Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC

China-Asean relations

China-Asean relations
The latest news, analysis and opinion on China-Asean relations. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Open Questions series

Wu Shicun on why Beijing will not rule out Scarborough Shoal construction

videocam
28
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

videocam
15
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

7
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

videocam
5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

videocam
18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

videocam
93
Illustration: Henry Wong

Wu Shicun on why Beijing will not rule out Scarborough Shoal construction

videocam
28
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

videocam
15
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

7
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

videocam
5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

videocam
18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

videocam
93
Illustration: Henry Wong
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
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 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.

11
Singapore

Small state, big agenda: Singapore prepares to steer Asean through crisis

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong lawmaker urges firms to expand into emerging markets amid US visa pause

Xinjiang

From mountains to sea: China’s plan to ring the nation with highways

The vast ‘border-coast loop’ is designed to boost development and national unity, but will have to navigate geopolitical and ecological barriers.

4
The G219 highway is part of China’s plan for a vast new road link running along the country’s borders and coastline. Photo: Handout
US-China relations

Exclusive | Waico vs Pax Silica: Southeast Asia caught between China and US in AI race

Beijing reportedly offers exclusive perks to attract Global South partners while describing the American-led body as exclusionary.

videocam
14
Indonesia

Will other Southeast Asian countries copy Indonesia’s joint China drill?

The recent exercise in strategically sensitive waters east of Taiwan may set a precedent for other Asean members.

videocam
25
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
SCMP Exclusives

Exclusive | Malaysia’s Anwar to visit China next month with an eye on building trade ties

The Malaysian prime minister is expected to attend digital economy expo in Hangzhou and hold talks with Premier Li Qiang, sources say.

videocam
6
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) and Chinese Premier Li Qiang (left), seen here in May 2025, are expected to hold talks next month in China, sources say. Photo: Handout
South China Sea

Opinion | How China can turn its ‘blue cradle’ into a bridge with Southeast Asia

A jointly governed, tiered South China Sea ocean data framework would transform knowledge of a contested sea into stewardship of a shared one.

videocam
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.

Taiwan

PLA holds first joint naval drill with Indonesia in waters east of Taiwan

As Washington and its allies tighten cooperation in the region, Beijing steps up defence ties with Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.

5
Crew members of the Chinese navy vessel Qi Jiguang wave as the ship prepares to dock at Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya, Indonesia, on August 2. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | How Hong Kong can unlock the real value of its Asean trade boom

By providing high-value services that enable cross-border transactions and corporate expansion, the city can convert surging commerce into long-term economic returns.

Hong Kong’s Kwai Chung Container Terminal, seen on March 4. Hong Kong’s Asean opportunity depends less on moving more containers than on attaching more high-value services to each transaction. Photo: Elson Li
Belt and Road Initiative

China completes milestone test of US$10.8 billion canal link to Southeast Asia

Patrol vessel’s full run along Pinglu Canal moves megaproject closer to a planned September launch.

4
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.

videocam
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.

The Chinese General Chamber of Commerce has urged Hong Kong to invest and operate overseas, not just connect businesses, as well as include an annual review of its first five-year plan to keep development on track. Photo: Jelly Tse
Banking & finance

Swift bypass: China completes first Malaysia payment in digital yuan

Deal advances Beijing’s push to expand the digital yuan through alternative cross-border clearing channels beyond Swift system.

9
The deal completes a bilateral digital-currency loop following an inbound trial in January. Photo: VCG
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.

8
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.

videocam
16
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
The Philippines

Philippine defence chief warns Chinese teaching exchanges pose grey-zone threat

The comments follow reports that language instructors in Manila were trained by a Chinese university at the heart of Batanes controversy.

4
Jinan University in Guangzhou, China has drawn ire from Manila for holding a symposium where scholars said Beijing should assert sovereignty over the Batanes Islands. 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.

videocam
8
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.

Iran

China and Asean eye closer energy cooperation after latest Middle East fighting

Southeast Asia is heavily reliant on oil imports and has been severely affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

videocam
A China-Asean joint statement has stressed the importance of freedom of navigation. Photo: Reuters
Diplomacy

Opinion | How China and Indonesia can build a truly sturdy partnership

From handling business friction to aligning long-term goals, three practical steps can elevate ties beyond economic convenience.

videocam
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono on the sidelines of a UN Security Council meeting in New York on May 26. Photo: Xinhua
2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict

Chinese leader Xi Jinping urges Thailand and Cambodia to settle border dispute

President Xi Jinping has offered to play a ‘constructive role’ in reaching a solution, saying it would be in both sides’ long-term interests.

videocam
Asean

Opinion | Southeast Asia must write its own trade rules for China’s ‘flying geese’

As Chinese manufacturers migrate south, Asean has the leverage to dictate terms on local sourcing and skills training.

South China Sea

Opinion | Path to South China Sea stability doesn’t run through US, UK or the EU

The statement by 14 countries is a geopolitical exercise, amplifying the flawed 2016 Hague arbitral ruling to try to drive a wedge between China and its neighbours.

videocam
109
The China Coast Guard vessel Dong’an patrolling in the South China Sea on June 22. Photo: Xinhua
South China Sea

How Beijing’s islands of control are reshaping the South China Sea

Ten years after the Hague’s tribunal ruling, Beijing’s island-building strategy has effectively eclipsed the 2016 decision, observers say.

videocam
24
Illustration: Henry Wong
China trade

China’s power exports to Asean surge 40% in first half of 2026

Myanmar is leading the export surge for China’s power in Asean, with exports to the country nearly doubling in the first five months.

China airliners

China’s C919 on Malaysia Airlines’ radar, but Western certification preferred

Opportunities for Comac’s C919 will increase with certification by Western aviation regulators, a Malaysia Aviation Group executive says.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement