Showing 1 - 10 of 5,313
Flawed Asean needs to regain footing
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 10/10/2025
» Nearly six decades after its founding, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) finds itself back where it began -- divided, uncertain, and vulnerable to the influence of major powers. Once hailed as a model for regional cooperation in the developing world, Asean now faces a crisis of purpose. Unless it can rediscover the unity and collective way forward that defined its early decades, Southeast Asia's flagship institution risks slipping into irrelevance.
Thais decry ‘sovereignty’ comment by Chinese envoy to Cambodia
Online Reporters, Published on 09/10/2025
» A social media post by the Chinese ambassador to Cambodia has stirred up a storm of criticism from Thais after he reaffirmed Beijing’s unwavering support for Phnom Penh in “safeguarding its sovereignty”.
China says Taiwan president is 'prostituting' himself, after interview lauding Trump
Reuters, Published on 08/10/2025
» BEIJING — Taiwan President Lai Ching-te is "prostituting" himself to foreigners to try and win their favour but his schemes are doomed to fail, China's government said on Wednesday after he gave an interview lauding US President Donald Trump.
Myanmar's reclusive general turns jet-setter in quest for election backing
Published on 03/10/2025
» Myanmar's junta chief is becoming a frequent flier.
Southeast Asia amid the US-China rift
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 03/10/2025
» The rivalry between the United States and China has become the defining contest of the 21st century. Barely two decades ago, Washington and Beijing were partners in prosperity. America's support for China's entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001 epitomised the high-water mark of engagement, reflecting the belief that economic integration would lead to greater political cooperation. Today, that partnership has morphed into suspicion and confrontation. Relations between the United States and China have deteriorated so swiftly that many observers now describe them as locked in a "new Cold War". The more pressing question, however, is not whether this analogy holds, but whether confrontation can be managed short of outright conflict.
China and Malaysia discuss rare earths refinery
Published on 02/10/2025
» KUALA LUMPUR - China and Malaysia are in early talks for a project to process rare earths, with the sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional likely to partner with a Chinese state-owned firm to build a refinery in the Southeast Asian country, people familiar with the matter said.
Xi pushes Trump to oppose Taiwan independence in major shift
Published on 29/09/2025
» Chinese President Xi Jinping is renewing a push for the US to change a decades-old phrase describing its stance on Taiwan independence, a concession that would be a major diplomatic win for Beijing.
Trump allies to control TikTok under new US deal
AFP, Published on 26/09/2025
» WASHINGTON - Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order laying out a proposed deal for a US version of TikTok that would put control of the app in the hands of the president's allies.
Hope for more rate cuts buoy Asian shares
Business, Published on 20/09/2025
» RECAP: Asian shares were headed for weekly gains on Friday on hopes of further interest rate cuts around the world, though the Nikkei retreated from record highs after the Bank of Japan said it would start to offload some of its massive equity fund holdings.
Trump and Xi talk TikTok and trade
AFP, Published on 19/09/2025
» WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump and China’s leader Xi Jinping spoke by phone on Friday with expectations that they were set to finalise the fate of the hugely popular and influential video app TikTok, as well as discussing trade.