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.
last updated:
16 October, 2024
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (left) with Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 18. Brazil, which holds the rotating Brics presidency in 2025, announced on January 6 that Indonesia had become a full member of the bloc. Photo: AFP/Brazilian presidency
Asean

Opinion | With Indonesia, Brics is adding Southeast Asia to its power base

With Indonesia joining the grouping and Malaysia and Thailand as partner countries, Brics has acquired not just mineral-rich members but also key Asean voices.

videocam
Malaysia

Anwar the statesman? Malaysia’s complex PM steps onto the world stage

South China Sea

Chinese and Indonesian coastguards pledge deeper cooperation

videocam
7
Crime

Chinese embassies warn of ‘high-pay’ scams after actor’s kidnapping in Thailand

Alert follows case of Wang Xing, who was rescued from a compound after being lured to a border town by human traffickers.

videocam
14
Wang Xing said his captors had shaved his head. Photo: AP
Indonesia

Indonesia to keep pushing for South China Sea code, expand defence ties

Foreign minister Sugiono outlined Jakarta’s diplomatic agenda that included peaceful conflict resolution and continued support for Gaza.

videocam
China’s military

PLA chief of joint staff Liu Zhenli visits Malaysia on first overseas trip

Malaysian prime minister hails ‘strong’ China ties in talks with Liu, as defence minister urges dialogue to manage South China Sea issues.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Asean

Opinion | Why Southeast Asia will shine on as an investment bright spot

A decade since setting up the Asean Economic Community, the region has made progress in integration and drawing FDI but challenges remain.

videocam
Workers assemble a car at BYD’s electric vehicle factory in Rayong, Thailand, in July 2024. Countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are one-stop shops for the EV industry, providing raw material, production lines and even markets. Photo: Reuters
IPO

Hong Kong makes overture to Indonesian companies to raise capital

Companies in Southeast Asia’s most populous nation should find Hong Kong’s capital market an ‘attractive and advantageous’ place for raising funds, Paul Chan said.

Low-altitude economy

Chinese electric plane maker Rhyxeon targeting markets in Africa and Asia

The four-seat RX4E model is being targeted at countries with poor road infrastructure where it could have a wide range of uses.

videocam
7
China-Philippines relations

Why 2024 was the ‘most violent, dangerous’ point in Philippine-China ties

June 17 clash at Second Thomas Shoal, China’s grey-zone activities among Philippines’ challenges as it sought to boost defence in disputed sea.

videocam
5
A Chinese coastguard member holds an axe as they approach Philippine troops on a resupply mission in the Second Thomas Shoal at the disputed South China Sea on June 17, 2024. Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines via AP
Vietnam

Chinese warships make port call in Vietnam after talks on joint patrols

Fleet led by destroyer and amphibious warfare ship docked in eastern city of Da Nang, PLA says.

videocam
Chinese warships made a port call in Da Nang on Saturday. Photo: Weibo/PLA Southern Theatre Command
Myanmar

China charges Myanmar Golden Triangle suspects with murder and fraud

The 39 suspects include 16 Myanmese nationals and members of the notorious Ming family, which operated in the border region of Kokang.

videocam
5
Cambodia

Cambodia’s approval of Japanese naval visits signals ‘balanced’ foreign policy

The move comes as Cambodia-China ties might have stalled due to Beijing holding up funding for Phnom Penh and concerns about scam centres.

Vietnam

‘Very striking’: China and Vietnam tighten ties in a ‘3+3’ strategic pivot

The inclusion of public security alongside diplomacy and defence in their new dialogue mechanism has piqued analysts’ interest.

5
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi with his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son in Beijing on December 10. Photo: Xinhua
South China Sea

To keep calm in the South China Sea, Beijing reaches for the bilateral playbook

China’s often-used bilateral consultation mechanism doesn’t always work, but it does help defuse conflicts, experts say.

videocam
13
Beijing uses bilateral consultation mechanisms with its South China Sea rivals to keep relations calm. Photo: Weibo
China’s military

Defence minister on first overseas trip since Beijing denied he was investigated

Dong Jun meets the head of the Vietnamese Communist Party in Hanoi on visit to mark military anniversary.

videocam
5
China economy

Opinion | In 2025, the only constant in China will be change

With China’s economic and social landscape set to be reshaped, businesses must stay agile and be prepared for change and uncertainty.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Malaysia

Malaysia plans seafood air freight hub in Sabah state to meet China demand

To meet growing demand from its largest trading partner, Malaysia aims to leverage Sabah’s abundant fisheries and position the country as a regional trade gateway.

Malaysia wants to establish the state of Sabah as cold storage air freight hub to boost seafood exports to China. Photo: Shutterstock
Asean

Asian Angle | Why Asean’s neutrality is our greatest asset in a divided world

As Malaysia prepares to assume the 2025 Asean chair, its trade minister argues for a unified approach to navigate the US-China rivalry.

Vietnam

China’s Wang Yi calls for progress with Vietnam on South China Sea cooperation

At a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son, the two sides flagged a dialogue mechanism on diplomacy, defence and security.

videocam
South China Sea

South China Sea: Vietnam reef projects may set scene for conflict with Beijing

Satellite images show potential military structures on Vietnamese features in Spratly Islands, which experts say could curb China’s advantage.

videocam
26
A satellite image of Pearson Reef in the Spratly Islands, taken on September 29, suggests Vietnam may be building a 3km runway. Photo: CSIS/AMTI/MAXAR Technologies
China trade

Cambodia says Xi supports controversial canal, but China stance is still unclear

Former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen thanked Xi Jinping for backing Funan Techo Canal when they met this week.

videocam
President Xi Jinping (right) shakes hands with Cambodia’s former prime minister, Hun Sen, in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua
South China Sea

Help from Asean nations to counter China is unlikely: ex-Philippine Navy officer

As the Philippines pushes back in the South China Sea, ‘we have to accept that China successfully divided’ other Southeast Asian nations.

videocam
26
China trade

US dims Southeast Asia detour for China’s solar products with tariffs

US Department of Commerce imposes preliminary anti-dumping duties on solar cells and modules from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

videocam
11
China trade

Chinese firms still eye Vietnam, free of US tariffs for now, as Trump 2.0 looms

Number of Chinese manufacturers shifting production to Vietnam has boomed since Donald Trump’s first term as US president.

videocam
A Vinfast electric cehicles factory. Photo: Getty Images
South China Sea

Is Hanoi quietly building Asean alliances on South China Sea code of conduct?

Diplomatic upgrade with Kuala Lumpur could lead to a more united front from claimant countries in their dispute with Beijing, analysts say.

videocam
21
Vietnam’s Communist Party chief To Lam and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a welcoming ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on November 21. Photo: Reuters
South China Sea

South China Sea: US alliances mar peace and stability, China envoy tells Asean

Beijing’s ambassador to Asean tells forum Western narrative of ‘Ukraine today, East Asia tomorrow’ increases conflict risk in region.

videocam
9
South China Sea

Will Trump’s return signal stormier waters for Beijing in South China Sea?

Efforts on to assure allies ‘the US is still committed to upholding its role in the Indo-Pacific’ as ‘America first’ Trump waits in wings.

videocam
24
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
loading