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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.
Open Questions series

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

videocam
14
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

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5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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93
Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
The Patriot missile system is deployed at a park in Taipei on July 11, 2025. Photo: AFP
Taiwan

Opinion | The US wants to block China’s peaceful reunification. It won’t work

US weapons sales to Taiwan violate the one-China principle but won’t sway Asean or the wider international community.

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Hong Kong police

Police to deepen Asean ties as Hong Kong set to host first top Interpol meeting

Diplomacy

Editorial | China provides substance to Cambodia-Thailand peace efforts

War and conflict

Opinion | If Trump wants a deal with China, he must rein in US allies in Asia

From Manila to Tokyo, domestic political dynamics are increasing the risks of a dangerous confrontation between Washington and Beijing.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict

Cambodia and Thailand agree to resume exchanges after meeting with China

Ceasefire deal was ‘hard won and must not be allowed to stall’, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi says.

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2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict

China says it’s ready to help Asean monitor Thailand-Cambodia truce

Top diplomat Wang Yi hosts two days of talks with Cambodian and Thai counterparts to consolidate a border ceasefire.

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Yuan

China expands digital-yuan push to Singapore and Asean trade routes

PBOC pledges to integrate e-CNY into the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, boost adoption in Southeast Asia via China’s CIPS payment network.

A customer makes a payment using China’s digital currency, or e-CNY, at a store in Beijing. Photo: Getty Images
China economy

Opinion | Why China has moved to curb steel exports

China’s pivot to emerging markets has kept its export machine running. But frictions are growing and steel is the most visible flashpoint.

Cambodia

Cambodia and Thailand tell China’s Wang Yi they’re willing to cease fire

Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers brief Chinese counterpart on border conflict, while Beijing vows to ‘serve as a bridge’.

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China trade

Battle for China’s durian market gets even juicier as Laos enters the fray

Laos could present a real challenge to other players in China’s vast durian market due to its low costs and logistical advantages.

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A local vendor sells durians at a stall near Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Several Southeast Asian nations including Cambodia export the fruit to China, which is the world’s largest buyer by far. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Senior US and Chinese defence officials continue ‘military-to-military’ dialogue

Talks follow Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s meeting with China’s Minister of National Defence, Admiral Dong Jun, to help stabilise ties.

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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth met Chinese Minister of National Defence , Admiral Dong Jun, on the sidelines of the Asean Defence Ministers Meeting Plus in Malaysia on October 31. Photo: X/Secretary of War Pete Hegseth
South China Sea

New South China Sea clashes erupt as Beijing pushes for better Philippine ties

Incidents near the disputed Scarborough and Sabina shoals threaten to undermine recent efforts to put relations on a ‘healthier’ footing.

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China-Japan relations

Donald Trump left facing ‘dilemma’ as China-Japan spat worsens: analyst

White House navigates backing long-time ally Japan while preserving trade truce with China amid fraying ties between the Asian neighbours.

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US-China relations

China closes capacity and influence gap with US in Asia, power index finds

Think tank says China may weather geopolitical environment but neighbours are ‘anxious about rising tensions and protectionism’.

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Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump ahead of their meeting in Busan, South Korea, on October 30. Photo: AP
South China Sea

Beijing seeks ‘fair and just maritime order’ in South China Sea

Vice-minister Sun Weidong says China rejects 2016 arbitration ruling on disputed waters because it breaches fundamentals in international law.

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A Chinese coastguard vessel (right) fires its water cannon at the Philippine’s BRP Datu Pagbuaya in the South China Sea on October 12. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard via AP
Myanmar

Opinion | Why China is succeeding in Myanmar while the West has been sidelined

The West’s incoherent strategy is no match for a ruthless, integrated Chinese approach that leverages economic links to its advantage.

China trade

Explainer | Tripwire clauses: why is China alarmed by Malaysia’s new trade deal with the US?

Controversial wording seen as a geopolitical trap designed to force neutral countries to uphold Western containment strategies.

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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
US-China relations

US lawmakers urge Trump to condemn Myanmar’s China-backed ‘sham’ elections

Call comes after government’s plan to stop legal protections for Myanmar nationals in US, citing elections as proof situation was improving.

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Thailand

Bangkok prison chief suspended over Chinese inmate sex scandal

Thai prison chief suspended amid scandal over Chinese inmates receiving illicit privileges, including alleged sex service visits.

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Xi Jinping

Video | China rolls out the red carpet for Thai King

Thailand’s monarch describes the relationship with China as ‘between brothers’ at the start of a historic five-day state visit.

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South China Sea

Opinion | How does China’s modernising navy stack up against the US seventh fleet?

Between what the US can sustain in the region vs what China can concentrate near its shores, the calculation increasingly favours Beijing.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
South China Sea

How a Japan-Philippines defence pact could become a ‘template’ to deter China

PLA sends bomber over South China Sea for ‘routine patrol’ after the Philippines steps up joint drills with allies in the region.

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US-China trade war

Asean, China, Japan and South Korea hold ‘transformative’ critical minerals opportunity

Director of Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office says some Southeast Asian economies have notable reserves.

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Thailand

‘Good relatives’: Xi vows to boost ties as Thai king visits China

Thai monarch on historic five-day state visit likens the Thailand-China relationship to that ‘between brothers’.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday. Photo: EPA
Thailand

China rolls out red carpet as Thailand’s king makes first official visit

Beijing hails monarch’s ‘first major country’ trip since he ascended the throne in 2016.

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King Maha Vajiralongkorn reviews the guard of honour during a trooping of the colours ceremony to mark his 72nd birthday in Bangkok, Thailand, on December 3, 2024. Photo: Reuters
Southeast Asia forced-labour scams

Video | Thailand extradites gambling kingpin She Zhijiang to China

She Zhijiang will stand trial in China for illegal casino operations.

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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