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Former US president Joe Biden (centre) stands with Pacific Islands Forum leaders at the White House following a summit in 2023. Photo: AFP
Pacific nations

Pacific island nations see a US pullback – will China step up?

The Pacific Islands Forum wants answers from Washington over its unmet financial pledges to the region, including US$200 million in funding.

Cambodia

Cambodia widens access to China-funded Ream base to parry ‘lingering suspicion’

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SCMP Highlights

Singapore elections, Thai park ranger sacked: 7 Asia highlights

Thailand

Thailand-US tariff talks delayed – but hopes for a ‘good outcome’ remain

Ministerial-level discussions, originally slated for this week, have been pushed back. Thailand seeks to avoid a hefty 36 per cent US tariff.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s administration has warned that US tariffs could hinder economic growth if not negotiated down. Photo: EPA-EFE
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s administration has warned that US tariffs could hinder economic growth if not negotiated down. Photo: EPA-EFE
South China Sea

‘Beauty of compromise’: Chinese scholars urge peace with Manila in South China Sea

Experts emphasise compromise and reject ‘megaphone diplomacy’ to avoid conflicts in the disputed waterway.

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Indonesia

From Bandung to Brics: Indonesia’s evolving quest for Global South autonomy

Seven decades after hosting a summit that birthed the Non-Aligned Movement, Indonesia prioritises pragmatic ties over grand gestures.

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Malaysia

Xi’s visit: Malaysia ‘stands with China’ amid US tariff threat, Anwar says

The two countries signed a raft of deals spanning AI, infrastructure and agriculture as both leaders spoke out in defence of open trade.

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(From left) Chinese President Xi Jinping, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim at a welcome ceremony at the national palace in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
(From left) Chinese President Xi Jinping, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim at a welcome ceremony at the national palace in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Controversial Malaysian series on Islamic cult tops 1 billion streams

‘Bidaah’ echoes a real-life case in Malaysia of a shadowy cult hit by allegations of human trafficking and abuse.

US-China trade war

Is Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ opening the door to China to join the CPTPP?

Members of the trans-Pacific trade bloc may be more inclined to allow China to join as they look to counter US tariff threats, analysts say.

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Taiwan

With tensions rising in Taiwan, civil defence becomes a high-wire act

Recalling ‘White Terror’ martial law, many regard government-backed civil defence sceptically even as Taipei moves to bolster readiness.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
North Korea

Trump talks up ‘big nuclear’ North Korea and reaching out to Kim

Kim Jong-un hasn’t shown any serious interest in re-engaging with the US president. But Trump still has a soft spot for the ‘very smart guy’.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un shakes hands with US President Donald Trump at the start of their summit in Singapore in June 2018. Photo: AFP
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un shakes hands with US President Donald Trump at the start of their summit in Singapore in June 2018. Photo: AFP
Belt and Road Initiative

Who is Zou Jiayi, China’s pick to be the next president of the AIIB?

The 61-year-old former vice-minister of finance would be the development bank’s first female leader.

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Central Asia

‘Eternal peace’: Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border deal opens path to visa-free zone

The agreement, which settled territorial disputes related to nearly 500km of the border, also included mutual access to water and energy.

China trade

From BTS to a free trade deal, is South Korea moving closer to China?

The US’ tariff threats have raised hopes in Beijing that it can convince Seoul to move forward with an ambitious new trade deal.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
The Philippines

Hegseth’s Manila visit ahead of Balikatan signals strong US-Philippines ties

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth’s visit is seen as an important step in strengthening Washington’s alliances in the Asia-Pacific.

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US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is expected to visit the Philippines this month, ahead of joint drills between the countries. Photo: TNS
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is expected to visit the Philippines this month, ahead of joint drills between the countries. Photo: TNS
Donald Trump

New Zealand PM says trade wars will cause ‘serious headwinds’ to global economy

‘Geopolitical calculations are being totally upended,’ Christopher Luxon says, calling Indo-Pacific pacts key to weathering any instability.

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Myanmar

Putin has ‘breathing room’ for Myanmar to get Russian arms amid isolation

A visit to Russia by General Min Aung Hlaing aimed to enhance Moscow’s influence in Southeast Asia underscored the junta’s need for diplomatic recognition.

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SCMP Highlights

Philippines’ US exemption, public sex outrage in Thailand: 7 Asia highlights

From Ramadan price gougers in Malaysia to outrage in Thailand over public sex, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Soldiers march during a military parade held to mark the 89th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila on December 20, 2024. Photo: AFP
Soldiers march during a military parade held to mark the 89th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila on December 20, 2024. Photo: AFP
India

‘Business must go on’: why India is reaching out to the Taliban

Focus on humanitarian aid, regional connectivity could help India regain ‘strategic space’ lost after the Taliban took over in 2021, analysts note.

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South Korea

South Korean city Gyeongju has ambitions beyond Apec – a third Trump-Kim summit

The governor of the North Gyeongsang city says he hopes the summit will become a ‘catalyst for peace’.

Australia

Were China’s ‘unprecedented’ naval drills a ‘signal’ to Australia, New Zealand?

The drills, conducted near a busy air corridor, have prompted both countries to enhance surveillance and collaborate with allies.

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A People’s Liberation Army-Navy Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang sailing at an undisclosed location. Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong voiced concern on February 21 over live fire drills conducted by three Chinese warships sailing off the country’s east coast. Photo: Australian Defence Force/AFP
US-China trade war

‘Good start’: China bids to reset ties with Japan amid Trump tariff storm

Both Asian powers have ‘sent clear signals’ they want to improve their economic relationship, but geopolitical tensions will make that difficult.

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President Xi Jinping meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Lima, Peru, in November. Photo: Xinhua
President Xi Jinping meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Lima, Peru, in November. Photo: Xinhua
Australia

Australia pushes for tariff exemptions in crucial Washington visit ahead of election

Australia’s treasurer Jim Chalmers is seeking US tariff exemptions for steel and aluminium, crucial for PM Albanese’s government ahead of coming elections.

Pacific nations

After China deal, Cook Islands looks beyond ‘big brother’ New Zealand, US

The islands’ PM said Pacific nations were looking for other countries to ‘fill the gap’ in the wake of Trump’s return as US president.

The Philippines

‘Wilful pollution’: China’s space debris puts Philippines on edge

For Manila, Beijing’s pursuit of the heavens is leaving a worrying trail of debris – and diplomatic challenges – back on Earth.

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A Long March 8A rocket, carrying a group of low-Earth orbit satellites, launches from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province on Tuesday. Photo: CNSPhoto via Reuters
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