from over 80 different countries are being trafficked into cross-border scams, the International Organisation for Migration says.

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The Philippines

EU’s US$17 million maritime aid for Manila targets ‘fault lines’

Analysts say the European Union considers Manila ‘the most important’ partner for its Indo-Pacific strategy.

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Artificial intelligence

AI competition heats up as US targets Southeast Asia’s public sector

Washington’s launch of AI Spark is seen as a move to counter Chinese AI models that have made inroads in Southeast Asia, analysts say.

An illustration of the US and Chinese AI ecosystems. Photo: Shutterstock
China trade

Indonesia wants to move beyond raw materials. Will its China ties suffer?

Beijing and Jakarta enjoy unprecedented economic interdependence – but shifting priorities in Indonesia threaten to strain the partnership.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong Shopping Festival eyes Asean expansion, with Singapore, Malaysia first

Third edition of annual e-commerce event has attracted a record number of local brands across mainland and Asean editions, organiser says.

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Bonds

Hong Kong’s Asean charm offensive bags US$1.5 billion Malaysian bond listing

Dual listing on Bursa Malaysia and HKEX comes as Hong Kong officials further expand financial ties beyond mainland China.

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