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Myanmar

Latest news, updates and opinion on Myanmar, covering politics, economy, society and the country’s relationships with China and India, and other countries in Southeast Asia.

Capital

Naypyidaw

Head of State

Acting President Min Aung Hlaing

Head of Government

Prime Minister Min Aung Hlaing

City leader John Lee (front row, fifth from left) and other officials welcome the returning Hong Kong rescue team at Hong Kong International Airport in early April, after its mission in the earthquake-affected areas of Myanmar. Photo: May Tse

Hong Kong society

Earthquake rescuers, Kai Tak Sports Park team win high-level Hong Kong award

City leader praises Hong Kong team sent to help earthquake-hit Myanmar in March, and public servants that handled opening of sports facility.

24 Jun 2025 - 4:30PM

Climate change

Asia is heating up at double the global rate amid climate crisis, UN warns

24 Jun 2025 - 3:45PMvideocam

US immigration

Supreme Court allows swift deportation of migrants away from home countries

24 Jun 2025 - 1:41PM

Rohingya Muslims

Letters | The world must deliver justice for the Rohingya

Readers discuss action on the Rohingya crisis, better governance for better climate outcomes in Asia, and why investors might have to reassess their emerging market exposures.

21 Jun 2025 - 11:30AM

Rohingya refugees wait for relief supplies during Ramadan at the refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh on March 16. Photo: Reuters

Asean

Asean credibility at stake as Thailand-Cambodia tensions escalate: analysts

Diplomatic rift raises fresh questions over Asean unity and bloc’s ability to mediate conflicts between member states, observers say.

20 Jun 2025 - 7:31PMvideocam

Thailand

Are Chinese-run mines in Myanmar polluting Thailand’s Kok River?

Tests by a Thai government agency have found levels of arsenic nearly five times international drinking water standards in the Kok River.

18 Jun 2025 - 11:34AM

War and conflict

Over 600 evacuated as Myanmar military fights anti-coup forces

Myanmar has been fighting a many-sided civil war since the military snatched power in a 2021 coup, leaving more than 3.5 million people displaced.

14 Jun 2025 - 6:31PM

Members of the Kayan National Army (KNA) going to the front line during the conflict with Myanmar’s military, at Moe Bye in Pekon Township, on the border of Karen and Shan states, on December 3 last year. Photo: AFP

Asean

Is Trump’s Myanmar, Laos travel ban a blow to US-Southeast Asia ties?

Observers say closed channel over terrorist threat ‘illogical’ and a setback to long-standing relations with affected countries.

12 Jun 2025 - 11:00AM

Environment

China backs Mekong pollution probe after reports point finger at mining firms

Media reports and activists have said Chinese firms operating in Myanmar are responsible for pollution downriver in Thailand.

9 Jun 2025 - 7:19PMvideocam

United States

Trump’s new travel ban takes effect, citizens of 12 nations barred from US

Ban comes amid rising tensions over the US president’s escalating campaign of immigration enforcement.

9 Jun 2025 - 2:17PMvideocam

Donald Trump’s new ban on travel to the US by citizens from 12 mainly African and Middle Eastern countries took effect Monday. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Opinion | China as a global conflict mediator: from ambition to action

From Saudi-Iran rapprochement to Myanmar ceasefires, China’s conflict diplomacy also aims to protect its own interests.

8 Jun 2025 - 10:30AM

Traditional Russian wooden dolls called “matryoshka” depicting China’s President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are seen for sale in St. Petersburg, Russia. Photo: AP

Asean

Opinion | How Trump’s tariffs could benefit Asean in the long run

While the tariffs may undermine the bloc’s growth in the short term, they are spurring increased cooperation between member states and with others.

6 Jun 2025 - 6:30PMvideocam

Asean

My Take | Can Southeast Asia contain growing threat of cyber scams?

An unprecedented level of coordination is required to tackle such crimes as Southeast Asian economies become more digitalised.

6 Jun 2025 - 10:36AMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

China’s ‘milestone’ engine, battery scientist leaves US: SCMP daily highlights

From Donald Trump banning new foreign students at Harvard to China’s helicopter engine milestone, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

6 Jun 2025 - 5:52AM

US President Donald Trump has ordered an end to international student enrolments at Harvard University, citing national security concerns. Photo: AFP

Singapore

Singapore jails helper who abused, choked elderly woman with dementia

The Myanmar national also slammed the 90-year-old victim against a sofa and tapped her face.

5 Jun 2025 - 10:23AM

Singapore’s skyline. A domestic helper was jailed for abusing a dementia patient in the city state. Photo: Xinhua

Science

China’s scientists unlock secrets of how early birds conquered the skies

Analysis of feathers trapped in amber sheds new light on evolutionary path that led to early birds’ ability to fly.

5 Jun 2025 - 2:40PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump bans nationals from 12 countries entering US, citing security concerns

Afghanistan, Haiti, Myanmar among 12 nations facing outright entry ban; seven additional countries to face heightened scrutiny.

5 Jun 2025 - 5:23PM

Thailand

Thai river turns orange as dangerous toxins from Myanmar mines flush downstream

Authorities say arsenic levels in the Kok Thai river now exceed safety limits, sparking fears of ecological disaster.

28 May 2025 - 6:00PM

Authorities say arsenic levels in the Kok River have now reached dangerous levels. Photo: Earth Thailand

Bangladesh

Yunus’ resignation threat throws Bangladesh election timing into turmoil

The army and opposition have been calling for early polls, but the interim leader wants to introduce economic and electoral reforms first.

28 May 2025 - 5:00PMvideocam

Disease

Heart disease is Southeast Asia’s biggest killer. And it’s only getting worse

A new study has found a huge surge in cardiovascular disease across the region in recent years. Researchers say immediate action is needed.

28 May 2025 - 8:53AM

Asean

‘Concerned’ Asean leaders fail to issue fresh condemnation of Myanmar’s junta

Southeast Asia’s leaders reaffirm the bloc’s backing of a so-called five-point consensus as a road map for resolving Myanmar’s crisis.

27 May 2025 - 11:26PM

Southeast Asian leaders pose for a family photo at the Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Singapore

Turbulence-hit Singapore Airlines jet’s radar system sent for tests in US

Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau said a final report on the incident would be issued once the investigation is complete.

27 May 2025 - 6:46PMvideocam

Officials enter the turbulence-hit Singapore Airlines plane at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok last year. Photo: AFP

Malaysia

Asean summit: Malaysia pushes for US to hold tariff talks with bloc

Bloc also launches Kuala Lumpur Declaration – a blueprint to develop the region through to 2045 – as Anwar warns of ‘unsettled’ international order.

26 May 2025 - 7:40PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Malaysia calls for expansion of Myanmar post-earthquake ceasefire

The ruling military junta initially declared a truce after an quake in late March killed nearly 3,800 and left tens of thousands homeless.

25 May 2025 - 8:33PM

Cambodia

Cambodia is home to world’s most powerful criminal network: report

The network’s illegal activities threaten global economic and political stability, says Jacob Sims, a transnational crime expert.

26 May 2025 - 3:55PMvideocam

Scam suspects escorted by Chinese police officers in a flight from Cambodia last year. Photo: Xinhua

Asean

Malaysia’s Anwar says Asean summit should tackle US tariffs, Myanmar crisis

The Asean chair calls for ‘assertiveness and independence’ among the 10 member countries ahead of the crucial summit on Monday.

22 May 2025 - 2:20PM

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during his visit to Moscow on May 14. Photo: EPA-EFE

United States

Judge challenges US deportation of Asians to conflict-plagued South Sudan

Judge says US officials must keep control of migrants sent to African nation in case removals are unlawful.

21 May 2025 - 9:18PM

War and conflict

How Myanmar junta’s China, Russia-supplied drones are turning the tide of war

Analysts say the use of advanced drones from China and Russia has resulted in more casualties and slowed down opposition offensives.

21 May 2025 - 8:13AMvideocam

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