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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
Cambodian military police stand in front of the USS Savannah combat ship at Cambodia’s southern port city of Sihanoukville on December 18. Photo: AFP
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

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South China Sea

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

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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.

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Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun visited Vietnam this week to attend a celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army. Photo: AFP
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.

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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.

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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.

Malaysia’s Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin receives an Asean emblem at the handover of Asean chairmanship in Laos on November 21. Photo: AP
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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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A Chinese military vessel fires a water cannon at a Philippine resupply boat on its way to the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea in March. Photo: Reuters
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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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China’s ambassador to Asean Hou Yanqi has told a forum in Hong Kong the South China Sea is not an issue between China and the Asean nations. Photo: Handout
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.

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E-commerce

Most Hong Kong SMEs believe in the power of e-commerce, poll finds

The World Bank estimates that global business to consumer e-commerce sales will reach US$6 trillion by 2024.

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China-Singapore relations

Keep faith in China’s economic prospects, Xi Jinping tells ex- Singapore leader

The Chinese leader praised Lee Hsien Loong’s long-term support for cooperation with Beijing during the latter’s visit to China.

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Lee Hsien Loong met Xi Jinping during his first visit to China since stepping down as prime minister. Photo: Xinhua
South China Sea

Tensions seen rising in South China Sea as Wang Yi calls for ‘friendly’ talks

In video address to symposium, top diplomat also warns any attempt to violate sovereign rights that ignores ‘the basic facts’ will fail.

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China-Singapore relations

Never underestimate the Chinese people, ex-Singapore leader Lee says

Lee says it is ‘unwise’ to write the country off, citing its ability to plan for the long term during a visit to the eastern city of Suzhou.

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China-Singapore relations

Singapore’s former prime minister Lee Hsien Loong set for six-day China trip

Lee, now a senior minister, was one of China’s most frequently visiting foreign leaders during his 20 years at the helm from 2004.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping with then Singaporean prime minister Lee Hsien Loong during his last visit to Beijing, in March 2023. Photo: AP
Asean

Southeast Asia admits China’s sway, but South China Sea stress sows distrust: study

Southeast Asian elites prefer an Asean-led regional order, despite acknowledging China’s growing influence, but the bloc faces its own challenges.

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The national flags of the various countries attending the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit are displayed in Bangkok. Photo: AP
Indonesia

Prabowo’s US, China visits signal ‘personal approach’ to foreign policy

Prabowo visited both the US and China on his first trip abroad as president, as analysts note a more ‘personal approach’ to foreign policy.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anthony Loke pitches alternative route to China via pan-Asian rail

The Malaysian transport minister says the transport of goods via high-speed trains to China will help bolster regional supply chains.

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Asean

Western powers bring ‘little’ value to Asean forum, may fan China tensions

Experts say adding Canada, France and the UK to Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus could dilute the platform’s ‘effectiveness’.

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Asean defence ministers attend the ADMM-Plus meeting in Laos on Wednesday. Photo: Asean Secretariat/EPA-EFE
South China Sea

Opinion | China draws red line at Scarborough Shoal after Manila’s new maritime laws

Beijing’s move aims to legitimise future enforcement measures while avoiding overt military escalation, a hallmark of its strategy in contested maritime areas.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Myanmar’s changing ties with China

China says Myanmar rebel chief in Yunnan for medical care, contrary to reports

Beijing says rebel leader Peng Deren is getting treatment in southwest China border province where he was reported to be under house arrest.

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Banking & finance

‘China plus one’ strategy to boost Asia’s growth amid Trump’s trade war

Diverting investments from China to neighbouring economies as a hedge against tariffs and geopolitical risks will boost Asia’s growth, HSBC’s Elhedery says.

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