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
Singapore’s Lawrence Wong attends an Asean meeting in 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE
Singapore

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

The city state takes the helm on Asean’s 60th anniversary amid civil war, tariff threats and rising global tensions.

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

4
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
Protesters march in Manila on August 13 against Pax Silica, a US-led initiative established in December with the aim of reducing “coercive dependencies”. Photo: AFP
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
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
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
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
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
A Chinese maritime patrol vessel completes the first full navigation test of the Pinglu Canal. Photo: Handout
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.

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
Illustration: Huy Truong
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
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
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
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
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
A fragile ceasefire has been in place since late December 2025. Photo: AFP
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
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.

High-voltage transmission towers and power lines in Dunhuang, China on June 1. Photo: Zhe Ji
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.

Trade

Asian Angle | Why a second ‘China shock’ is good for Southeast Asia

Fear of Chinese imports is misplaced. Roughly 90 per cent of what the region buys is inputs and machinery driving local manufacturing.

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