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Laos

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Laos. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Vientiane

Head of State

President Thongloun Sisoulith

Head of Government

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone

China-Europe freight trains preparing to depart from the Manzhouli railway station in Manzhouli, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on December 10, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

SCMP Highlights

China’s youth-unemployment rate, Laos joins durian war: SCMP daily highlights

From EU-China trade ties to Laos securing approval to export durians, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

18 Dec 2025 - 9:15PM

China trade

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

18 Dec 2025 - 9:00AMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump expands US travel ban and restrictions to include another 20 countries

17 Dec 2025 - 4:53PM

Malaysia

Trump’s tariffs on Southeast Asia put US Christmas gifts at risk

From Hot Wheels to headphones, new levies are squeezing the supply of Americans’ festive favourites.

15 Dec 2025 - 8:02AM

Passers-by look in Christmas-themed shop windows at Macy’s department store in New York earlier this month. Photo: Zuma Press Wire/dpa

Japan

Japan’s English skills crash to record low, behind Laos and Vietnam

Outdated teaching methods and the rise of language translation apps have made most Japanese less inclined to learn English, educators say.

12 Dec 2025 - 8:00AMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

China pledges aid to Latin America, Caribbean with no ‘political conditions’

Third strategy paper of its kind released as Beijing seeks to expand its influence in a region Washington actively courts.

11 Dec 2025 - 12:07AMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

US senators warn of China-cartel links forming a global ‘Silk Road of crime’

At a Senate hearing, officials described Chinese money brokers as key to laundering cartel funds and fuelling the illicit fentanyl trade.

10 Dec 2025 - 7:28AMvideocam

US Customs and Border Protection display plastic bags of fentanyl after being seized at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. US lawmakers say Chinese money brokers and Latin American cartels have merged their operations into a system that blurs the line between trade and trafficking. Photo: Reuters

Thailand

‘Everyone gets a cut’: why Southeast Asia’s scam industry refuses to die

Authorities are seizing assets and raiding compounds, but analysts warn the clumsy crackdown is merely scattering syndicates to new hideouts.

8 Dec 2025 - 9:51AMvideocam

China trade

Explainer | As China’s companies become industry leaders, where in the world are they going?

Across numerous sectors, China’s firms are setting up shop worldwide – and gaining ground on their well-entrenched competitors.

11 Dec 2025 - 11:21AMvideocam

United States

US pauses all immigration applications from 19 countries

The pause applies to people from nations that were already subjected to a partial travel ban in June.

3 Dec 2025 - 10:16AM

Women gather next to an anti-US mural in Tehran. The list of countries targeted in the US memorandum includes Iran. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

Alibaba

Alibaba’s Cainiao expands service in Africa as demand for Chinese goods surges

The logistics arm of Alibaba is rolling out its small-parcel service in more parts of Africa to tap growing demand for made-in-China goods.

24 Nov 2025 - 8:50PM

Cainaio is expanding in Africa to tap surging demand for made-in-China goods. Photo: Alibaba

Thailand

‘Half of me has died’: toxic mines threaten Southeast Asia’s rivers

More than 2,400 mines – many of which are operated by Chinese companies – are draining waste into river waters, researchers say.

24 Nov 2025 - 5:13PM

Venezuela

US aviation agency warns airlines flying over Venezuela of potential hazards

There has been a huge US military build-up in the region recently, including its largest aircraft carrier, other warships and F-35 aircraft.

22 Nov 2025 - 11:52AM

Asean

Why Asean’s AI ambition may lead to widening economic and tech divide

While countries such as Singapore and Malaysia are ahead in the AI race, others like Cambodia and Laos risk being left behind, analysts say.

21 Nov 2025 - 5:31PM

An illustration of stock market trading using artificial intelligence. Asean is aiming to expand the use of AI across sectors. Photo: Shutterstock

US-China relations

China accuses US of undermining ties with Greece in envoy’s Piraeus port remarks

Washington’s ambassador under fire after urging Athens to sell the ancient port operated by Chinese shipping giant Cosco.

20 Nov 2025 - 4:08PMvideocam

US ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle’s remarks about the Chinese presence at Piraeus port have attracted criticism from Beijing. Photo: Reuters

China-Latin America relations

Brazil approves China’s naval visit while US research ship plans call nearby

Clearance ends months of internal debate as both powers expand naval activity in South America.

19 Nov 2025 - 6:04AM

Singapore

Singapore seizes US$867,000 worth of rhinoceros horns, largest-ever haul

The horns, along with other animal parts, were detected in cargo labelled ‘furniture fittings’ and originating from South Africa.

18 Nov 2025 - 4:01PM

US-Asean relations

What US anti-scam ‘strike force’ means for Southeast Asia’s cybercrime fight

Analysts say the US initiative can serve as a coordination blueprint to push back against transnational criminal enterprises.

17 Nov 2025 - 5:42PMvideocam

US Attorney Jeanine Pirro points to a text message sent by a scammer as she announces the Scam Centre Strike Force in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Americas and the Caribbean

US launches ‘Southern Spear’, deploying robotic fleet to target cartels

Announcement comes amid a growing US military build-up in the Southern Caribbean of a size not seen in the region for decades.

14 Nov 2025 - 2:43PM

Cryptocurrency

US, Chinese authorities ramp up actions against syndicates running crypto scams

Syndicates either trick or coerce targeted victims to invest in bogus schemes and transfer funds via bitcoin, ether or stablecoins.

14 Nov 2025 - 1:14AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Xi vows to boost imports from Spain and deepen ties in talks with King Felipe

Xi also calls for joint efforts in markets like Latin America, while Felipe says Madrid wants to cooperate on trade, tech and industry.

12 Nov 2025 - 5:00PM

Spain’s King Felipe and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Food and Drinks

‘Empty and numb’: Laos methanol poisoning survivor mourns friend a year on

No one has been held accountable after six tourists died from drinking tainted shots at the Nana Backpackers Hostel last November.

13 Nov 2025 - 8:00AMvideocam

Bethany Clarke (front) and Simone White tube down a river in Laos on November 12 last year. Photo: Facebook/Bethany Clarke

Asean

Opinion | East Timor’s membership marks a new chapter for Asean

Dili can bolster Asean’s diplomatic outreach and action on shared concerns, while other members can lend a hand in East Timor’s development.

12 Nov 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Britain

Chinese ‘super villain’ jailed in UK for US$6.4 billion bitcoin fraud

Qian Zhimin and her assistant Seng Hok Ling are jailed after the largest bitcoin seizure ever by British police.

15 Nov 2025 - 8:05AMvideocam

Fentanyl and other opioids

China tightens controls on fentanyl precursors bound for US, Canada and Mexico

Effective immediately, Beijing requires a permit for exporting 13 chemicals, including those used to make the deadly synthetic opioid.

11 Nov 2025 - 4:31PMvideocam

Bags of heroin, some laced with fentanyl, an opioid that is the leading cause of American overdose deaths. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

Thailand

China-wanted gambling kingpin to be extradited by Thailand

Thai court upheld order for She Zhijiang to stand trial in China for illegal casino charges; the US Treasury sanctioned his Shwe Kokko firms.

13 Nov 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

She Zhijiang, a Chinese national with a Cambodian passport, was arrested by Thai police in August 2022 on an Interpol red notice for illegal online gambling. Photo: Handout

US-China trade war

Look to the ‘rising’ Global South, ex-diplomat tells Chinese businesses

Amid tighter US and European markets, diversification and localisation can minimise risks, Le Yucheng tells annual forum.

8 Nov 2025 - 4:12PMvideocam

South Korea

‘Reject it altogether’: sex tourists from South Korea drive up rents in Laos

A South Korean civic group is calling for cultural change to combat exploitation and protect children from sex work.

8 Nov 2025 - 3:40PM

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Laos

China’s youth-unemployment rate, Laos joins durian war: SCMP daily highlights

From EU-China trade ties to Laos securing approval to export durians, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

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

Trump expands US travel ban and restrictions to include another 20 countries

Trump’s tariffs on Southeast Asia put US Christmas gifts at risk

From Hot Wheels to headphones, new levies are squeezing the supply of Americans’ festive favourites.

Japan’s English skills crash to record low, behind Laos and Vietnam

Outdated teaching methods and the rise of language translation apps have made most Japanese less inclined to learn English, educators say.

China pledges aid to Latin America, Caribbean with no ‘political conditions’

Third strategy paper of its kind released as Beijing seeks to expand its influence in a region Washington actively courts.

US senators warn of China-cartel links forming a global ‘Silk Road of crime’

At a Senate hearing, officials described Chinese money brokers as key to laundering cartel funds and fuelling the illicit fentanyl trade.

‘Everyone gets a cut’: why Southeast Asia’s scam industry refuses to die

Authorities are seizing assets and raiding compounds, but analysts warn the clumsy crackdown is merely scattering syndicates to new hideouts.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | As China’s companies become industry leaders, where in the world are they going?

Across numerous sectors, China’s firms are setting up shop worldwide – and gaining ground on their well-entrenched competitors.

US pauses all immigration applications from 19 countries

The pause applies to people from nations that were already subjected to a partial travel ban in June.

Alibaba’s Cainiao expands service in Africa as demand for Chinese goods surges

The logistics arm of Alibaba is rolling out its small-parcel service in more parts of Africa to tap growing demand for made-in-China goods.

‘Half of me has died’: toxic mines threaten Southeast Asia’s rivers

More than 2,400 mines – many of which are operated by Chinese companies – are draining waste into river waters, researchers say.

US aviation agency warns airlines flying over Venezuela of potential hazards

There has been a huge US military build-up in the region recently, including its largest aircraft carrier, other warships and F-35 aircraft.

Why Asean’s AI ambition may lead to widening economic and tech divide

While countries such as Singapore and Malaysia are ahead in the AI race, others like Cambodia and Laos risk being left behind, analysts say.

China accuses US of undermining ties with Greece in envoy’s Piraeus port remarks

Washington’s ambassador under fire after urging Athens to sell the ancient port operated by Chinese shipping giant Cosco.

Brazil approves China’s naval visit while US research ship plans call nearby

Clearance ends months of internal debate as both powers expand naval activity in South America.

Singapore seizes US$867,000 worth of rhinoceros horns, largest-ever haul

The horns, along with other animal parts, were detected in cargo labelled ‘furniture fittings’ and originating from South Africa.

What US anti-scam ‘strike force’ means for Southeast Asia’s cybercrime fight

Analysts say the US initiative can serve as a coordination blueprint to push back against transnational criminal enterprises.

US launches ‘Southern Spear’, deploying robotic fleet to target cartels

Announcement comes amid a growing US military build-up in the Southern Caribbean of a size not seen in the region for decades.

US, Chinese authorities ramp up actions against syndicates running crypto scams

Syndicates either trick or coerce targeted victims to invest in bogus schemes and transfer funds via bitcoin, ether or stablecoins.

Xi vows to boost imports from Spain and deepen ties in talks with King Felipe

Xi also calls for joint efforts in markets like Latin America, while Felipe says Madrid wants to cooperate on trade, tech and industry.

‘Empty and numb’: Laos methanol poisoning survivor mourns friend a year on

No one has been held accountable after six tourists died from drinking tainted shots at the Nana Backpackers Hostel last November.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | East Timor’s membership marks a new chapter for Asean

Dili can bolster Asean’s diplomatic outreach and action on shared concerns, while other members can lend a hand in East Timor’s development.

Chinese ‘super villain’ jailed in UK for US$6.4 billion bitcoin fraud

Qian Zhimin and her assistant Seng Hok Ling are jailed after the largest bitcoin seizure ever by British police.

China tightens controls on fentanyl precursors bound for US, Canada and Mexico

Effective immediately, Beijing requires a permit for exporting 13 chemicals, including those used to make the deadly synthetic opioid.

China-wanted gambling kingpin to be extradited by Thailand

Thai court upheld order for She Zhijiang to stand trial in China for illegal casino charges; the US Treasury sanctioned his Shwe Kokko firms.

Look to the ‘rising’ Global South, ex-diplomat tells Chinese businesses

Amid tighter US and European markets, diversification and localisation can minimise risks, Le Yucheng tells annual forum.

‘Reject it altogether’: sex tourists from South Korea drive up rents in Laos

A South Korean civic group is calling for cultural change to combat exploitation and protect children from sex work.

Explainer | As China’s companies become industry leaders, where in the world are they going?

Opinion | East Timor’s membership marks a new chapter for Asean