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Brunei Darussalam

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Brunei Darussalam. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Bandar Seri Begawan

Head of State

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah

Head of Government

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah

The Learning Hub at the Nanyang Technological University. NTU students have been given full access to a suite of Google AI tools. Photo: Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Singapore

Singapore’s universities race to embrace AI as job demands transform

More employers are emphasising AI literacy and are willing to pay more for graduates with the relevant skills, analysts say.

19 Aug 2026 - 3:36PMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

How monarchies stay relevant; Pakistan’s new defence pact: 7 Asia highlights

18 Aug 2026 - 2:31PM

Malaysia

How Southeast Asia’s monarchies stay relevant in a volatile region

15 Aug 2026 - 10:00AM

Asean

Editorial | Hong Kong’s economic and trade network plays to city’s strengths

The opening of a new Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur is part of a strategic move towards bolstering relations with Asean.

13 Aug 2026 - 7:15AM

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau takes part in a lion dance ceremony to mark the official opening of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on August 11. Photo: Information Services Department

Hong Kong economy

New Hong Kong trade office in Malaysia a bridge to Greater Bay Area: minister

Commerce chief Algernon Yau calls launch of Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur ‘highly strategic move’.

11 Aug 2026 - 9:05PM

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.

5 Aug 2026 - 11:33PM

Asean

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.

24 Jul 2026 - 6:31PMvideocam

Black smoke rises following explosions near a military base hosting US forces in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil, on Friday. Photo: AP

US-China relations

Wang and Rubio at Asean discuss Xi’s planned US visit, South China Sea clash

America’s top diplomat describes dispute between Beijing and Manila over Second Thomas Shoal as very negative and benefiting no one.

22 Jul 2026 - 10:48PMvideocam

European Union

Opinion | EU isn’t just selling aircraft to China. It’s helping strengthen a competitor

China Eastern’s multibillion-dollar Airbus orders, after EU delays on certifying Chinese planes, show not inconsistency but leverage towards a long-term goal.

12 Jul 2026 - 9:30AM

Singapore

Singapore warns of ‘severe’ haze in August, September from El Nino effect

There is a ‘high risk’ of haze in Southeast Asia as a combination of El Nino and warmer seas raises the danger of forest fires, agency says.

2 Jul 2026 - 11:39AM

Singapore

Burning point: Southeast Asia’s haze fight faces cost test

Indonesia has come under renewed attention after President Prabowo Subianto committed to cracking down on agriculture-linked fires.

26 Jun 2026 - 8:40PM

A police officer sprays water in a bid to extinguish a fire razing through a peatland field in Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra, Indonesia, in July last year. Photo: AP

US-China relations

Trump backs ‘Six Assurances’ to Taiwan but no arms sale timeline: US diplomat

Michael DeSombre confirms long-standing US policy still in place despite Trump’s apparent departure from it after Beijing meeting with Xi.

26 Jun 2026 - 3:36AMvideocam

Malaysia

‘Perfect time’: weak rupiah makes Indonesia irresistible for Malaysian tourists

The weak currency makes it a bargain for Malaysians seeking cheap holidays, with destinations like Bali in demand.

7 Jun 2026 - 3:12PMvideocam

Royalty

Brunei picks polo-loving pilot prince as foreign minister

The cabinet reshuffle is seen as a move to prepare for the next generation of leaders in the kingdom amid the sultan’s health concerns.

5 Jun 2026 - 3:09PM

Brunei’s Prince Abdul Mateen. Photo: Instagram/tmski

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.

2 Jun 2026 - 10:03AMvideocam

Russia’s “shadow fleet” vessels wait in the unofficial anchorage area in the Gulf of Finland near Vaindloo, Estonia, on April 10. Photo: Reuters

India

India seals BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam, eyes Indonesia next

A senior Indian defence ministry official made the announcement at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore.

31 May 2026 - 10:51AM

Singapore

17 nations launch pact to protect vital undersea cables amid US, China absence

Singapore’s defence chief tells the Shangri-La Dialogue the pact aims to explore potential areas of collaboration and share best practices.

1 Jun 2026 - 9:40AM

Crime

Editorial | Hong Kong should spare no effort in fight against financial crime

The recent crackdown by law enforcement agencies from 10 jurisdictions on international scams shows the benefit of regional cooperation.

25 May 2026 - 6:45AM

Officers from the Frontier+ initiative at a press briefing in the Maldives. Photo: Handout

Indonesia

Indonesia’s oil hub pitch collides with Asean’s trust deficit

Joint energy security is easy to endorse in principle, yet the bloc has a stubborn record of leaving its emergency frameworks untouched.

19 May 2026 - 3:13PM

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Wary mood to mark Xi-Trump summit with irritants aplenty on both sides: analysts

Observers noted the number of recent strategic and trade blows, including the war on Iran, have not derailed the meeting from going ahead.

14 May 2026 - 1:50AMvideocam

Aviation

China forges new aviation alliances to fast-track C929 certification

Pacts include airworthiness standards for long-haul aircraft, together with Hong Kong and Macau, aiding efforts to expand international operations for Comac’s jets.

30 Apr 2026 - 5:00PM

Zhao Chunling, the chief designer of China’s widebody C929 aircraft, touches a model of the in-development jet. Photo: Xinhua

South China Sea

China, Vietnam vow to ‘better’ navigate South China Sea disputes

Joint communique indicates wish to keep maritime disputes from jeopardising ties and caps To Lam’s trip.

17 Apr 2026 - 8:55PM

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) welcomes Vietnamese President To Lam to Beijing at a ceremony outside the Great Hall of the People on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua via AP

Malaysia

‘New normal’: Malaysia and Australia strike energy supply pledge amid Iran war

The deal creates a mutual spillover valve, allowing the partners to swap surplus energy once domestic demand is satisfied.

16 Apr 2026 - 7:32PMvideocam

The Philippines

Why Southeast Asian nations are skipping major US-Philippine Balikatan drills

Given the rivalry between Washington and Beijing, joining the annual military exercise may risk being seen as picking the US, analysts say.

17 Apr 2026 - 1:11PM

US-China relations

Russian and Chinese envoys meet in Beijing to discuss Iran, Ukraine and Taiwan

Chinese readout warns of rising turmoil in veiled swipe at Washington and Trump as Beijing strengthens ties with Moscow.

15 Apr 2026 - 4:46AMvideocam

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (left) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pose before talks in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

US, Israel war on Iran

Asia’s energy supply at breaking point as US blockades Hormuz

Nearly 90 per cent of the region’s crude oil is now at risk as stalled peace talks and a naval stand-off raise the spectre of stagflation.

14 Apr 2026 - 6:09PM

A liquefied natural gas tanker is seen at a port in Yokohama, Japan’s Kanagawa prefecture, on April 8. Photo: AFP

The Philippines

Philippines to rename disputed South China Sea islands

The features to be renamed belong to the Spratly archipelago, site of repeated confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels.

31 Mar 2026 - 11:29PM

The Philippines

As Philippines battles fuel crisis, will Marcos postpone Asean summit?

Lawmakers have urged the president to postpone or scale down the event and redirect funds towards softening the blow of rising energy costs.

27 Mar 2026 - 12:30PMvideocam

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Brunei Darussalam

Singapore’s universities race to embrace AI as job demands transform

More employers are emphasising AI literacy and are willing to pay more for graduates with the relevant skills, analysts say.

How monarchies stay relevant; Pakistan’s new defence pact: 7 Asia highlights

How Southeast Asia’s monarchies stay relevant in a volatile region

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | Hong Kong’s economic and trade network plays to city’s strengths

The opening of a new Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur is part of a strategic move towards bolstering relations with Asean.

New Hong Kong trade office in Malaysia a bridge to Greater Bay Area: minister

Commerce chief Algernon Yau calls launch of Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur ‘highly strategic move’.

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.

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.

Wang and Rubio at Asean discuss Xi’s planned US visit, South China Sea clash

America’s top diplomat describes dispute between Beijing and Manila over Second Thomas Shoal as very negative and benefiting no one.

Opinion | EU isn’t just selling aircraft to China. It’s helping strengthen a competitor

China Eastern’s multibillion-dollar Airbus orders, after EU delays on certifying Chinese planes, show not inconsistency but leverage towards a long-term goal.

Singapore warns of ‘severe’ haze in August, September from El Nino effect

There is a ‘high risk’ of haze in Southeast Asia as a combination of El Nino and warmer seas raises the danger of forest fires, agency says.

Burning point: Southeast Asia’s haze fight faces cost test

Indonesia has come under renewed attention after President Prabowo Subianto committed to cracking down on agriculture-linked fires.

Trump backs ‘Six Assurances’ to Taiwan but no arms sale timeline: US diplomat

Michael DeSombre confirms long-standing US policy still in place despite Trump’s apparent departure from it after Beijing meeting with Xi.

‘Perfect time’: weak rupiah makes Indonesia irresistible for Malaysian tourists

The weak currency makes it a bargain for Malaysians seeking cheap holidays, with destinations like Bali in demand.

Brunei picks polo-loving pilot prince as foreign minister

The cabinet reshuffle is seen as a move to prepare for the next generation of leaders in the kingdom amid the sultan’s health concerns.

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.

India seals BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam, eyes Indonesia next

A senior Indian defence ministry official made the announcement at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore.

17 nations launch pact to protect vital undersea cables amid US, China absence

Singapore’s defence chief tells the Shangri-La Dialogue the pact aims to explore potential areas of collaboration and share best practices.

Editorial | Hong Kong should spare no effort in fight against financial crime

The recent crackdown by law enforcement agencies from 10 jurisdictions on international scams shows the benefit of regional cooperation.

Indonesia’s oil hub pitch collides with Asean’s trust deficit

Joint energy security is easy to endorse in principle, yet the bloc has a stubborn record of leaving its emergency frameworks untouched.

Wary mood to mark Xi-Trump summit with irritants aplenty on both sides: analysts

Observers noted the number of recent strategic and trade blows, including the war on Iran, have not derailed the meeting from going ahead.

China forges new aviation alliances to fast-track C929 certification

Pacts include airworthiness standards for long-haul aircraft, together with Hong Kong and Macau, aiding efforts to expand international operations for Comac’s jets.

China, Vietnam vow to ‘better’ navigate South China Sea disputes

Joint communique indicates wish to keep maritime disputes from jeopardising ties and caps To Lam’s trip.

‘New normal’: Malaysia and Australia strike energy supply pledge amid Iran war

The deal creates a mutual spillover valve, allowing the partners to swap surplus energy once domestic demand is satisfied.

Why Southeast Asian nations are skipping major US-Philippine Balikatan drills

Given the rivalry between Washington and Beijing, joining the annual military exercise may risk being seen as picking the US, analysts say.

Russian and Chinese envoys meet in Beijing to discuss Iran, Ukraine and Taiwan

Chinese readout warns of rising turmoil in veiled swipe at Washington and Trump as Beijing strengthens ties with Moscow.

Asia’s energy supply at breaking point as US blockades Hormuz

Nearly 90 per cent of the region’s crude oil is now at risk as stalled peace talks and a naval stand-off raise the spectre of stagflation.

Philippines to rename disputed South China Sea islands

The features to be renamed belong to the Spratly archipelago, site of repeated confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels.

As Philippines battles fuel crisis, will Marcos postpone Asean summit?

Lawmakers have urged the president to postpone or scale down the event and redirect funds towards softening the blow of rising energy costs.

Editorial | Hong Kong’s economic and trade network plays to city’s strengths