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Asean

A Chinese coast guard vessel blocks the Philippine coast guard ship BRP Cabra as they approach Second Thomas Shoal during a resupply mission in the disputed South China Sea on November 10, 2023. Photo: AP

‘No incidents’ with China during Philippines first resupply mission after deal

The Second Thomas Shoal has been a focus of clashes between Chinese and Philippine ships in recent months as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims to almost the entire South China Sea.

The Second Thomas Shoal has been a focus of clashes between Chinese and Philippine ships in recent months

2 hours agovideocam

An America under Trump 2.0 makes Asia anxious – again

5 hours agovideocam

Hong Kong leader John Lee set to make third Asean trip in 2 years

26 Jul 2024 - 10:20PM

China and India vow border peace efforts as Wang Yi urges ‘rational approach’

While meeting Chinese counterpart for second time this month, top Indian diplomat says Himalayan border dispute has cast shadow over ties.

26 Jul 2024 - 5:12PM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called on “two big neighbours” China and India to explore ways to “get along with each other” as the two sides agreed to improve communication. Photo: AFP

Russia, China should join forces in Southeast Asia, Lavrov says at Asean meeting

China’s foreign minister pledges to work with Russia to safeguard their ‘core interests’ and ‘always be a good partner’.

26 Jul 2024 - 7:50PMvideocam

‘Bullied by China’? Philippine-Vietnam joint sea drills mark peace bid

Observers say both Asean nations could pave the way for how territorial disputes can be settled in the contested waters.

26 Jul 2024 - 8:00AMvideocam

Philippines broadens defence ties with Singapore amid tensions with China

Since territorial hostilities between China and the Philippines surged, Manila has taken steps to forge new security alliances with a number of Asian and Western countries.

24 Jul 2024 - 8:05PMvideocam

Philippines’ Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr will sign a new defence pact with Singapore on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Opinion | Northeast Asia, with its nuclear dreams and arms race, is a powder keg

Resurgence of military blocs, breakdown in cooperation and nuclear risk threaten global catastrophe, unless a new road map to peace is found.

23 Jul 2024 - 10:19AMvideocam

Hong Kong business leaders look to Cambodia as it takes more pro-trade approach

New Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet expected to introduce ‘aggressive’ preferential policies to boost business and diversify economy.

24 Jul 2024 - 5:17PM

Top US envoy expects to meet Chinese counterpart during tour of Asian allies

Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to engage with Wang Yi, but will also face partners’ questions about the direction of US policy in a tumultuous election season.

23 Jul 2024 - 5:08AMvideocam

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to Asia is expected to include discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the Asean sidelines, but also questions from allies about the direction of US foreign policy. Photo: AP

India’s China loophole concerns fuel Asean free trade deal rethink

New Delhi’s review of zero-duty tariffs under its trade pact with Asean comes amid domestic concerns about cheap Chinese imports.

22 Jul 2024 - 12:00PM

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 20th Asean-India Summit in Jakarta last year. Photo: AFP

Still room for Hong Kong-EU cooperation as Asean, Mideast no substitute: diplomat

Thomas Gnocchi, outgoing head of EU office in Hong Kong, also urges city to uphold its uniqueness to maintain appeal to businesses.

22 Jul 2024 - 10:43AM

Opinion | US practice of divide and rule could be the ruin of us all

It means market fragmentation, economic destruction, social upheaval and loss of lives. In a fractured world today, it could trigger another world war.

21 Jul 2024 - 7:30PMvideocam

South China Sea: Philippines says to solely run shoal resupply missions

Manila says it appreciates the US offer of help after Washington vowed to ‘do what is necessary’ to support its ally’s missions.

21 Jul 2024 - 5:35PMvideocam

Members of the Philippine coastguard stand alert as a Chinese coastguard vessel blocks their way to a resupply mission at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on March 5. Photo: Reuters

Letters | Singapore, enough with the statues of colonial leaders

Readers discuss the installation of a statue of Stamford Raffles at a park in Singapore, and a controversial decision by the speaker of Malaysia’s parliament.

21 Jul 2024 - 11:30AM

A statue of Stamford Raffles at Empress Place in Singapore on May 24, 2016. Photo: Reuters

The View | Chinese investment won’t cure the cancer plaguing Malaysia’s economy

Malaysia’s woes stem from corruption and weak governance, linked to race-based privileges. Outsiders are not in a position to remedy this.

19 Jul 2024 - 5:00PMvideocam

My Take | China should look back in history when chastising others about aggression

Beijing’s support for communist insurgencies across Southeast Asia was also a major source of aggression.

19 Jul 2024 - 10:30AM

China urged to set deadline for Philippines to withdraw from contested shoal

China should present time frame for withdrawal from Second Thomas Shoal and block supplies if Manila does not comply, says Wu Shicun.

19 Jul 2024 - 3:59AMvideocam

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The grounded BRP Sierra Madre has become the focus of increasing tension between Beijing and Manila at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Photo: AFP

PLA deploys nation’s biggest hospital ship to contested South China Sea

Silk Road Ark, China’s biggest hospital ship, is on its maiden voyage, with hopes it will ‘better serve operational demand and battle readiness’.

16 Jul 2024 - 4:39PMvideocam

China-Russia drill starts after flotilla passes Japan, South Korea, Philippines

In joint warship patrol in the lead-up to the drill, Chinese-Russian flotilla practises ‘search and arrest’ in the Pacific.

16 Jul 2024 - 11:01AMvideocam

Australia’s ‘monolingual mind’ widens its isolation from Asia

Australians’ lack of Asian language mastery is undermining their homeland’s influence. Change will require a ‘fundamental rethink’.

14 Jul 2024 - 9:30AM

International students walk by Sydney Opera House. Analysts warn Australia risks falling behind if it continues to rely on English alone. Photo: Reuters

China looms large as Philippines-Japan defence pact heads for Senate showdown

Philippines’ Senate foreign relations chief Imee Marcos, the president’s own sister, has vowed to scrutinise ‘every word’ of the landmark deal.

13 Jul 2024 - 12:13PMvideocam

From left: Japan’s Defence Minister Minoru Kihara and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa join hands with Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro after a meeting in Manila on July 8. Photo: AFP

India beckons UK and France after Europe’s election earthquakes

Voters’ economic frustrations caused huge electoral upsets in Europe, opening new avenues for Britain and France to deepen ties with Asia.

14 Jul 2024 - 10:11AM

The Philippines sends navy vessel to Benham Rise. Is it just a show of force?

The Philippines has to do more than conduct symbolic deployments, analysts say, noting a constant naval presence was needed especially in the contested area.

12 Jul 2024 - 6:00PMvideocam

Philippines on tenterhooks as China deploys ‘darker grey’ tactics over row

China has been taking more aggressive actions without crossing the threshold for armed conflict in the South China Sea, analysts say.

12 Jul 2024 - 5:03PMvideocam

A woman holds a placard during a protest marking the eighth anniversary of the 2016 arbitration ruling over China’s claims in the South China Sea, in Quezon City. Photo: Reuters

Opinion | Why the US is suddenly going soft on Cambodia

It’s likely a goodwill gesture to Phnom Penh’s ally China, amid shared US-China concerns over the threat of Moscow and Pyongyang drawing closer.

12 Jul 2024 - 5:55AMvideocam

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen during a meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on June 4. Photo: AFP

Opinion | Talent-hungry Hong Kong can drop the hard sell and learn from Singapore

One-sided comparisons only expose Hong Kong’s insecurities; it should focus on learning from Singapore’s success in attracting global talent

9 Jul 2024 - 9:30AMvideocam

Opinion | Let’s get real, carbon capture is not the next big net-zero hope

Much of the time, it simply lets oil and gas multinationals justify continuing capital-intensive energy projects in the name of decarbonisation.

7 Jul 2024 - 5:30AMvideocam

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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.