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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.
People wade through floodwaters in Nha Trang in Vietnam’s coastal province of Khanh Hoa on November 20, 2025. Photo: AFP
Climate change

Letters | In age of climate whiplash, Asian solutions need philanthropic support

Readers discuss how philanthropy can respond to Asia’s climate challenges, the mismatch between Hong Kong’s ride-hailing cap and the reality of gig work, and the data centre rush.

Banking & finance

Opinion | Hong Kong is emerging as a leading capital hub of the multipolar era

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US-China relations

Editorial | Shangri-La Dialogue has outlived its usefulness for China

Cambodia

Cambodia starts UN-backed process for maritime dispute with Thailand

The dispute relates to sea space in the Gulf of ‌Thailand that holds trillions of cubic feet of natural gas and large quantities of oil.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet (front) attends a parliamentary session in Phnom Penh, Cambodia last month. Photo: Xinhua
Malaysia

Why oil-hungry Asia ignores risks linked to Russia’s ‘dark fleet’

Asia prioritises fuel needs over security risks from Russian oil to survive the energy crisis, despite sanctions and diplomatic dilemmas.

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China-Latin America relations

China urges Brazil to jointly repel ‘external challenges’ as ties deepen

Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira meets Wang Yi and Han Zheng as Brazil seeks key stable fertiliser supply amid US-Iran conflict.

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The Philippines

Opinion | Will the US’ Pax Silica deliver for the Philippines?

The Pax Silica plan to make the Philippines a vital node in a US-led tech supply chain is built on seemingly speculative promises and risks riling China.

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US President Donald Trump meets Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr in the Oval Office at the White House on July 22, 2025, in Washington. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
Singapore

Shangri-La Dialogue: can Asia do ‘less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs’?

In response to Hegseth’s call, participants at the Singapore forum say defence spending levels have to factor in different countries’ needs.

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The Philippines

Philippines says Beijing main hurdle to South China Sea code of conduct

Addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue, defence chief Teodoro blamed China for stalling the pact and stressed Asean’s unity on the issue.

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Malaysia

Malaysia blasts ‘conspicuously muted’ response over axed Norway missile deal

Defence Minister Khaled told the Shangri-La Dialogue that Oslo’s move was ‘destructive’ to the credibility of the rules-based global order.

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The Naval Strike Missiles produced by a Norwegian company are meant for the Malaysian navy’s littoral combat ships. Photo: Kongsberg
Singapore

Asian Angle | Where Southeast Asians really want to live, work and travel

While Thailand leads for tourism, Singapore and Japan are the top draws for work, revealing uneven regional soft power dynamics.

People at the Merlion statue in Singapore. The city state has emerged top among Southeast Asians who chose an Asean member as their preferred relocation destination, according to a survey. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Sustained security can’t come from ‘barrel of a gun’: East Timor’s Ramos-Horta

At the Shangri-La Dialogue, the East Timor president cites Asean as an example of how communication can prevent conflict and yield dividends.

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US-Asean relations

Tariffs, war and broken trust: Southeast Asia’s Trump problem

Disillusioned by US unpredictability, the region is learning to diversify – while Trump treats allies as bargaining chips.

The Philippines

Opinion | Why the Philippines walks a delicate balance as Asean chair

Manila’s success at the helm will depend on its ability to make the Association of Southeast Asian Nations more operational than before.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Vietnam

Vietnam, Philippines to forge stronger ‘alignment’ on 50 years of ties

Analysts say To Lam’s first visit to Manila as state leader signals Vietnam’s balanced foreign policy and investment in Asean partnerships.

Vietnam’s President To Lam is due in the Philippines for a two-day state visit on Sunday and Monday. Photo: AP
The Philippines

Philippines lags behind neighbours on tourism. How will it step up its game?

While the bloc’s chairmanship is a plus point, Manila needs to overcome accessibility challenges to attract more regional tourists.

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Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Cross-border wealth hub crown latest sign Hong Kong is roaring back

City overtook Switzerland in BCG wealth report, underscoring vital ‘superconnector’ role between mainland and international capital markets.

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China exports

Southeast Asia is building a huge regional power grid. How is China involved?

Chinese firms are integral to Southeast Asia’s green transition plan, which will see nations across the region integrate their grids, official says.

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Workers inspect a vast solar power project in western China. Photo: Xinhua
Laos

Video | Rescuers race to save miners in flooded Laos cave

Thai teams have joined the mission, as rescuers share photos of the treacherous conditions in the cave tunnel.

Indonesia

How US military aircraft repair hub could threaten Indonesian neutrality

If Indonesia turns Kertajati Airport into a Hercules repair hub, it risks being seen as siding with the US in times of war, analysts say.

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Cambodia

Video | Cambodia’s Hun Sen pardons detained opposition leader

Many political opponents were convicted during Hun Sen’s time in power while Sam Rainsy, the co-founder of Sokha’s party, CNRP, remains in self-exile in France.

Cambodia National Rescue Party Kem Sokha
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Cambodia

Hun Sen pardons detained Cambodia opposition leader Kem Sokha

Many political opponents were convicted during Hun Sen’s time in power while Kem Sokha’s CNRP co-founder Sam Rainsy remains in self-exile in France.

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Kem Sokha, former leader of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), arrives to attend a hearing at the Municipal Court in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE
Energy

Shock absorber: will Asean’s power grid be up to the task by 2045?

With only eight of 18 links built and a 100-terawatt demand surge looming, analysts say the blueprint may need an overhaul for the AI age.

Hong Kong

Opinion | In a fractured world, Hong Kong must seize its Apec moment

The city will host the finance ministers’ meeting in October. It could seize the day and deepen cooperation with like-minded cities.

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South China Sea

Why the largest-ever US-Philippine drill, and Japan’s role, makes China uneasy

The scale of this year’s Balikatan exercise has been described as part of a trend that will ‘exacerbate regional instability’.

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Troops from New Zealand, the Philippines, the US and Australia pose for a photo after taking part in counter-landing live-fire drills during the Balikatan exercises on April 27. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Asian Angle | What the China-US stability pact means for Southeast Asia

The real test of Beijing and Washington’s adoption of ‘constructive strategic stability’ will be how words translate into action.

US President Donald Trump (left) shakes hand with China’s Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14. Photo: Reuters
Artificial intelligence

Southeast Asia is chasing the AI boom, but at what cost?

A regional dash for digital dominance risks running headlong into an energy crunch and an existential threat to jobs.

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Laos

Over 4,300 Southeast Asian species face extinction threat

Tigers, giant catfish, gibbons and pangolins are among the thousands of ‘critically endangered’ or ‘endangered’ species in the region.

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