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East Timor

East Timor
The latest news, analysis and opinion on East Timor. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (left) and his East Timorese counterpart Xanana Gusmao shake hands at the Government Palace in Dili on Friday. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Singapore bets on ‘early-mover’ edge in labour pact with East Timor

Singapore’s move will help address its manpower shortage and allow it to seize opportunities in a ‘young emerging market’, analysts say.

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Singapore

Singapore to welcome East Timorese workers from next year: Wong

Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Hong Kong is key to spurring Asean-Greater Bay Area cooperation

Asean

East Timor targets closer Asean-Greater Bay Area ties to spur economic growth

Asean’s newest member says cooperation between the two regions should be based on a commitment to inclusive growth and trust.

East Timor’s Deputy Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay speaks at SCMP’s GBA-Asean Summit 2026 on Tuesday. Photo: Handout
Asean

Aid and diplomacy: US Navy’s renewed bid for Southeast Asian influence

Pacific Partnership 2026 aims to counter China’s rising influence in the region, amid growing doubts about US leadership, analysts say.

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Singapore

Shangri-La Dialogue: can Asia do ‘less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs’?

In response to Hegseth’s call, participants at the Singapore forum say defence spending levels have to factor in different countries’ needs.

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Singapore

Sustained security can’t come from ‘barrel of a gun’: East Timor’s Ramos-Horta

At the Shangri-La Dialogue, the East Timor president cites Asean as an example of how communication can prevent conflict and yield dividends.

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Jose Ramos-Horta, president of East Timor, speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
Art

How Asian artists at the 2026 Venice Biennale are making their voices heard

Using everything from baby dolls to tapestries, Asian artists’ perspectives are strongly reflected in a number of memorable exhibitions.

Indonesia

Police raids reveal Indonesia as new hub for scam, gambling syndicates

Hundreds of foreigners have been arrested in Indonesia recently following crackdowns against crime groups in Cambodia and Myanmar.

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Myanmar

‘Tentative step’: Asean weighs bringing Myanmar back into the fold

Virtual talks may offer a ‘sensible middle ground’ for reconciliation after Myanmar’s years in the political wilderness, analysts say.

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Myanmar’s newly elected President Min Aung Hlaing waves as he leaves after a swearing-in ceremony in Naypyidaw on April 10. Photo: AP
Myanmar

East Timor triggers Asean first, accuses Myanmar of war crimes

East Timor’s laws allow its domestic courts to investigate and potentially prosecute serious international crimes regardless of where they were committed.

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East Timor’s President Jose Ramos-Horta during an interview with The Associated Press in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 27 last year. Photo: AP
Asean

Just 1 visa to rule them all? How European-style pass could help Asean tourism

While Asean members such as Malaysia and Vietnam have shown strong post-pandemic growth, tourist numbers have lagged in the Philippines.

Asean

Asian Angle | To win the future, Southeast Asia must rewrite its industrial rule book

Success relies on five key pillars, including deeper regional coordination and targeted industrial upgrading.

Asean

Opinion | In its year under Malaysia, Asean tried to set systemic reform in motion

Despite grumbles about loss of focus and misgivings about the longevity of new networks, Malaysia, ironically, perhaps didn’t go far enough.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hands the gavel over to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr at the closing ceremony of the 47th Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 28. The Philippines takes over as Asean chair on January 1. Photo: Xinhua
Asean

Asean unifies under single extradition treaty to fight organised crime

The treaty is expected to plug major cooperation gaps by creating uniform rules across a region struggling with cybercrime and trafficking.

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The UN Office on Drugs and Crime has named Southeast Asia the “ground zero” for what it estimates is a multibillion global online scamming industry. Photo: Shutterstock
Thailand

Exclusive | Thailand’s top diplomat calls for Asean to rethink non-interference principle

In an exclusive interview, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow argues Asean’s consensus model needs reform amid US-China rivalry.

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Asean

Opinion | East Timor’s membership marks a new chapter for Asean

Dili can bolster Asean’s diplomatic outreach and action on shared concerns, while other members can lend a hand in East Timor’s development.

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Indonesia

Outcry as Suharto named Indonesia’s national hero despite rights abuse claims

The new title has sparked wider concerns about historical revisionism in the country under Suharto’s former son-in-law, Prabowo.

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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (right) gives a placard to Suharto’s daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana and son Bambang Trihatmodjo. Photo: EPA
Asean

Philippines courts East Timor as new South China Sea ally in Asean

Next year’s Asean chair has shown interest in formalising defence cooperation with the latest member of the 11-nation bloc.

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Asean

Opinion | Manila’s biggest challenge as next Asean chair? Staying neutral

The Philippines’ challenge, given its assertive South China Sea policy, is to keep the bloc out of great power politics.

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Asean

Opinion | How China and Asean can ensure their upgraded pact is truly win-win

Beijing must assuage Southeast Asian concerns about its power while Asean leaders can benefit from a more multidimensional view of China.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Indonesia

Indonesia’s surprise Portuguese push: diplomatic ploy or educational priority?

Some say Portuguese learning ‘makes sense’ near East Timor, but experts warn that rolling it out nationwide could take over a decade.

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Children waves national flags as Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (right) and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrive at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on October 23. Photo: Ricardo Stuckert/Pr/Agencia Brazil/dpa
Asean

Editorial | East Timor’s journey to Asean membership can be source of inspiration

Asia’s youngest country has come a long way from war and occupation to increased investment and strong relationships with its neighbours.

Asean

Could East Timor be new ally for Philippines as Manila prepares to chair Asean?

Dili and Manila could work together in trade, infrastructure development, conservation and the maritime Code of Conduct, analysts say.

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Asean

‘This is history’: tears as East Timor completes journey into Asean

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao called Dili’s inclusion ‘a powerful affirmation of our journey, marked by resilience and hope’.

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East Timor’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao (centre) is presented with a document stating that his country has joined Asean by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (left) and the bloc’s Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn during a summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Asean

Thailand, Cambodia sign ceasefire pact as Trump hails his peacemaking skills

Host Malaysia signs deal granting US access to rare earths, while American president tells Asean he is with the bloc ‘100 per cent’.

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US President Donald Trump joins performers for a dance during a welcome ceremony next to Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (left) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Sunday. Photo: AP
Asean

Trump jets in to preside over Thai-Cambodia peace deal spectacle at Asean summit

Observers warn the US president’s focus on the spectacle of the ‘Kuala Lumpur Accords’ risks impeding their lasting implementation.

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Asean

Exclusive | From ‘hell’ to Asean: East Timor’s president talks growth, China and the future

Jose Ramos-Horta on Asean accession, geopolitical ‘war’ and the ‘nonsense’ claims of Chinese control over East Timor’s largest port.

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