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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.
David Tran, a Teochew-Vietnamese refugee who settled in California, created the world-famous Sriracha sauce, turning a regional flavour profile into a global household staple. Photo: Griffin Hammond
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?

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Malaysia

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

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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.

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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China-Latin America relations

Brazil turns to China trade deal after Trump tariffs, as years of resistance end

Xi and Lula agree to fast track Mercosur trade talks, endorsing a deal Brasilia fought to bury when Uruguay first proposed it.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (left), seen here with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia, Brazil, in November, 2024. The pair have agreed to accelerate negotiations for a trade agreement between China and Mercosur. Photo: Xinhua
North Korea

What North Korea’s ‘rare rebuke’ means for its Asean ties

Kim Yo-jong says Asean’s call for denuclearisation has ‘distorted the essence of the situation in the Korean peninsula’.

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Myanmar

Myanmar military escalates civilian killings under new command, monitor reports

A conflict monitor records more than a dozen ⁠mass killings in 2026, over 450 civilians ⁠dead.

Energy

Asian Angle | Decades of talk, zero barrels stored: why can’t Asean stockpile oil?

The Iran war energy crisis revived Asean’s joint reserve plans. To avoid another shelved ambition, the bloc needs swift, binding action.

Southeast Asia is projected to account for one-fifth of global energy demand growth through 2035. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Asian Angle | Southeast Asia must embrace reforms for ‘China plus one’ to succeed

The region needs to build strong institutions, pursue industrial policies that allow local firms to compete and upgrade its supply chains.

A container ship sails from Tanjung Pelepas Port in Gelang Patah, Malaysia, last month. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Why new US tariffs threaten Trump government’s credibility in Asean

The additional duties come just a day after Marco Rubio tells Southeast Asian foreign ministers that the US is ‘with Asean 100 per cent’.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Can Southeast Asia survive more Iran war fuel shocks?

Analysts warn the region cannot fully insulate itself from an extended conflict if the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted.

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South China Sea

Beijing and Manila trade blame on second day of Scarborough Shoal clashes

Chinese coastguard use water cannon during maritime stand-off, the third with the Philippines in the South China Sea since Monday.

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The Philippines has accused China of “a series of water cannon attacks and dangerous manoeuvres” while the Chinese coastguard says its actions were "lawful". Photo: X/@jaytaryela
US-China relations

Editorial | Wang-Rubio meeting after Trump remarks shows guard rail is up and working

Not even Trump’s inflammatory accusations of Chinese election interference have derailed the relationship.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Pasay, Metro Manila, the Philippines, on July 22. Photo: Reuters
China-Latin America relations

China vows to defend Brazil’s sovereignty as Trump’s 25% tariff bites

Wang Yi tells Brazilian foreign minister Beijing backs Brazil’s sovereignty, and asks for support on ‘China’s own core interests’ in return.

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The Philippines

Indonesia-Philippines power link sparks hopes of cheap energy, stable supply

Efforts to establish links under the Asean Power Grid scheme would first need to overcome technical and political hurdles, experts say.

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