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Asean

Asean
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the Asean Declaration by Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Since then, membership has expanded to include Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Its aims include accelerating economic growth, social progress and cultural development of its member states and the protection of regional peace and stability.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Tourists visit Lion’s Point View Pavilion at The Peak in 2023. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong economy

Letters | Why Southeast Asia is a better bet for Hong Kong tourism

Readers discuss the lacklustre recovery in tourism, why Hongkongers are being lured to KK Park in Myanmar, and the battle for the Global South.

China-Asean relations

Defence minister on first overseas trip since Beijing denied he was investigated

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Myanmar

Anwar’s pick of Thaksin as adviser raises fears of ex-PM favouring Myanmar junta

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China's economic recovery

Why are foreign tourist arrivals in China suddenly surging this month?

Travel platforms such as Fliggy and Trip.com see huge influx in interest as Beijing makes it easier to transit.

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A tourist from South Korea visits the Yuyuan Garden Mall in Shanghai on November 30. Photo: Xinhua
The Philippines

Philippines and India hold first maritime talks – are rows with China at play?

During their talks in Manila, Philippine and Indian officials commit to a rules-based international order and discuss maritime cooperation.

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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.

Malaysia wants to establish the state of Sabah as cold storage air freight hub to boost seafood exports to China. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia

Anwar’s ‘problematic’ appointment of Thaksin as adviser stuns Mahathir

Thaksin Shinawatra’s appointment took place during an official visit by Paetongtarn, the tycoon’s daughter and Thailand’s PM, to Malaysia.

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Malaysia

Thailand’s Thaksin to advise Malaysian PM on Asean chairmanship

The Thai billionaire, who has insisted that he’s retired from politics, is set to advise Malaysia’s prime minister in an informal capacity.

Malaysia

Malaysia and Thailand seek to revive border area with bridge and rail upgrade

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says both countries will work towards a comprehensive peace plan for their border region.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra speak in a joint press conference in Putrajaya on Monday. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Can Singapore’s green energy push be powered with Malaysia’s help?

Singapore has begun low-carbon electricity imports from Malaysia – but regional cooperation and cost-sharing are still an issue.

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Singapore aims to import around 6 gigawatts of low-carbon electricity by 2035. Photo: Shutterstock
US-China relations

Opinion | Trump 2.0 is forcing Asian economies to make hard choices fast

The stability and prosperity of Asia depends on how regional economic powerhouses navigate complex dynamics while maintaining their autonomy.

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Malaysia

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.

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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A satellite image of Pearson Reef in the Spratly Islands, taken on September 29, suggests Vietnam may be building a 3km runway. Photo: CSIS/AMTI/MAXAR Technologies
Russia

Opinion | Why Russia is finding favour in Southeast Asia once again

As Russia seeks Global South partners and the war in Ukraine drags on, Southeast Asian states are rekindling ties with the Kremlin.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Russian President Vladimir Putin sit next to each other at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, on September 5. Photo: Roscongress Foundation via Reuters
Malaysia

Opinion | Why cybersecurity could be Malaysia’s key to effective Asean leadership

Even modest success under Malaysia’s leadership could bolster the grouping’s unity and credibility, but failure will only deepen fractures in the bloc.

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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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Donald Trump

Will Trump’s tariff threat push Southeast Asian nations away from China-led Brics?

Analysts warn nations to consider the risks of joining Brics, which could bring economic gains but may alienate the US and lead to trade barriers.

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US President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Brics nations if they create a rival currency to the US dollar has raised concerns for Southeast Asian countries. Photo: TNS
Australia

Australia warns against China’s normalisation of ‘dangerous actions’ in rows

Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s comment comes as an Australian government delegation visits Singapore to discuss deepening their ties.

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Malaysia

Asian Angle | How Malaysia can boost Asean agency and centrality amid global challenges

As 2025 chair, Malaysia should adopt a cross-disciplinary approach to issues and undertake incremental but bold moves to cement Asean centrality.

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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
Climate change

Opinion | Southeast Asia’s energy transition is lacking both finance and policy

The bulk of funds needed will have to come from private finance, which requires a conducive environment that regulatory policy can create.

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Climate activists protest at the Cop 29 UN climate change conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, on November 23. Photo: EPA-EFE
The Philippines

China has ‘no right’ to demand removal of US Typhon system from Philippines

The Philippines has the ‘sovereign prerogative’ to retain the Typhon for its security needs given the threat posed by China, analysts say.

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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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Vietnam

Vietnam to build US$67 billion high-speed railway

The railway will run from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south, in a boost to infrastructure expected to drive investment.

A railway worker holds a flag to signal safety for a passenger train passing through a railway crossing in Hanoi. Photo: AFP
Art

Bangkok Art Biennale 2024: ancient temples meet modern art

The fourth edition of the event at the Thai capital runs until February 25, 2025, and features over 240 works by 76 artists across 11 venues.

Eyes (1995) by Louise Bourgeois. Photo: Seni Chunhacha
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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United States

Opinion | Trump’s transactional foreign policy may have an advantage over Biden’s

Done right, Trump could strip US foreign policy of its sanctimonious rhetoric and avoid the strategic dilemmas posed by a values-based policy.

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