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Opinion

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Pupils attend class at a primary school in Selangor, Malaysia. More non-Chinese Malaysians are embracing Mandarin. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia

Asian Angle | Malaysians’ embrace of Mandarin is a win for multiculturalism

A rise in Mandarin fluency is shown to help foster positive attitudes and reduce prejudice, but challenges remain in boosting inclusivity.

Vietnam

Asian Angle | Vietnam’s private banking sector has a ‘chronic disease’. Can it be treated?

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Malaysia

My Take | Can Johor-Singapore SEZ be a flag-bearer for Southeast Asia’s economic clout?

Vietnam

Asian Angle | Vietnam’s ‘Chubby Bear’ approach to TikTok reveals double standards

Vietnam’s TikTok strategy involves enforcing censorship while exploiting youth-centric trends to promote pro-leader narratives.

A man in Hanoi looks at TikTok content on his smartphone in October 2023. Photo: AFP
A man in Hanoi looks at TikTok content on his smartphone in October 2023. Photo: AFP
Israel-Gaza war

Opinion | The West and the rest: how genocide in Gaza will usher in the end of ‘his-story’

The breach of international laws by the West has led non-Western countries to seek new global historical narratives and tell ‘our-stories’.

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North Korea

My Take | North Korea’s New Year’s greetings signal shift from China to Russia

Kim Jong-un’s outreach to Moscow and the absence of greetings for Xi Jinping suggest Pyongyang is exploiting Russia’s need for support while testing Beijing.

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Nato

My Take | New Nato chief has penned a war poem for Europe and America

Whether or not the Ukraine conflict continues, the European Union has been tasked with containing Russia while the US aims to focus on China.

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Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks during a press conference in Brussels on December 4. Photo: dpa
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks during a press conference in Brussels on December 4. Photo: dpa
International Monetary Fund (IMF)

My Take | South Asia needs to get its political house in order to turn around its economy

Political violence and social unrest have dented support for South Asian countries from investors and multilateral institutions.

Xi Jinping

Opinion | Trump wants China’s Xi at his inauguration – to help broker peace in Ukraine?

The US president-elect’s unusual invitation to Xi Jinping came after he’d said ‘China can help’ end the Ukraine war.

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Pacific nations

Opinion | Why Vanuatu should expect more aftershocks – and maybe another earthquake

A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of Efate, the main island of Vanuatu, earlier this week.

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Members of Australia’s federal police and other rescue workers stand by a collapsed building in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Photo: Australian Federal Police via AP
India

India reopens North Korea embassy in ‘strategic’ move in volatile region: experts

Experts believe the embassy’s resumption of operations will allow India to engage in diplomatic discussions on critical issues in Northeast Asia.

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The Indian Embassy in North Korea. Photo: Facebook/Embassy of India, Pyongyang
The Indian Embassy in North Korea. Photo: Facebook/Embassy of India, Pyongyang
Malaysia

My Take | Is Anwar’s anti-corruption pledge in Malaysia facing a reality check after 2 years?

Anwar’s promise to eradicate corruption faces a reality check after ex-first lady Rosmah Mansor was acquitted of money laundering charges.

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Hong Kong tourism

Opinion | A blueprint for revitalising Hong Kong tourism: lessons from Tokyo and Seoul

The city should prioritise authenticity over quick fixes, enhancing walkability, improving green spaces – and learning from regional rivals.

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Asean

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.

Malaysia’s Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin receives an Asean emblem at the handover of Asean chairmanship in Laos on November 21. Photo: AP
Thailand

Asian Angle | Thaksin’s return at Udon Thani election sparks play for national influence

The return of ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra turned a local election into a national political stage, aiming to motivate Pheu Thai’s voter base.

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Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrives to face charges of insulting the monarchy at the Criminal Court in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 19. Photo: EPA-EFE
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrives to face charges of insulting the monarchy at the Criminal Court in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 19. Photo: EPA-EFE
Middle East

Opinion | China’s Middle East strategy falters as Aleppo falls to rebel forces

While China has invested in Syria’s reconstruction and seeks to expand its regional presence, the renewed violence has put its ambitions on hold.

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Japan

My Take | Japan should not just focus on abduction issue and reach out to North Korea

Tokyo has demanded the return of its citizens abducted by North Korea over the decades but any breakthrough on the issue is unlikely.

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Asean

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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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during the closing ceremony of the 44th and 45th Asean Summits and Related Summits in Vientiane, Laos, on October 11. Malaysia assumes chairmanship of Asean on January 1 next year. Photo: Reuters
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during the closing ceremony of the 44th and 45th Asean Summits and Related Summits in Vientiane, Laos, on October 11. Malaysia assumes chairmanship of Asean on January 1 next year. Photo: Reuters
War and conflict

Opinion | 4 critical concerns about the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire

The 60-day truce may not lead to lasting peace, with potential for conflict escalation in Syria and unclear troop withdrawal plans.

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Bangladesh

My Take | ‘Worse than before’: Bangladesh’s turmoil grows as Yunus tries to restore order

Muhammad Yunus faces challenges in restoring order and reviving Bangladesh’s economy amid ethnic tensions and urgent calls for new elections.

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Internet

Asian Angle | Asia’s digital future hangs by a thread beneath the ocean waves

Public-private partnerships are essential to ensuring the security of undersea cables against attacks, data theft and espionage.

The Asia-Pacific region is critically dependent on undersea cables. Photo: Shutterstock
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Open Questions series

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

This economist says China’s property oversupply is far from over. Here’s why

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Ex-World Bank economist on why ‘China will not be misled’, dodging Japan’s fate

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

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4
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

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32
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

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13
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

This economist says China’s property oversupply is far from over. Here’s why

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46
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Ex-World Bank economist on why ‘China will not be misled’, dodging Japan’s fate

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia
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Asian Angle | Malaysians’ embrace of Mandarin is a win for multiculturalism

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Asian Angle | Vietnam’s private banking sector has a ‘chronic disease’. Can it be treated?

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My Take | Can Johor-Singapore SEZ be a flag-bearer for Southeast Asia’s economic clout?

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Asian Angle | Vietnam’s ‘Chubby Bear’ approach to TikTok reveals double standards

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Opinion | The West and the rest: how genocide in Gaza will usher in the end of ‘his-story’

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My Take | North Korea’s New Year’s greetings signal shift from China to Russia

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