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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.
An American Flag hangs from a crane at Port Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, on Friday. US President Donald Trump has slapped new tariffs on 60 trading partners. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Why new US tariffs threaten Trump government’s credibility in Asean

The additional duties come just a day after Marco Rubio tells Southeast Asian foreign ministers that the US is ‘with Asean 100 per cent’.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Can Southeast Asia survive more Iran war fuel shocks?

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South China Sea

Beijing and Manila trade blame on second day of Scarborough Shoal clashes

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US-China relations

Editorial | Wang-Rubio meeting after Trump remarks shows guard rail is up and working

Not even Trump’s inflammatory accusations of Chinese election interference have derailed the relationship.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Pasay, Metro Manila, the Philippines, on July 22. Photo: Reuters
China-Latin America relations

China vows to defend Brazil’s sovereignty as Trump’s 25% tariff bites

Wang Yi tells Brazilian foreign minister Beijing backs Brazil’s sovereignty, and asks for support on ‘China’s own core interests’ in return.

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The Philippines

Indonesia-Philippines power link sparks hopes of cheap energy, stable supply

Efforts to establish links under the Asean Power Grid scheme would first need to overcome technical and political hurdles, experts say.

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Belt and Road Initiative

China Unicom connects Hong Kong-Cambodia cable, widening undersea data network

The submarine cable project ties city with a high-speed data and information corridor running through Southeast Asia.

A new state-of-the-art submarine cable enabling faster internet for Cambodia has made a successful landing in Hong Kong earlier this week. Photo: Sina
Diplomacy

Opinion | How China and Indonesia can build a truly sturdy partnership

From handling business friction to aligning long-term goals, three practical steps can elevate ties beyond economic convenience.

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US-China relations

As Rubio-Wang talks near, Trump dials down China election meddling rhetoric

US president says Washington will discuss alleged 2020 election interference with Beijing but plays down prospects of retaliation.

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Indonesia

Why investors are upbeat on the long-delayed Asean power grid

Investors and policymakers at the Nusa Dua Forum say that AI-driven demand is boosting optimism for cross-border power trade.

Workers install solar panels on the roof of a warehouse near Jurong Island in Singapore last year. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Can Philippines turn reforms into gains in Southeast Asia’s FDI race?

Reforms have thrust the country into the spotlight as it seeks to lure capital away from Vietnam, Malaysia and elsewhere.

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Containers and cranes at the international port of Manila last year. Risk analysts have praised the Philippines for its market openness, regulatory strength and labour rights. Photo: AFP
Mainland China

Opinion | Southeast Asia must write its own trade rules for China’s ‘flying geese’

As Chinese manufacturers migrate south, Asean has the leverage to dictate terms on local sourcing and skills training.

South Korea

‘Gateway to Asean’: South Korea bets on Vietnam hub for food expansion

Vietnam will be positioned as a logistics and distribution base aimed at growing demand for South Korean food products across the region.

South China Sea

Opinion | Path to South China Sea stability doesn’t run through US, UK or the EU

The statement by 14 countries is a geopolitical exercise, amplifying the flawed 2016 Hague arbitral ruling to try to drive a wedge between China and its neighbours.

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The China Coast Guard vessel Dong’an patrolling in the South China Sea on June 22. Photo: Xinhua
Cambodia

Opinion | Cambodia aspires to shed its dependencies while staying connected

As it seeks connectivity, Phnom Penh must build diplomatic bridges with as much effort as it constructs ports and canals.

People arrive at the construction site of the Funan Techo canal along the Prek Takeo channel in Kandal province, Cambodia, on August 5, 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE
China trade

China’s power exports to Asean surge 40% in first half of 2026

Myanmar is leading the export surge for China’s power in Asean, with exports to the country nearly doubling in the first five months.

China trade

China’s trade surges in first half of 2026, extending growth streak

Exports rose by 27 per cent year on year and imports grew by 36 per cent last month, both beating projections.

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Myanmar

Myanmar edges out of isolation as Asean steps up engagement

Bangkok talks spark warnings that Southeast Asian diplomats are legitimising a military regime still waging a bloody war on its own people.

Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and his Myanmar counterpart U Tin Maung Swe attend talks on Saturday, a day before an informal meeting with Asean foreign ministers in Bangkok. Photo: Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs/AFP
China airliners

China’s C919 on Malaysia Airlines’ radar, but Western certification preferred

Opportunities for Comac’s C919 will increase with certification by Western aviation regulators, a Malaysia Aviation Group executive says.

Myanmar

Aung San Suu Kyi will be looked after, Myanmar envoy tells Asean

Suu Kyi is serving a 27-year sentence, ⁠recently commuted by one-third, on a series of charges that her allies said were fabricated to keep her out ‌of politics.

Malaysia

Malaysia, Thailand make peace over seafood row after Anwar and Anutin meet

The two leaders also agreed to develop a ⁠special border economic ⁠zone and boost agricultural cooperation.

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Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (left) with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Myanmar

Myanmar has ‘a mountain to climb’ to woo 2 million tourists a year

Myanmar saw 4.5 million tourist arrivals at the peak in 2015, but the numbers have fallen sharply since the military coup in 2021.

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Tourists offer joss sticks at Myanmar’s Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon in 2019. Photo: AP
Singapore

Can Singapore and Indonesia’s energy push kick-start regional power grid?

The cooperation could boost both countries’ sustainability goals and help shape regional frameworks for the Asean Power Grid, analysts say.

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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Middle East

Opinion | How bitter Persian Gulf rivals can make peace the Asean way

Promoting de-escalation and shared prosperity in the Persian Gulf may seem arduous now. It once looked that way in Southeast Asia, too.

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An Iranian woman walks past an anti-US mural, depicting an Iranian and US negotiation table, next to the former US embassy in Tehran, Iran, on June 22. Photo: EPA
2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict

Can Asean keep the Thailand-Cambodia peace?

With zero enforcement powers, monitors risk being used to simply validate rival propaganda campaigns, analysts say.

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The Asean Observer Team visits an area of Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey province where a civilian was killed. Photo: AKP/AFP
Singapore

Singapore to welcome East Timorese workers from next year: Wong

The Singapore prime minister pledged to set up a ‘regular consultation mechanism’ with the newest Asean member during his visit to Dili.

US-China relations

Alibaba sues Pentagon, rare earth truce woes: 7 US-China relations reads

From China grappling with Trump to the world’s fastest computer: highlights from our overseas correspondents in the second half of June 2026.

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