Largest joint military drills
The Philippines and the United States have launched their largest-ever joint military exercises.
VIETNAM 23 Apr 2023 | 05:11 PM
Vietnam opposes China's unilateral South China Sea fishing ban
Vietnam took aim at China for imposing an annual ban on fishing in a vast area of the South China Sea, calling it a violation of its sovereignty and urging Beijing not to complicate matters.
Differences in South China Sea are not sum total of Philippines-China relations, says Philippine official
The Philippines' foreign minister on Saturday said his nation's differences with China in the South China Sea are not the sum total of relations between the two countries.
South-East Asian nations mobilise to secure their interest at South China Sea; trade in area worth trillions of dollars
Asean countries with claims in the area are increasingly concerned over the influx of militarisation at South China Sea as the area remains a vital trade route with an estimated US$3.37 trillion worth of trading.
South China Sea issues must be resolved peacefully as M'sia will not compromise sovereignty, says Wisma Putra
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Government is unequivocally and firmly committed to protecting Malaysia’s sovereignty, sovereign rights and interests in its maritime areas in the South China Sea, says the Foreign Ministry.
Oil and gas exploration activity to go on in South China Sea
PETRONAS will continue with its oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea despite overlapping claims by China over the area, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
South China Sea: Anwar's tenuous branch and Muhyiddin's iron fist
From MAHATHIR HJ MOHD RAIS, PN Information Chief (Federal Territories).
Come to Parliament more; PM to Muhyiddin for not understanding South China Sea stand
SHAH ALAM: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin should attend Parliament more often to understand the government’s stance over the ongoing issue involving China on PETRONAS’ exploration in the South China Sea, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Vietnam reaffirms willingness to peacefully settle South China Sea disputes
HANOI (Vietnam News/Asia News Network): Vietnam on Thursday (April 6) called out China's illegal activities in its waters and doubled down on its claims of the islands in the South China Sea.
No easy solution for South China Sea claims but problem not insurmountable, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: There is neither an easy solution for the overlapping territorial claims in South China Asean nor the problem is not insurmountable as long as there is dialogue, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said in an interview with China Daily during his visit to China last week.
No surface tremors following South China Sea earthquake, says MetMalaysia
KOTA KINABALU: The earthquake that occurred in the South China Sea early Monday (April 3) morning which went viral on social media, did not cause any tremors on the surface, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).
China ready to speed up talks with Asean over South China Sea
China is ready to work with Malaysia, Singapore and other South-East Asian nations to speed up consultation for a South China Sea code of conduct, Xinhua reported, citing Premier Li Qiang.
Philippines tells China to stop ‘coercion, intimidation’ in South China Sea dispute
MANILA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): A senior diplomat from the Philippines has told China that it must not resort to “coercion and intimidation” in addressing their maritime dispute in the South China Sea.
Bintulu naval base a must for Malaysia's security in South China Sea, says Bongowan rep.
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia must strengthen its defences in Sabah and Sarawak in its waters around the South China Sea amid various geo-political threats in the area, says Dr Daud Yusuf.
Code of conduct on South China Sea must be actionable, Indonesia says after China-Asean talks
JAKARTA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): The code of conduct (COC) for the South China Sea, being drawn up by Asean and China, will have to be one that is effective and substantive, said Sidharto R. Suryodipuro, director-general for Asean cooperation at Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry.
China and Asean to meet next week to discuss code of conduct on South China Sea
JAKARTA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Officials from Asean member states and China will continue negotiations on a code of conduct (COC) for the South China Sea next week in Jakarta.
China values South China Sea code and Asean’s role, Beijing tells Singapore
China will push for cooperation with Southeast Asia, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.
Philippines, Australia eye joint patrols in South China Sea as tensions rise
MANILA (The Straits TimesAsia News Network): The Philippines and Australia are exploring joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea amid Beijing’s increasing military actions in the disputed waters.
China values South China Sea code and Asean’s role, Beijing tells Singapore
China will push for cooperation with South-East Asia, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.
Philippines and the US discuss joint coast guard patrols in South China Sea
The Philippines and the United States are discussing conducting joint coast guard patrols, including in the South China Sea, a Manila official said on Monday.
Japan and Australia may take part in joint South China Sea patrols
THE country is in talks to possibly include Australia and Japan in planned joint South China Sea patrols with the United States, a senior diplomat said, in another sign of concern over Beijing’s activities in the strategic waters.
China promises to work with Asean for peace and stability in South China Sea
JAKARTA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Wednesday (Feb 22) vowed that China will work with South-East Asia to “to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea”, amid rising tensions in the disputed waters.
Philippines files 10 protests against China in two months over South China Sea row
The Philippines has filed 10 diplomatic protests against China over alleged "violations” in the South China Sea with barely two months into 2023, underscoring renewed tensions between the two nations over the disputed waters.
Philippine Coast Guard beefs up forces in South China Sea to counter Chinese claims
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has moved to bolster its presence in the South China Sea amid rising tensions with Beijing over disputed waters.
We need a Code of Conduct, at least, in the South China Sea
AFTER years of deadlock, Indonesia initiated the resumption of negotiations for a code of conduct (CoC) for conflicting parties in the South China Sea.
Chinese patrols in disputed South China Sea hit new peak amid high tensions
BEIJING (Bloomberg): China’s Coast Guard maintained near-daily patrols at key features across the disputed South China Sea last year, ramping up its presence as tensions over the waterway with South-East Asian neighbours remain high, new tracking data shows.
US and Philippines agree to resume joint South China Sea patrols
The US and the Philippines have agreed to resume joint patrols in the South China Sea amid lingering tensions with China in the disputed waters.
In Beijing's backyard, US demonstrates its military might in South China Sea
Over a few hours under grey skies, dozens of combat planes and helicopters roar on and off the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Nimitz, in a demonstration of US military power in some of the world's most hotly contested waters.
Philippines accuses China of aiming ‘military-grade’ laser at coast guard vessel in South China Sea
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has accused a Chinese coast guard ship of directing a “military-grade” laser at one of its vessels, putting the Filipino crew in danger.
US shows off military might in hotly-contested South China Sea
ABOARD THE NIMITZ: Over a few hours under grey skies, dozens of combat planes and helicopters roar on and off the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Nimitz, in a demonstration of US military power in some of the world’s most hotly contested waters.
Asean to hold South China Sea code of conduct negotiations from March
Asean chair Indonesia is set to hold new rounds of negotiations with Asean member states and China from March, as both sides try for years to hammer out a code of conduct (COC) to govern the disputed South China Sea.
Indonesia to offer 10 oil and gas blocks in 2023, including in South China Sea
Indonesia plans to offer 10 oil and gas working areas this year, including a block in the South China Sea, amid efforts to boost energy production and make new discoveries, a senior energy ministry official said on Monday.
China continues to seek maritime ties amid South China Sea dispute
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): China is still committed to look for ways for maritime cooperation despite the Philippine Supreme Court’s ruling that voided a 2005 oil exploration agreement in the West Philippine Sea.
Chinese fighter jet flies metres from US military plane in ‘unsafe’ South China Sea encounter
A Chinese fighter jet flew within metres of a US air force plane in the South China Sea, forcing the American aircraft to take “evasive manoeuvres” to avoid a collision, the US military said.
South Korea’s rise as major arms exporter in Asia
SEOUL (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): In a gesture of goodwill years ago, when the Philippines was boosting its weak naval defence capabilities amid territorial disputes in the South China Sea, South Korea made the decision to donate a soon-to-retire corvette warship to the country.
Philippines' Marcos says South China Sea 'keeps him up at night'
DAVOS, Switzerland (AFP): Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos said Wednesday (Jan 18) that tension in the disputed South China Sea "keeps him up at night", but his country was committed to peace despite Beijing's territorial claims.
Philippines top court voids old South China Sea energy deal
The Supreme Court in the Philippines on Tuesday declared the country's 2005 energy exploration agreement with Chinese and Vietnamese firms was illegal, ruling the constitution does not allow foreign entities to exploit natural resources.
Philippines to boost military presence in South China Sea
MANILA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): The Philippines is set to increase its military presence on the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea following a report on Beijing’s alleged construction activities on four unoccupied land features in the area, including two being claimed by Manila.
India speeds up plans for shipping hub with connections to South-East Asia
NEW DELHI (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Amid the growing presence of China in the Indian Ocean, India is seeking to speed up ambitious plans to convert the strategically situated Andaman and Nicobar Islands into a shipping and tourism hub with connections to South-East Asia.
Top court voids old South China Sea energy deal
The Philippine Supreme Court declared unconstitutional a 2005 pact by China, the Philippines and Vietnam to jointly explore for oil in the disputed South China Sea, a decision that also brings other proposed agreements into doubt.
Indonesia approves US$3bil development plan for South China Sea gas block
JAKARTA (Reuters): Indonesia has approved the first plan of development for the Tuna offshore gas field with total estimated investment of US$3.07 billion up to the start of production, upstream oil and gas regulator SKK Migas said on Monday (Jan 2).
China accused of fresh territorial grab in South China Sea
WASHINGTON (Bloomberg): China is building up several unoccupied land features in the South China Sea, according to Western officials, an unprecedented move they said was part of Beijing’s long-running effort to strengthen claims to disputed territory in a region critical to global trade.
Philippine officials condemn China over debris showdown, boats massing in South China Sea
MANILA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Government officials in the Philippines have doubled down in criticising Beijing’s latest incursions in the South China Sea, as Chinese vessels swarmed parts of the disputed waters in early December, mere weeks after an encounter between the Philippine Navy and the Chinese Coast Guard.
US to give Philippines US$7.5mil to boost maritime patrol in South China Sea
MANILA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): On board one of the Philippines’ biggest vessels patrolling the disputed South China Sea, United States Vice-President Kamala Harris on Tuesday (Nov 22) announced that Washington is allotting US$7.5 million to boost the capabilities of Manila’s maritime law enforcement agencies.
EU plans to propose €10bil investment in South-East Asia
BRUSSELS (Bloomberg): The European Union will propose a €10 billion (US$10.6 billion) investment package to countries in South-East Asia as the European bloc seeks to strengthen ties with the region to diversify supply chains and rally support against Russia.
South-East Asian nations must be wary of efforts to nuclearise its waterways
As the strategic importance of the South China Sea (SCS) and Melaka Straits draws the attention of great powers, the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) must be on guard by efforts to use the area to base nuclear weapons.
Philippines needs to find ways to exploit South China Sea resources, says Marcos
The Philippines must find a way to explore for oil and gas in the South China Sea even without a deal with China, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr had said last week, emphasising his country's right to exploit energy reserves in the contested waterway.
Hanoi in major push to expand South China Sea outposts
THE country has conducted a major expansion of dredging and landfill work at several of its South China Sea outposts in the second half of this year, signalling an intent to significantly fortify its claims in the disputed waterway, a US think tank reported.
Vietnam in big push to expand South China Sea outposts: US think tank
WASHINGTON (Reuters): Vietnam has conducted a major expansion of dredging and landfill work at several of its South China Sea outposts in the second half of this year, signaling an intent to significantly fortify its claims in the disputed waterway, a US think tank reported on Wednesday (Dec 14).
Biden in Cambodia seeking to bolster US security role in South-East Asia
President Joe Biden arrived in Cambodia on Saturday, kicking off a five-day swing through Asia for a series of summits that will include his first in-person meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Philippines needs to find ways to exploit South China Sea resources: Marcos
MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines must find a way to explore for oil and gas in the South China Sea even without a deal with China, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Thursday (Dec 1), emphasising his country’s right to exploit energy reserves in the contested waterway.
Relive your favourite K-dramas at these popular filming locations in South Korea
Start your K-drama pilgrimage in South Korea and relive your favourite scenes at these filming locations.
Biden working on ties with South-East Asia in shadow of China
President Joe Biden is formally kicking off his participation at a conference of South-Eaast Asian nations on Saturday, looking to emphasize the United States’ commitment in the region where a looming China is also working to expand its influence.
Xi tells Marcos stability on South China Sea issues key to good ties
BEIJING (Reuters): Chinese President Xi Jinping told his Philippines counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr at a meeting on Thursday (Nov 17) that the strength of bilateral ties hinged on stable relations at sea, state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) reported.
South-East Asian leaders: Region no proxy for any powers
Indonesia's president vowed Sunday not to let South-East Asia become the front lines of a new Cold War amid increasing tensions between the United States and China, saying as his country took over the chairmanship of the influential Association of South-East Asian Nations that it would not become "a proxy to any powers.”
Asean and China negotiation on South China Sea progressing well
The negotiation for the adoption of a Code of Conduct (COC) for the South China Sea is progressing well, Asean and China said, with both sides reaffirming the future adoption of the COC would promote peace and stability in the region.
Chinese state media highlights PLA role in intercepting foreign warplanes as activity in East and South China seas shows little sign of letting up
Foreign military aircraft are expected to continue flying over Chinese-claimed waters in the East and South China seas, observers said after state media released details of a close encounter.
'Claimants only’ Code of Conduct on South China Sea risks polarising Asean
The suggestion to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea among claimant countries, rather than between Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) and China carries the risk of fracturing the 10-nation grouping, an analyst warned.
The South China Sea dispute - Philippines’ Marcos eyes China compromise on issue
The Philippines is interested in renewing talks with China on joint oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea to expand and diversify its sources of energy, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in an interview with Bloomberg TV.
Vietnam, Philippines pledge to support each other in regional issues, including South China Sea
MANILA (Vietnam News/Asia News Network):National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on Wednesday (Nov 23) had a meeting with the Philippines' President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos in Manila as part of his official visit to the country.
US and Philippine forces hold combat drills to brace for crisis in South China Sea
More than 2,500 US and Philippine marines joined combat exercises Monday to be able to respond to any sudden crisis in a region long on tenterhooks over South China Sea territorial disputes and increasing tensions over Taiwan.
Biden, Philippines' Marcos discuss tensions in South China Sea
NEW YORK (Reuters): US President Joe Biden and his Philippine counterpart, Ferdinand Marcos, underscored their support for freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea on Thursday, in response to China's efforts to exert its influence there.
Australia to continue South China Sea patrols despite efforts to improve relations with Beijing
Australia has said it will continue military patrols in the South China Sea, a move diplomatic analysts said was likely to complicate efforts to improve relations with China.
Vietnam appeals for cooperation, contributions to peace, stability and legal order at South China Sea
Countries should cooperate with one another and make active and practical contributions to the maintenance of peace, stability, and legal order at sea, Vice Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said on Saturday night (Dec 10).
Thailand to escape typhoon Nesat but South gets flash flood warning
BANGKOK (The Nation/Asia News Network): Severe tropical storm Nesat strengthened to a typhoon in the South China Sea at 4pm on Monday (Oct), the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) reports.
US officials call China’s actions in the South China Sea unsafe and increasing
US officials denounced Beijing on Tuesday for increasing confrontations with other countries in the South China Sea, actions that a State Department official said required “multilateral condemnation”.
Distrust and unease loom as South Koreans grow wary of China’s clout
Here in the slick corporate headquarters of Hybe, the South Korean entertainment company that manages the K-pop superstars BTS, chief communications officer Jinhyeong “AJ” Lee knows that even the tiniest speck of news about the musicians or their millions of passionately loyal fans can send shock waves around the world.
South China Sea law enforcement ship unveiled as Beijing seeks to tighten control over disputed waters
China said it has built a law enforcement ship for the South China Sea as Beijing seeks to tighten its grip on the hotly contested waters.
South China Sea law enforcement ship unveiled as Beijing seeks to tighten control over disputed waters
China said it has built a law enforcement ship for the South China Sea as Beijing seeks to tighten its grip on the hotly contested waters.
All South-East Asian nations must join hands and engage China to stem huge losses from illegal fishing
Malaysia must work with fellow Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) member states and China to put a stop to the staggering losses the country is suffering from illegal fishing in its waters, according to an analyst.
South Korea's Yoon stumbles in endeavour to improve China ties: Korea Herald contributor
The writer says President Yoon has every reason to try to improve ties with China 30 years after formal relations were established between the two former adversaries.
Asean needs to be vigilant on moves to dominate South China Sea, says top analyst
Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) member states with claims in the South China Sea (SCS) must be vigilant against moves by China or such superpowers to dominate the area according to an analyst.
MetMalaysia issues strong winds, rough seas warning for South China Sea
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a category one warning of strong winds and rough seas which are expected to occur in several areas over the waters of the South China Sea from Tuesday (Oct 18) until Thursday (Oct 20).
Navy completes exercise in South China, Sulu seas
KOTA KINABALU: The Navy demonstrated its presence and capabilities in an annual exercise held in the South China Sea and Sulu Sea.
Malaysian navy holds intra-maritime exercise in South China, Sulu seas
KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian navy demonstrated its presence and capabilities in an annual naval exercise in the South China Sea and Sulu Sea from Aug 23 to Sept 1.
Vietnam and South Korea aim to boost trade to US$100bil next year
Vietnam and South Korea aim to raise the value of bilateral trade between the countries to $100 billion next year and to $150 billion by 2030, up from $78 billion last year, the Vietnamese government said.
Chinese vice-president urges better South China Sea approach with Philippines as Marcos takes the reins
Chinese vice-president Wang Qishan called on China and the Philippines to improve their relations by properly handling South China Sea disputes.
Chinese vice-president urges better South China Sea approach with Philippines as Marcos takes the reins
Chinese vice-president Wang Qishan called on China and the Philippines to improve their relations by properly handling South China Sea disputes.
Chinese scientists retrieve ancient ships from depths of South China Sea
Chinese marine researchers say they have discovered three ancient merchant ships in an unprecedented archaeological sweep of the contested South China Sea.
Beijing sees exodus of South Korean giants
Relations wane on high tariffs, trade war, lockdowns
Has the South China Sea become a nuclear playground?
Some Asean countries have expressed their concern about a possible arms race in the region.
Taiwan rebuffs Philippines complaint about South China Sea live fire drills
TAIPEI (Reuters): Taiwan on Wednesday (June 29) rebuffed a complaint from the Philippines about live fire drills around a Taiwan-controlled island deep in the South China Sea, saying it had the right to do so and always gives issues a warning of its exercises.
US official sees ‘trilateral’ relationship with Japan and South Korea growing stronger
A senior State Department official expressed high confidence on Wednesday that Washington’s efforts at “trilateral” cooperation with Seoul and Tokyo would succeed in the face of regional threats, despite numerous disputes that have long plagued relations between South Korea and Japan.
Don’t let South China Sea disputes strain ties, China tells new Philippine government
China is calling on the new Philippine government not to let South China Sea disputes come between the two nations, as Manila faces an increasing rivalry between Washington and Beijing in the region.
Beijing and Manila need new ideas to manage South China Sea differences: experts
Beijing and Manila need to come up with new ideas to narrow their differences in the South China Sea, according to experts at a virtual conference on Wednesday.
US increases military presence in South China Sea
Drills expand in scale and frequency, focus on preparing for real combat, China report says
Met Dept: Sabah may not experience drought throughout South-West monsoon season
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah might not experience drought throughout the coming South-West monsoon season which is expected to start this weekend, says the Sabah Meteorological Department.
China to speed up consultation of COC on South China Sea
KUALA LUMPUR: China State Councillor and Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi says China will speed up the consultation on the Code of Conduct (COC) for the South China Sea and work together with all stakeholders in creating a sea of peace and cooperation.
12 bodies found after South China Sea typhoon shipwreck
Twelve bodies have been found following a shipwreck in the South China Sea over the weekend that left more than two dozen crew members missing, Chinese authorities said Monday.
Biden names envoy to South-East Asia bloc, stressing US attention
President Joe Biden has announced he's nominating one of his top national security aides as ambassador to the Association of South-East Asian Nations, aiming to underscore his administration's commitment to the Pacific region.
More than two dozen crew members missing in shipwreck during South China Sea typhoon
More than two dozen crew members are unaccounted for after their ship broke into two during a typhoon in the South China Sea on Saturday, with rescuers scrambling to find them, officials say.
Philippines: Beijing hopes Duterte's successor will stay the course on South China Sea dealings
China hopes the next Philippine president will stay the course when dealing with disputes in the South China Sea, amid fresh flare-ups around a disputed shoal west of the Philippines' main island.
New US report dismisses Beijing’s claim to South China Sea ‘historical rights’
The US government stepped up its criticism of China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea on Wednesday, issuing a report that declares “historical rights” a meaningless term.
Marcos Jr calls China 'Strongest Partner' in Philippines' pandemic recovery but South China Sea tensions trigger more protests
Philippine President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said China is his nation’s "strongest partner” in pandemic recovery, even as the foreign ministry filed fresh protests against Beijing’s presence in the South China Sea.
Philippines protests China's 'illegal' acts in disputed South China Sea atoll
The Philippines has lodged a new diplomatic protest against China's maritime activities within Manila's 200-mile exclusive economic zone, the foreign ministry said late on Friday.
Philippines' Duterte and China's Xi call for to restraint in South China Sea
Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the need to exercise restraint to maintain peace in the South China Sea, Manila's presidential office said on Saturday.
Beijing says new South China Sea report by US is misleading, distorts international law
BEIJING (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Beijing has hit back at a new United States report that says its maritime claims in the South China Sea are "unlawful", calling it misleading and a distortion of international law.
Man crossing DMZ from South said to be defector from N. Korea
SEOUL: A man observed crossing the heavily fortified border from South Korea into North Korea last week is believed to be a North Korean who previously defected to the South in 2020 in the same area, Seoul’s defence ministry said.
Manila pulls Hollywood movie from cinemas over South China Sea map
MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines has pulled the plug on all domestic screenings of a Hollywood film called "Uncharted", over a scene showing a disputed map of the South China Sea, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday (April 27).
China plots fresh military exercises in South China Sea
BEIJING (AFP): China will hold naval exercises in the South China Sea on Saturday (May 28), its maritime authority said, after a week of recrimination from Western powers over its military ambitions across the Pacific region.
More US missions in South China Sea a factor in F-35C fighter crash, says Chinese researcher
More frequent military exercises carried out as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to counter China in the Indo-Pacific are partly to blame for the crash of a F-35C jet in the South China Sea, according to a Chinese observer.
More US missions in South China Sea a factor in F-35C fighter crash: Chinese researcher
More frequent military exercises carried out as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to counter China in the Indo-Pacific are partly to blame for the crash of a F-35C jet in the South China Sea, according to a Chinese observer.
Respect each other's legitimate interests in South China Sea, Vietnam tells China
BAGAN (Vietnam News/Asia News Network): Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn had a meeting with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday (July 4) as the two participated in the 7th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Bagan, Myanmar.
South Korea to delay action against shippers
SEOUL: South Korea’s antitrust regulator plans to put off its review of punitive measures over shippers’ alleged collusions to fix freight rates, as some foreign players have faced difficulty in doing business amid Covid-19 lockdowns in China, industry officials have said.
US piles on South China Sea pressure with dual carrier strike exercises
The United States has sent an aircraft carrier strike group and a landing helicopter dock group to the South China Sea where the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong exercised two weeks ago, adding new tension to the hotpot.
Vietnam stresses the importance of maritime and aviation security in South China Sea at ADSOM+
Maritime and aviation security and safety in the South China Sea is extremely important for countries in the region and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean), said Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Sen Lieut Gen Hoang Xuan Chien.
South-East Asia poll shows China beats US as top economic power
SINGAPORE (Bloomberg): China is seen as the most influential economic power in South-East Asia, according to the new poll, although there’s caution over Beijing’s territorial positions over the South China Sea.
Hong Kong floating restaurant sinks in South China Sea
HONG KONG (AFP): Jumbo floating restaurant, a once famed but financially struggling Hong Kong tourist attraction, sank in the South China Sea after being towed away from the city, its parent company said on Monday (June 20).
N. Korea fired suspected ballistic missile, says South
SEOUL: North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile off its east coast, just hours before South Korean President Moon Jae-in attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a rail line he hopes will eventually connect the divided Korean peninsula.
Philippines dispatches supply boats to disputed South China Sea shoal
The Philippines on Monday dispatched two boats to bring food supplies to soldiers stationed at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, about a week after Chinese coast guard ships blocked and fired water cannon at them.
China vows 'fight to the end' to stop Taiwan independence; issues on South China Sea also high on agenda
China will "fight to the very end" to stop Taiwanese independence, the country's defence minister vowed Sunday, stoking already soaring tensions with the United States over the island.
South China Sea: US Navy tries to recover F-35C fighter jet from ocean after 7 hurt in ‘landing mishap’
The US Navy is working to recover a F-35C fighter jet after it fell into the South China Sea following a “landing mishap” on the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier on Monday, the US 7th Fleet has revealed.
Philippines halts oil and gas exploration in disputed South China Sea; aims to strike energy deal with China
Manila has suspended oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman had announced this week, as it tries to strike a deal with Beijing on a joint energy project.
Xi says China will not seek dominance over South-East Asia
Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Monday said his country will not seek dominance over South-East Asia or bully its smaller neighbors, amid ongoing friction over the South China Sea.
Philippines' Marcos wants military presence to defend its waters in South China Sea
MANILA (Reuters): Philippine presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr said he wants his country to have a military presence in the South China Sea, "not to fire upon" vessels but to defend its waters in a long-running dispute with China.
Vietnam confirms bans on new Tom Holland film 'Uncharted' over South China Sea map
Vietnam has banned a new Hollywood film starring Tom Holland over scenes with a map showing Beijing's claims to the South China Sea, state media reported Saturday.
Vietnam blocks Sony's action movie 'Uncharted' over South China Sea map
Vietnam has banned Sony's action movie "Uncharted" from domestic distribution over a scene featuring a map that shows a disputed line declared by China to stake its claim to large parts of the South China Sea, state media reported on Saturday.
Philippines now has summoned Beijing diplomat over South China Sea 'harassment'
Manila revealed on Tuesday that it had summoned a senior Beijing diplomat to protest the alleged harassment of a marine research vessel by a Chinese coast guard ship in Philippine territorial waters.
Xi tells South-East Asian leaders China won’t bully small nations
BEIJING (Bloomberg): Chinese President Xi Jinping told a gathering of Asean leaders on Monday (Nov 22) that his nation will avoid dominating the region, a pledge that comes as Beijing is involved in disputes with bloc members over its broad claims in the South China Sea.
US recovers stealth jet lost in South China Sea
WASHINGTON (AFP): The United States Navy said Thursday (March 3) it had recovered a stealth fighter jet that sank in the South China Sea after crashing off an aircraft carrier while trying to land.
Building bridges across the South China Sea
From V. THOMAS of Sg Buloh, Selangor.
Marcos says Philippines to uphold South China Sea ruling
MANILA (AFP): Philippine president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr said Thursday (May 26) he would uphold an international ruling against Beijing over the disputed South China Sea, insisting he would not let China trample on Manila's maritime rights.
Philippines sign deal to buy two South Korean warships for US$556 million
The Philippines has signed a US$556 million deal with South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries to buy two new military vessels, the country's department of national defence said recently, reported Sputnik.
Philippines' Duterte condemns South China Sea flare-up
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday condemned the latest flare-up in the disputed South China Sea after Chinese coastguard ships fired water cannon at Filipino boats.
Vietnam opposes South China Sea claims inconsistent with international law, says govt spokesperson
Vietnam always opposes and does not accept all claims in the South China Sea that are inconsistent with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS), spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang has announced.
Funerals held for PLA pilots and crew killed in South China Sea crash
Funerals have been held for at least seven People’s Liberation Army pilots and crew who died when a warplane crashed in the South China Sea early this month, according to official reports.
US tells South-East Asian leaders summit marks 'new era' for ties
WASHINGTON: U.S. President Joe Biden said on Friday a first summit in Washington with leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) marked the launch of a "new era" in the relationship between the United States and the 10-nation bloc.
Vietnam's 'Daddy Chung', the most successful coach in South-East Asia
HANOI (Vietnam News/Asia News Network): After helping the Vietnamese women's football team qualify for their first-ever World Cup, Mai Đức Chung has become South-East Asia's most successful coach in the past decade.
South Korea to develop more powerful missiles, increase defence spending
SEOUL (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): South Korea has pledged to develop new missiles "with significantly enhanced destructive power" to deter the North, as it unveiled a new military blueprint with increased budgets for defence.
Blinken heads to South-East Asia to deepen cooperation on China pushback - first stop Jakarta on Monday (Dec 13)
The Biden administration will seek to bolster economic and security cooperation with Southeast Asia through a visit to the region next week by its top diplomat, as it works to forge a united front against China in the Indo-Pacific.
US spy planes over South China Sea likely surveyed nuclear fallout of sub collision, observers say
US special-purpose aircraft the Constant Phoenix may have been in the South China Sea region to examine radioactive material, military experts said, after a Beijing-based think tank cited satellite images to report five American reconnaissance planes operating in the area at the weekend.
China announces South China Sea drills close to Vietnam coast
China is carrying out more than a week of military drills in the South China Sea in an area between its southern province of Hainan and Vietnam, the government announced, warning shipping to stay away.
CoC for South China Sea should be expedited to ensure security and stability, says expert group
Asean member states should expedite the Code of Conduct (CoC) that they have been working on for the best interest of all parties involved in the South China Sea disputes.
China urges US not to interfere in South China Sea
BEIJING (China Daily/Asia News Network): China reiterated its grave concern on Tuesday (Oct 26) over the collision of a United States Navy submarine with an unknown object in the South China Sea, and urged Washington to release more information about the incident and stop the militarisation of the area.
German warship Bayern first in almost two decades to enter South China Sea
BERLIN (Reuters): A German warship sailed into the South China Sea on Wednesday (Dec 15) for the first time in almost 20 years, a move that sees Berlin joining other Western nations in expanding its military presence in the region amid growing alarm over China's territorial ambitions.
Blinken arrives in Indonesia and begins South-East Asia tour with China in focus and eye on Myanmar
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday began a South-East Asia tour in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, where he will outline Washington's policy on the Indo-Pacific, a key US-China battleground.
Russia, South-East Asia led by Indonesia conclude first joint naval exercise at Sumatra Island
Russia and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) have concluded their first joint naval exercise, Indonesia's navy said on Saturday, as the region faces rising tensions with China.
US says new Chinese rule that vessels register for South China Sea access threatens freedom of navigation
Maritime regulations ‘must not infringe upon rights enjoyed by all nations under international law’, says Pentagon spokesmanNew rule is supposed to apply to the South China Sea, the East China Sea, and the islands and reefs dotted across the water that Beijing claims as its territory
US says new Chinese rule that vessels register for South China Sea access threatens freedom of navigation
Maritime regulations ‘must not infringe upon rights enjoyed by all nations under international law’, says Pentagon spokesmanNew rule is supposed to apply to the South China Sea, the East China Sea, and the islands and reefs dotted across the water that Beijing claims as its territory
Philippines to buy two new South Korean warships for US$556mil
MANILA (AFP): The Philippines has ordered two new warships from South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries, Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Tuesday (Dec 28), modernising Manila's navy as it faces a dispute with Beijing in the South China Sea.
‘America’s South-East Asian shenanigans doomed to fail, again’
BEIJING: As Afghans struggle to overcome the chaos left behind by the United States, Washington is once again sticking its nose where it doesn’t belong.
China opposes irresponsible US remarks on South China Sea
UNITED NATIONS (Xinhua): China said on Monday (Aug 9) the United States is not qualified to make irresponsible remarks on the issue of South China Sea.
Leave or bear consequences, China warns US destroyer near disputed South China Sea islands
On anniversary of tribunal’s rejection of Beijing’s claim, USS Benfold warned it will pay price if it does not leave vicinity of ParacelsThe guided missile destroyer is understood to have recently taken part in joint exercises with the Singapore navy
Taiwan could irritate South-east Asia if not careful: Jakarta Post contributor
The writer Phar Kim Beng says the overall sentiment among the elites in Asean remained consistent with the view of the three Shanghai communiqués.
Nearly 9,000 US, Philippine troops to take part in training exercises in South-East Asian country from Monday (March 28)
Nearly 9,000 American and Filipino soldiers will take part in military training exercises in the Philippines from Monday (March 28), the largest to be conducted under President Rodrigo Duterte, the armed forces had announced this week.
China hits back after Canada wades into Hague South China Sea row
Beijing continues to reject July 2016 Hague ruling which dismissed its claims to the regionChina hits back on five-year anniversary as Canada and other countries urge it to comply with international law
Seven injured in US F-35 incident in South China Sea
WASHINGTON (AFP): Seven US sailors were injured Monday (Jan 24) in a Navy F-35C fighter 'landing mishap' on an aircraft carrier in the South China Sea, the Navy said.
Blinken headed for South-East Asia - main agenda is to ensure better ties with Asia and eye on Myanmar
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will head to South-East Asia next week on a tour designed to show the region's importance for the US strategy of confronting China, and to further address the "worsening" crisis in military-ruled Myanmar.
With eye on China, Pentagon chief Austin heads to South-East Asia
JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/ANN): United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will become the first member of President Joe Biden's Cabinet to visit South-east Asia this week, seeking to emphasise the importance Washington places on fortifying ties in the region while pushing back against China.
US spy planes boost South China Sea sorties, Chinese group says
BEIJING (Bloomberg): The US military flew a record number of spy planes over the South China Sea in November, a Chinese think tank says, as tensions between the world’s two largest economies simmer.
Indonesian drilling and military exercises at South China Sea are - now its China's turn to protest
China told Indonesia to stop drilling for oil and natural gas in maritime territory that both countries regard as their own during a months-long standoff in the South China Sea earlier this year, four people familiar with the matter told Reuters.
Beijing slams South China Sea ‘provocation’ after turning away German warship
Countries outside the region told by Chinese foreign ministry to respect regional nations’ efforts to maintain peace and stabilityGerman frigate Bayern was refused permission to visit Shanghai during its mission to the Indo-Pacific
Philippines condemns Chinese coast guard's action in South China Sea
MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines condemned 'in strongest terms' the actions of three Chinese Coast Guard vessels which blocked and used water cannons on two Manila supply boats on their way to a Philippine-occupied atoll in the South China Sea, its top diplomat said on Thursday (Nov 18).
Netflix pulls episodes in Philippines over South China Sea map
Netflix has removed two episodes of an Australian spy show from its streaming service in the Philippines after Manila objected to scenes showing a map with Beijing's claims to the disputed South China Sea.
US warship transits South China Sea to challenge ‘unlawful maritime claims’
USS Curtis Wilbur conducts freedom of navigation operations near the contested Paracel IslandsUS Navy says the operation ‘demonstrated that these waters are beyond what China can lawfully claim as its territorial sea’
Vietnamese PM asks India to support, contribute to Asean's efforts in South China Sea
HANOI (Vietnam News/Asia News Network): Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính participated in the 18th India-Asean Summit held via conference on Thursday (Oct 28), alongside other Asean leaders and Indian PM Narendra Modi.
North Korea fires two ballistic missiles: South's military
SEOUL (AFP): North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea on Wednesday (Sept 15), according to the South's military, as China's foreign minister visited Seoul and days after Pyongyang said it had successfully tested new long-range cruise missiles.
US reaffirms stance on South China Sea, urges Beijing to stop 'provocative behaviour'
The United States is urging China to cease "provocative behaviour" and to respect international law when it comes to the South China Sea issue, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
Philippines protests Beijing's 'provocative acts' in South China Sea
MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines has issued a diplomatic protest over Chinese vessels challenging its ships patrolling the South China Sea with sirens, horns and radio communications, its foreign ministry said on Wednesday (Oct 20).
South China Sea: US bolsters presence with amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island
Ship’s visit highlights Washington’s obligation towards the Philippines, analyst says, with Manila in dispute with China over Whitsun ReefThe transit follows both China and the US sailing aircraft carriers into the contested waters
China urges countries to safeguard peace in South China Sea
BEIJING (China Daily/ANN): State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on Tuesday (Aug 3) for China and Asean to tackle external interference as well as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and step up consultation on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to safeguard peace and stability in the region.
Harris to push back on China's South China Sea claims during Asia trip
WASHINGTON (Reuters): Vice President Kamala Harris will focus on defending international rules in the South China Sea, strengthening US regional leadership and expanding security cooperation during her trip to Vietnam and Singapore this month, a senior White House official told Reuters.
US, Indonesia commit to South China Sea defence in 'strategic dialogue'
WASHINGTON (Reuters): US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Tuesday (Aug 3) the launch of a "strategic dialogue" with Indonesia, and Washington said the two countries committed to working together on issues that include defending freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
Global Times: US military activities in South China Sea in 2020 unprecedented
Trend to continue in bid for maritime containment of China, says think tank
Asean, China FMs discuss Covid-19, South China Sea and Myanmar
BEIJING, June 8 (The Straits Times/ANN) - The crisis in Myanmar was high on the agenda at a meeting between the foreign ministers of Asean and China in the south-western Chinese city of Chongqing on Monday (June 7), with at least three ministers voicing their concern at the lack of progress in the peace process.
Malaysia, China agree to maintain peace, stability in South China Sea
ZHEJIANG: Malaysia and China have emphasised on the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, said Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
HMS Richmond docks in Vietnam amid South China Sea tensions
British Royal Navy ship HMS Richmond docked in central Vietnam on Friday as part of a four-day visit that aims to display Britain's commitment to maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, the British embassy in Hanoi said in a statement on Friday.
Blowing in the wind: Fishermen threaten South Korea carbon plans
South Korea's carbon neutrality plans could be delayed due to opposition from fishermen, who are protesting the intrusion of off-shore wind turbines.
US warns China on action against Philippines in South China Sea
The United States on Friday (Nov 19) accused China of an escalation against the Philippines and warned that an armed attack would invite a US response after an incident in disputed waters.
Asean, China pledge to exercise restraint in South China Sea, gloss over Myanmar crisis
BEIJING (The Straits Times/ANN): Asean and China on Tuesday (June 8) pledged to exercise self-restraint to avoid actions that would “complicate or escalate” disputes in the South China Sea and committed to resuming negotiations on a code of conduct (COC), while glossing over the Myanmar crisis.
German warship heads for South China Sea amid tension with Beijing
BERLIN (Reuters): Germany on Monday (Aug 2) sent a warship to the South China Sea for the first time in almost two decades, joining other Western nations in expanding its military presence in the region amid growing alarm over China's territorial ambitions.
Vietnam and China should avoid magnifying South China Sea disputes, says China's Wang Yi
China and Vietnam should refrain from unilateral actions regarding the South China Sea that could complicate the situation and magnify disputes, senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi told a Vietnamese official, China's foreign ministry said.
Philippines and US boost ties as tensions grow in South China Sea
MANILA (Bloomberg): Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin agreed there’s room to strengthen relations as the Pentagon chief vowed a deeper role in Asia amid lingering tension in the South China Sea.
Philippines and China hold 'friendly and candid' talks on South China Sea
The Philippines and China held "friendly and candid" talks on the South China Sea, the Philippines' foreign ministry said on Saturday, days after the minister ordered Chinese vessels out of the disputed waterway in an expletive-laced tweet.
Typhoon Conson set to take complex path on South China Sea
HANOI (Vietnam News/Asia News Network): Typhoon Conson will enter the East Sea (internationally known South China Sea) on Wednesday (Sept 8) night and is forecast to take a complicated path.
Philippine coastguard shoos Chinese ship from South China Sea zone
The Philippine coastguard said on Monday it had warned and followed a Chinese warship out of waters within the country’s exclusive economic zone in the disputed South China Sea.
Distorted information on South China Sea doesn't change facts, says Vietnam
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' spokesperson of Vietnam Government has condemned content falsely portraying the South China Sea issue.
Vietnam hopes all countries will contribute to peace and stability in the South China Sea
HANOI, Feb 6 (Vietnam News/ANN): Vietnam always welcomes the stance of any country regarding the South China Sea (known in Vietnam as the East Sea) that are in line with international law, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said on Thursday.
Five years after South China Sea ruling, China's presence around Philippines only growing
CATO, Philippines (Reuters): Filipino fisherman Randy Megu has often braved the storms that spring up in the South China Sea, but these days he has a greater fear: seeing a Chinese maritime enforcement vessel on the horizon.
Philippines and US officials discuss Chinese activities in South China Sea; Philippines express deep condern
The national security advisers for the United States and the Philippines discussed their shared concerns over Chinese activities in the South China Sea in a call on Wednesday, the White House has said.
China to hold month-long military drills in South China Sea
BEIJING (Global Times): China has announced that it will hold military exercises in the South China Sea for the whole of March, at a time when the US military has been frequently sending reconnaissance aircraft and ships to the region and a French warship group is on its way.
Philippines' Duterte issues gag order on cabinet over South China Sea spat
MANILA (Reuters): Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte barred his cabinet from talking about the South China Sea in public on Monday (May 17) after weeks of strong rebukes by his ministers against China's conduct in the contested waters.
China urges Philippines to stop South China Sea allegations
BEIJING (Xinhua): China urges the Philippines to stop baseless allegations on the South China Sea issue, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday (April 5).
Jeffrey Kitingan: Malaysia should protest China's military activities in the South China Sea
KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia should send a diplomatic protest to China and the United Nations over China’s military activities in the South China Sea, says Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
South China Sea: Philippines accuses China of ‘dangerous challenges’ near Scarborough Shoal
Manila says two of its vessels were affected during patrols and maritime exercises in the areaProtests come as Beijing imposes a fishing ban in a large part of the disputed waterway
Indonesia offers to host next South China Sea Code of Conduct talk
JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/ANN): Indonesia has offered to host the next round of negotiations between Asean and China on the Code of Conduct (COC) for the South China Sea, after talks were suspended last year amid the pandemic.
PLA troops in South China Sea learn ‘essential’ battlefield English
Improved language skills will avoid misunderstandings during increasing engagements with other forces in flashpoint waterwayRecent exercise in Paracel Islands included drills using English, according to Chinese state broadcaster
South Korea sees no possibility of China's economic retaliation over its summit deal with US
SEOUL, May 25, Korea Herald/ANN - A top Cheong Wa Dae official dismissed speculation Tuesday that China may launch another round of economic retaliation against South Korea over its latest summit agreement with the United States that touched on a sensitive regional security issue.
Grab’s US$34bil SPAC deal puts South-East Asia tech on the map
Grab Holdings Inc and Traveloka are poised to become public companies in coming months, kickstarting a coming-out party for South-East Asia’s long-overlooked internet scene.
Five years after South China Sea ruling, China's presence around Philippines only growing (update)
Filipino fisherman Randy Megu has often braved the storms that spring up in the South China Sea, but these days he has a greater fear: seeing a Chinese maritime enforcement vessel on the horizon.
China drills deep in disputed South China Sea
China has drilled deep in the South China Sea to retrieve sediment core from the seabed, state media reported on Thursday, amid tensions over disputed waters with rival claimants Taiwan and the Philippines, as well as with the United States.
China makes final effort to court Japan and South Korea as Donald Trump heads for the exit
BEIJING, Nov 29 (China Daily/ANN): Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited the two key US allies last week in an effort to forestall any attempts to build a united front against BeijingChina fears the Biden administration will not herald an immediate shift in Washington’s stance
Chinese bombers in strike exercises after US escalation in South China Sea
Advanced H-6J among at least 10 planes involved in drills which followed February dual carrier operation in disputed waterwayOn Wednesday a US destroyer crossed the Taiwan Strait in a further escalation of tensions
Vietnam, China defence ministers meet amid South China Sea tensions
Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe and his Vietnamese counterpart Phan Van Giang strengthened the two nations' military cooperation and discussed tensions in the South China Sea during a three-day visit to Hanoi.
China's newly commissioned PLA destroyer makes exercise debut in South China Sea
BEIJING (Global Times): Another Type 052D guided missile destroyer, the Nanning, has entered service with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy this year, as it recently made its first public debut in an exercise in the South China Sea, a report shows.
Japan to host first joint military drill with US, France - heightening tensions in South China Sea
Japan will hold a joint military drill with US and French troops in the country's southwest next month, the defence minister said Friday, as China's actions in regional waters raise concern.
Boao Forum: Delay in code of conduct adds to uncertainty in South China Sea: panellists
BOAO (The Straits Times/ANN): The continued delay in finalising a code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, will lead to prolonged uncertainty in the area, former diplomats and academics said at a panel discussion on Tuesday (April 20).
US disrupting security in South China Sea: Chinese FM
BEIJING (The Straits Times/ANN): China's top diplomat has accused the United States and other Western nations of disrupting regional stability in the South China Sea, even as he urged South-east Asian countries to "press ahead" with the negotiations on a code to manage maritime and territorial disputes in the contested waters.
China hosts South-East Asian ministers as it competes with US
China is hosting foreign ministers from 10 South-East Asian nations this week amid heightened competition between Beijing and Washington for influence in the region.
China and Singapore conduct joint naval exercise in South China Sea to ‘address risks’
The joint military drill between China and Singapore in the South China Sea shows the two countries are jointly addressing risks and challenges with the determination to safeguard regional peace and stability, Chinese military researchers said.
Asean, Australian foreign ministers meet with pandemic and South China Sea in mind
HANOI (Vietnam News/ANN): The Asean-Australia Post Ministerial Conference was held on Wednesday (Aug 4). In attendance was Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne along with her counterparts from all 10 Southeast Asian countries, with Covid-19 cooperation and regional issues topping the agenda.
The EU comes to South-East Asia
If we really want Asean to emerge stronger from the ongoing crises caused by the pandemic, then the regional bloc is in need of new allies.
US, Vietnamese defence chiefs stress peaceful resolution of South China Sea issues
HANOI (Vietnam News/ANN): Vietnamese Minister of Defence, General Phan Văn Giang, and his US counterpart Lloyd Austin, have underlined the need to respect international law in the South China Sea (known in Vietnam as the East Sea) during talks in Hanoi on Thursday (July 29).
US-China rivalry in the South China Sea has the Philippines at its core, observers say
HONG KONG, Sept 21 (SCMP): Beijing and Washington know the value of Manila’s and its mercurial leader Rodrigo Duterte’s support, and they are willing to pay handsomely to get it. Despite the Philippines pivoting closer to China in recent years, its ties with long-standing ally America on security issues remain ‘resilient’, says analyst Richard Heydarian
In South-East Asian Internet battle, Sea’s rise sends rivals scrambling
Riding on the success of a cash-generating gaming business, US-listed Sea has invested heavily in its Shopee e-commerce brand and successfully taken on Alibaba's Lazada and other rivals in recent years.
US warship sails near Chinese-controlled South China Sea islands
TAIPEI, Feb 5 (Reuters): A US warship sailed near the Chinese-controlled Paracel Islands in the disputed South China Sea on Friday in a freedom of navigation operation, the US Navy said, the first such mission under President Joe Biden's new administration.
Embassy tells Manila not to worry about South China Sea coastguard licence to fire
Beijing’s mission in the Philippines has moved to calm fears new legislation marks aggressive approach to maritime disputesLaw is ‘domestic legislation’ and common to many countries, including the Philippines, embassy says
Xinhua retorts US allegations China makes unlawful claims in the South China Sea
BEIJING, Aug 27, Xinhua - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in his recent speech at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library, negated every aspect of China-US relations, maliciously attacked the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and China's political system, and attempted to drive a wedge between the CPC and the Chinese people. He also wantonly criticized China's domestic and foreign policies, spread the so-called "China threat", and called for an anti-China alliance to contain China's development.
US military slams Chinese flights over South China Sea but says they posed no threat
WASHINGTON, Jan 30 (Reuters): The US military has announced that that Chinese military flights in the past week in the South China Sea fit a pattern of destabilising and aggressive behavior by Beijing but posed no threat to a US Navy aircraft carrier strike group in the region.
India, Vietnam leaders discuss South China Sea, stronger defence ties
NEW DELHI (The Straits Times/ANN): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Xuan, discussed issues related to the South China Sea as well as defence links between the two countries during a virtual summit on Monday (Dec 21).
Remarks by spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy to Malaysia on the statement of the US Department of State on the South China Sea
From Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy to Malaysia.
China says US military in South China Sea not good for peace
BEIJING, Jan 25 (Reuters): The United States often sends ships and aircraft into the South China Sea to "flex its muscles" and this is not good for peace, China's Foreign Ministry said on Monday, after a US. aircraft carrier group sailed into the disputed waterway.
Philippines vows to continue maritime exercises in South China Sea
MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines will continue maritime exercises inside its 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, the country's defence minister said on Sunday (May 2), despite a call by China to stop actions that it said could escalate disputes.
Hong Kong raises storm warning as typhoon Lionrock lashes South China Sea
Hong Kong authorities issued its third highest storm signal early Saturday, shutting down transport networks, schools and offices as Tropical Storm Lionrock lashed the northern South China Sea.
US nuke sub hits mystery object in South China Sea, 11 sailors hurt
WASHINGTON (Bloomberg): A US nuclear-powered attack submarine struck an object while submerged in international waters in the Indo-Pacific region last week, the Navy said, adding that no life-threatening injuries were reported.
South Korean fishermen hold boat protests against Japan nuclear plans
HWASEONG, South Korea (Reuters) - Hundreds of South Korean fishermen across the country held protests on Friday calling on Japan to reverse its decision to release contaminated water from its crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea.
Malaysia won't compromise if there is threat in South China Sea, says PM
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Malaysia will not compromise with any country if there is a threat in the South China Sea, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
A Comment: Does US taking sides in the South China Sea help?
On July 13, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement regarding US position on maritime claims in the South China Sea, saying that "Beijing's claims to offshore resources across the most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful, as is its campaign of bullying to control them."
N. Korean defector undetected for hours after swimming to South
SEOUL (AFP): A North Korean defector wore a diving suit and fins during a daring six-hour swim around one of the world's most fortified borders, a Seoul official said, and was caught only after apparently falling asleep.
Philippines boosts patrols to counter China in contested South China Sea
The Philippines has deployed extra vessels to patrol the South China Sea where Chinese ships had been spotted at a disputed reef as tensions deepen between the two nations.
In a US-China war, whose side is South-East Asia on? Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia ponder the unthinkable
HONG KONG, Sept 19 (SCMP): Caught between superpowers clashing in their own backyard, South-East Asian nations might find staying neutral is not an option.
Smooth start - Philippines, US launch military drills amid South China Sea tensions
Philippine and US soldiers started two weeks of military exercises on Monday against a backdrop of rising tensions in the South China Sea, though the drills were reduced in scale due to the coronavirus pandemic.
No hasty decisions by Asean over South China Sea, says Hishamuddin
PETALING JAYA: Asean will not be emotional during the 37th Asean Summit on matters involving the security and sovereignty of Asean countries and risk starting a war, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein.
Philippines' defence chief says China intends to occupy more South China Sea areas
The Philippines' defence chief said on Sunday China was looking to occupy more areas in the South China Sea, citing the continued presence of Chinese vessels that Manila believes are manned by militias in disputed parts of the strategic waterway.
Viewing South China Sea as zone of peace: Inquirer columnist
Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Antonio T. Carpio says that once other Asian countries accept similar memorandum of understandings with China, they will have their own EEZs in the West Philippine Sea.
M'sia all for peaceful solution on South China Sea matters, says Hisham
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia reiterates its stand in calling for a peaceful resolution to matters related to the South China Sea, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
Philippines sends fighter aircraft over Chinese vessels in South China Sea
The Philippine military is sending light fighter aircraft to fly over hundreds of Chinese vessels in disputed waters in the South China Sea, its defence minister said, as he repeated his demand the flotilla be withdrawn immediately.
Philippines, Vietnam press China over vessels massing in South China Sea
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte expressed concern to China's ambassador about Chinese vessels massing in the South China Sea, his spokesman said, as Vietnam urged Beijing to respect its maritime sovereignty.
China embassy in Philippines takes swipe at 'fusty' Japan over South China Sea
China's embassy in the Philippines has blamed "some external countries" for stoking tensions in the region, in remarks aimed at Japan after its ambassador stressed the need for peace and stability and in the South China Sea.
U.S. sends carrier into South China Sea as Chinese bombers fly near Taiwan
The Japan Times/ANN, Jan 24: The U.S. sent an aircraft carrier strike group into the disputed South China Sea the same day China dispatched a fleet of 13 warplanes — including nuclear-capable bombers — into the southwestern corner of Taiwan’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ).
Asean calls for restraint in South China Sea
JAKARTA, Sept 13 (The Jakarta Post/ANN): Every year, 10-nation Asean prides itself on being able to convene major powers with interests in Southeast Asia, offering a stage for diplomatic rivalries and geopolitical dynamics to play out.
Philippines protests China's 'illegal' South China Sea presence
The Philippines has protested China's continuing "illegal presence and activities" near an island in the South China Sea held by the Southeast Asian nation, the foreign ministry said on Saturday (May 29).
Japan sends three vessels to South China Sea in anti-submarine exercise
TOKYO/BEIJING, Oct 10 (Reuters): Japan's Maritime Self-defence Force conducted anti-submarine drills in the South China Sea on Oct 9, deploying three vessels including a helicopter aircraft carrier and a submarine, according to the Japanese defence ministry.
US targets Chinese individuals, firms amid South China Sea dispute
WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday blacklisted 24 Chinese companies and targeted individuals it said were part of construction and military actions in the South China Sea, its first such sanctions move against Beijing over the disputed strategic waterway.
South-East Asian leaders in summit amid 'major power rivalries'
HANOI, Nov 12 (Reuters):South-East Asian leaders kicked off a multilateral summit on Thursday expected to address tensions in the South China Sea and tackle plans for a post-pandemic economic recovery in a region where US-China rivalry has been rising.
China meets with Asean diplomats to propose resuming South China Sea talks
HONG KONG, Aug 24 (SCMP): Beijing conveys its concerns about the rising risk of conflict over the contested waters
Who can win in South China Sea clashes?
IF the current tense situation in South China Sea leads to military clashes between China and the United States, who will have the upper hand? This is a hot question asked by many who are monitoring developments in the region.
Minister: Beijing not advancing claims in South China Sea with Covid-19 as cover
BEIJING: In an exclusive interview with The Straits Times, China is not making use of Covid-19 to assert its dominance in the South China Sea, said its foreign minister, Wang Yi. Instead, he said China has been working with Asean countries to beat the coronavirus.
US-China tension: Pentagon’s 2021 maritime strategy has Beijing’s South China Sea activities in its sights
HONG KONG, Dec 19 (SCMP): Document sets objectives for the US Navy, Marines and Coast Guard, saying hopes had faded that China and Russia would become responsible leadersAmerican naval forces expected to be more visible in the Pacific and will ‘detect and document our rivals’ actions’
US wants to cooperate with Indonesia 'in new ways' on South China Sea
JAKARTA (The Straits Times/ANN): US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday (Oct 29) rejected China’s “unlawful claims” in the South China Sea and pledged to cooperate with Indonesia “in new ways” to ensure maritime security in the area.
China FM: US biggest driver of militarisation in South China Sea
BEIJING (Xinhua): The United States is becoming the biggest driver of militarisation of the South China Sea and the most dangerous factor damaging peace in the area, Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday (Sept 9).
Philippines to deploy more navy to protect its fishermen in South China Sea
MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines will beef up its naval presence in the South China Sea to protect its fishermen, its new military chief said, as concerns grow about the operations of China's coastguard in disputed waters.
Philippines' Duterte refuses to stop South China Sea patrols
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has announced this week that he will not withdraw navy and coast guard boats patrolling the disputed South China Sea, insisting the country's sovereignty over the waters is not negotiable.
South-East Asia (Asean) leaders sound alarm on South-China Sea tensions
HANOI, June 27: Vietnam and the Philippines raised concerns over repeated violations of maritime rules at a summit of South-East Asian leaders amid growing grievances with China over its territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Two U.S. carrier groups conduct exercises in South China Sea
WASHINGTON, Reuters, Feb 9 - Two U.S. carrier groups conducted joint exercises in the South China Sea on Tuesday, days after a U.S. warship sailed near Chinese-controlled islands in the disputed waters that have emerged as another flashpoint in strained Sino-U.S. relations.
Philippines' Duterte refuses to stop South China Sea patrols
MANILA (AFP): Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said he will not withdraw navy and coast guard boats patrolling the disputed South China Sea, insisting the country's sovereignty over the waters is not negotiable.
Vietnam condemns China, Taiwan's "illegal" acts in South China Sea
HANOI, Dec 4 (Vietnam News/ANN): Vietnam on Thursday condemned China and Taiwan’s recent "illegal excursion", including operating tourist cruises and organising live fire drills, into its rightful waters in the South China Sea.
Japan, UK express serious concern over East, South China seas situation
TOKYO (Reuters): Four ministers from Japan and Britain voiced serious concern on Wednesday (Feb 3) about the situation in the East and South China seas and opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, in a apparent reference to China's maritime expansion
Philippines holds maritime drills in South China Sea
The Philippines said it conducted maritime exercises in the South China Sea, a move that could escalate tensions in the disputed waters.
Philippines' Covid-19 total nears dreaded 1 million mark as its navy continue maritime drills in South China Sea
The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) reported on Sunday 8,162 new Covid-19 infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 997,523.
Philippine coast guard holds drills in disputed South China Sea
The Philippine coast guard is conducting drills in the South China Sea which an official said Sunday were part of efforts to secure "our maritime jurisdiction" over the disputed waters.
Philippines protests China's 'threatening' South China Sea presence
The Philippines has sent two new diplomatic protests to China over its failure to withdraw what it called on Friday "threatening" vessels that were massing in contested areas of the South China Sea.
China: US ships in South China Sea undermine peace
BEIJING (China Daily/ANN): Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Monday (Jan 26)that the United States' frequently deploying aircraft and vessels to the South China Sea is not conducive to regional peace and stability.
Hishammuddin: Diplomacy resolved dispute between Petronas and Chinese vessels in South China Sea
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia used diplomacy to resolve the recent incident involving a Petronas oil and gas exploration vessel and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea said Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
South China See issue must be resolved peacefully, says Malaysia PM Muhyiddin
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 (Bernama): Malaysia is firm with its stand that matters relating to the South China Sea must be resolved peacefully and constructively, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said on Thursday.
Duterte: South China Sea rift won't affect friendly ties between Philippines and Beijing
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday his country's dispute with Beijing over activity in the South China Sea will not affect "bilateral friendly relations."
Philippines accuses China of plans to occupy more South China Sea 'features'
The Philippines defence minister has accused Beijing of planning to occupy more "features" in the disputed South China Sea, in an escalating war of words over Chinese vessels in the waters.
Malaysia calls for calm and stability in South China Sea after 'tagging' incident involving Chinese, M'sian vessels
PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has called for calm and reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment for peace within the South China Sea after a recent incident involving Chinese and Malaysian vessels in the disputed waters.
Govt says will be firm in safeguarding sovereign rights in South China Sea
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The government says it will safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests including over areas in the South China Sea, by ensuring that patrol activities are conducted by the related enforcement agencies.
South China Sea: China and Malaysia as a litmus test
THE Auditor-General's Report cannot be clearer: From 2016 to 2019 - which ranges across the administrations of former prime ministers Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad - China's People Liberation Army Navy, coast guard and illegal flotilla of fishermen encroached into the Malaysian exclusive economic zone 89 times.
Viet foreign minister stresses importance of peaceful settlement of South China Sea disputes
HANOI (Vietnam News/ANN): Foreign minister Bùi Thanh Sơn attended the virtual Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held late Tuesday (July 13) and chaired by Azerbaijan.
Taiwan wants to participate in negotiations over South China Sea
TAIPEH, July 18 (dpa): Taiwan should be a participant in any multilateral negotiations regarding territorial claims in the South China Sea, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman says.
10 rescued after ship mishap in South China Sea
SANYA (Xinhua): Ten crew members have been rescued after abandoning a cargo ship that was listing to one side in the South China Sea, according to the provincial maritime search and rescue centre of Hainan.
Philippines lifts ban on oil and gas exploration in South China Sea
MANILA, Oct 16 (AFP): The Philippines has lifted a moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the disputed South China Sea, which the government said Friday could fast-track talks with Beijing on a joint energy project.
Philippines' Duterte approves resumption of energy projects in South China Sea
MANILA: Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has lifted the moratorium on petroleum exploration in the South China Sea, paving the way for three projects to resume, including a possible joint venture with China.
Cambodian deputy PM urges outsiders to avoid "provocation" over South China Sea issue
PHNOM PENH, Oct 5 (Xinhua): Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong has called on outsiders to avoid "provocation" over the South China Sea issue, saying that any disputes should be peacefully settled by parties directly concerned.
Vietnam demands relevant parties not complicate South China Sea situation
HANOI (Vietnam News/ANN): Spokeswoman of the Foreign Ministry Lê Thị Thu Hằng on Thursday (June 24) emphasised Vietnam’s demand for relevant parties to not take any action that further complicates the situation in the South China Sea (East Sea), but contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability in the waters.
Vietnam reaffirms importance of 1982 UNCLOS, especially in South China Sea issue
HANOI (Vietnam News/ANN): The 31st Meeting of the States Parties to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) took place at the UN headquarters in New York from June 21 to 25.
In South China Sea, Philippines is stuck between a pebble and a hard place
Hong Kong, Aug 2 (SCMP): Manila and Beijing have agreed to disagree on the South China Sea, describing it as a ‘little pebble’ in the road to closer bilateral ties.
China urges US to manage bilateral divergence, states stand on South China Sea
BEIJING (Global Times): The Chinese defence ministry released a statement on Monday (March 1) to answer media questions about China-US military ties, the current situation of the Diaoyu Islands and the South China Sea.
Philippine president spars with Pacquiao over South China Sea
MANILA (Reuters): Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has stoked a feud with boxer Manny Pacquiao by criticising his "shallow" foreign policy knowledge, after the senator and eight-division champion said he found the leader's stand on the South China Sea was "lacking".
Covid-19 disruptions at ports in South China threaten Christmas export season
BEIJING (Global Times): Traders and logistics firms are coping with longer waiting times and greater challenges to ship goods after some ports in South China's Guangdong Province, the top trading and manufacturing region for the country, encounter backlogs ahead of a busy Christmas export season due to tighter epidemic prevention measures amid new Covid-19 cases.
Neighbours reaffirm South China Sea’s peace commitment
THE Philippines and Vietnam have reaffirmed their commitment to pursue peace and stability in the South China Sea, Malacanang Palace said.
US says room for sanctions in response to China in South China Sea
WASHINGTON: The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia warned on Tuesday that Washington could respond with sanctions against Chinese officials and enterprises involved in coercion in the South China Sea after the United States announced a tougher stance to Beijing's claims there.
US says room for sanctions in response to China in South China Sea
WASHINGTON: The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia warned on Tuesday that Washington could respond with sanctions against Chinese officials and enterprises involved in coercion in the South China Sea after the United States announced a tougher stance to Beijing's claims there
US ship sails by China-claimed islands in South China Sea
BEIJING (Reuters): A United States Navy warship sailed by islands claimed by China in the South China Sea on Wednesday (Feb 17) in a freedom of navigation operation, marking the latest move by Washington to challenge Beijing's territorial claims in the contested waters.
‘Preserve peace in South China Sea’
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is firm in its stand that matters relating to the South China Sea must be resolved peacefully and constructively, says Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
China rebuts Vietnam's protest against South China Sea fishing ban
BEIJING: Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday (May 12) said Vietnam has no right to comment on China's summer fishing moratorium in the South China Sea waters since the measure belongs to China's administrative rights.
Hishammuddin to 'have a word' with Chinese and US counterparts over South China Sea issue
KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein says he will “have a word” with his Chinese and United States counterparts, following rising tensions between the two superpowers in the South China Sea.
Virtual summit: South-East Asia leaders meet by video on pandemic
Forced apart by the coronavirus pandemic, South-East Asian leaders linked up by video on April 14 to plot a strategy to overcome a crisis that has threatened their economies and kept millions of people in their homes under lockdowns.
Duterte’s remarks on South China Sea opens door to talks
BEIJING: China appreciated the remarks of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on the South China Sea issue and stood ready to properly resolve maritime disputes with the Philippines through friendly consultations, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
US accuses Beijing of using coronavirus as cover for South China Sea activity
Following the sinking of a Vietnamese fishing boat, Washington calls on Beijing to ‘stop exploiting’ the pandemic to pursue its claims in the regionState department spokesman says US is ‘seriously concerned’ by reports of the incident
China appreciates Duterte's remarks on South China Sea
BEIJING (Xinhua): China appreciated the remarks of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on the South China Sea issue and stood ready to properly resolve maritime disputes with the Philippines through friendly consultations, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said here on Tuesday (July 28).
Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble has families on both sides of the South China Sea on edge
As Singapore’s government assesses any potential change to a planned travel bubble with Hong Kong following a spike in local virus cases, families on both sides of the South China Sea are waiting and watching with bated breath -- again.
Australia rejects Beijing's South China Sea claims, backing US
SYDNEY, July 25, 2020 (AFP): Australia has rejected Beijing's territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea in a formal declaration to the United Nations, aligning itself more closely with Washington in the escalating row.
‘Ugly face’: US and China trade barbs in Myanmar as South China Sea rift deepens
YANGON, July 19 (Reuters): China's embassy in Myanmar on Sunday accused the United States of "outrageously smearing” the country and driving a wedge with its Southeast Asian neighbors over the contested South China Sea and Hong Kong, as tensions mount between the superpowers.
China rips US military for increased monitoring in South China Sea
China resolutely opposes the United States military intensifying surveillance and activities near China's maritime and air space, which threatens peace and stability in the region, a Ministry of National Defense spokesman has told the media.
China accuses US of sowing discord in South China Sea
BEIJING (AP): China on Tuesday (July 14) described a US rejection of its maritime claims in the South China Sea as completely unjustified and accused the US of attempting to sow discord between China and the Southeast Asian countries with which it has territorial disputes.
China refutes US accusations over South China Sea drills
BEIJING (Xinhua): A Chinese military spokesperson on Thursday (July 9) refuted the accusations made by the US Department of Defence over recent exercises conducted by the Chinese military in the South China Sea.
Indonesia and US defence officials hold talks on South China Sea
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 (Bernama): Acting US Under Secretary of Defence Policy, James Anderson, during a visit to Indonesia discussed China's actions in the South China Sea among other security issues, reported Sputnik news agency.
China says aircraft carrier group on way to South China Sea for drills
BEIJING (Reuters): An aircraft carrier group led by China's newest carrier, the Shandong, has sailed through the Taiwan Strait on its way to routine drills in the South China Sea, China's navy said on Monday (Dec 21), after Taiwan mobilised its forces to monitor the trip.
Philippines urges amicable approach to Beijing over South China Sea
MANILA, Sept 12 (Reuters) : Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has urged a peaceful way out of conflicts with China over the South China Sea and said international law must be followed, amid increased regional friction over military activities by Beijing and Washington.
RMAF joins US Navy in bilateral exercise over South China Sea
PETALING JAYA: The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has joined in a bilateral exercise with the US Navy's Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group over the South China Sea.
Philippines will not stop air patrols over disputed South China Sea
MANILA, Aug 28 (dpa): The Philippines has announced that that it will not stop air patrols over the disputed South China Sea despite Beijing’s calls for it to halt such "illegal provocations."
Philippines turns up heat on China over boats massing in South China Sea
Aides of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday criticised China for what they called territorial incursions by hundreds of its vessels, which his legal counsel warned could damage ties and lead to "unwanted hostilities".
South East-Asia - Caught in the middle of a new US-China cold war
In South-east Asia, the Covid-19 pandemic has accentuated the strategic rivalry of China and the United States. And the Singapore Straits Times correspondents look at how this rivalry is playing out, and the response of countries in the region. We also look at US-China tensions and how Indo-Pacific powers are responding.
China welcomes Philippines' stance on South China Sea
BEIJING (Xinhua): China hails the Philippines for rebuffing attempts of some countries to incite tensions in the South China Sea, according to a foreign ministry spokesperson Wednesday.
South China Sea reefs get satellite help
BEIJING: China’s domestically-developed marine observation satellites will be used to study the distribution of coral reefs in the South China Sea, and facilitate protection and restoration of coral reefs.
China, South-East Asia hold emergency meet on viral outbreak
VIENTIANE: China’s top diplomat arrived Wednesday in Laos for an emergency meeting with counterparts from South-East Asian countries, which have expressed alarm over a viral outbreak that started in China.
Explainer: What's behind rising tensions in the South China Sea?
Submerged optimism in the South China Sea: Inquirer columnist
Philippine Daily Inquirer writer Manuel L. Quezon says resolving the maritime dispute depends on China recognising the validity of Philippine contracts.
Chinese, Malaysian ships in South China Sea
KUALA LUMPUR: A Chinese government survey ship is tagging an exploration vessel operated by Malaysia's state oil company Petronas in disputed waters in the South China Sea, three regional security sources said on Friday.
Philippines' PXP Energy in talks with CNOOC on South China Sea development
MANILA, Oct 19 (Reuters): The Philippines' PXP Energy Corp said on Monday it was in negotiations with China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) for a joint oil and gas development in the South China Sea after President Rodrigo Duterte lifted a six-year moratorium on drilling activities in the disputed area.
China criticises US joint carrier drills in South China Sea
BEIJING July 6 (AP): China on Monday accused the US of flexing its military muscles in the South China Sea by conducting joint exercises with two US aircraft carrier groups in the strategic waterway.
Heavy rainfall to persist in South China
BEIJING: Heavy rainfall will continue to hit southern China for the first half of this month following continuous rainstorms in some of the country’s regions since June 2 that have caused big losses of life and economic damage, according to meteorological and emergency management agencies.
Manila lifts moratoriumOil and gas exploration in South China Sea given green light
The country has lifted a moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the disputed South China Sea, which the government said could fast-track talks with Beijing on a joint energy project.
Wang Yi's trip to South-East Asia to further enhance China-Asean ties, anti-pandemic cooperation
PHNOM PENH, Oct 13 (Xinhua): Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi's trip to Cambodia and other South-East Asian countries would further strengthen China-Asean ties and anti-Covid-19 cooperation as well as contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Cambodia caught in the middle of US-China clash over South China Sea military bases
HONG KONG, Oct 5 (SCMP): The US treasury department last month issued sanctions against Chinese company Union Development GroupThe company is developing the Dara Sakor tourism zone in Cambodia as part of the Belt and Road Initiative
Indonesia rejects China's claims over South China Sea
JAKARTA: Indonesia said on Wednesday (Jan 1) it rejected China's claims over a disputed part of the South China Sea as "having no legal basis", after two days earlier protesting to Beijing over the presence of a Chinese coastguard vessel in its territorial waters.
US military can't win in South China Sea: Global Times editorial
China knows its navy cannot match the US military but its People’s Liberation Army (PLA) should have the confidence to defeat the US should a conflict occur off the shores of China, says Global Times in its editorial on Sept 18.
Malaysian coast guard kill Vietnamese fisherman in South China Sea clash
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17, 2020 (AFP): The Malaysian coast guard shot dead a Vietnamese fisherman whose boat tried to ram a patrol vessel in the South China Sea, an official said Monday.
Indonesia mobilises fishermen in stand-off at South China Sea
JAKARTA: Indonesia's air force deployed four fighter jets to the South China Sea on Tuesday (Jan 7) in a stand-off between two countries that has soured Jakarta's generally friendly relationship with Beijing, its biggest trading partner and a major investor in South-East Asia's largest country.
Hisham: Malaysia will not compromise on South China Sea sovereignty
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will not compromise on its sovereignty in the South China Sea, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
South Korea says detected North Korea missile fire 'inapproriate' amid coronavirus
SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea fired two projectiles that appeared to be short-range ballistic missiles on Saturday, South Korea's military said, calling the action "highly inappropriate" given the global coronavirus pandemic.
South Korean president unveils initiative to deepen cooperation with Asean
HANOI, Nov 13 (Vietnam News/The Korea Herald/ANN): The Republic of Korea’s President Moon Jae-in has announced the “New Southern Policy Plus” initiative to enhance the country’s regional diplomacy at the Korea-ASEAN Summit, held via satellite link.
China accuses US of ‘ill intentions’ in South China Sea
BEIJING (Bloomberg): China’s armed forces accused the US of 'ill intentions in the South China Sea after an American warship entered waters near the contested Spratly Islands last week.
US, Japan may invest in Indonesia Islands near South China Sea
JAKARTA: The US, Japan and South Korea are keen to invest in Indonesia’s Natuna Islands as President Joko Widodo steps up efforts to rebuff Chinese claims over the resource-rich waters in the South China Sea.
Japan's new PM aim to push 'free and open Indo-Pacific' vision in South-East Asia
TOKYO, Oct 18 (AP): Japan’s new prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, left Sunday on his first overseas foray since taking over from his former boss Shinzo Abe last month, heading to Vietnam and Indonesia.
Malaysia will continue to claim disputed South China Sea area, says Saifuddin
PUTRAJAYA (Bernama): Malaysia will maintain its claim in the disputed South China Sea area despite China's objection to Malaysia's submission of the claim to the United Nations last month, says Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
Insta-star wars: China tensions in South-East Asia flare online
Social media anger from Chinese nationalists over a Thai internet model's comments has set off a regional storm uniting pro-democracy campaigners against pro-Beijing cyber-warriors, with insults and mocking memes flying back and forth.
US defense minister telephones Chinese counterpart amid tension in South China Sea
BEIJING, Aug. 6 (Xinhua): Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe on Thursday took a phone call from U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper upon invitation.
Indonesia wants its sovereignty in South China Sea
JAKARTA: Indonesia will not compromise on its sovereignty in the South China Sea amid the recent sighting of foreign fishing vessels near the Natuna Islands, which lie between Malaysia and Borneo, President Joko Widodo said.
Vietnam protests Beijing's sinking of South China Sea boat
HANOI: Vietnam has lodged an official protest with China following the sinking of a Vietnamese fishing boat it said had been rammed by a Chinese maritime surveillance vessel near islands in the disputed South China Sea.
New sea-rail freight train route linking China to south Asia launched
CHONGQING (Xinhua): A new sea-rail freight train route linking China, Vietnam, India and other countries was launched in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Wednesday (March 25), according to the route's operation platform.
China's Foreign Minister says it will do all it can to repair ties with the Philippines after talks in Manila
China's foreign minister said Saturday his country is willing to work with the Philippines to resolve their differences, as tensions rise over Beijing's behavior in the disputed South China Sea and Manila's deepening military cooperation with the US.
Putrajaya, we have a problem
Fresh from the Saudi Arabia trip brouhaha, the government is in damage control mode again after the Prime Minister said Malaysia is open to talking with China about the South China Sea.
Biden to meet Marcos in White House as China tensions escalate
MANILA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): United States President Joe Biden is welcoming Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to the White House on May 1, with their meeting set against the backdrop of heightened tensions with China.
Philippines, China to set up more lines of communication to resolve maritime issues
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and his foreign secretary met Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Saturday with Manila and Beijing pledging to work together to resolve their maritime differences in the South China Sea.
Philippines raises concerns over Taiwan in talks with China
The Philippines' top diplomat has expressed his concern to Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang over escalating tensions in waters around Taiwan, Manila said on Saturday.
US-China military stand-off near Taiwan ‘no reason’ for Beijing to relax its guard
Chinese state media claims PLA forces near Taiwan ‘scared off’ USS Nimitz but mainland defence experts say US may be buying timeThe Shandong and Nimitz aircraft carrier groups remained hundreds of nautical miles apart during the PLA’s six-day exercises
China’s top envoy to visit the Philippines amid US alliance push
MANILA (Bloomberg): China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang will visit the Philippines this week to boost ties and tackle regional security issues as the South-East Asian nation bolsters its defense alliance with the US.
North fires ballistic missile into sea between Koreas, Japan
SEOUL (AP): North Korea launched a ballistic missile on a high angle that landed between the Korean Peninsula and Japan early Thursday (April 13), continuing its provocative run of weapons tests. The launch prompted Japan to issue an evacuation order that was later retracted for a northern island, showing the vigilance of North Korea's neighbours over its evolving missile threats.
China plans to conduct intensive military drills amid US tensions
BEIJING (Bloomberg): China’s military plans to conduct at least five drills in various areas that include waters off its coast and in the South China Sea, amid simmering tensions with Taiwan and the US.
US sees door open to China talks, cites concerns over Myanmar
THE Biden administration believes there is still room to open up a dialog and collaborate with Beijing on pressing global matters despite rising tensions over issues such as Taiwan, a senior US official said.
Blinken looks to deepen Vietnam ties and expects more partnership talks in coming weeks
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US wants to formally upgrade its relationship with Vietnam, in part to reinforce the "rules-based” order in the Indo-Pacific, as Washington continues to seek deeper ties with countries in Asia wary of China’s rise.
US now has gained access to Philippine sites near Taiwan amid China row
The Philippines has identified four new sites that the US will have access to under an expanded defense agreement, with three of them near Taiwan and a fourth facing the disputed South China Sea as tensions with Beijing persist.
Malaysia stands by its claim on oil and gas in its waters, but open to talks with China, says Anwar
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is open to holding talks with China on its oil and gas claims in the South China Sea but would not back down from its own territorial claims, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Malaysia is not moving fast enough towards clean energy
What is stopping Malaysia from moving away from polluting fossil fuels and towards clean energy?
Vietnam sends ship to track Chinese vessel patrolling Russian gas field in EEZ, data shows
HANOI (Reuters): A Vietnamese ship monitored a Chinese Coast Guard vessel on Saturday (March 25) in a Russian-operated gas field in Vietnam's South China Sea exclusive economic zone (EEZ), data show - the latest Chinese patrol in a pattern stretching more than a year.
We’re not moving fast enough towards clean energy
FROM Kulim in Kedah to Butterworth in Penang and across the South China Sea to Bintulu, Sarawak, factories in Malaysia are churning out solar panels by the millions.
Blinken, Austin to meet Philippine officials in alliance push
WASHINGTON (Bloomberg): US State Secretary Antony Blinken and Defence chief Lloyd Austin will meet their Philippine counterparts next week, as Manila vowed to pursue efforts with Washington towards "collective defence” of the region around the disputed South China Sea.
US sees door open to China talks, cites concerns over Myanmar
The Biden administration believes there is still room to open up a dialog and collaborate with Beijing on pressing global matters despite rising tensions over issues such as Taiwan, a senior US official said.
China says Philippines’ army base decision stoking Taiwan tensions
A Chinese envoy said the Philippines is "stoking the fire” over Taiwan’s independence by giving the US access to military sites near the Taiwan Strait under an expanded defense agreement.
US, Vietnam pledge to boost ties as Blinken visits Hanoi
Fifty years after the last US combat troops left South Vietnam, Secretary of State Antony Blinken looked on Saturday to strengthen America’s ties with its old foes in Hanoi as it seeks to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.
Asean members must take necessary steps to secure its critical infrastructure
Critical infrastructure across the South-East region must be firmly under the control of respective states to avoid a takeover by outside forces as geopolitical tensions heat up in the region.
PETRONAS to go on with oil and gas exploration amid overlapping claims by China, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: PETRONAS will continue with its oil and gas operations in the South China Sea despite overlapping claims by China, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Vietnam says it opposes China’s fishing ban that starts May 1
HANOI (Bloomberg): China’s disputed fishing ban from May 1 until Aug 16 in parts of the South China Sea violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over its waters and special economic zone, Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Spokesman Doan Khac Viet said at a Hanoi briefing.
Risks on the horizon
Asean is ‘unprepared’ for open conflict in Indo-Pacific, say experts.
Sarawak lawmaker supports PM’s stand on diplomatic resolution for maritime dispute with China
KUCHING: Malaysia's readiness to negotiate with China over a maritime dispute in the South China Sea is a welcome move towards ensuring the nation's sovereignty, says a Sarawak lawmaker.
Govt reveals locations of four new bases for US military pact
The government has identified four more of its military bases that the United States will get access to, almost doubling the number included in a defence agreement that seeks to advance a decades-old alliance between them.
Marcos downplays Chinese envoy’s remarks on Filipinos in Taiwan as ‘lost in translation’
MANILA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has downplayed the controversial remarks Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian made about migrant Filipino workers in Taiwan.
Short-range missiles fired
SEOUL: North Korea test-fired two short-range ballistic missiles in another show of force yesterday, a day after the United States and South Korea began military drills that Pyongyang views as an invasion rehearsal.
Philippines and US kick off largest-ever joint military drills in Manila
The Philippines and the United States launched their largest-ever joint military exercises on Tuesday, as the longstanding allies seek to counter growing Chinese assertiveness in the region.
Philippine finmin: Central bank has "probably done enough" to tackle inflation
The Philippine central bank has "probably done enough" to tackle inflation, the country's finance secretary said on Tuesday.
Malaysia ready to discuss China’s claim, says Anwar
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is open to talks over China’s claim on oil and gas in the South China Sea, even as oil and gas exploration by PETRONAS will continue as is, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Code of conduct on the cards
BEIJING: China is ready to work with Malaysia and other South-East Asian nations to speed up consultation for a South China Sea code of conduct, Xinhua reported, citing Premier Li Qiang.
‘Combat-ready’ force in Manila's biggest-ever military exercise
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): The Philippines and the United States will stage their biggest-ever military exercise over the next several days starting Tuesday (April 11) and signal tighter defence cooperation, amid China’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea and toward Taiwan.
Manila says 158,000 Filipinos working in Taiwan are safe amid backlash over Chinese envoy’s remarks
MANILA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): The Philippine government has assured the 158,000 Filipino workers in Taiwan that measures are in place to keep them safe, following backlash over the remarks of Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian on soaring tensions between Beijing and the self-ruled island.
Keeping lines of communication open is vital in geopolitics
FROM KHAIDIR ABDUL MAJID
Philippines top official says maritime issues with China remain a 'serious concern'
Maritime issues between the Philippines and China remain a "serious concern", a Philippine official said on Friday, as the countries pledged to use diplomacy to resolve differences peacefully during high-level talks.
US sees door open to China talks, cites concerns over Myanmar issues
The Biden administration believes there is still room to open up a dialog and collaborate with Beijing on pressing global matters despite rising tensions over issues such as Taiwan, a senior US official said.
Asian startups rising to the financing challenge
Just when it looked like the largest of South-East Asia’s Internet firms was yet another posterchild of cheap money, a bubbly startup that had grown too much too fast, Sea Ltd’s top executives took an axe to costs.
Chinese FM discusses stability in region with Asean sec-gen
BEIJING (Xinhua): Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Monday (March 27) met with Kao Kim Hourn, the secretary-general of the Association of Sout-Eeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Beijing.
Taking the diplomatic route
Maritime issues between the Philippines and China remain a “serious concern”, a Philippine official said, as both countries pledged to use diplomacy to resolve differences peacefully during high-level talks.
Philippines and China to use diplomacy to address maritime issues
Maritime issues between the Philippines and China remain a "serious concern", a Philippine official said on Friday, as the countries pledged to use diplomacy to resolve differences peacefully during high-level talks.
China warns Philippine-US base deal 'endangering regional peace'
China warned on Tuesday that Washington was "endangering regional peace and stability" with a new deal expanding American troops' access to bases in the Philippines.
Thailand to suffer scorching heat, summer storms this weekend; people advised to stay indoors
Most of upper Thailand will be hit with summer storms this weekend, while the rest of the country will experience hot to very hot temperatures, the Thai Meteorological Department warned.
Philippines announces four more military bases US troops can use
The Philippines announced Monday the location of four additional military bases to be used by US troops, with one site near the hotly disputed South China Sea and another not far from Taiwan.
US Navy denies China’s claim that it drove away destroyer
WASHINGTON (Bloomberg): The US Navy hit back at the Chinese military over a claim it drove off a destroyer sailing in the South China Sea, the latest in a series of disputes between the nations.
Blinken arrives in Hanoi seeking upgrade in US-Vietnam ties
HANOI (AFP): US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Vietnam Friday (April 14) looking to expand diplomatic ties with Hanoi, days after a flare-up in tensions with China over Taiwan.
Cambodia plans creation of agriculture hub in northwestern provinces
JAKARTA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): The code of conduct (COC) for the South China Sea, being drawn up by Asean and China, will have to be one that is effective and substantive, said Sidharto R. Suryodipuro, director-general for Asean cooperation at Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry.
US and Philippines to announce new sites for US military as soon as possible, say officials
The United States and Philippines will announce new sites as soon as possible for an expanded Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which gives the Western power access to military bases in the South-East Asian country.
US, Philippines troops fire Javelins in largest joint war games
PALAYAN, Philippines (AFP): US and Philippine troops held anti-tank missile exercises on Thursday (April 13), as the allies stepped up their largest war games, which have already drawn China's ire.
Singapore FM says ‘peace dividend’ after WWII is over
SINGAPORE (Bloomberg): Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said growing defence spending, including by China and across Asia, is evidence a peace dividend after World War II that fuelled global economic growth is largely over.
Asean news headlines as at 9pm on Wednesday (April 12)
News highlights from the Asean Plus section on Wednesday (April 12)
Xi says China must strengthen training for 'actual combat'
BEIJING (AFP): China's President Xi Jinping called on the country's armed forces to "strengthen military training oriented towards actual combat", state media reported Wednesday (April 12), after Beijing conducted military drills intended to intimidate Taiwan.
Global politics is not about the West vs the Rest
From CH’NG CHIN YEOW of Penang.
Philippines and US to hold largest ever joint war games
THE Philippines and the United States will hold their largest ever joint military exercises next month, Philippine and US officials said.
Largest joint military drills
The Philippines and the United States have launched their largest-ever joint military exercises.
Over 6,000 US troops in Thailand for war games
Thousands of US soldiers joined Thai and South Korean troops on a beach in Thailand on Friday for one of the largest annual military exercises in Asia.
US sharing of intelligence with India in border clash with China seen as pivotal in partnership
Real-time information, including satellite imagery, about Chinese positions was provided and ‘enraged’ Beijing, according to reportWashington’s decision to share the intelligence in advance is considered unprecedented, and a sign of strengthening cooperation
Envoy: Japan, Australia may join patrols with US, Philippines
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): The Philippines is in talks to possibly include Australia and Japan in planned joint South China Sea (SCS) patrols with the United States, a senior diplomat said on Monday (Feb 27), in another sign of concern over Beijing’s activities in the strategic waters.
Taiwan detects Chinese warships, planes around island after drills end
TAIPEI (AFP): Chinese warships and aircraft were still operating around Taiwan on Tuesday (April 11), the island's defence ministry said, a day after Beijing declared an end to its massive war games.
China: New Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement sites to ‘seriously harm’ Philippines
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Sunday (March 12) warned the Philippines against opening up additional sites under its Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (Edca) with the US government, saying this will drag the country into “the Taiwan question” and further undermine stability in the region.
‘We’re just boosting our defences’
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr assured China that military bases accessible to the United States would not be used in any offensive action, stressing the arrangement with Washington was designed to boost his country’s defences.
Chinese aggression pushes Philippines towards greater ties with US, Japan
MANILA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): China’s military aggression is pushing the Philippines to usher in a new era of stronger defence cooperation with allies Japan and the United States, which could see the forging of a trilateral security deal designed to help counter Beijing’s rising influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Close China ties will lift Malaysia’s economy and Anwar’s standing
MALAYSIA’S new Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was seen smiling and exuberant during his three-day official visit to China from March 30 to April 1.
Philippines tells China sites for US military pact not for 'offensive action'
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr assured China on Monday that military bases accessible to the United States would not be used in any offensive action, stressing the arrangement with Washington was designed to boost his country's defences.
China ends Taiwan war games aimed at 'sealing off' island
Taiwan China declared it had "successfully completed" three days of war games around Taiwan on Monday, after it deployed dozens of aircraft to launch simulated strikes and an aerial blockade of the self-ruled island.
China rehearses 'sealing off' Taiwan, US deploys naval destroyer
PINGTAN, China (AFP): China simulated "sealing off" Taiwan during a third day of wargames around the self-ruled island on Monday (April 10), as the United States deployed a naval destroyer into Beijing-claimed waters in a show of force.
Chinese patrols in disputed sea hit new peak amid tensions; repeated standoffs with Vietnamese vessels
China’s Coast Guard maintained near-daily patrols at key features across the disputed South China Sea last year, ramping up its presence as tensions over the waterway with South-East Asian neighbours remain high, new tracking data shows.
China, Philippines should properly manage differences: Beijing
BEIJING (Reuters): China and the Philippines should manage their differences properly, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday (March 23), after the first in-person meeting between senior diplomats from the countries since before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chinese military says 'warned' US warship to leave S. China Sea
BEIJING (AFP):The Chinese military said it had tracked a US warship in the South China Sea on Thursday (March 23) and "warned it to leave" waters claimed by Beijing.
Anwar: No conflict of interest, ultimately King decides Najib's fate
SHAH ALAM: Although Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be involved in the process to decide on Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s royal pardon application, the Prime Minister maintains there is no conflict of interest.
Marcos seeks to boost China ties
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr flew to Beijing for a three-day visit, during which he is expected to discuss, among other things, Beijing’s activities in the disputed South China Sea that Manila describes as illegal.
US troop expansion near Taiwan revives old debate in Philippines
It’s been more than three decades since the Philippines ordered US troops to withdraw from their sprawling military bases in the country, ending an era that hearkened back to America’s colonial days.
Philippines says Chinese navy ship spotted near disputed island
The Philippines said on Saturday it had spotted a Chinese navy ship and dozens of militia vessels around a contested Philippine-occupied island in the South China Sea, as territorial tensions mount in the area.
Strategies moving forward for Malaysia (Part 1) – The strengths
IN navigating an uncertain future, EMIR Research looks into the strategies for Malaysia to not only withstand the various global outlook and trends but also to thrive in reaping the full value from opportunities arising. The following presents the strategy framework.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Sunday (April 23, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Sunday (April 23, 2023)
Anwar is wrong on China's territorial claim, says Muhyiddin
PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has slammed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's readiness to negotiate with China on PETRONAS' exploration in South China Sea, saying it undermines the country's territorial sovereignty.
Asean news headlines as at 9pm on Thursday (April 6)
News highlights from the Asean Plus section on Thursday (April 6)
Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan’s Hong Kong links, the ex-policeman who may have played a part in bringing him to a safe refuge and who captured the Vietnamese refugee crisis on film
Former marine police officer Les Bird bought camera to record history as it unfolded before him and is to exhibit imagesOther Hongkongers with links to Vietnam say Quan’s emotional Oscar acceptance speech struck a chord with them
Ke Huy Quan’s Hong Kong links, the ex-policeman who may have played a part in bringing him to a safe refuge
Former marine police officer Les Bird bought camera to record history as it unfolded before him and is to exhibit imagesOther Hongkongers with links to Vietnam say Quan’s emotional Oscar acceptance speech struck a chord with them
The story behind Anwar’s China trip
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has concluded his first official visit to China and is now back in Malaysia. Nevertheless, news reports continue to flood the local media, attesting to the humongous impact of his China trip.
Marcos: Keep disputed waters ‘a sea of peace’
PHNOM PENH (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): The South China Sea can be a “nexus of vibrant economic engagements and interactions” if nations will work together to ensure that the disputed territory remains a “sea of peace, security, stability and prosperity,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Sunday (Nov 13).
Asean vows to conclude pact with China on disputed territory
South-East Asian foreign ministers vowed to finalize negotiations with China over a proposed pact aimed at preventing conflicts in the disputed South China Sea in their annual retreat on Saturday in Indonesia’s capital.
Indonesia in talks with Myanmar, says Jokowi as he stresses Asean’s focus on a peaceful region
JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network): Indonesia is in ongoing discussions with various parties in Myanmar behind the scenes in hopes of helping to resolve the crisis in its fellow Asean member country, but this will take time, said Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
China slams US for expanding military access in Philippines
China hit back at the US for expanding military access in the Philippines, saying Washington was trying to "encircle and contain” Beijing, and is "driving a wedge” between the two Asian nations.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Monday (April 3, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Monday (April 3, 2023)
After 15 years, Philippine Supreme Court rules 2005 oil exploration deal with China, Vietnam is void
MANILA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): The highest court in the Philippines on Tuesday (Jan 10) declared as “unconstitutional and void” a 2005 exploration agreement in the South China Sea involving oil companies from the Philippines, China and Vietnam.
Philippine President Marcos says that China laser incident not enough to activate US defence pact
The Philippine president said Saturday the Chinese coast guard’s aiming of a military-grade laser that briefly blinded some crew aboard a Philippine patrol vessel in the disputed South China Sea was not enough for him to invoke a mutual defence treaty with the United States.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Saturday (April 22, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Sunday (April 22, 2023)
Go on a street art trail in Kota Kinabalu to learn more about the city
A new hotel in Kota Kinabalu becomes the centre of attention among local and international tourists.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr looks to shift relations with China into a ‘higher gear’ after visit to Beijing
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr has said he hopes to move relations with China into a “higher gear” ahead of his first visit to Beijing since taking office last year.
Mending a hurt relationship
China and the Philippines said in a joint statement they have agreed to set up a direct communications channel between their foreign ministries on the South China Sea to handle disputes peacefully.
China, Philippines agree to handle disputes ‘peacefully’, boost cooperation
BEIJING (Reuters): China and the Philippines said in a joint statement on Thursday (Jan 5) they have agreed to set up a direct communications channel between their foreign ministries on the South China Sea to handle disputes peacefully.
Philippines' Marcos summons Chinese envoy over laser incident at sea
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos summoned Beijing's ambassador Tuesday to express "serious concern" after a Chinese security vessel was accused of using a military-grade laser light against a Philippine patrol boat in the disputed South China Sea.
US criticises China's laser lights use against Philippines Coast Guard ship
WASHINGTON (AFP): The United States on Monday (Feb 13) criticised China's reported use of military-grade laser light against a Philippine coast guard vessel in the disputed South China Sea last week, which left the ship's crew temporarily blinded.
Philippines condemns China's 'aggressive' laser use against ship
The Philippines condemned Tuesday the "aggressive" actions of a Chinese security vessel, which is accused of using a military-grade laser light against a Philippine patrol boat in the disputed South China Sea, leaving crew members temporarily blinded.
Joint drills to be expanded
Filipino soldiers staged live-fire exercises with their US counterparts in the South-East Asian country’s largest military camp as part of army-to-army drills aimed at enhancing Manila’s defence capabilities against external threats.
Ship used ‘laser’ on coast guard
The Philippine Coast Guard accused a Chinese coastguard vessel of shining a “military-grade laser light” at one of its boats in the disputed South China Sea, temporarily blinding crew members.
A scary message
The recent Seoul drone scare should compel Asia’s military planners to think beyond hardware in their defence strategies.
Philippines and US hold live-fire exercises focused on territorial defence
Philippine troops staged live-fire exercises with their US counterparts in the South-East Asian country's largest military camp as part of army-to-army drills aimed at enhancing Manila's defence capabilities against external threats.
Marcos will proceed with state visit to China despite Covid-19 surge
MANILA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr will go ahead with his state visit to China on Jan 3-5 despite the surge in Covid-19 cases there.
Marcos-led Philippines plays both sides in diplomatic tug of war with US and China
MANILA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): A foreign policy reboot is under way in the Philippines, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr strikes a delicate balancing act between the United States and China amid the two superpowers’ intensifying battle for influence in South-East Asia.
Vietnam chief, Biden discuss boosting ties at ‘all levels’
HANOI (Bloomberg): Vietnam’s Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and US President Joe Biden discussed strengthening bilateral ties across the board during a phone call on Wednesday.
Laos-Vietnam railway construction could begin by year end: developer
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): Construction of a railway linking Vientiane with the Vung Ang seaport in Vietnam’s Ha Tinh province could begin at the end of this year or early next year, its developer has said.
Bloc vows to finalise pact with China
South-East Asian foreign ministers vowed to finalise negotiations with China over a proposed pact aimed at preventing conflicts in the disputed South China Sea in their annual retreat in Jakarta.
Asean must rethink its airspace security as new surveillance tools appear
Recent high profile airspace intrusions involving China-launched balloons finding their way over the continental US is likely to raise tensions among members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean).
Vivian Balakrishnan urges US and China to de-escalate tensions in Taiwan Strait at G-20 talks
NEW DELHI (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan urged China and the US to de-escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea at the Group of 20 (G-20) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on Thursday (March 2).
S. Korea, US fire missiles into sea to protest ‘reckless’ N. Korea test
SEOUL (AFP): The South Korean and US militaries fired a volley of missiles into the sea in response to North Korea firing a ballistic missile over Japan, Seoul said Wednesday (Oct 5).
Philippines expands US access to military bases
MANILA (AFP): The United States and the Philippines announced a deal on Thursday (Feb 2) to give US troops access to another four bases in the South-East Asian nation, as the longtime allies seek to counter China's military rise.
North Korea fires ballistic missiles, fourth time this week
North Korea fired two ballistic missiles early on Saturday, South Korea's military said, the nuclear-armed country's fourth launch this week as Seoul, Tokyo and Washington ramp up joint military drills to counter Pyongyang.
Philippines and China agree to handle disputes peacefully and boost cooperation
China and the Philippines have agreed to set up a direct communications channel between their foreign ministries on the South China Sea to handle disputes peacefully, they said on Thursday night (Jan 5).
Red carpet welcome for Marcos and a slew of pacts struck in China
BEIJING/MANILA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): China rolled out the red carpet for Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Wednesday (Jan 4) with the signing of an agreement to mitigate rising tensions in the South China Sea and pledges to boost trade, investment, tourism, agricultural and clean energy cooperation.
Mozambique starts to export liquefied natural gas through FLNG project in north
MAPUTO, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi announced Sunday the start of the export of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in Mozambique, as the oil tanker British Sponsor has already left Mozambican territorial waters carrying the first cargo of LNG produced by the Coral South Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project in the north of the country.
1st LD-Writethru: Mozambique starts to export liquefied natural gas through FLNG project in north
MAPUTO, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi announced Sunday the start of the export of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in Mozambique, as the oil tanker British Sponsor has already left Mozambican territorial waters carrying the first cargo of LNG produced by the Coral South Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project in the north of the country.
Chinese fighter jet came within 3m of US military aircraft, US says
WASHINGTON (Reuters): A Chinese military plane came within 10 feet (3m) of a US air force aircraft in the contested South China Sea last week and forced it to take evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision in international airspace, the US military said on Thursday (Dec 29).
Subic Bay tagged as ‘priority’ infrastructure site by Philippines govt
Subic Bay was tagged as a “priority” site for infrastructure projects aimed at “supporting economic growth” in the Philippines, diplomats and defencse officials of Manila and Washington said in a meeting last week
US and Philippines vow to boost security ties to address 'flashpoints'
The United States and the Philippines have vowed to "invigorate" defence cooperation to address shared security concerns including disputes over the South China Sea.
EU-Asean statement drops language about Taiwan ahead of summit
Language on Taiwan has been dropped from a joint communique on the eve of a meeting of European Union and Asean leaders in Brussels, after a sharp disagreement over how to describe Taiwan’s political status.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Friday (March 24, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Friday (March 24, 2023)
Vietnam may resist diplomatic upgrade with Washington as US-China tensions simmer
A push by the United States to upgrade ties with Vietnam this year is facing resistance in Hanoi, over what experts say are concerns that China could see the move as hostile at a time of tension between superpowers Beijing and Washington.
Philippines ex-foreign minister dies at 83
Albert del Rosario, the Philippines’ former foreign minister has died at the age of 83, Manila said.
Calling for calm heads - Rising temperature between US and China must be cooled, says Singapore Defence Minister
The temperature between the United States and China has not reached boiling point, but it is rising, and the world must do all it can to cool it, said Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Saturday (Feb 18, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Saturday (Feb 18, 2023)
White House: Biden confirms extra maritime support for Asean states
US President Joe Biden has reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region while also confirming further maritime support for South-East Asian nations, The White House said in a statement on Sunday.
President Marcos says Philippines 'will not lose an inch' of territory
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Saturday that the country "will not lose an inch" of territory, his remarks coming on the heels of continuing maritime tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea.
Asean news headlines as at 9pm on Thursday (March 23)
News highlights from the Asean Plus section on Thursday (March 23)
Indonesia warns of ‘open conflict’ in Indo-Pacific
JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network): Indonesia has recently given countries in the Indo-Pacific a stern reminder that the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China could “very well escalate into open conflict” if not properly managed, underpinning broader concerns that things could turn from bad to worse.
Philippines and US to hold biggest war games in years
MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines and the United States will this year carry out their biggest joint military drills since 2015, Manila’s army chief said on Wednesday (Feb 15), against a backdrop of growing tensions with China in the South China Sea.
Marcos says new military bases with US to be 'scattered' around the Philippines
MANILA (Reuters): Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Wednesday (March 22) he will make a formal announcement soon on the locations of four additional military bases under the Enchanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States.
China’s dams affect Thai fishing villages
CHIANG KHONG (Thailand): From February to April each year, Kam Thon spends most of her days knee-deep in the waters of the Mekong River by her village in northern Thailand, gathering river weed to sell and cook at home.
Ambitious Mekong dams project turn Thai fishing villages into 'ghost towns'
From February to April each year, Kam Thon spends most of her days knee-deep in the waters of the Mekong River by her village in northern Thailand, gathering river weed to sell and cook at home.
Philippines’ Marcos says open to military access pact with Japan
MANILA (Bloomberg): Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said he’s open to a potential reciprocal military access agreement with Japan if it would protect the country’s fishermen and its maritime territory.
Australia’s Asian destiny is clear
Its changing racial mix will weigh on future national strategy and external policy.
Philippines and Japan sign disaster relief deal seen to forge closer military ties
The Philippines and Japan on Thursday signed a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief agreement, which could serve as a precursor to joint military exercises as tensions mount over China’s growing influence in Asia.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Sunday (Mar 19, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Sunday (Mar 19, 2023)
No more ambiguity: Inquirer
The paper says President Marcos is presented with the opportunity to maximise the benefits of the country’s refreshed relationship with the US for the mutual benefit of both nations.
Blasts heard near Thitu Island after Chinese vessel ‘forcefully’ takes rocket debris from Philippine boat
MANILA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Residents of the Philippines-occupied Thitu Island, part of the disputed Spratlys archipelago in the South China Sea, said they heard blasts after a maritime encounter between the Philippine Navy and the China Coast Guard.
US veep Harris to visit front-line Philippine island in sea feud
Vice President Kamala Harris will underscore America’s commitment to defending treaty ally the Philippines with a visit that starts Sunday and involves flying to an island province facing the disputed South China Sea, where Washington has accused China of bullying smaller claimant nations.
With Philippines visit US veep Harris seeks to reset relations
US Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in the Philippines on Sunday for talks aimed at reviving ties with the former US colony, an Asian ally that is central to US. efforts to counter China's increasingly assertive policies towards Taiwan.
Harris’ visit a show of support
Vice-President Kamala Harris (pic) will travel next week to the western island province of Palawan as part of a two-nation Asia trip that includes filling in for President Joe Biden at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bangkok.
Vietnam and Thailand enter new chapter with strategic partnership
BANGKOK (Vietnam News/Asia News Network): Vietnam and Thailand on Wednesday (Nov 16) agreed to strengthen their relations, signing five documents that will open a new, stronger chapter in the Strategic Partnership for peace, stability and mutual prosperity.
Philippines says four Chinese vessels tailed its navy ship
Two Chinese coast guard ships and two militia vessels tailed a Philippine warship near Mischief Reef in the South China Sea, the South-East Asian nation said.
Kamala Harris to visit Philippines in show of US support on China
MANILA (AFP): US Vice President Kamala Harris will travel next week to a Philippine island near waters claimed by China, an official said Wednesday (Nov 16), in a show of support to the US ally.
Irresponsible to allow N. Korea’s uncontrollable behaviour
IT makes no sense to defend North Korea’s repeated military provocations and shift the blame to the United States. China and Russia should be aware of their roles as major powers and prevent Pyongyang from running amok.
China seeks to challenge US-led global order with ‘new world view’, analysts say
Beijing is offering an alternative to what it sees as Washington’s insistence on a US-led world order, analysts say, after a column in People’s Daily outlined China’s “new world view” and “new possibilities” for the international community.
China and Cambodia to crack down on online gambling, and telecom scams
China and Cambodia will deepen law enforcement cooperation to crack down on human trafficking, online gambling and telecommunications scams that have taken hold in the South-East Asian nation.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Thursday (Mar 16, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Thursday (Mar 16, 2023)
Nod for larger US presence
THE United States and the Philippines announced an agreement to expand American military presence in the South-East Asian country, where US forces would be granted access to four more Philippine military camps.
Jokowi plans to focus on family, and sustainability, after term ends
JAKARTA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Walking into a dining hall at the state palace in Jakarta to meet journalists from The Straits Times on Wednesday (March 15), Indonesian President Joko Widodo looked fresh and relaxed despite days of back-to-back work trips across the country.
Stem the tide of erosion
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia could potentially lose its beautiful beaches if coastal erosion continues at its current rate, says an ecotourism group.
Compromise eyed on sea dispute
THE Philippines is interested in renewing talks with China on joint oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea to expand and diversify its sources of energy, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (pic) said in an interview with Bloomberg TV.
In a first, Manila-US drills to sink boat in West Philippine Sea
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): Filipino and American troops will sink a target vessel near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea when the two allies carry out next month their largest joint military exercise to date, a military official told the Inquirer on Tuesday (March 14).
Indonesia struggles to build military that can stave off China
JAKARTA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Indonesia is confronting challenges overhauling its ageing military despite a spending splurge to face down threats that include a long-running territorial dispute with its biggest trading partner, China.
EU wants to ‘reconnect’
BRUSSELS: EU leaders met their counterparts from South-East Asia for a summit in Brussels, looking to bolster ties in the face of the war in Ukraine and challenges from China.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Monday (April 17, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Monday (April 17, 2023)
Missing the big picture
International Relations 101 for the Ismail Sabri administration.
Philippines, US kick off joint drills
THE Philippines and the United States have launched army-to-army exercises, with a focus on enhancing the South-East Asian nation’s ability to protect and defend its territory from external threats.
Philippines and US kick off joint drills amid China concerns
The Philippines and United States launched army-to-army exercises on Monday, with a focus on enhancing the Southeast Asian nation's ability to protect and defend its territory from external threats.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Sunday (Mar 12, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Sunday (Mar 12, 2023)
US says naval destroyer sailed through Taiwan Strait
TAIPEI (AFP): The US Navy said its guided-missile destroyer the USS Milius had sailed through the Taiwan Strait in a "freedom of navigation" operation carried out days after China staged massive war games around the island.
An enchanting visit to Sabah, the Land Below the Wind
It's easy to see why Sabah always manages to capture the hearts of its visitors, both local and international.
QuickCheck: Could you walk from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching in the past?
FROM Atlantis to Hawaii, almost every culture has a story about a great flood that either sank a continent or a mythical island. However, here in South East Asia, our sunken continent is actually grounded in truth.
Chinese security vessel orders Philippine plane carrying media to 'leave'
OVER THE SPRATLY ISLANDS, Philippines 2023 (AFP): As a Philippine Coast Guard plane carrying journalists flew over the Spratly Islands in the hotly disputed South China Sea, a Chinese voice issued a stern command over the radio: "Leave immediately."
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Sunday (April 16, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Sunday (April 15, 2023)
New government an opportunity for Malaysia to look beyond China and Asean
As Malaysians welcome a new government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, all eyes are on how he will balance the need to maintain relations with China and also its neighbours against the sovereign interests of the South-East Asian nation.
China says it drove away US cruiser near Spratly Islands
BEIJING (Reuters): China's military said on Tuesday (Nov 29) it drove away a US guided-missile cruiser that "illegally intruded" into waters near the South China Sea's Spratly Islands.
Filipinos fishing on frontline of China's battle for disputed sea
CATO, Philippines (AFP): Filipino fisherman Mariel Villamonte had spent years plying the turquoise waters of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea for snapper and grouper -- until a Chinese coast guard vessel water cannoned his boat.
Marcos sees Philippine economy growing fastest in Asia at 7%
MANILA (Bloomberg): Philippine economic growth will likely hold steady at around 7% this year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said, crediting strong fundamentals that would help the nation post the fastest expansion in Asia amid a dimmer global outlook.
'Four waves' push China, Asean toward greater digital cooperation: media
BEIJING (China Daily/Asia News Network): As three major global summits concluded in Southeast Asia, digital economy governance has become an international focus. In this encouraging environment, four "great waves" are pushing China and Asean toward greater digital cooperation, South China Morning Post reported Wednesday (Nov 23).
Yoon stumbles in endeavour to improve China ties
Was Nancy Pelosi displeased by Seoul’s apparent snub?
US vows ‘unwavering’ commitment
THE United States has an “unwavering” commitment to the Philippines, US Vice-President Kamala Harris told the country’s president during a visit aimed at countering China and rebuilding ties that were fractured over human rights abuses in the South-East Asian nation.
US VP Kamala Harris visits Palawan island near China-claimed waters
PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines(AFP): US Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday (Nov 22) visited a Philippine island near waters claimed by China to show support for the longtime US ally and counter Beijing's growing influence in the region.
Harris makes historic Palawan trip
US Vice-President Kamala Harris visited a Philippine island near waters claimed by China to show support for the long-time US ally and counter Beijing’s growing influence in the region.
Harris hoping to reset relations
VICE-PRESIDENT Kamala Harris will underscore America’s commitment to defending treaty ally the Philippines with a visit that involves flying to an island province facing the disputed South China Sea.
China's Xi seeks fresh diplomatic inroads with Asian leaders
Chinese President Xi Jinping has used his first face-to-face meetings with America’s Asia-Pacific allies since 2020 to try to forge diplomatic inroads as Washington pushes back against Beijing’s influence in the region.
China-Philippines relations: Marcos looks to Beijing visit, expanding ties after meeting Xi Jinping on Apec sidelines
The leaders of China and the Philippines have vowed to expand bilateral ties between the two nations, with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos saying he looks forward to a state visit to China.
Indonesia’s quiet Asean leadership calls for optimism
The Asean Chair is gearing up for its first Asean Summit this year, to be held in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara in May, away from the prying eyes of keen observers.
Sixth suspect in famous model Abby Choi Hong Kong murder case granted HK$50,000 bail
Lam Shun, 41, appears at Kowloon City Court on a charge of assisting an offender with intent to impede his apprehension or prosecution. Prosecutors have accused him of trying to help one of the alleged killers flee the city by sea.
Biden strengthens ties with Asean
US President Joe Biden joined a conference of South-East Asian nations, looking to emphasize the United States’ commitment in the region where a looming China is also working to expand its influence.
Asean upgrades ties with India and United States
Asean has formally upgraded its ties with India and the United States to comprehensive strategic partnerships, a move the grouping hopes will boost trade and investment flows and collaboration with two of its largest partners.
China PM meets Philippine President Bongbong Marcos, vows cooperation based on respect for international law
Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang said his country would work closely with nations in the Asean region to ensure peace and stability on the basis of mutual respect for international law.
Vietnam agrees on fishing hotline with China but pace of trade ‘slow’
Vietnam has vented a number of frustrations over the slow pace of economic cooperation with China, even as the two nations agreed to speed up the establishment of a hotline to deal with marine fisheries incidents.
Japan PM vows to strengthen military might
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at an international fleet review Sunday that his country urgently needs to strengthen its military capabilities as security risks increase including threats from North Korea’s nuclear and missile advancement and Russia’s war on Ukraine.
S.Korea scrambles jets after Chinese, Russian warplanes enter air defence zone
SEOUL (Reuters): South Korea's military said it scrambled fighter jets after at least four Chinese and four Russian warplanes entered its air defence zone on Tuesday (May 24).
‘Happy Hong Kong’: Catering industry chiefs warn government invitation to take part in food fairs may be affected by staff shortage
Caterers welcome food fairs and gourmet markets designed to boost public morale and encourage spending, but worry over staffIndustry leaders say catering sector short of about 60,000 workers, with some forced to cut hours, trim menus or even close
Expanded US access to Philippines bases 'not for aggression', defence chief says
MANILA (Reuters): A decision by the Philippines to grant the United States greater access to its military bases was "not for engaging in war" but meant to enhance its ability to defend itself against external threats, its defence chief said on Thursday (March 2).
Philippines' Marcos vows to 'strengthen' China ties on Beijing trip
BEIJING (AFP): Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos said Wednesday (Jan 4) he hoped to strengthen ties with Beijing on his first state visit to China since taking office.
Oil spill from sunken ship threatens 21 protected marine areas in Philippines
MANILA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Philippine authorities are rushing to contain a worsening oil spill from a sunken tanker that was carrying up to 800,000 litres of industrial oil, with 21 protected marine areas at risk if the leak is not contained.
Focus on external defence
THE president said the main mission of his country’s military has changed to ensure the protection of its territory as disputes with China and US-China rivalry intensify.President Ferdinand Marcos Jr stressed the urgency of shifting the military’s focus to external defence in a speech before troops on Monday.
China’s fears of an Indo-Pacific Nato are more myth than reality
BEIJING (Bloomberg): China’s concern that the US is seeking to build an "Indo-Pacific version of Nato” has one major problem: A previous effort failed in the 1970s, and most Asian countries haven’t been interested in trying again.
Near collision in the sky
A CHINESE fighter jet flew dangerously within 20 feet (6m) of a much larger US air force surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea.
Malaysian artists with autism forge strong connections in Italy
Four Malaysian artists with autism went on an Italian adventure recently – exhibiting their art, impressing collectors and making new friends
Philippines, China move to avoid 'miscalculation' in disputed sea
MANILA (AFP): The Philippines and China will establish direct communication between their foreign ministries to avoid "miscalculation and miscommunication" in the hotly disputed South China Sea, Manila said Thursday (Dec 29).
Malaysia to stay neutral in face of rising US-China tensions, Dewan Rakyat told
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will remain neutral amid rising tension in the South China Sea between China and the United States, says Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Monday (Feb 27, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Monday (Feb 27, 2023)
Taiwan drills: PLA sends in extra troops to back up Eastern Theatre Command
PLA air force personnel from around the country were deployed to support drills led by the Eastern Theatre Command against Taiwan, with more troops expected to be deployed for regular joint combat training, according to observers.
Philippines boosts military in disputed sea after Chinese 'encroachment'
The Philippines ordered its military to boost their presence in the South China Sea this week, citing a "threat" to a garrison in the disputed waterway after nearby Chinese "activities".
Netflix making preparations to open Vietnam office, say sources
US streaming giant Netflix Inc is making preparations to open an office in Vietnam after years of negotiations with authorities and completing a risk assessment, two sources with knowledge of the matter said.
Strong China-Russia ties on show in Pacific patrol, despite Beijing’s lack of military support in Ukraine
Flights by Russian and Chinese bombers near Japanese and South Korean air defence zones indicate the two powers will step up their military ties despite facing tension with the West over the ongoing Ukraine war, according to defence analysts.
US backs Manila amid swarming of Chinese vessels in West Philippine Sea
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): The Philippines received support from the United States (US) amid the swarming of Chinese vessels in the Philippine territory.
Jakarta hails China support for Myanmar peace consensus
FOREIGN Minister Retno Marsudi said she appreciates China’s support for regional bloc Asean’s five-point peace consensus agreed to bring an end to hostilities in military-ruled Myanmar.
US lays out case against 'unlawful' China maritime claims
WASHINGTON (AFP): The United States on Wednesday (Jan 12) laid out its most detailed case yet against Beijing's "unlawful" claims in the South China Sea, rejecting both the geographic and historic bases for its vast, divisive map.
State visit to China a test of Philippine President’s diplomatic acumen
Days before embarking on his landmark trip to China in 1975, then Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Sr convened a Cabinet meeting, during which he lifted briefing papers more than an inch thick to see how heavy they were.
PM: Asean stands firm on international issues in meeting with US President Biden
WASHINGTON DC: Asean leaders stand firm on several international issues during their meeting with United States President Joe Biden at the Asean-US Special Summit here Friday (May 13) (Saturday in Malaysia).
A multipolar world can benefit both US and China: ex-FM George Yeo
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): A multipolar world can be good for both China and the US, but both sides will have to work hard at achieving a peaceful transition to it, said former Singapore foreign minister George Yeo on Thursday (Dec 15).
Philippines says Chinese vessels in reef, shoal ‘great concern’
MANILA (Bloomberg): The Philippines’ Department of National Defence said Wednesday (Dec 14) it "views with great concern the reported swarming” of Chinese vessels in the Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea.
Hullabaloo over a balloon
I WAS wringing my hands last week over the ruckus raised as a Chinese “spy balloon” drifted across the United States until it was shot down.
Senior Ukrainian ocean scientist ‘joins’ China’s leading naval defence university
A senior Ukrainian ocean engineering expert has joined one of China’s top defence research universities, according to now-censored Chinese media reports.
Asean news headlines as at 9pm on Friday (Feb 17)
News highlights from the Asean Plus section on Friday (Feb 17)
Asean states must secure their economic interests against foreign pressure
As one of the most economically dynamic regions in the world, South-East Asia has been a key focus for China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which seeks to enhance China's economic influence by investing in infrastructure projects across Asia and beyond.
US, Philippines agree to complete road map for security assistance for next 5-10 years
WASHINGTON (Reuters): The top defence and diplomatic officials from the United States and Philippines agreed on Tuesday (April 11) to complete a road map in coming months to cover the delivery of US defence assistance to the Philippines over the next five to 10 years.
Regional peace, security must be secured through dialogue and cooperation, says Hisham
KUALA LUMPUR: Regional peace, security and stability must be achieved through dialogue and multilateral cooperation, says Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein.
Chinese envoy called up after laser incident
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has summoned China’s ambassador to express his “serious concern” after a Chinese ship aimed a military-grade laser at a Philippine vessel in the South China Sea.
Japan to pave way for military to shoot down intruding balloons
TOKYO (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Japan has mooted allowing its military to shoot down encroaching balloons and unmanned unidentified flying objects (UFOs), with a former defence minister warning on Wednesday (Feb 15) of a “gaping hole” in the country’s security.
Harris ends Asia tour with fresh jab at China
HANOI (AFP): Vice President Kamala Harris launched a new broadside against China as she ended her South_East Asian tour in Hanoi on Thursday (Aug 26), warning the US would continue to push back against Beijing's claims in disputed Asian waters.
US defence chief reaffirms Washington's regional role in meeting with SEA counterparts
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): United States Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday (June 10) reaffirmed to his South-East Asian counterparts Washington's strong commitment to the region through the maintenance of an open, inclusive and rules-based security environment.
Best to remain non-aligned in US-China power play
A letter from CHEW KOK LIANG, Singapore.
US-China friction to take centrestage as Shangri-La Dialogue resumes in Singapore
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Asia's top security summit returns to Singapore this weekend after a two-year pandemic hiatus, with the first face-to-face meeting between American and Chinese defence leaders and Russia's invasion of Ukraine among the most anticipated items on the agenda.
Ukraine president Zelensky to give special address at Shangri-La Dialogue (update)
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Asia's top security summit returns to Singapore this weekend after a two-year pandemic hiatus, with the first face-to-face meeting between American and Chinese defence leaders and Russia's invasion of Ukraine among the most anticipated items on the agenda.
India, Vietnam deepen defence ties as Delhi seeks to boost maritime presence in Indo-Pacific
NEW DELHI (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): India handed over 12 high-speed patrol boats to Vietnam on Thursday (June 9), a day after inking a mutual logistics agreement allowing the use of each others' military bases in a significant expansion of defence and security ties - all with an eye on China.
Philippines open to new oil exploration talks with China, says minister
The Philippines is open to new talks with China on oil and gas exploration, the Southeast Asian country's foreign minister had announced.
Explain rocket debris incident at sea, China urged
THE country has issued a diplomatic note to China seeking explanation on a South China Sea incident over suspected rocket debris, in a move that could further strain the nations’ ties.
Galaxy of stars: How and where to catch the wonders of the Milky Way in Malaysia
The season of the mysterious and magnificent galaxy is upon us once more. It’s time to get out those telescopes and cameras for a glimpse of this beauty’s biggest wonders.
Philippines' next president Marcos Jr vows not to compromise sovereignty
Philippine President-Elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr has vowed he would not compromise the country’s sovereignty in dealing with foreign countries, including in settling disputes with China over the South China Sea.
China ships forcing Philippines to drop Ayungin Shoal: US think tank
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): Chinese coast guard and militia vessels harassed Philippine ships in back-to-back incidents in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea in April, according to a US think tank.
Marcos Jr's promise of dealing with China in 'a firm voice' hailed: Inquirer
The paper says Marcos Jr's message of dealing with China with a firm voice is an approach consistent with the sentiment of majority of Filipinos.
Lawmaker calls for learning of Mandarin in English-centric Philippine schools
A lawmaker in the Philippines is pushing for measures that will promote the learning of Mandarin among Filipino students to make them more attractive to employers abroad.
US presses China to ease up on Taiwan as defence chiefs meet
PHNOM PENH (Bloomberg): US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin urged China to avoid "destabilising actions” toward Taiwan in his first face-to-face meeting with Defence Minister Wei Fenghe since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei in August.
Philippines wants China to explain 'benign' account of rocket debris seizure
MANILA (AFP): Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos (pic) said Tuesday (Nov 22) the country will ask Beijing to explain its "more benign" account of an incident involving Chinese coastguards taking rocket debris from Filipino soldiers in disputed waters.
China's neighbours worry Australia sub deal will disrupt region
BEIJING (Bloomberg): France isn’t the only country upset about a new security pact between the US, UK and Australia: Some South-East Asian nations are also worried the partnership could provoke China and spur a regional arms race.
Vietnam joins China, Cambodia, Singapore and S. Korea in pledging joint efforts on anti-pandemic cooperation, multilateralism
Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Singapore and South Korea had upgraded mutually-beneficial cooperation among all sides and reached wide consensus on anti-pandemic cooperation, economic recovery, and multilateralism.
Kamala Harris says US and Philippines ties long and enduring
MANILA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): The relationship between the United States and the Philippines is long and enduring and American commitment unwavering, US Vice-President Kamala Harris said on Monday (Nov 21) after meeting Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Asean-US on the same page, but not in the same boat on Indo-Pacific: Jakarta Post contributor
The writer ENDY BAYUNI says the best way forward is for the US to continue to build trust with Asean and realize its commitments to upholding peace and prosperity.
US lawmakers consider actions to increase support for Taiwan
US lawmakers discussed measures on Thursday night that Washington should take to help defend Taiwan against any moves by mainland China’s military, including expedited weapon sales meant to arm Taipei “to the teeth”.
US lawmakers consider actions to increase support for Taiwan
US lawmakers discussed measures on Thursday that Washington should take to help defend Taiwan against any moves by mainland China’s military, including expedited weapon sales meant to arm Taipei “to the teeth”.
Tok Mat: Govt to buy two more submarines under navy transformation plan
KOTA KINABALU: The government is planning to acquire two more submarines under the Royal Malaysian Navy's 15 to 5 transformation plan, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan.
Asean united on several international issues
WASHINGTON DC: Asean leaders stood firm on several international issues during their meeting with US President Joe Biden at the Asean-US Special Summit here over the past week.
Summit disrupted by ICBM test
Several Asia-Pacific leaders gathered for an economic summit in the Thai capital broke away from their meeting to condemn North Korea after it test fired an intercontinental ballistic missile.
Malaysian conservationist wins Women In Science award for work with mangroves
In conjunction with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the stories of Malaysian scientists awarded with the L’Oreal-Unesco For Women In Science Award 2022, are highlighted.
Marcos as Philippine president a boon for China, awkward for US
MANILA (Reuters) : The decisive victory of Ferdinand Marcos Jr in the Philippines' presidential election on Monday (May 9) is set to re-shape the South-East Asian country's relations with China and the United States as he seeks closer ties with Beijing.
Sabah may not face the brunt of drier weather
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah might not experience drought throughout the coming South-West monsoon season which is expected to start this weekend, said the Sabah Meteorological Department.
Rivalry of the ‘superheroes’
The intense tension between China and the US is unlikely to ease any time soon.
Marcos visits Japan seeking closer cooperation
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr arrived in Japan for a visit that is expected to pave the way for closer security ties with Tokyo, as Manila increasingly sides with the United States in its regional tussle with China.
US-China friction leaves Seoul in a tricky position: Korea Herald
In its editorial, the Korea Herald says that South Korea needs to recognise it cannot walk the fine line between the US and China forever, and should begin making long-term preparations to ensure its core interests.
Marcos visits Japan seeking closer security ties
TOKYO (Reuters): Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr arrives in Japan on Wednesday for a visit that is expected to pave the way for closer security ties with Tokyo, as Manila increasingly sides with the United States in its regional tussle with China.
Putrajaya urged to take stern action against repeated maritime, airspace intrusions into Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: Putrajaya has been urged to take stronger action to defend the country's sovereignty over Sabah from external threats and intrusions due to overlapping maritime claims in the South China Sea.
Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan a test of China’s global aspirations
What is the big picture is for Chinese President Xi Jinping and the best interest of China?
Bless the fishermen and farmers
KUCHING: Early one Saturday morning, 40 decorated boats floated in a procession down the Tellian River in Mukah, a coastal town in central Sarawak, towards the South China Sea.
US jet that flew Pelosi to Malaysia tracked off Philippines, no landing request
A US air force jet that flew House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Malaysia left the country on Tuesday and flew close to the Philippines, in the day's most followed flight on tracking site Flightradar24.
Pelosi’s roundabout flight to Taiwan shows China’s long reach
TAIPEI (Bloomberg): The path of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s US military plane to Taiwan was notable for how carefully it avoided the South China Sea.
Stopping Myanmar violence tops meeting of Asian diplomats
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - Top South-East Asian diplomats meeting in Cambodia's capital intensified efforts Wednesday to stop the escalating violence in Myanmar, and to address other pressing - and often divisive - regional issues.
Threat of ‘heatflation’ looms large as climate change shrinks farm and seafood output, experts say
The impact of climate change is there for all to see. The rising temperatures and frequency of floods and droughts is threatening agriculture and fishery around the world, with climate experts warning of “heatflation” – higher food prices driven by rising temperatures and smaller harvests.
Threat of ‘heatflation’ looms large as climate change shrinks farm and seafood output, experts say
The impact of climate change is there for all to see. The rising temperatures and frequency of floods and droughts is threatening agriculture and fishery around the world, with climate experts warning of “heatflation” – higher food prices driven by rising temperatures and smaller harvests.
Japan PM pledges to boost military capacity
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged Sunday to beef up Japan's naval and military capacity, warning that nations must prepare to face aggressors.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Sunday (Apr 9, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Sunday (Apr 9, 2023)
Chinese balloon soars across US; Blinken scraps Beijing trip
A huge, high-altitude Chinese balloon sailed across the US on Friday, drawing severe Pentagon accusations of spying on sensitive military sites despite China's firm denials. Secretary of State Antony Blinken abruptly canceled a high-stakes Beijing trip aimed at easing US.-China tensions.
N. Korea fires unidentified projectile, criticises US ‘hostile’ policy (update)
SEOUL (Agencies): North Korea fired a missile towards the sea off its east coast on Tuesday (Sept 28), South Korea’s military said, as Pyongyang called on the United States and South Korea to scrap their “double standards” on weapons programmes to restart talks.
New photos of China-made islands in Spratlys show scale of military buildup
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): A new set of highly detailed photographs of China’s man-made islands in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea captures the scale of its military buildup on these far-flung rocks and reefs, some of them located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Indonesian maritime agency hails success over Natuna drilling
JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network): The Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) has hailed last month’s completion of a six-month drilling project on Indonesia’s continental shelf in the North Natuna Sea as a “victory” over China’s constant objections.
Official: Austin’s visit to bring deal on expanded base access
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin’s visit to the Philippines this week is expected to bring an announcement of expanded US access to military bases in the country, a senior Philippines official said.
Philippine coastguard accuses China ship of risking collision
The Philippine Coast Guard has accused its Chinese counterpart of steering one of its ships within metres of a Filipino patrol vessel in the disputed South China Sea, breaking international rules and risking a collision.
Australia to buy S.Korean weapons in defence-tie boost
CANBERRA (Bloomberg): Australia agreed to buy K9 artillery from South Korea and increase ties between their defence industries as the nations cemented a new comprehensive security partnership amid increasing tensions with China.cv
US warns it will defend ally Philippines if China breaks sea ruling
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken renewed a call to China to comply with a 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated Beijing’s vast claims in the South China Sea and warned that Washington is obligated to defend treaty ally Philippines if its forces, vessels or aircraft come under attack in the disputed waters.
Kamala Harris heads to China’s backyard in diplomacy reboot
WASHINGTON (Bloomberg): Vice President Kamala Harris will look to bolster economic and military cooperation in China’s backyard as she visits Singapore and Vietnam starting this weekend in the Biden administration’s most high-profile trip yet to Asia.
China lays ground to counter US Indo-Pacific strategy in Asia
BALI (Bloomberg): As US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in South-East Asia for his first visit in more than six months, he’ll find his Chinese counterpart halfway through a two-week diplomatic blitz across the key strategic battleground.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Saturday (Apr 8, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Saturday (Apr 8, 2023)
Is an India-Vietnam military alliance about to clash with a China-Pakistan one?
HONG KONG, Aug 27 (SCMP): Chinese actions in the South China Sea have pushed together Hanoi and New Delhi in a partnership experts liken to the Beijing-Islamabad alliance.
Chinese envoy summoned twice last year over encroachment, Dewan Rakyat told
KUALA LUMPUR: Wisma Putra summoned the Chinese Ambassador twice last year over encroachment of Malaysian territory by Chinese vessels, says Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar.
Transport Ministry must come up with contingency plans for festive seasons
From Dr Pamela Yong, MCA Deputy Secretary General.
US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy meets Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in California
‘The friendship between the people of Taiwan and America is a matter of profound importance to the free world,’ says third-ranking US officialBeijing threatened retaliation, with Chinese embassy in Washington conveying ‘deep concern and firm opposition’ to meeting
Japan PM's defence doctrine and Asean's position: Jakarta Post contributor
The writer says the region needs Japan to balance the US-China rivalry.
Vietnam denounces China's military drill, asserts sovereignty over island chains
HANOI (Vietnam News/Asia News Network): Vietnam on Thursday (June 23) denounced China’s illegal military exercise in the Hoàng Sa (Paracel) archipelago as a serious violation of its sovereignty over the South China Sea Island chain.
PM expresses Malaysia's concern over Aukus at the East Asia summit
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Malaysia again expressed its concern over the trilateral security pact involving the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, known through its acronym Aukus, this time at the 16th East Asia Summit on Wednesday (Oct 27).
Philippines hopes Cadlao oil redevelopment will revitalise upstream sector
The Philippines is seeking to revive its moribund upstream oil industry with the redevelopment of an oil field that last produced in the early 1990s, as it hopes to wean itself off fuel imports, energy officials have announced.
Two air crashes in one day
A PHILIPPINE air force plane crashed on a farm northwest of Manila, killing the two people on board, while a search was continuing for a private aircraft carrying six people that went missing the previous day in the mountainous north.
Henry Golding, Angelina Jolie, Donnie Yen: 10 celebrities born in the Year of the Rabbit
From Hollywood stars like Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt to Asian heartthrobs like Henry Golding and Lee Seung-gi, here are 10 celebrities born in the bunny year.
India’s latest ban on Chinese apps casts shadow over mainland tech firms’ global ambitions
Indian authorities have banned 54 more Chinese-linked apps, citing security concerns, according to a local news report. Geopolitical tensions and value differences have contributed to India’s continuous scrutiny of Chinese apps, analyst says.
Enough assets to monitor disputed waters off Sarawak coast, says Tok Mat
KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry has sufficient assets to monitor the disputed waters around Beting Patinggi Ali (South Luconia Shoals) in Sarawak, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Stop playing the ‘Taiwan card’, US told
Singapore: China strongly objected to remarks made by United States of America Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin at the ongoing 19th Shangri-La Dialogue regarding the South China Sea and Taiwan, calling them unfounded declarations and false accusations against China.
Keep our backyard safe
DESPITE the continuous news reports of the South China Sea being a flash point between the United States and China, most Malaysians would regard the place remote, if not inconsequential.
2023 - A test for Indonesia's Asean leadership mettle
Against the backdrop of global geopolitical volatility and gloomy economic outlook, added with regional challenges that include Myanmar’s crisis and the South China Sea complexities, all eyes are on Indonesia which holds the 2023 Asean chairmanship.
High-level meet on sharing bases
THE top foreign and defence officials of the United States and the Philippines will meet in Washington next week, the US State Department announced, just as the two countries have expanded their defence cooperation agreement.
China insists it did nothing wrong after Malaysia complains about air force ‘intrusion’
The foreign ministry in Beijing says Monday’s flight was a routine activity that was in accordance with international lawMalaysia says 16 transport planes carried out ‘suspicious’ activities in the South China Sea, but one military source says only two aircraft were involved
Xi decade reshapes China's military, and the region: Report
SYDNEY (AFP): During Xi Jinping's decade-long rule, China has built the world's largest navy, revamped the globe's biggest standing army, and amassed a nuclear and ballistic arsenal to trouble any foe.
N. Korea: Defector at heart of Covid-19 case fled sex abuse investigation
SEOUL, July 28 (Reuters): Last week, a 24-year-old defector returned to North Korea the way he left in 2017, authorities say, but with a coronavirus pandemic raging in the background this time, his illicit trip drew far more attention.
Wang Yi urges Philippines not to ditch Duterte’s China-friendly policy after election
As the Philippines gears up for a hotly contested presidential election, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged the next leader to continue President Rodrigo Duterte’s China-friendly policy, saying it serves the interests of both countries.
Philippines, US set for talks
The Philippines and the United States are in talks about holding a “2-plus-2 meeting” of top diplomatic and defence officials as early as March, the Philippine ambassador to Washington said.
New land-sea corridor seen boosting China-Asean trade exchanges
BEIJING (China Daily/Asia News Network): A land-sea corridor featuring multimodal transport networks will play a key role in enhancing economic and trade cooperation further between China and the Association of South-East Asian Nations, officials and business leaders said at a recent forum.
China launches world’s first giant floating fish farm
China has launched the world’s first giant floating fish farm that can produce 3,700 tonnes of fish every year – an output similar to Chagan, one of the country’s largest freshwater lakes, state news agency Xinhua reported.
Philippines, US in talks to resume ‘2-plus-2 meeting’ as relations thaw
MANILA (Reuters): The United States and Philippines on Friday (Jan 20) pledged to hold "2-plus-2" meetings of their top officials after a seven-year halt, underlining moves to restore ties strained by former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-US stance.
Asean news headlines as at 9pm on Thursday (Jan 19)
News highlights from the AseanPlus section on Thursday (Jan 19)
Philippines' Duterte says China still a benefactor, rejects minister's 'rude' comments
The Philippines is walking back caustic remarks made by its top diplomat, who told China in an expletives-laced Twitter post to get out of the South China Sea.
China-US rivalry poses challenge for Vietnam’s leaders, observers say
Recent meeting of senior Chinese and Vietnamese officials suggests Hanoi has ‘picked a side and is leaning closer to its neighbour’, academic saysBut others say Vietnam cannot afford to sacrifice its core interests in the South China Sea just to placate Beijing
Asean talks tackle pandemic, sea feud and US-China rivalry
HANOI (Vietnam) Sept 11 (AP): South-East Asia’s top diplomats were holding their annual talks by video recently to discuss the immense crisis wrought by the coronavirus pandemic and rising tensions in the South China Sea amid the escalating rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
Media commentators focus on what Kamala Harris said about China
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): US Vice-President Kamala Harris' maiden trip to Singapore and Vietnam this week has received wide media coverage, particularly over her remarks against China.
Global Impact: Out with the old, in with the new - new personnel and a new approach for US-China relations in 2023
As Qin Gang arrived in Washington as Beijing’s ambassador, many analysts expected a “wolf warrior” diplomat, who would likely further inflame bilateral tensions that were already high owing to disappointment in Beijing that US President Joe Biden would not overturn many of the hard-line policies of his predecessor.
Cambodia grateful for support
Phnom Penh: Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen Tea Banh expressed his gratitude to China for supporting the kingdom’s hosting of the upcoming 32nd South-East Asian (SEA) Games and the 12th Asean Para Games.
N.Korea missile launch tests Biden administration, Japan Olympics; Suga livid with display
North Korea launched two ballistic missiles into the sea near Japan on Thursday, Japan's prime minister said, fuelling tension ahead of the Tokyo Olympics and ramping up pressure on the Biden administration as it finalises its North Korea policy.
North Korea missile launch tests Biden, alarms Japan ahead of Olympics
SEOUL/TOKYO (Reuters) - North Korea launched two suspected ballistic missiles into the sea near Japan on Thursday, underscoring steady progess in its weapons programme and ramping up pressure on the new U.S. administration as it reviews North Korea policy.
Blinken to hold five days of virtual talks with Asean ministers this week
WASHINGTON (The Straits Times/ANN): United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken will come bearing gifts as he meets virtually with South-East Asian ministers every day this week, said senior US officials on Monday (Aug 2).
Asean diplomats discussing appointment of crisis envoy, aid to Myanmar
MANILA (AP): South-East Asia’s top diplomats were meeting Monday (Aug 2) to appoint a special envoy to help deal with the political crisis and violence gripping Myanmar and finalise an emergency plan to help control a coronavirus outbreak that many fear is spiralling out of control in the military-ruled nation.
Warship sent to monitor Chinese coast guard vessel
The country has deployed a warship to its North Natuna Sea to monitor a Chinese coast guard vessel that has been active in a resource-rich maritime area, the country’s naval chief said of an area that both countries claim as their own.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Sunday (Jan 15, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Sunday (Jan 15, 2023)
Escape to North Korea: Defector at heart of COVID-19 case fled sex abuse investigation
SEOUL (Reuters) - Last week, a 24-year-old defector returned to North Korea the way he left in 2017, authorities say, but with a coronavirus pandemic raging in the background this time, his illicit trip drew far more attention.
Austin in Singapore - US says China's sea claims have 'no basis' in international law
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday that Beijing's expansive claims in the South China Sea have "no basis in international law", taking aim at China's growing assertiveness in the hotly contested waters.
‘Act to stop repeated maritime intrusions’
KOTA KINABALU: Stronger action ought to be taken by the government to defend the country’s sovereignty over Sabah that faces external threats and intrusions from overlapping maritime claims in the South China Sea, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
Indonesia sends warship to monitor Chinese coast guard vessel
Indonesia has deployed a warship to its North Natuna Sea to monitor a Chinese coast guard vessel that has been active in a resource-rich maritime area, the country's naval chief said on Saturday of an area that both countries claim as their own.
Philippines ramps up protests against China with Marcos Jr in power
In just over 70 days under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the Philippines has lodged 52 protests against Beijing over the South China Sea, signalling pushback from the new government amid an ongoing territorial dispute.
Asean tackles emergency virus fund, sea feud in video summit (update)
HANOI, June 27 (AP): South-East Asian leaders held their annual summit by video on Friday to show unity and discuss a regional emergency fund to respond to the immense crisis brought by the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
Growing isolation puts China, US ‘on the brink’ of a new cold war
US-China relations are at a “tipping point”, with the two powers on the brink of a technological and cultural cold war, former Washington ambassador to China Max Baucus warned on Tuesday.
Growing isolation puts China, US ‘on the brink’ of a new cold war
US-China relations are at a “tipping point”, with the two powers on the brink of a technological and cultural cold war, former Washington ambassador to China Max Baucus warned this week.
President Marcos wants Philippines to be active player in Asean
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr is resetting the Philippine foreign policy, using his maiden state visits to Indonesia and Singapore to signal his interest in playing a major role in Asean affairs.
China offers US$1.5 billion to Asean in development aid
Chinese President Xi Jinping said that his country will offer 1.5 billion dollars in development aid to the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) in the next three years.
Brazilian corn to help meet demand
China’s move to add Brazilian corn to its shopping list will help the former further expand corn import channels and lower geo economic risks so as to better secure its grain security, say market watchers.
Pandemic recovery on the agenda
Philippine leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr affirmed deepening economic and security ties with Indonesia during the first overseas trip of his presidency, while expressing concern about the persistent difficulties South-East Asian nations have faced after pandemic.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Tuesday (Apr 5, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Tuesday (Apr 5, 2023)
China FM urges nations to apply UN Convention on Law of the Sea
BEIJING (China Daily/Asia News Network): The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea has contributed to promoting international maritime cooperation and rejecting maritime hegemony, and thus ought to be interpreted and applied in full and in good faith to further improve global maritime governance, officials and experts said.
Trawler sinks in Gulf of Thailand sparking navigation warning
BANGKOK (The Nation/Asia News Network): The Marine Department has warned that a fishing trawler that sank in the Gulf of Thailand on Saturday (Jan 7) night presents a navigation hazard to other boats in the area.
Asean needs to look beyond Myanmar’s Five-Point consensus: Jakarta Post contributor
The writer ENDY BAYUNI says Asean must do something drastic soon in its dealing with Myanmar or risk being dragged down.
Japan and Philippines cite regional tensions as they vow stronger military ties
Japan and the Philippines vowed closer military cooperation via more complex, high-level joint exercises and intelligence sharing on Saturday (April 9), voicing “serious concern” over tensions in the East and South China Seas.
China’s underwater drones seized in Indonesia expose tech, routes and potential submarine plans
Glider picked up in key maritime strait off Indonesia may have been mapping the sea floor to chart a course for submarines to go undetected: defence analystChinese UUV technology is closing in on American underwater drone advancements
US ships and planes conducted 2,000 spying missions aimed at China this year, says military analyst
United States warships and planes carried out over 2,000 close spying operations aimed at China this year, according to a military analyst.
Mind your language
Any words uttered by the Prime Minister, including on foreign issues, must be carefully crafted or they risk being misunderstood by domestic and global audiences.
The influences of Chiang Kai-shek in Taipei
Taipei is just not its political capital but also the epicentre of commerce, history and art.
After Duterte dissonance, Marcos set to pivot back to Washington
WASHINGTON (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Newly elected Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr will soon visit Singapore and Indonesia - and probably the United States before the end of the year - providing clues as to how he will navigate the increasingly dangerous space of the US-China rivalry in which his country, a US ally, is a potential front-line state.
Marcos Jr set to pivot back to US
NEWLY elected Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (pic) will soon visit Singapore and Indonesia – and probably the United States before the end of the year – providing clues as to how he will navigate the increasingly dangerous space of the US-China rivalry in which his country, a US ally, is a potential front-line state.
Philippine election: will China and Whitsun Reef dispute loom large?
Beijing’s aggressive stance in the South China Sea set to have impact on 2022 presidential poll, given incumbent Rodrigo Duterte’s tolerance of itBut Manila is unlikely to endanger the US-Philippines alliance, which helps both parties to counter Chinese assertiveness
US has ramped up reconnaissance in Chinese-claimed waters, says Beijing
China says US reconnaissance is up 20 per cent for warships and 40 per cent for planes in areas claimed by Beijing, causing warships’ close encounterIt comes as President Joe Biden tells Congress the US is ‘in competition with China and other countries to win the 21st century’
Philippines summons China envoy over navy ship's 'illegal intrusion'
The Philippines said Monday it had confronted Beijing's ambassador after a Chinese navy ship was caught illegally "lingering" in the South-East Asian nation's waters, in the latest diplomatic row between the two countries.
Philippines boosts maritime presence to protect territory, resources
MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines is beefing up its presence in the South China Sea and deploying more ships and an aircraft to protect its maritime territory and resources, a government task force said on Wednesday (April 21).
Xi and Putin to attend G-20 summit in Indonesia: Jokowi
JAKARTA (Bloomberg): Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are both planning to attend a Group of 20 summit in the resort island of Bali later this year, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said.
China warns of action over Japan’s decision to dump radioactive Fukushima water into the sea
Beijing among several of Japan’s neighbours expressing concern and regret about Tokyo’s announcement it will release contaminated water in 2022United States appears to side with Japan and says it will monitor ‘the effectiveness of this approach’
‘Stop baseless allegations’
BEIJING: China has urged the Philippines to stop baseless allegations on the South China Sea issue.
China accuses US of distorting facts after aircraft clash
A US military plane involved in a confrontation with Chinese aircraft in disputed southern waters last week had violated international law and put the safety of Chinese pilots at risk, a defence ministry spokesman said.
Pompeo wraps up tour of Asia in Vietnam
HANOI, Oct 10 (AP): US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is wrapping up his tour of Asia in Vietnam as the fierce American presidential election race enters its final stretch.
Indonesia rejected US request to host spy planes, say officials
JAKARTA, Oct 20 (Reuters): Indonesia rejected this year a proposal by the United States to allow its P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance planes to land and refuel there, according to four senior Indonesian officials familiar with the matter.
Nancy Pelosi says Beijing used her trip as pretext for aggressive Taiwan Strait actions
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Wednesday that Beijing’s unprecedented military drills around Taiwan after her trip to the island last week have upended a long-standing status quo in the region, and that her visit was being used by Beijing merely as a “pretext” to act more aggressively.
‘Fair weather can turn foul’
PETALING JAYA: The floods may have eased up in Terengganu, Kelantan and Pahang, but the public has been reminded that the country is not out of the woods yet as the northeast monsoon season is still ongoing.
Philippines-China deal to avoid ‘miscalculation’
CHINA and the Philippines will establish direct communication between their foreign ministries to avoid “miscalculation and miscommunication” in the hotly disputed South China Sea, Manila said.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Sunday (Apr 2, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Sunday (Apr 2, 2023)
Govt’s position ‘clear and consistent’
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia says the presence of warships and vessels in the South China Sea has the potential to increase tensions that may affect peace, security and stability in the region.
Malaysia will not follow US sanctions against 24 Chinese companies, says ambassador
MALAYSIA will not take sides and follow the US and impose sanctions on 24 Chinese companies the US accuses of advancing China's militarization of the South China, Malaysian Ambassador to China Raja Nushirwan Zainal Abidin told the Global Times in a recent exclusive interview.
Top US officials arrive in Seoul with China, North Korea on agenda
SEOUL (The Straits Times/ANN): Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin arrived in Seoul on Wednesday (March 17) with top US diplomat Antony Blinken, for talks with South Korean officials to bolster a united front against an increasingly assertive China and nuclear-armed North Korea.
The impact of the BRI on Asean education
THE Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a massive development venture that the Chinese government launched in 2013 under President Xi Jinping's leadership. It aims to foster market assimilation and economic collaboration between nations along the recommended Belt and Road routes that cross Africa, Europe, Central Asia, and South-East Asia. The BRI's main objectives are coordinating policies, ensuring infrastructural connectivity, promoting unhindered trade and fiscal integration, and strengthening interpersonal ties. The aspect of education and training has evolved as a crucial part of this trans-continental vision and endeavour, despite the initiative's focus on infrastructure development—as does existing literature on the BRI. The underlying presumption is that President Xi is aware there must be shared understanding and aspirations among the nations for the BRI to be effective and viable in the long run.
China state media says Harris seeking to divide Asia
HANOI/SHANGHAI (Reuters): Chinese state media on Wednesday (Aug 25) accused US Vice President Kamala Harris of seeking to drive a wedge between China and its South-East Asian neighbours with her comments that Beijing used coercion and intimidation to back its South China Sea claims.
US offers to host Apec meeting in 2023: Kamala Harris
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): The United States has offered to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) in 2023, recognising the large and dynamic market of South-East Asia and its importance to America.
Malaysia-Brunei Trans-Borneo Highway negotiations to continue, says PM
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Bernama): Malaysia and Brunei have agreed to continue negotiations and consultations to study and finalise the proposed Trans-Borneo Highway linking both countries.
US, Indonesia hold joint military drills amid China concerns
JAKARTA (AP): The United States and Indonesian militaries began annual joint combat exercises on Indonesia’s Sumatra island, joined for the first time by participants from other partner nations, signaling stronger ties amid growing maritime activity by China in the Indo-Pacific region.
Asean ministers urge restraint after Pelosi Taiwan visit
PHNOM PENH (AFP): South-East Asian nations urged restraint over Taiwan after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island prompted an enraged China to vow "punishment".
Asean intends to remain the master of its own destiny, says Hishammuddin
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 (Bernama): Asean intends to remain the master of its own destiny in ensuring that the South China Sea is a sea of peace, stability and trade, Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said at the 27th Asean Regional Forum on Saturday.
Leaders of East Asia Summit vow to strengthen ties
HANOI (Vietnam News/ANN): Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Asian and Western counterparts have agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation in priority areas, including environment, energy, disease, disaster management, food security and marine cooperation.
Global warming is now inevitable – how will Malaysia be affected?
A hotter planet is now likely a certainty for us, warns the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report. Here’s what Malaysian scientists say is in store for us.
US House Speaker Pelosi begins Asia tour, no mention of Taiwan
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi starts a tour of four Asian countries on Sunday, her office said, without mentioning Taiwan amid intense speculation she might visit the self-ruled island claimed by China.
Planes, ships and missile tests: how Beijing might react to Pelosi’s Taiwan trip
China is conducting military exercises in the South China Sea and Bohai Sea ahead of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s expected visit to Taiwan on Tuesday.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Monday (Dec 26, 2022)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Monday (Dec 26, 2022)
A centuries-old connection
Next year will see the two countries marking 50 years of diplomatic ties. Puteri Hang Li Po would undoubtedly approve of how we have continued her legacy.
China’s missiles warn US aircraft carriers to stay away
BEIJING, Aug 28 (Bloomberg): China’s latest volley of missile launches into the world’s most hotly contested body of water served as a warning to two key US targets: aircraft carriers and regional bases.
Typhoon damages buildings, floods roads on Korean Peninsula
SEOUL, South Korea (AP): A typhoon barrelled through the Korean Peninsula on Thursday, damaging buildings, flooding roads and toppling utility poles before weakening into a tropical storm.
Beyond China: US’ Xinjiang cotton ban has far-reaching implications, even for Asian alternatives
For garment manufacturers in South and South-East Asia, a sweeping United States ban on all Xinjiang products – including cotton – may initially seem like a windfall, given its smothering effect on China’s role as the world’s top textile maker.
‘We used diplomacy to resolve sea dispute’
MALAYSIA used diplomacy to resolve the recent incident involving a Petronas oil and gas exploration vessel and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
Duterte retained US military deal as ‘concession’ for vaccines
MANILA (Bloomberg): Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said US vaccine donations convinced him to keep a military deal between the two long-time allies that forms a key part of President Joe Biden’s efforts to counter Chinese influence in the region.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Saturday (Apr 1, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Saturday (Apr 1, 2023)
China warns US that trip by Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen could lead to ‘serious confrontation’
First visit by island’s leader since 2019 leads Beijing to tell Washington it ‘should not use past mistakes as excuses for repeating them today’Tsai’s arrival in New York, with expected stopover in California to meet US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, poised to heighten tensions
China: US a troublemaker
BEIJING: China said it was not afraid of any sanctions the United States might impose over the South China Sea issue, and accused Washington of stirring up trouble in the region and driving a wedge between regional countries.
US rejects China's resource claims in areas claimed by Malaysia and others
WASHINGTON: The United States on Monday rejected China's disputed claims to offshore resources in most of the South China Sea, a move that may further sour the fraught ties between the world's largest two economies.
US rejects China maritime claims, calls for Asean action on Myanmar (Update)
HANOI (Reuters): The United States rejects China's "unlawful" maritime claims in the South China Sea and stands with Southeast Asian countries facing Chinese "coercion", Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday (July 14
US expert: Images show Chinese ship waste endangering reefs near the Philippines
Swarms of Chinese vessels have dumped human waste and wastewater for years in a disputed area of the South China Sea, causing algae blooms that have damaged coral reefs and threatened fish in an unfolding catastrophe, a US based expert said Monday.
JKR has reported 120 disaster locations as at Dec 21, says Nadma
KUALA LUMPUR: The Public Works Department (JKR) has reported that there are 120 disaster areas as of 2pm on Wednesday (Dec 21) involving floods (94 locations), collapsed slopes (16), collapsed roads (two), road subsidence (five) and damaged/collapsed bridges (three).
Concern over SCS reclaimed land
The country says it is “seriously concerned” over a report that China has started reclaiming several unoccupied land features in the disputed South China Sea.
Maritime forces provide safe haven for the region
BEIJING: China has deployed search-and-rescue forces on the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea as a public service to the region, according to the Transport Ministry.
US repeats warning to China against attack on Philippine forces
The United States on Sunday evening (July 11) repeated a warning to China that an attack on Philippine armed forces in the South China Sea would trigger a 1951 US-Philippines mutual defence treaty.
Philippines 'concerned' over China's reclaimed land in disputed sea
MANILA (AFP): The Philippines said Wednesday (Dec 21) it was "seriously concerned" over a report that China has started reclaiming several unoccupied land features in the disputed South China Sea.
China publishes record of expelling foreign warplanes, 'warns risky US close-in recons'
China recently published the flight record of its fighter jets expelling foreign warplanes from the region seen as the South China Sea in May 2020, which is a move that sent a strong signal to the US, as the latter doubled its risky and provocative close-in reconnaissance attempts on China in the region this year compared to last year, Chinese experts said.
Time to turn Asean's Indo-Pacific initiative into security dialogue: Jakarta Post contributor
The writer, Endy Bayuni, says it is time for Indonesia to act through Asean, to prevent the big powers from using South China Sea as a theatre for their proxy wars.
Floods: Monsoon storm expected to continue until Dec 24
PUTRAJAYA: The current monsoon experienced in the country is expected to last until Dec 24, potentially bringing strong winds, big waves and persistent rainfall in the northern, east coast states of the peninsula and east of Sabah.
Indonesia calls for Asean unity in defence sector
JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/ANN): Indonesia called for unity among member states at the Asean Defence Ministerial Meeting (ADMM) this week, as growing great power rivalries overshadowed the region.
Opinion: Asean must assert itself and not be kidnapped by US agenda
BEIJING (Global Times): The 8th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) is scheduled to take place on Wednesday (June 16). This will see Asean ministers virtually meet counterparts with their eight partner countries - Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the US.
Marcos plays balancing act in meeting with Wang
New President Ferdinand Marcos Jr will meet China’s top diplomat to discuss long-simmering disputes in the South China Sea, as he wades into foreign policy dilemmas.
Marcos Jr and Asean
While welcoming President Marcos Jr, Asean expects the new Philippine leader to play more active roles in Asean affairs than his predecessor.
At summit, EU announces €10 billion package but frustrated Asean leaders seek trade pact
Asean members want a free-trade deal with Europe rather than handouts, and do not want to be a pawn in great-power rivalries, its leaders said in Brussels during the summit between the two sides.
China, Asean countries to strive for early agreement on COC
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) countries agreed on Monday to work together to strive for an early agreement on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).
Philippines asks European Union to help apply Unclos
BRUSSELS (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): President Ferdinand Marcos Jr asked the European Union to help “effectively apply” the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) and ease maritime disputes and geopolitical rivalry in the Indo-Pacific region.
‘No hasty decisions at summit’
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will ensure no hasty decisions are made at the 37th Asean Summit on matters pertaining to security and sovereignty of Asean countries that can end up with unnecessary loss of lives, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
US-China tensions could get worse before the dust settles on presidential election, observers say
HONG KONG, Nov 8 (SCMP): Donald Trump and his top officials may seek to sabotage Sino-US relations, Chinese academic saysIf Trump takes his election grievances to court, it will be difficult for Beijing to establish communication with the Biden team before the matter is settled, international relations professor says
New president Marcos Jr eyes bigger Philippine air force amid territorial rows
hilippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said he plans a "stronger, bigger and effective” air force, as the South-East Asian nation contends with territorial spats.
Myanmar conflict may take five more years to resolve: Hun Sen
PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh Post/Asia News Network): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed his doubts that the Myanmar crisis would be resolved any time soon and ruled out a third trip there by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn in his capacity as the Asean chair’s special envoy.
Asian bloc weighs joint fund to fight Covid-19
Money proposed for test kits, protective gear, research
Power rivalries and vulnerability in Asean digital space: Jakarta Post contributors
The writers Ruth Latreia and Fitriani say Asean can help set up a regional cyberdefence framework to support its member states.
Philippine President Marcos Jr arrives in Brussels for Asean-EU Summit; to meet leading Belgium businesssmen during trip
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has arrived to attend the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean)-European Union (Asean-EU) Commemorative Summit, his seventh official trip abroad since assuming office on June 30.
Weather expert forecasts 'significant flooding' within next three days
PETALING JAYA: A weather expert has forecast that the nation will experience significant flooding within the next three days due to heavy monsoon rain triggered by the active La Nina and negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) phenomena.
Exclusive: Indonesia rejected U.S. request to host spy planes - officials
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia rejected this year a proposal by the United States to allow its P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance planes to land and refuel there, according to four senior Indonesian officials familiar with the matter.
Japan's Suga seeks tighter and better ties with Vietnam, Indonesia
TOKYO, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Japan's new leader will aim to beef up security ties when he visits Vietnam and Indonesia next week amid concerns about Beijing's growing assertiveness, but is likely to steer clear of the harsh anti-China rhetoric used by US counterparts.
Top diplomat Antony Blinken to visit Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand as US seeks to boost engagement
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand next week on his first trip to Southeast Asia, as Washington seeks to ramp up engagement with the region.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Sunday (Dec 11, 2022)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Sunday (Dec 11, 2022)
Subs must surface when in our waters, says Tok Mat on Aukus
KUALA LUMPUR: Submarines must surface when passing through Malaysian waters, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Taiwan probes suspected human smuggling after Vietnamese bodies found at sea
TAIPEI (AFP): Taiwanese police have found the bodies of at least seven Vietnamese nationals at sea since last month, authorities said Thursday (March 30) while announcing the formation of a task force to probe suspected human smuggling.
US spy planes keep close eye on China amid live-fire military exercises
American aircraft goes unusually near naval base on east coast, think tank saysPatrols also carried out over disputed South China Sea, with aircraft going dark around Paracels, it says
US Army focuses on Indo-Pacific logistics, bases to deter China, says its top official
As US-China tensions increase and Washington pivots to the Indo-Pacific, the US Army is preparing for any potential conflict with China by focusing on bases, logistics and long-range missiles suited to the region’s vast distances, its top official has announced.
Indonesian MP: China now demanding Indonesia to stop oil drilling in disputed waters
China demanded Indonesia stop oil-drilling activities in a diplomatic note on the grounds they were taking place in an area Beijing claims as part of its historic rights, an Indonesian lawmaker said on Wednesday.
Locsin: Philippine-China oil and gas talks ‘terminated completely’
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): Joint oil and gas exploration discussions between the Philippines and China have been “terminated completely” upon the instruction of President Rodrigo Duterte, his foreign affairs chief said Thursday (June 23).
Philippines says boosting maritime presence to protect territory, resources
MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines is beefing up its presence in the South China Sea and deploying more ships and an aircraft to protect its maritime territory and resources, a government task force said on Wednesday.
US-Philippines officials discuss concerns over China's ships
Defence Secretary Lloyd Austinis discussing with his Philippine counterpart China’s recent positioning of "militia vessels” near the Philippines in the South China Sea.
Philippine top diplomats express concerns over Chinese militia boats
WASHINGTON (Reuters): US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, in a phone call on Thursday (April 8), expressed their shared concerns about Chinese militia vessels in South China Sea, the US State Department said in a statement.
Malaysia calls on Asean, China to work on boosting multilateralism, reforming UN
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean and China could work together on boosting multilateralism, especially in reforming the United Nations, to ensure the international body remains effective and relevant amid the evolving global dynamics.
China taking positions to deny Philippines access to key sea areas
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): Chinese maritime militia vessels posing as fishing boats are edging closer to Palawan as part of a ploy to restrict access by Filipinos to key areas in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), according to a maritime law expert.
Philippine president-elect Marcos Jr can enter US with diplomatic immunity: Envoy
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr would be "welcome" to the United States given his diplomatic immunity as a head of state, a top Washington diplomat pointed out on Thursday (June 9).
Philippines protests China 'swarming' around disputed reef
MANILA (AFP): The Philippines has protested the "illegal" presence of over a hundred Chinese boats around a disputed reef in the flashpoint South China Sea, describing it as a source of regional instability, the government said.
China says US strategy fuels tensions in Asia at Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore
Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe warned that the US’s Indo-Pacific strategy was pushing the two sides toward confrontation, criticizing his American counterpart’s attempt to rally the region around Washington’s vision.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Sunday (June 12, 2022)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Sunday (June 11, 2022)
China and Asean need to work together to foster regional peace
But is there consensus between the East Asian power and South-East Asian nations making up the regional bloc?
Australia reaches out to China over fighter jet encounter
PERTH (Bloomberg): Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Australian government has reached out to Beijing to raise concerns over what he described as a "dangerous manoeuvre” between a Chinese fighter jet and an Australian surveillance plane over the South China Sea.
Thais told to brace for wet days
THE Meteorological Department said the high-pressure system is over the north-east and the South China Sea while the easterly and south-easterly winds prevail across upper Thailand.
Whither Asean centrality?
In the first of a two-part series, the New Inclusive Asia Dialogue 2021 looks at the geopolitical implications of the Aukus pact on Asean.
Sincerity of US vision for Asean put to test
JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network): Amid China’s exceptional sway in South-East Asia, the United States sought to reaffirm its previous advances during the Asean-US Special Summit earlier this month, which were aimed to rekindle its once-neglected Asean ties whilst celebrating 45 years of the engagement.
US backs Philippines in China fishing ban
WASHINGTON (AFP): The United States on Thursday (June 2) backed the Philippines in criticising a unilateral seasonal ban on fishing declared by Beijing in the dispute-rife South China Sea.
US backs Philippines in China fishing ban
The United States has backed the Philippines in criticizing a unilateral seasonal ban on fishing declared by Beijing in the dispute-rife South China Sea.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Saturday (Dec 3, 2022)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Saturday (Dec 3, 2022)
At Asean talks, Vietnam condemns actions fuelling instability
HANOI, June 27 (dpa): Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Friday condemned actions creating instability in South-East Asia, without directly naming China, during his remarks at Friday's opening of the 36th Aseam Summit, which was being held online.
After two-month delay, Vietnam all ready to host Asean Summit online
HANOI (dpa): South-East Asian leaders are to hold an online summit on Friday (June 26) to discuss the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, geopolitical tensions and the empowerment of women, Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry said.
Asean countries should unite to ensure priority for regional security, stability
LANGKAWI: Bilateral relations and consensus among Asean countries need to be strengthened in order to ensure security and stability of the region is given priority.
Marcos wants 'trade, not aid’ from US, open to economic pact
MANILA (Bloomberg): Philippine presumptive President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr said he wants to boost trade ties with the US instead of a "dependence” on aid, and signaled openness to join an economic initiative pushed by President Joe Biden to counter China’s influence.
Indonesia military chief seeks drills to counter China
JAKARTA (Bloomberg): Indonesia’s top military commander is seeking to step up military cooperation within the region and partners further afield to face down the maritime threat from an increasingly assertive China.
Pacquiao jumps into race to succeed Philippine president
MANILA (Bloomberg): The race to succeed Rodrigo Duterte as Philippine president began officially on Friday (Oct 1), as contenders started filing to become candidates for next year’s election.
Philippines establishes coast guard outposts in disputed sea
The Philippines has established three coast guard outposts on three islands in the disputed South China Sea to monitor ship movements and promote safety, coast guard officials said Friday, amid increasing maritime tensions with China.
Vietnam protests China sending biggest warplane to disputed islands
Vietnam has protested China sending its biggest warplane to disputed islands in the South China Sea in a move that Hanoi describes as seriously infringing on its maritime sovereignty and violating international laws, Vietnam's Foreign Ministry said.
Chinese media unveils details of US-inspired military logistics system
Chinese state media has released details of the country’s military logistics supply networks and how they are operating under the concept of joint operations in a system analysts said was inspired by the US military’s transport command.
China envoy says ties with Philippines to strengthen under Marcos Jr
Relations between the Philippines and China will become stronger under the South-East Asian country's incoming president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, China's ambassador to Manila has announced.
US, Philippines to resume defence projects under military pact
The US and the Philippines will resume defence projects after the South-East Asian nation agreed to keep a military pact that President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to scrap, allowing both sides to boost longstanding alliance in the region.
China to maintain healthy, stable, comprehensive development of ties with Vietnam, says Wang Yi
Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has announced that that China is ready to join hands with Vietnam to maintain the momentum of healthy, stable and comprehensive development of relations between the two countries.
Biden should give Asean leaders face time to improve ties, says Cambodian minister
US President Joe Biden should spend more time with South-East Asian leaders during a summit in Washington next week if his administration is serious about elevating US ties with the region, where China holds significant sway, a senior Cambodian official has told Reuters.
Asean News Headlines as at 9pm on Tuesday (Nov 22)
News highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Tuesday (Nov 22)
Chinese ship returns to waters off Vietnam amid virus 'distraction' charges
HANOI (Reuters) - A Chinese ship embroiled in a standoff with Vietnamese vessels last year has returned to waters near Vietnam as the United States accused China of pushing its presence in the South China Sea while other claimants are pre-occupied with the coronavirus.
US warship warned off after entering Chinese waters
BEIJING (China Daily/Asia News Network): The Chinese military sent air and naval forces to monitor and then warn off a United States Navy warship from waters near the Meiji Reef in the South China Sea on Wednesday (Sept 8), according to a People's Liberation Army spokesman.
Philippines could revive nuclear plant if Marcos wins presidency
MORONG, Philippines (AFP): A mothballed nuclear power plant built near a fault line and volcanoes in the Philippines during Ferdinand Marcos's dictatorship could be revived if his son wins next week's presidential election.
Philippines accuses China of seizing rocket part in disputed waters
The Philippines on Monday accused the Chinese coastguard of "forcefully" seizing parts of a rocket fairing that landed in its waters, but Beijing insisted the handover took place after "friendly consultation".
Singapore’s Shopee changes the game in Brazil’s e-commerce sector
Sea Ltd’s Shopee took just two years to become Brazil’s most-downloaded shopping app, winning users to its low-cost marketplace with its game-changing approach to e-commerce: in-app mini-games offering coupons to winning users.
Leading global terror movement or ruling Afghans?
Experts say much of Taliban’s success depends on the route the group opts for, but they see limited impact of Taliban takeover on the terror groups in the South and South-East Asia.
Indonesia leader Jokowi hopes for Japan partnerships in renewables, infrastructure
Indonesian President Joko Widodo olr better known as Jokowi on Friday told Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida he hoped to have partnerships between their countries in renewable energy, and for Japanese firms to be involved in infrastructure in Indonesia's new capital.
APEC pledges to boost trade as geopolitical rifts hijack regional summits
Leaders of the 21-member APEC bloc pledged on Saturday to boost trade and do more to tackle other economic challenges, wrapping up the last of three summits in the region in a week that have been overshadowed by intense geopolitical rivalry.
Harris accuses Beijing of coercion in disputed sea and its sweeping claims overlap with Vietnam, Philippines and other nations
US vice president Kamala Harris on Tuesday accused China of coercion and intimidation in the disputed South China Sea.
Spotlight on Asean's date with Biden: Jakarta Post
The paper says Asean leaders will do their best to please Washington but at the same time, they do not want to irritate Beijing, their most important trading partner.
Philippines' Duterte seeks to exit military pact as US touts ‘strong’ ties
MANILA (Bloomberg): President Rodrigo Duterte plans to order the termination of a longstanding military pact with the US, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported, though the US State Department reiterated that relations between the nations remain strong.
Jokowi: Indonesia will remain neutral in US-China spat; prefers to work on virus fight as Covid-19 total goes above 406,000
JAKARTA, Oct 30 (Jakarta Post/ANN): The government upheld its pledge to remain neutral in the rivalry between China and the United States on Thursday (Oct 29), as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stopped by Jakarta during a whirlwind Asian tour aimed at coaxing key countries in the region to stem the rise of China.
Chinese vessel shadows two survey ships hired by Philippine firm
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): A China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel tailed two ships hired by a Philippine-based firm to do a seismic survey in the West Philippine Sea earlier this month, Vietnamese maritime observer Duan Dang wrote last week in his newsletter South China Sea Brief.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Sunday (Nov 13, 2022)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Sunday (Nov 13, 2022)
Key takeaways from Asean meeting in Phnom Penh as G20 summit takes off in Bali
World leaders discussed the fraying geopolitical landscape at the Association of South-East Asian Nations meetings in Cambodia, covering everything from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the escalating conflict in Myanmar to rising food prices.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Monday (Nov 14, 2022)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Monday (Nov 14, 2022)
US Vice-President Harris to make historic visit to Vietnam; will also stop at Singapore
Kamala Harris will become the first US vice president to visit Vietnam next month during a trip that will also include Singapore and is aimed at rallying international support to counter China's growing influence.
Relations with Asean are China’s priority, says foreign minister as US also courts Southeast Asia
While marking the 30th anniversary of formal ties with the bloc, Wang Yi promotes ‘multilateralism with Asian characteristics’US defence chief meanwhile says his visit to the region will ‘deepen America’s bonds with the allies and partners on whom our common security depends’
Speech by US Defence Secretary 'distorted facts': China embassy in Singapore
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): The Chinese Embassy in Singapore has responded to a recent speech the United States' Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin delivered in Singapore, saying he "distorted facts and created falsehoods" to serve American geopolitical strategy.
Soldiers from 14 nations to take part in Indonesian-US war games
JAKARTA (AFP): The annual military exercises between Indonesian and US armies will include more than a dozen countries this year, officials said Sunday (April 10), as tensions with China continue to spike in the region.
New Zealand tells China of concerns over rights abuses, Taiwan tensions
New Zealand's foreign minister said Saturday she raised concerns over China's human rights abuses and growing tensions with Taiwan in a meeting with her Chinese counterpart.
Chinese hackers stole Mekong River data from Cambodian ministry: sources
PHNOM PENH/HANOI (Reuters): Buried in a long US indictment accusing China of a global cyberespionage campaign was a curious detail: Among the governments targeted by Chinese hackers was Cambodia, one of Beijing's most loyal Asian allies.
Philippines and Japan agree to boost security ties
Japan and the Philippines agreed to boost security ties in their first foreign and defence ministerial meeting on Saturday, amid worries over China's increasingly assertive maritime activities.
Cambodia kicks off Asean summit as China and US vie for influence
With heightened security measures and banners crisscrossing city streets, Phnom Penh has kicked off its hosting of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) summit on Thursday - the first time the event has been held face-to-face since the coronavirus pandemic.
Duterte affirms arbitral win vs China before UN: It’s now part of international law
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN): President Rodrigo Duterte affirmed on Wednesday (Sept 23) the Philippines’ arbitral victory against China over the South China Sea before the United Nations General Assembly.
‘I was a slave’: Up to 100,000 held captive by cybercriminals in Cambodia
The hustle started like it often does, with a post on Facebook promising job seekers generously paid customer service positions in Cambodia, no experience necessary.
The Philippines and the US kick off their largest-ever war games
Ron Lopez and Mikhail Flores The Philippines and the United States launched the largest-ever joint military drills in the archipelago nation on Monday, signalling deepening defence ties as fresh tensions surface in the disputed South China Sea.
China warns Philippines against patrolling Scarborough Shoal
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia): China has warned the Philippines against 'interfering' with its patrols at Bajo de Masinloc, saying the shoal and its waters are part of Chinese territory.
Join ANN’s webinar on Asia and the war in Ukraine
BANGKOK: The world changed overnight with the war in Ukraine.
New giant rhino species discovered in Gansu
GANSU: A 26.5 million-year-old giant rhino has been discovered in Gansu province.
‘Chinese people have stood up’: Beijing says it has no fear of US-EU aims to counter rising China
Both the Chinese diplomatic mission at EU and the foreign ministry have rebuked Western powers after they launched trade and technology councilChinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe told Asean meeting China was determined to protect sovereignty over Taiwan, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and South China Sea
Xi Jinping says China will build stable supply chain with ‘comrade’ Vietnam
China will build a stable supply chain with its “comrade and brother” Vietnam, President Xi Jinping told visiting Vietnamese Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong on Monday.
Brunei issues coins commemorating official naming of sea-crossing bridge
Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) announced on Friday that it will be issuing commemorative coins in gold, silver and cupronickel in conjunction with the official naming of the Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Bridge, the longest sea-crossing bridge in South-East Asia.
U.S. military presence needed in Asia, Philippines' foreign minister says
MANILA (Reuters) - The United States military presence in Asia is needed as rivalry between Washington and Beijing intensifies, the Philippines' foreign minister said on Wednesday.
ECRL facing new risk from Thai landbridge plan
Thailand’s mega project will pose challenges to Malaysia and the region.
US must not be complacent about military edge over China, top army officials warn
The civilian head of the United States Army expressed apprehension on Tuesday about the military advances China has achieved over the past two decades and described the steps the US is taking in response to bolster its posture in the Indo-Pacific.
China, Vietnam pledge to ‘manage’ sea dispute
CHINA and Vietnam agreed to “properly manage” territorial disputes in the South China Sea, rounding off a leaders’ meeting in Beijing as part of a diplomatic blitz by Chinese President Xi Jinping
Green push will make world more dangerous
THINK a green transition will free America from high-stakes competition over energy supplies? Think again.
Philippines’ Udenna weighs sale of Conti’s and Wendy’s businesses
MANILA: Udenna Corp, controlled by a close associate of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, is exploring the sale of its Conti’s bakeshop and restaurant, and Wendy’s fast-food chain in the country, sources say.
Any US-China war over Taiwan would be about maritime control over Asia: Wang Gungwu
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): The only reason for a potential war between China and the United States is over Taiwan – and much of it has to do with maintaining naval supremacy, according to eminent historian Wang Gungwu.
China and Philippines assess ties
Senior Chinese and Filipino diplomats met in Manila to review their relations amid thorny issues, including Beijing’s alarm over a Philippine decision to allow the US military to expand its presence to a northern region facing the Taiwan Strait and escalating spats in the disputed South China Sea.
China, Asean to explore elevating ties to comprehensive strategic partnership: Global Times
BEIJING (Global Times): China and member countries of Asean have expanded and deepened their mutual interests by properly managing differences over the past 30 years, creating the most successful example of cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, Chinese observers said after the first in-person meeting of foreign ministers between China and Asean since the pandemic began.
China-Asean meetings to focus on 'vaccine passport, ' guarding against extraterritorial provocation
BEIJING (Global Times): The in-person meeting between foreign ministers of China and Asean countries scheduled to be held in Chongqing from Monday (June 7) to Tuesday carries "special significance," as China and the bloc are set to have comprehensive discussions on jointly weathering the pandemic, boosting economic development, moving bilateral ties forward without being wavered by extraterritorial forces, and other issues, observers said.
Philippines summons China envoy over navy ship's 'illegal intrusion'
MANILA (AFP): The Philippines said Monday (March 14) it had confronted Beijing's ambassador after a Chinese navy ship was caught illegally "lingering" in the South-East Asian nation's waters, in the latest diplomatic row between the two countries.
Dozens missing, millions swamped
More than 100 people have died in one of the most destructive storms to lash the Philippines this year with dozens more feared missing after villagers fled in the wrong direction and got buried in a boulder-laden mudslide. Almost two million others were swamped by floods in several provinces, officials said.
Hong Kong braces for storm Nalgae as city hosts financial meeting
HONG KONG (Reuters): Hong Kong authorities were expected to issue the third highest strong wind warning on Wednesday (Nov2), which would close financial markets, schools and businesses, as Tropical Storm Nalgae heads across the South China Sea.
Memories of Mandela and a Malaysian's role
IT hardly seems like three decades ago, but on the hot summer day of Feb 27, 1990, I stood on the tarmac of the Lusaka airport in Zambia to welcome African hero Nelson Mandela.
Philippines and China now swap protests over Manila-occupied island
The Philippines has demanded that China withdraw its ships and fishing vessels from the vicinity of a Philippine-occupied island in the South China Sea, where the Chinese military has asserted its sovereignty and vowed to "unswervingly safeguard” the disputed territory.
PLA warplanes rain down thousands of munitions in S. China Sea shooting exercise
BEIJING (Global Times): The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy announced on Monday (May 24) that it recently conducted a live-fire exercise in the South China Sea, in which warplanes rained down thousands of munitions at maritime targets as the pilots enhanced their sea assault and precision strike capabilities.
Vietnam says China’s sea drills violate its economic zone
Vietnam asked China not to violate its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf with military drills, foreign ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said in response to reporters’ questions about the Hainan Provincial Customs Administration’s announcement about the exercises.
Rescuers search for bodies as Philippines storm death toll goes past 100
DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Philippines (AFP): Philippine rescuers on Monday (Oct 31) waded through thigh-deep mud using long pieces of wood to search for bodies buried by a landslide, as the death toll from a powerful storm rose to 101.
China intruded into M’sian waters 89 times in last three years, says audit report
PUTRAJAYA: China's military encroached into Sabah’s and Sarawak's waters in the South China Sea 89 times from 2016 to 2019, says the third series of the Auditor-General's Report 2018.
Philippine palace to fishermen amid China ban: Stick to our fishing spots, coast guards will cover you
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN): Filipino fisherfolk could still fish in the country’s traditional fishing grounds, Malacañang said Thursday (May 20) as it assured them of protection from the Philippine Coast Guard after China imposed a fishing ban in the South China Sea.
China says US warship illegally enters its territory in S. China Sea
BEIJING (Reuters): China said on Thursday (May 20) a US warship had illegally entered its territorial waters in the South China Sea, the latest salvo in the two nations' dispute over Beijing's territorial claims in the busy waterway.
Why Asia should worry as Nov 3 draws nearer
IN about four months, Americans will elect their president. Predictions vary on whether incumbent Donald Trump can win a second term. Whatever the results, however, the effects of the US electoral politics that can impact Asia are already emerging.
Philippines flags 'incursions' by nearly 300 Chinese militia boats
MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines on Wednesday reported what it said were incursions into its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) by 287 maritime militia vessels from China, in a further sign of cracks reappearing in a relationship after a period of rapprochement.
Philippines foreign minister issues expletive-laced tweet over China sea dispute
MANILA (Reuters)" The Philippine foreign minister on Monday (May 3) demanded in an expletive-laced message on Twitter that China's vessels get out of disputed waters, marking the latest exchange in a war of words with Beijing over its activities in the South China Sea.
Analysis: Beijing huddles with friends, seeks to fracture U.S.-led 'clique'
BEIJING (Reuters) - China is shoring up ties with autocratic partners like Russia and Iran, as well as economically dependent regional countries, while using sanctions and threats to try to fracture the alliances the United States is building against it.
Asean and Korea in a spot over mounting US-China rivalry: Korea Herald contributor
The writer says that it is in Seoul's best interest to quickly restore Korea-Japan ties so as to bring the South Korea-US alliance back on a virtuous cycle.
Russian oligarch's luxury yacht departs Hong Kong port
HONG KONG (Reuters): A luxury yacht belonging to sanctioned Russian oligarch Alexey Mordashov departed Hong Kong waters on Thursday (Oct 20) heading for the South African port of Cape Town, according to private tracking site MarineTraffic.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Tuesday (March 21, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Tuesday (March 31, 2023)
S.Korea, China cast doubt on reports N.Korean leader Kim gravely ill
SEOUL: South Korean and Chinese officials on Tuesday (April 21) cast doubt on reports North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was ill after media outlets said he had undergone a cardiovascular procedure and was in "grave danger".
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warns Asean to be alert to external forces interfering in Myanmar
Wang accuses unnamed ‘external forces’ of provoking trouble after wrapping up a series of meetings with Southeast Asian counterpartsAsean chair Brunei backs a meeting of the bloc to discuss the situation as protests calling for a return to civilian rule continue
Joe Biden through Asian eyes
FORMER Democrat presidential candidate Bernie Sanders endorsed Joe Biden’s presidential campaign on Monday, encouraging his progressive supporters to rally behind the presumptive Democratic nominee in an urgent bid to defeat President Donald Trump.It’s time to cast an Asian eye on Biden. Here is what we know.No stranger to Asia
Egypt’s Suez Canal: blockage halts trade of at least 6.3 million barrels of crude oil worth US$400 million
Liquefied natural gas, refined fuels and containers full of goods are among the cargo delayed after a huge ship blocked the Suez CanalThe artificial waterway in Egypt is one of the busiest trade routes in the world, carrying about 12 per cent of global trade by volume
China holds naval drills in three maritime areas amid US military threats
BEIJING, March 15, Global Times: The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently held combat-oriented naval exercises featuring different types of warships in three major sea areas, at a time when the US secretary of defense is rallying allies in the region and attempting to foster "credible deterrence" against China.
China protests after US Navy’s latest transit through Taiwan Strait
The 7th Fleet says USS John Finn’s passage was a sign of its commitment to a ‘free and open’ Indo-PacificBut Beijing condemns the voyage, the third such under Joe Biden, as a ‘provocation’ that ‘sends the wrong message’
Former Chinese envoy to US urges Washington to respect China's core interests
BEIJING (China Daily/Asia News Network): As the longest-serving Chinese ambassador to the United States, a role he filled from April 2013 to June 2021, Cui Tiankai, 70, has definitely been a policy influencer in China-US relations.
Presidential candidates in Philippines weigh in on China dispute
Four presidential aspirants in the Philippines had varying strategies to resolve disputes in the South China Sea including through building alliances with other nations and boosting military presence in the region, according to interviews with GMA News.
US firepower showcased in Philippine joint combat drills near Manila
Truck-mounted launchers blasted off rockets and US stealth fighter jets streaked across the northern Philippine sky this week in a combat drill that marked the latest display of American firepower in a region where Washington has tried to deter what it warns as China’s growing aggression.
Indonesia detains 'illegal' Vietnamese fishing boats
JAKARTA: Indonesia says it has detained dozens of crew from Vietnamese boats fishing illegally in waters that were the scene of a diplomatic spat with China earlier this year. The maritime ministry said five fishing boats and some 68 crew members were seized.
Call for greater maritime cooperation
IN the name of shared prosperity and regional peace, the Malaysian Armed Forces are out to complete a mission.
Duterte’s daughter wants military service for all 18-year-olds
MANILA (Bloomberg): Philippine vice-presidential candidate Sara Duterte said she will push mandatory military service for the young people if elected, signalling she would continue with advocating a policy that her father had struggled to implement as president.
Hun Sen seeks Asean help to offer humanitarian aid to Myanmar
PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh Post/Asia News Network) Prime Minister Hun Sen has urged the Asean Secretariat to hold a full session to begin humanitarian action to help Myanmar, suggesting that it extend invitations to key figures to participate in the planned Asean global dialogue which will focus on post-pandemic recovery efforts.
Unmoved by China's new law, Philippine military continues patrols
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN): The Philippine military remains resolute in protecting the country's maritime domain, despite China's new law.
Time to turn Asean’s Indo-Pacific initiative into security dialogue
The most disturbing aspect of the growing militarisation of the South China Sea these past few years is that the pace is picking up so rapidly that, unless someone puts a stop to it now, we could soon come to a frightening situation of who is going to blink first.
US, Japan boost scientific cooperation on defence against hypersonic weapons amid China concerns
The United States and Japan have agreed to deepen scientific cooperation on military technologies including defence against hypersonic weapons, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday.
US, Philippines reinforce alliance with joint military drills
SAN ANTONIO, Philippines (AFP): US and Philippine marines stormed a beach near a disputed rocky outcrop in the South China Sea on Friday (Oct 7) as part of joint military drills involving more than 3,500 troops.
Vietnam asks Netflix to stop showing 'Little Women' over war depiction
HANOI (Bloomberg): Vietnam requested Netflix to stop showing the South Korean TV drama 'Little Women' in the nation beginning Wednesday (Oct 5) over alleged distortions of the Vietnam War that violate media and cinema laws, the newspaper Tuoi Tre reported, citing Le Quang Tu Do, head of the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information.
Indonesia asks Japan to invest in islands near disputed waters
JAKARTA: Indonesia's President Joko Widodo on Friday (Jan 10) asked Japan to step up investment in fisheries and energy in some of its South China Sea islands following a stand-off with China in waters that China claims in the area.
Philippines-China out to boost ties as Philippines Covid-19 total nears 499,000
MANILA, Jan 16 (Philippines Daily Inquirer/ANN): China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has arrived in the Philippines during his South-East Asian visit, and both countries are seeking to boost their cooperation and bilateral trade.
China pledges to make Indonesia a regional Covid-19 vaccine production hub
JAKARTA (The Straits Times/ANN): China has pledged to work with Indonesia to make South-east Asia's most populous country a regional vaccine production hub and said continued trade and investment cooperation would fuel speedy economic recovery for both nations after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Singapore can contribute to China's economic growth: DPM Heng
Republic can better connect East Asian nation with markets in South-East Asia, China Bureau Chief Tan Dawn Wei says in editorial
US and Philippines hold combat drills
More than 2,500 US and Philippine marines joined combat exercises to be able to respond to any sudden crisis in the region.
Making waves with submarines
Western military force cannot challenge China’s economic strength to produce any safe, effective or acceptable result.
Hun Sen risks undermining Asean's progress with Myanmar: Jakarta Post contributor
The writer Charles Santiago says Hun Sen is undermining Asean's efforts and threatening to diminish regional credibility and intensify instability.
Will Sabah go the way of Semenanjung in extremism and intolerance?
FROM MOHD TAJUDDIN MOHD RASDI
Cambodia's Hun Sen outlines ambitious new year as Asean chair
PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh Post/Asia News Network): Prime Minister Hun Sen has publicly revealed two ambitious goals he wishes to accomplish in 2022 while Cambodia serves as chair of Asean.
Indonesia asks US for ‘concrete’ Indo-Pacific cooperation
JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network): Indonesia has expressed hope for concrete Indo-Pacific cooperation with the United States, whose top diplomat was in Jakarta as part of a charm offensive in South-East Asia, where China has a sustained presence.
Blinken hits out at China, seeks to rally allies in Asia
JAKARTA (Bloomberg): Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticised China’s "aggressive actions” in Asia while laying out plans to more closely integrate US allies and security partners in Asia.
HK expects weekend temperatures to drop as tropical cyclone nears
HONG KONG (China Daily/Asia News Network): The Hong Kong Observatory has forecast significantly lower temperatures over the weekend as Super Typhoon Rai is expected to enter the southern part of the South China Sea, edging closer to Hong Kong.
US will operate 'undaunted, unafraid' in Taiwan Strait: Harris
TOKYO (AFP): Washington will operate "undaunted and unafraid" throughout Asia, including the Taiwan Strait, US Vice President Kamala Harris said Wednesday (Sept 28) as she addressed American troops in Japan.
EU hopes to work with US on its new policy towards China: envoy
BEIJING (Reuters): The European Union and the United States should work together to stand up to coercive Chinese diplomacy and coordinate with other countries in the region on the disputed South China Sea, the EU ambassador to China said on Thursday (Dec 10).
Civilian ships enhance naval capability and reach
BANGKOK: A Chinese scientific ship bristling with surveillance equipment docked in a Sri Lankan port. Hundreds of fishing boats anchored for months at a time among disputed islands in the South China Sea. And ocean-going ferries, built to be capable of carrying heavy vehicles and large loads of people.
Philippines evacuates coasts, cancels sea trips as supertyphoon nears
Philippine authorities started evacuating people from coastal areas on Sunday and hundreds were unable to travel by sea as the main island Luzon, including Manila, braces for a category 3 typhoon that continues to strengthen, officials said.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Sunday (Sept 25 2022)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Sunday (Sept 25, 2022)
Most of Thailand to see heavy rain as typhoon Noru heads to Vietnam
BANGKOK (The Nation/Asia News Network): The super typhoon Noru, which is barrelling towards Vietnam, will bring heavy to very heavy rain to most parts of Thailand.
Russia and Asean led by Indonesia's navy hold first naval drills off Indonesian coast
Russia and a number of South-East Asian countries kicked off their first ever joint naval exercise along the Strait of Malacca, one of the world's most important shipping lanes, on Wednesday, Indonesia's navy said.
Asean News Headlines as at 9pm on Friday (Sept 23)
News highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Friday (Sept 23)
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Saturday (Sept 24 2022)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Saturday (Sept 24, 2022)
Asia forms world’s biggest free trade bloc
Deal, backed by China, does not include United States
Xi assures Asean that it will not bully smaller neighbours
CHINESE leader Xi Jinping says his country will not seek dominance over South-East Asia or bully its smaller neighbours, amid ongoing friction over the South China Sea.
Indonesia's defence minister says his country 'understands, respects' AUKUS pact
Indonesia's defence minister has said his country understands the reasons behind the United States, Australia and Britain establishing the AUKUS security agreement, though at a forum at the weekend repeated concerns about an arms race in the region.
Timely for Asean, China to work on reopening borders: Singapore PM
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): As countries in the region make progress on Covid-19 vaccination, it is timely that Asean and China should work on progressively reopening borders to one another, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday (Nov 22).
Philippine supply boats reach marines at China-guarded shoal
The Philippine navy successfully transported food supplies to marines guarding a disputed shoal in the South China Sea on Tuesday, a week after China's coast guard used water cannons to force the supply boats to turn back, sparking outrage and warnings from Manila, officials said.
Southeast Asian leaders begin summit amid 'major power rivalries'
HANOI (Reuters) - Southeast Asian leaders kicked off a multilateral summit on Thursday expected to address tensions in the South China Sea and tackle plans for a post-pandemic economic recovery in a region where U.S.-China rivalry has been rising.
Storm chaser: All about typhoons, hurricanes and cyclones
SINGAPORE, Nov 3 (The Straits Times/ANN): What's the story and why does it matter?
Pompeo smears on China in Indonesia rebuked
BEIJING, Oct 31 (China Daily/ANN): The Chinese ambassador to Indonesia has denounced the erroneous remarks made by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during the top US diplomat's recent visit to Asia.
Philippines: Typhoon leaves many missing, displaces thousands as Covid-19 cases surge past 371,000
MANILA, Oct 26 (AP) - A fast-moving typhoon blew away from the Philippines on Monday after leaving at least 13 people missing, forcing thousands of villagers to flee to safety and flooding rural villages, disaster-response officials said.
Typhoon displaces thousands, floods villages in Philippines
MANILA, Philippines (AP): A fast-moving typhoon forced thousands of villagers to flee to safety in provinces south of the Philippine capital Monday, flooding rural villages and ripping off roofs, officials said.
On Suga's overseas debut, Japan, Vietnam agree broadly on defence transfer
HANOI (Reuters) - Japan and Vietnam agreed on Monday to strengthen security and economic ties, including an agreement in principle for Japan to export military gear and technology to the Southeast Asian nation, amid concerns about China's regional assertiveness.
After pro-China pivot, Philippines' Duterte warming ties with US, says defence analyst
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): After years of cozying up to China, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's foreign policy is now pivoting back to the country's longtime ally, the United States, according to a leading American think tank.
Aye for equal partnership
It’s Malaysia Day today and we can expect the usual platitudes from our politicians.
Indonesia president warns super-power tensions could lead to war
JAKARTA (Reuters): Indonesian President Joko Widodo used his first address to the United Nations General Assembly to warn on Wednesday (Sept 23) that global stability and peace could be "destroyed" if growing geopolitical rivalries persist.
Li calls for more vaccines for Asean
BEIJING: Premier Li Keqiang pledged to offer more aid in Covid-19 vaccines and medical supplies to the Association of South-East Asian Nations and make joint efforts to improve its early warning and emergency response capacity.
Vietnam PM wants a peaceful, stable environment for Asean to focus on prosperous growth
HANOI (Vietnam News/Asia News Network): Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính wants an environment of peace, security, stability, and cooperation for Asean to continue focusing on pandemic response, post-pandemic recovery and regional prosperity.
Expert: Dropping nine-dash line will win China friends
SINGAPORE, Sept 19 (The Straits Times/ANN): Abandoning demarcation in South China Sea will boost Beijing's soft power in Asean.
Star Media Group honoured at Penang Future Forward Summit
GEORGE TOWN: Star Media Group (SMG) has earned another accolade, this time being recognised as the leading media company in the country during the Penang Future Forward Summit 2023.
Philippines says won't halt projects with China firms blacklisted by US
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN): President Rodrigo Duterte will not follow the lead of the United States government in terminating contracts with Chinese companies involved in Beijing’s reclamation activities in the highly-contested South China Sea, Malacanang said on Tuesday (Sept 1).
Japan, U.S. defence chiefs oppose bid to alter status of Asian waters
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Defence Minister Taro Kono said on Saturday he had agreed with his U.S. counterpart Mark Esper that both countries opposed any unilateral attempt to change the status quo in the key waterways of the South China Sea and the East China Sea.
Taiwan warns of accidental conflict as regional tensions rise
TAIPEI (Reuters) - The risk of accidental conflict is rising because of tension in the South China Sea and around Taiwan and communication must be maintained to reduce the risk of miscalculation, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Thursday.
Jokowi’s likely absence from UN assembly is just ridiculous: Comment
JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network): It will be an irresponsible decision and even a cowardly act for President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo, if he opts to skip the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the eighth time.
Indonesia and Philippines heads talks on pandemic recovery challenges in Jakarta's presidential palace in Bogor
Philippine leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr affirmed deepening economic and security ties with Indonesia on Monday during the first overseas trip of his presidency, while expressing concern about the persistent difficulties Southeast Asian nations have faced after pandemic.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Monday (Sept 5, 2022)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Monday (Sept 5, 2022)
Philippines President Marcos Jr flying to Indonesia and Singapore on first foreign trip
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will travel to Indonesia and Singapore on his first overseas trip since taking office in June to strengthen security ties and discuss problems confronting the region, including strife in Myanmar, officials said Friday.
AUKUS shows Indonesia must improve defence modernisation: Comment
JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network): The recently formed alliance between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States called AUKUS means one thing for Indonesia: its defence modernisation plans must be improved to better prepare for any worst-case scenario if peace and stability in the region is at risk.
B-2 bomber’s missile upgrade ‘could threaten’ PLA warships: military analyst
Extended-range stealthy missiles carried by B-2 bombers could give the United States an edge against Chinese warships if the military giants entered a direct confrontation, according to a military affairs analyst.
Philippine top diplomat says open to resume oil talks with China
MANILA (Bloomberg): The Philippines is open to new talks with China on oil and gas exploration, the South-East Asian nation’s top diplomat said.
Vietnam reaffirms sovereignty over Spratly and Paracels islands
HANOI, July 20 (Vietnam News/ANN): Vietnam has a full legal foundation and historical evidence to back up its sovereignty claims over the Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) islands and calls for all countries to respect international law.
Asia doesn’t need an October Surprise
RECENTLY, as the United States aircraft carriers Nimitz and Ronald Reagan conducted war games in the South China Sea to strong protests from Beijing, Indian newspapers were reporting what appears to be a limited pullback by Chinese troops who had entered the disputed Galwan Valley in the Ladakh Himalayas in June, causing a fierce clash that saw the first loss of lives on the Sino-Indian border in more than three decades.
China urges Philippines to safeguard friendly ties
BEIJING (Xinhua): Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday (July 15) called on China and the Philippines to cherish the hard-won friendly situation, consolidate the political foundation for improvement of bilateral relations, and safeguard important achievements of cooperation between the two countries.
Japan's defence review accuses China of pushing territorial claims during Covid-19 pandemic
TOKYO (Reuters): Japan's annual defence review accuses China of pushing its territorial claims amid the coronavirus pandemic and suspects Beijing of spreading propaganda and disinformation as it provides medical aid to nations fighting Covid-19.
Philippines supports Australia nuclear sub pact to counter China
MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines is backing a new defence partnership between the United States, Britain and Australia, hoping it can maintain the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region, a view that contrasts sharply with some of its neighbours.
EU unveils Indo-Pacific strategy, and admits US’ new ‘Aukus’ alliance came as a surprise
Top EU diplomat ‘regrets’ not being part of arrangement between Australia, UK and US, but says effect on relations with Washington should not be ‘dramatised’French foreign minister calls Australia’s sudden cancellation of a submarine contract a ‘stab in the back’ that is ‘not acceptable between allies’
EU unveils Indo-Pacific strategy, and admits US’ new ‘Aukus’ alliance came as a surprise
Top EU diplomat ‘regrets’ not being part of arrangement between Australia, UK and US, but says effect on relations with Washington should not be ‘dramatised’French foreign minister calls Australia’s sudden cancellation of a submarine contract a ‘stab in the back’ that is ‘not acceptable between allies’
First Chinese firm wins contract for Russian floating nuclear power project
Shipbuilder Wison (Nantong) Heavy Industries Co has been commissioned to build the hulls for two floating plants for state-run RosatomThe two countries have been steadily developing political and economic ties, with energy a key area of cooperation
US, UK, Australia announce ‘historic’ military partnership in move likely to anger China
The pact will provide nuclear submarine technology for Australia to ‘improve deterrence across the Indo-Pacific’, says a senior US administration official‘Beijing will see this as part of US efforts to forge coalitions aimed at pushing back against China,’ according to an analyst
Joe Biden invites leaders of Australia, India and Japan to White House for Quad summit next week
It will be the first in-person meeting for Biden, Australia’s Scott Morrison, India’s Narendra Modi and Yoshihide Suga of JapanThe four met virtually in March, when they discussed China’s military build-up in the Asia-Pacific
Cambodia to discuss Covid-19, trade during China Minister visit
Cambodia will discuss the fight against Covid-19, and trade and investment with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his visit to the South-East Asian nation.
No winners or losers in vaccine diplomacy... yet
Gifting Covid-19 vaccines to woo diplomatic 'friends' does not seem to be working for global powers. Is it time for a new approach?
'Strategic signalling' to Asean?
The implications of US vice-president Kamala Harris’ recent trip to South-East Asia for Indonesia also remain unclear.
Indonesia and Australia agree to boost security ties
Indonesia and Australia agreed to deepen security ties during a ministerial meeting on Thursday, with discussions underway towards enabling joint military training in Australia and participation in its defence academies.
Asean News Headlines as at 9pm on Wednesday (Aug 24)
News highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Wednesday (Aug 24)
Philippines defence minister says US treaty needs comprehensive review
WASHINGTON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Wednesday there was a need for a comprehensive review of his country's alliance with the United States, complaining Manila got less from its relationship with Washington than non-treaty allies despite growing pressure from China.
Malaysian visits ancestral home in Hainan Island
Sanya in China is famous for its beautiful beaches, and this iconic statue.
Japan’s supplies to US Coast Guard aimed at testing Beijing, observers say
American coastguard patrol vessel was serviced by a Japanese supply ship during joint exercise, Japan reveals‘Improved interoperability’ hailed by Japan, while Chinese observers say the announcement is a challenge to China
China releases new Mars images as nation marks 100 days of red planet exploration
China’s Tianwen-1 orbiter takes images showing route of Zhu Rong Mars rover which has travelled over 1km from its landing platformPeople’s Bank of China launches commemorative coins to celebrate the country’s first Mars exploration mission
Step up to stay in the game or lose out
WITH the demand for electrical and electronic (E&E) products expected to grow due to rapid technological advancements and digitalisation, Penang’s manufacturing sector needs to step up quickly to stay in the game or lose out, industry captains say.
Vietnam says it will not side against China, before US’ Kamala Harris visits country
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reassures Chinese envoy before he meets US vice-president during her Asian tourBut Pham says negotiations for a code of conduct on the disputed South China Sea should be stepped up via the Asean bloc
US V-P Harris forges on with Vietnam trip despite mystery 'health incident'
HANOI (Reuters): Vice-President Kamala Harris pushed ahead with a trip to Vietnam on Tuesday (Aug 24) after delaying the visit over concerns due to a health incident potentially related to the mysterious Havana syndrome.
Climate crisis unlikely to turn rivals China and the US into green collaborators
Can Beijing and Washington work together on climate issues while still engaged in rows over trade, human rights and other sources of tension?While both sides have indicated carbon emissions must be urgently reduced, neither is likely to pass up the chance to be the world’s leader in a new technology
Why it's fun to holiday in Kota Kinabalu: From the mountain to the sea
Local holidaymakers are giving tourism in Sabah the boost it needs
Marcos Jrs US policy an alliance restored: Inquirer contributor
The writer, Richard Heydarian, says the Marcos administration's action underscore his intent to fully restore the alliance between the Philippines and the US.
US and China may ‘sleepwalk into conflict’, warns next Singapore PM Wong
SINGAPORE (Bloomberg): Singapore’s prime minister-in-waiting Lawrence Wong warned that the US and China may "sleepwalk into conflict” if they don’t engage with each other and deescalate rising tensions over Taiwan.
Sabah rising
Famous for its pristine beaches and natural resources, it is channelling energy to develop industries alongside tourism
Chinese and Russian militaries hold drills in northwest China
Chinese and Russian military forces are engaged in joint exercises in northwestern China as ties grow between the two autocratic states amid uncertainty over instability in Afghanistan.
Abby Choi murder: Hong Kong rural officials, villagers hold Taoist ceremony outside crime scene to pay respects to slain model
Around 40 people, including members of Tai Po Rural Committee, gathered on Friday to observe rituals to pacify slain socialite’s soul and offer comfort to one anotherLocal resident says tragic incident has left many distressed, with some opting to leave village where body parts were found
Xi Jinping starts third term as China’s president with unanimous support
Unprecedented third term approved by the national legislature on FridayReviving economy, Taiwan and rivalry with US among challenges in next five years
Vietnamese hackers targeted China officials at heart of outbreak
Vietnamese hackers began targeting Chinese government officials at the heart of the coronavirus outbreak in the early days of 2020, when the threat of pandemic had barely registered elsewhere in the world, according to findings by cybersecurity firm FireEye Inc.
China says Asean cooperation shouldn’t be ‘hollowed out’ in swipe at US
Foreign Minister Wang Yi tells East Asia Summit the region should ‘be wary of pseudo-multilateralism’He also hits out at ‘groundless’ criticism over Beijing’s human rights record in Xinjiang and Hong Kong
It takes two to tango in Indonesia-US diplomacy and so far only Jakarta is dancing: The Jakarta Post
JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/ANN): Diplomacy, more than any other human endeavour, is steeped in symbolism. And no one understands symbolism like President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, a Javanese par excellence who grew up in the Javanese cultural heartland of Surakarta.
UK rebuffs Chinese media warning over carrier task force
LONDON (AFP): The UK government Friday (July 30) denied it was provoking Beijing with the deployment of its most powerful navy task force in a generation, after Chinese state media issued a blunt warning.
China seizes on Pelosi visit to set 'new normal' for Taiwan
TAIPEI (Bloomberg): From the South China Sea to the Himalayas, Beijing has shown a willingness to seize on perceived missteps by its rivals to tighten its grip over disputed territory. That’s now playing out around Taiwan.
Vientiane authorities swamped as flooded roads cause havoc
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): Heavy rain on Sunday and Monday caused widespread flooding on Vientiane’s streets, with local authorities dispatched to inundated areas to help affected communities.
Tropical storm Mulan churns towards Covid-stricken Hainan island
BEIJING (Reuters): Strong winds from Tropical Storm Mulan are expected to whip across the South China Sea towards Hainan Island on Wednesday (Aug10), raising the possibility of disruption to mass testing on the holiday island that is grappling with a big Covid-19 outbreak.
Asean news headlines as at 9pm on Friday (March 10)
News highlights from the AseanPlus section on Friday (March 10)
Pentagon chief seeks to nudge ties with Vietnam as human rights concerns linger
HANOI (Reuters): US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sought on Thursday (July 29) to nudge forward security ties with Vietnam that have been slowly deepening as both countries watch China's activities in the South China Sea with growing alarm.
US Defence secretary to visit Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam
WASHINGTON (Reuters): US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin will visit South-East Asia later this month, the Pentagon said, a trip that will include stops in the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam, according to the US embassy in Hanoi.
Blinken hails 'strong' US-Philippine alliance in talks with Marcos
MANILA (AFP): US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Saturday (Aug 6) in a bid to bolster the countries' "strong" alliance, as China conducts military drills around nearby Taiwan.
Death toll climbs as more bodies recovered from landslide
Rescuers recovered more bodies buried under tonnes of mud from a landslide that crashed onto a hilly village on Indonesia’s remote Natuna islands, bringing the death toll to 30, officials said.
Gender studies teaches us to believe in equality, for a more respectful, caring, equal society
It has been about 10 years in the making, but the all-women team behind Universiti Malaya’s Master of Gender Studies (by Coursework) postgraduate course couldn’t be more pleased that the programme has taken off – a sign that the university is “headed in the right direction”
US Defence secretary to visit Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin will visit South-East Asia later this month, the Pentagon said, a trip that will include stops in the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam, according to the US embassy in Hanoi.
Malaysia and Asean await the Biden effect on Asia
Letter from Francis Xavier, Senior Counsel and a partner with Rajah and Tann, Singapore
Philippines to probe report of Chinese sewage-dumping at sea
The Philippines' defence minister on Tuesday ordered the military to investigate a report by a US-based tech firm that hundreds of Chinese vessels were dumping sewage into contested areas of the South China Sea.
11 reasons to visit Vietnam one day
From fast-paced metropolises to rugged cliffsides, and seemingly everything in between, Vietnam is a dream for tourists who like variety.
Myanmar violence, Ukraine war loom over Asean meetings
South-East Asian foreign ministers are gathering in the Cambodian capital for meetings addressing persisting violence in Myanmar and other issues, joined by top diplomats from the United States, China, Russia and other world powers amid tensions over the invasion of Ukraine and concerns over Beijing’s growing ambitions in the region.
US Navy deploys four warships east of Taiwan as Pelosi heads to Taipei
Four US warships, including an aircraft carrier, were positioned in waters east of Taiwan on what the US Navy called routine deployments on Tuesday amid Chinese anger over U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit the island.
Asean foreign ministers to push for Myanmar progress
PHNOM PENH (AFP): Asean ministers will push to ramp up pressure on Myanmar's junta at a regional meeting Wednesday (Aug 3) in Cambodia as the US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan threatens to overshadow proceedings with tensions between Washington and Beijing soaring.
ANALYSIS-As wheat prices soar, consumption headed for biggest decline in decades
SINGAPORE/JAKARTA: Global wheat consumption is headed for its biggest annual decline in decades as record inflation forces consumers and companies to use less and replace the grain with cheaper alternatives, amid growing food insecurity.
Largest-ever military drills
The United States and Indonesian militaries began annual joint combat exercises in Sumatra island, joined for the first time by participants from other partner nations, signalling stronger ties amid growing maritime activity by China in the Indo-Pacific region.
Taiwan visit by Nancy Pelosi risks sparking US-PLA conflict, army watchers warn
A visit to Taiwan by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi may lead to an unprecedented risk of conflict between Beijing’s People’s Liberation Army and American forces, Chinese defence analysts warned.
Classic Hong Kong bakery Happy Cake Shop to close after 45 years in business as landlord takes back premises
A bakery that became a Hong Kong institution is to shut its doors for good after almost a half-century in business.
Indonesia and United States break ground on joint strategic maritime centre
Indonesia and the United States have broken ground on a new US$3.5 million maritime training centre in the strategic area of Batam, in the Riau Islands, Indonesia's maritime security agency said.
Filipinos bid farewell to former president Benigno Aquino; popular leader laid to rest amid outpouring of grief, tributes
Philippine former president Benigno Aquino was laid to rest in a Manila cemetery on Saturday beside his parents, two of the South-East Asian country's democracy icons.
Aquino and the arbitration against China: Inquirer columnist
Columnist Antonio T. Carpio says that one of the enduring legacies of President Benigno Aquino III is the Philippines' landmark victory against China in the South China Sea Arbitration.
US official warns Asian aggressors will face Western might
Any Asian aggressor who violates the sovereignty of other countries in the region risks punitive counter actions, just like what Russia is confronting now for its invasion of Ukraine, the US secretary of the Navy said.
Myanmar moves closer to China
KUALA LUMPUR: Ahead of the official visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Myanmar on Jan 17 and Jan18, there was a resurgence of warnings by analysts on the risk of debt trap that could be created by mega projects under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for developing countries.
Asean Plus Eight welcome extension of ministerial-level security hotline
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): The extension of Asean's ministerial-level hotline to eight key partner countries including the United States and China was welcomed at the 8th Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) on Wednesday (June 16).
The European Union and Asean are natural partners and have a common agenda
Indonesia steps up sea patrols to Monitor foreign vessel and fishing boats
JAKARTA: Indonesia’s military has stepped up naval and aerial patrols of the Natuna Sea area because of a rising number of foreign fishing vessels in the region.
Philippine military chief visits island in disputed waters
MANILA (Reuters): The head of the Philippine armed forces visited a coral-fringed island his country occupies in the South China Sea this week, a move that could stoke already heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing in disputed waters claimed by both countries.
Asean and China foreign ministers to discuss virus, regional issues
Foreign ministers from China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will meet next week and discuss issues including cooperation to stem the coronavirus pandemic.
Dozens missing after landslides
RESCUERS were searching for 42 people still missing after two landslides triggered by torrential rains hit villages on an island in Indonesia’s remote Natuna regency, disaster officials said.
US and EU officials meet to discuss concerns about China moves, including in Xinjiang and Hong Kong
Deputy US Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Stefano Sannino of the EU also say Taiwan needs ‘meaningful participation’ in multilateral forums like the WHOTheir joint statement, though, carries no policy declarations and makes no mention of any possible boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics
Philippines Marcos wants to renegotiate loans on US$4.9bil China-backed rail projects
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered the transport ministry to renegotiate loan agreements struck by his predecessor with China for railway projects worth US$4.90 billion, an official said on Saturday.
Philippines' Duterte says won't withdraw ships from contested waters
MANILA (Reuters):Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has rebuffed a call from China to withdraw vessels from disputed areas of the South China Sea and said he would not bow to pressure, even if it jeopardises his friendship with Beijing.
For Philippine troops in Spratlys, hope comes wrapped in fresh supplies
WEST PHILIPPINE SEA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): In between turquoise waters and rich fishing grounds in the Spratly Islands — a major archipelago in the South China Sea — are nine islands and reefs where Filipino troops stand guard.
China calls for 'basic etiquette' after Philippine outburst
China urged the Philippines on Tuesday to observe "basic etiquette" and eschew megaphone diplomacy after the South-East Asian nation's foreign minister used an expletive-laced Twitter message to demand that China's vessels leave disputed waters.
US-China infowar escalates as America deploys task force in battle for power and influence
Information war includes use of traditional media, social media, cyberwarfare, propaganda and disinformationUS says allies are critical to ensure ‘our competitors are not getting that free pass and to recognise what is truth from fiction’
Vietnam again rejects Chinese fishing ban in disputed waters; 14 Covid-19 cases reported on May 1
The Vietnamese government has again rejected a recent Chinese fishing ban imposed on waters in the South China Sea and called on China to comply with international laws.
Joe Biden 100 days in: little difference from Trump in attitude towards China, analysts say
But analysts see Biden narrowing the scope of restrictions in order to avoid a full decoupling with BeijingBiden’s presidency will pass the 100-day mark on Friday, a symbolic milestone against which administrations are often assessed
Vietnam says it won't follow others in opposing China: experts
BEIJING (Global Times): Vietnam has made positive comments on its ties with China during Chinese State Councillor and Minister of National Defence Wei Fenghe's visit to the country, stressing that Vietnam will never follow other countries to oppose China.
China adds assault ship, two other vessels to naval fleet
China deployed its first advanced amphibious assault ship and two other new vessels in a commissioning ceremony attended by President Xi Jinping, local media reported.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Tuesday (July 5, 2022)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Tuesday (July 5, 2022)
Marcos admin urged to uphold 2016 arbitration ruling on West Philippine Sea
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): The Marcos administration should uphold the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) favouring the Philippines’ claim in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
How China has ramped up its defence capabilities
China has the world's largest standing army and navy, with Beijing announcing on Sunday the biggest increase to its military budget since 2019.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Sunday (Mar 5, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Sunday (Mar 5, 2023)
Climate summit ‘may not change the forecast’ for US-China relations
Chinese observers see only limited scope for the two countries to find common ground as they face off on multiple frontsEmphasis on competition with China during early stages of Joe Biden’s US presidency has maintained the enmity of the Donald Trump years, they argue
US and Japan should stop colluding against China
TOKYO: The joint statement released by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and US President Joe Biden highlighted the issues concerning China’s internal affairs and core interests, sending a negative signal that threatens peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Unofficial US-China dialogue: seeing the worst in each other undermines nations’ already dismal relations
Washington needs to clearly and consistently outline its China policy and Beijing needs to explain how expanding into the South China Sea and elsewhere contributes to regional peace and stability, according to the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, which organised a series of recent US-China backchannel discussions.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Sunday (July 3, 2022)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Sunday (July 3, 2022)
Unofficial US-China dialogue: seeing the worst in each other undermines nations’ already dismal relations
Washington needs to clearly and consistently outline its China policy and Beijing needs to explain how expanding into the South China Sea and elsewhere contributes to regional peace and stability, according to the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, which organised a series of recent US-China backchannel discussions.
Cambodia and China to further enhance ties, main target is to ensure the success of Belt and Road Initiative
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn met here on Sunday, and both sides pledged to further enhance relations and cooperation in building the Belt and Road and other fields.
Japan to release contaminated Fukushima water into sea after treatment
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan will release more than 1 million tonnes of contaminated water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, the government said on Tuesday, a move China called "extremely irresponsible", while South Korea summoned Tokyo's ambassador in Seoul to protest.
Philippines and US begin 2-week joint military drill on Monday (April 12)
Philippine and US soldiers will conduct a two-week joint military exercise from Monday (April 12), resuming the annual training event after last year's cancellation due to the pandemic, the Philippine military chief said.
Philippines asks US for vaccine help as China tensions grow
The Philippines will restart military drills with the US on Monday as the South-East Asian nation seeks to speed up vaccine deliveries from its longtime defense ally.
Chinese Navy chases Philippines’ news crew in disputed sea
Tensions are escalating over China’s move to mass militia vessels in disputed areas of the South China Sea, with the US and Philippines expressing renewed concern and an investigation underway into reports that armed Chinese navy ships chased down a civilian craft carrying a Filipino news crew.
China warns US against taking a superior position in global affairs
Cooperation still possible, but Beijing will not accept unilateral demands from Washington, Foreign Minister Wang Yi saysWang also told his counterparts from four Asean countries their concerns over US-China rivalry were ‘reasonable’
Philippines' Duterte calls for peaceful resolution of China boats impasse
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is committed to peacefully resolving a diplomatic row with China over the disputed South China Sea, his spokesman said on Tuesday, in a measured response after days of strong rebukes by his ministers and generals.
Japan sends destroyer after China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier group spotted passing Okinawa
Japan sent destroyer JS Suzutsuki and patrol aircraft to monitor and gather information on Chinese navy groupBeijing’s new coastguard law, which allows Chinese ships to fire on foreign vessels, is intensifying tension with Tokyo
Marcos Jr to be sworn in as Philippine president
MANILA (AFP): The son of the Philippines' late dictator Ferdinand Marcos will be sworn in as president Thursday, (June 30) completing a decades-long effort to restore the clan to the country's highest office.
Marcos Jr sworn in as Philippine president
MANILA (AFP): The son of the Philippines' late dictator Ferdinand Marcos was sworn in as president Thursday (June 30), completing a decades-long effort to restore the clan to the country's highest office.
Penny Wong: Australia aware of visa delays for Malaysians, tackling backlog
KOTA KINABALU: Australia is aware of the delays in visa approval for Malaysians wanting to travel there, and is making attempts to remedy the situation, says its Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
Philippine President Marcos Jr praises rule of dictator father
MANILA (AFP): Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Thursday (June 30) praised his dictator father's rule after being sworn in as the country's new leader, completing a decades-long effort to restore the clan to the country's highest office.
Ports close on China's Hainan island as tropical storm looms
SHANGHAI (Reuters): Local authorities in China's Hainan province on Friday (July 1) announced the closure of three ports as tropical storm Chaba moves towards the southern island.
Floods: Continuous rain in Johor till March 5, three districts at risk, warns MetMalaysia
JOHOR BARU: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a continuous rain warning until March 5, with three districts in Johor to experience danger-level rain.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Saturday (Mar 4, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Saturday (Mar 4, 2023)
Philippines deploys more navy ships to disputed sea amid row with China as Covid-19 daily total hit record level - 8,773 cases
The Philippine military ordered the deployment of more navy ships to the South China Sea Thursday amid a growing diplomatic row over a fleet of Chinese boats parked near a disputed reef.
US, China look to shore up ties with allies after Alaska clash
Antony Blinken tells Nato meeting the alliance should be focused on some of the challenges Beijing poses, while Joe Biden will join EU talksMeanwhile, Wang Yi and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov agree to work together against sanctions, and a Middle East tour is next
China says vessels in disputed sea are 'fishing boats' after Manila protest
BEIJING (AFP): Chinese vessels gathered near a disputed reef in the South China Sea are "fishing boats" sheltering from poor weather, the foreign ministry said Monday (March 22), a day after the Philippines described their presence as an incursion.
Mystery deepens over fate of HK's Jumbo floating restaurant
HONG KONG (AFP): Mystery over the fate of Hong Kong's Jumbo Floating Restaurant deepened Friday (June 24) after its owner stirred confusion over whether the financially struggling tourist attraction had actually sunk while being towed away from the city last week.
Eyewitness account at Ayungin Shoal: China force vs Philippine grit
AYUNGIN SHOAL, West Philippine Sea (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): China is closely watching this patch of reef, one of the maritime features occupied by the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea, as if ready to seize it at the earliest opportunity to establish firm control over that part of the South China Sea.
Floating restaurant mystery deepens
MYSTERY over the fate of Hong Kong’s Jumbo Floating Restaurant deepened after its owner stirred confusion over whether the financially struggling tourist attraction had actually sunk while being towed away from the city last week.
Duterte ends China oil talks, leaving big task ahead for new Philippines' president Marcos
Outgoing Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has ended talks with China on oil exploration in the disputed South China Sea, his top envoy said, posing a challenge for incoming leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr. if he wishes to restart discussions. Related stocks fell.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Saturday (June 25, 2022)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Saturday (June 25, 2022)
Philippines abandons joint energy exploration talks with China
The Philippines' outgoing foreign minister has confirmed this week that talks over joint energy exploration between his country and China in the South China Sea had been terminated, citing constitutional constraints and issues of sovereignty.
Thailand preparing for summer storms and thunderstorms as health ministry confirms 90 new Covid-19 cases
A strong high-pressure system from China that now covers Vietnam is expected to cover the Northeast and the South China Sea by Sunday, creating hot to very hot weather conditions in upper Thailand.
Can Indonesia use Myanmar to balance the US and China?
Jakarta’s efforts to help its South-East Asian neighbour are partly aimed at keeping it within Asean’s orbit rather than China’s, and the same time also hoping to impress its democratic credentials on US President Joe Biden, giving the country leverage in its strategic interests
COP15: UN officially declares China gives up host role with call for urgent meeting on biodiversity
China on Tuesday officially gave up its role as host of the UN Biodiversity Conference, which had been set to take place in the city of Kunming but now will be moved to Montreal, Canada.
The time is just right for Asean and India to elevate ties, says Vietnam's foreign minister
It is time for Asean and India elevate their strategic partnership and comprehensive cooperation for peace, security and prosperity in the region and the world, said Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
Asia must learn right lessons from Ukraine at this dangerous point in history, says Singapore defence minister
Asia must learn the right lessons from Ukraine and continue fostering peace, cooperation and economic interdependency to avoid disaster at a "potentially dangerous point in our history", said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Sunday (June 12).
China testing Philippines resolve to keep Ayungin Shoal: maritime expert
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): The latest reported incidents in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea illustrate China’s capacity to control the area despite its being occupied by the Philippines through the decrepit Philippine Navy ship BRP Sierra Madre, according to a maritime expert.
US Defence Secretary Austin meets Thai PM Prayut to boost ties
United States Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin met with Thailand’s prime minister on Monday as part of an effort to strengthen what Austin says is Washington’s "unparalleled network of alliances and partnerships" in the region.
Top US, Chinese national security figures hold 'candid' talks
BEIJING (AFP): Top Chinese and US security advisers have held lengthy talks, with both sides describing them as "candid" following days of acrimonious exchanges over Taiwan and other flashpoint issues.
Top US and Chinese national security figures hold 'candid' talks
The top Chinese and US security advisers have held lengthy talks, with both sides describing them as "candid" following days of acrimonious exchanges over Taiwan and other flashpoint issues.
Asean news headlines as at 9pm on Thursday (March 2)
News highlights from the AseanPlus section on Thursday (March 2)
Philippine military chief says to deploy more navy to protect fishermen
MANILA, Feb 14 (Reuters): The Philippines will beef up its naval presence in the South China Sea to protect its fishermen, its new military chief has announced, as concerns grow about the operations of China's coastguard in disputed waters.
Malaysia and Indonesia seeking Asean meeting on Myanmar after coup
JAKARTA, Feb 5 (Reuters): The leaders of Indonesia and Malaysia on Friday said they were seeking a special meeting of Southeast Asian nations to discuss the situation in Myanmar, where an elected government was overthrown in a coup this week.
Cambodia and China breaking ground on joint port project; Phnom Penh denies it will allow Chinese military presence venue
Cambodia denied again Tuesday that it will allow any Chinese military presence at a port where it and China are beginning an expansion this week that has prompted concern in the United States and elsewhere that it will be used by Beijing as a naval outpost on the Gulf of Thailand.
China will 'not hesitate to start war' over Taiwan, Beijing warns US
SINGAPORE (AFP): Beijing will "not hesitate to start a war" if Taiwan declares independence, China's defence minister warned his US counterpart on Friday (June 10), the latest salvo between the superpowers over the island.
Delayed dialogue finally underway
THE 19th Shangri-La Dialogue began here after a two-year suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic, focusing mainly on security in the Asia-Pacific region and viable solutions, including the China-proposed Global Security Initiative (GSI).
Hun Sen calls for closer Singapore defence ties
PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh Post/Asia News Network): Prime Minister Hun Sen encouraged the Cambodian-Singaporean armed forces to continue their close cooperation and share experiences, intelligence and training.
Asean news headlines as at 9pm on Wednesday (March 1)
News highlights from the AseanPlus section on Wednesday (March 1)
M'sia, Philippines to explore further cooperation in various sectors, says Anwar
MANILA: Malaysia and the Philippines have agreed to explore further cooperation in various sectors as both neighbouring countries seek ways to elevate their bilateral relationship to new heights, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Vietnam party chief vows renewed push on economic growth
HANOI, Feb 2 (Bloomberg): Vietnam’s Communist Party re-elected Nguyen Phu Trong signaled the country would continue its push for strong economic growth and maintain its tough anti-corruption campaign after he was granted a rare third term in office.
Wanted: Communist Party leadership to keep Vietnam in sweet spot amid US-China tensions
HANOI, Jan 24 (Reuters):Vietnam's ruling Communist Party gathers for a congress this week that will help shape the country's global role for the next five years, selecting new leaders and setting policy as tensions bubble with Beijing and Joe Biden settles in at the White House.
China law empowers coast guard to use force amid disputes
BEIJING, Jan 23 (AP): China has authorised its coast guard to fire on foreign vessels and destroy structures on features it claims, potentially raising the possibility of clashes with regional maritime rivals.
Will Joe Biden meet Xi Jinping? China awaits clues to future of US relations
As new US president begins to phone allies, his domestic and global priorities will help shape how he deals with BeijingObservers believe the Chinese president will be the keener of the leaders to make early contact
Vietnam's future growth lies on new communist party leadership
HANOI (Reuters): Vietnam's ruling Communist Party gathers for a congress next week that will help shape the country's global role for the next five years, selecting new leaders and setting policy as tensions bubble with Beijing and Joe Biden settles in at the White House.
Utilise European nations’ involvement to help stabilise Indo-Pacific region
30th anniversary of China-Asean dialogue - relations opens new chapter of common prosperity
HONG KONG, Jan. 16 (Xinhua): This year marks the 30th anniversary of the dialogue relations between China and the 10-member Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean).
Philippines complains of Chinese fishing ban and 'harassment' at sea
The Philippines on Tuesday said it had filed a diplomatic protest with China for unilaterally declaring a South China Sea fishing ban, and complained also of harassment and violations of its jurisdiction by Beijing's coast guard.
New Zealand PM Ardern praises Biden for US efforts in the Indo-Pacific
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern praised US President Joe Biden on Tuesday for his efforts to build Indo-Pacific economic and security alliances that are widely seen as an effort to counter China’s influence in the region.
Beijing’s air and sea patrols near Taiwan a ‘necessary action against collusion’ with US, PLA says
The PLA Eastern Theatre Command said its combat-readiness patrols in air and sea territories near Taiwan this week were “necessary action” against “collusion” between Taiwan and the United States.
PM's Philippines visit of 'great significance', says Zambry
MANILA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s two-day official visit to the Philippines beginning Wednesday (March 1) will be of ‘great significance’ and highlights the importance of bilateral ties between the two neighbouring countries, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
China’s big battleship building spree to guard its aircraft carriers
The PLA is expanding its warship fleet as its responsibilities and ambitions growDozens of destroyers and frigates are thought to be in the works but it will take more than hardware to make the plan work, observers say
Heavy rain and flash floods forecast in southern region
THE WEAK high-pressure system over upper Thailand and the South China Sea will push temperatures up by 1-3°C, the national weather agency forecast.
China imposes voluntary fishing moratorium in northern Indian Ocean after being linked to illegal catches
China has launched a voluntary fishing moratorium covering international waters in the northern Indian Ocean for the first time.
China imposes voluntary fishing moratorium in northern Indian Ocean after being linked to illegal catches
China has launched a voluntary fishing moratorium covering international waters in the northern Indian Ocean for the first time.
Asean’s future complex amid multiple pressures
The key would be to get on the right side of ‘the balance between being a thriving region and the theatre of tensions’, says a Strategic Outlook for Asean panel at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos.
Asean-China relations - key events in 2020 explained in quotes
HANOI, Dec. 25 (Xinhua): The year 2020 was defined by challenges and uncertainty for many around the world, but for China and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), it was also defined by resilience and deepening cooperation.
China’s Shandong aircraft carrier crosses Taiwan Strait a day after USS Mustin
HONG KONG, Dec 26 (SCMP): Military analysts say the timing was a coincidence because it is not possible to put a carrier to sea with only a day’s noticeChinese ship is heading to South China Sea because it is too cold to fly near its home port
China says Washington’s ‘divisive’ Indo-Pacific strategy doomed to fail
Beijing has rejected Washington’s Indo-Pacific initiatives as tools to contain China that are “doomed to fail”, as US President Joe Biden prepares to unveil the latest strategy to step up regional engagement.
Lee: Nato-type body not suitable
IT is better that Asia’s security arrangements remain in their current configuration, rather than having countries divided into blocs, or forming an Asian equivalent of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (pic) said.
Choppy waters keep fishermen away
PASIR GUDANG: The monsoon season is affecting the catch of fishermen in the southernmost parts of Johor and the situation is likely to last until March next year.
Covid-19: Philippines targets 25 million doses of Sinovac vaccine
MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines aims to finalise negotiations with Sinovac Biotech this week to acquire 25 million doses of the Chinese company's Covid-19 vaccine for delivery by March, a coronavirus taskforce official said on Monday (Dec 14).
Indonesia places bet on Chinese coronavirus vaccines
JAKARTA, Dec 13 (AFP): Indonesia is betting that China-made coronavirus vaccines can help it tackle one of the worst outbreaks in Asia.
ANN to begin new chapter
TWENTY-ONE years after a group of regional editors sealed an agreement in Bangkok to form a voluntary alliance, Asia News Network (ANN) has taken a major step forward with its formal registration as a legal entity, based in Singapore.
China's Manila mission says 'dangerous' US creating chaos in Asia
MANILA (Reuters): China's embassy in the Philippines has denounced the United States for "creating chaos" in Asia, after a visiting White House envoy backed countries in disputes with China and accused Beijing of using military pressure to further its interests.
President Xi says China is willing and open for new free-trade deals in speech to Apec CEOs
HONG KONG, Nov 21 (SCMP): Days after China and 14 other countries signed RCEP, Xi says his government does not seek to decouple or excludeUS President Trump is expected to make an appearance at Apec on Friday, a sign that Washington-Beijing rivalries may come to the fore
Beijing envoy congratulates Marcos, confident of 'stronger' China-Philippines ties
MANILA (AFP): China's ambassador to the Philippines has congratulated Ferdinand Marcos Jr for his victory in the presidential election, expressing confidence that ties between the two nations would be "stronger", a statement said Thursday (May 12).
US seeks continuity in relations
The United States is seeking early engagement with the newly elected administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr in the Philippines, although historical considerations mean there will probably be some initial challenges, the chief US policymaker for Asia said.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Friday (May 13, 2022)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Friday (May 13, 2022)
China-US relations: US warship transit of Taiwan Strait misleads independence forces, says Beijing
China’s military said it had warned a US warship that had sailed through the Taiwan Strait and it blamed Washington for provoking tensions in the latest confrontation between the two nations over the self-ruled island.
Brunei king promises that his country will continue to uphold peace in the region
Brunei will continue to foster a calm and peaceful environment, and encourage all countries to prioritise dialogue and cooperation.
Taiwan is trying to boost its defences. It’s learning from Ukraine
When Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen announced that compulsory military service would be extended from four months to a year, she pointed to Ukraine as an example for the self-ruled island to learn from.
Birth of RCEP augurs hope
Letter from Dr Chandra Muzaffar, president, International Movement for a Just World (JUST).
Singapore and East Asia Summit leaders call for greater cooperation to tackle pandemic, economic crisis
SINGAPORE, Nov 15 (The Straits Times/ANN): The need for countries across the Asia-Pacific to cooperate in tackling the coronavirus pandemic and the current economic crisis was underlined by leaders at the East Asia Summit (EAS) on Saturday night.
Azmin: RCEP a better deal, CPTPP must be fair
PUTRAJAYA: The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will make Malaysia a part of the superpower trade bloc of Asean with a combined population of 650 million, said Senior Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.
Wang Yi: China always ready to help its Asean friends against the pandemic
BEIJING, Nov 9 (China Daily/ANN): Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with diplomatic envoys of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) countries on Sunday (Nov 8) in Beijing.
US-China rivalry: Biden likely to boost ties with Asian allies to keep Beijing in check, observers say
HONG KONG, Nov 9 (SCMP): The ‘challenges to China under a Biden presidency may even be more serious’, Chinese academic saysBut the Democratic candidate will make sure ‘US policy in the region is as multilateral as possible’, Manila-based policy adviser says
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Saturday (May 7, 2022)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Saturday (May 7, 2022)
China-US ties: Lloyd Austin looks forward to meeting Chinese defence minister Wei Fenghe to ‘engage in the future’
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said he was looking forward to meeting his Chinese counterpart for the first time at next month’s Shangri-La Dialogue Asian security summit to promote security and stability, after describing “countering aggression and bullying from China” as a “pacing challenge”.
Hosts Vietnam eye overall champions title after 19 years
PETALING JAYA: Vietnam showed their pedigree by becoming the overall champions as the first-time hosts in 2003 and expect the same domination at home again.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Tuesday (May 10, 2022)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Tuesday (May 10, 2022)
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Saturday (Feb 25, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Saturday (Feb 25, 2023)
Insight - It’s Fed, not White House, that matters most in Asia
PLEASE look beyond the White House for just a few minutes, Asia. The place that matters most for you right now is the Marriner S. Eccles Federal Reserve Building, a few blocks away on Constitution Ave.
Vietnam seeks humane treatment of its fishermen
HANOI (Vietnam News/ANN): Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Quốc Dũng stressed the need to promote “dialogue and cooperation between Asean and China in ensuring just and humane treatment of fishermen, ” especially those who are in danger, as a priority area of cooperation between the two sides.
Philippines greenlights oil drills in disputed sea without China
MANILA (Bloomberg): The Philippines said oil exploration in the disputed South China Sea can proceed without China, in what could be a further sign of the Southeast Asian nation’s tougher stance against Beijing.
China-US tension: military officials meet to discuss how to avoid all-out conflict amid rising temperature
HONG KONG, Oct 31 (SCMP): Crisis Communications Working Group meets amid unfounded whispers that Trump administration plans attack on Chinese-claimed islands in the South China SeaWorking group reflects a push by both sides to stop deteriorating relations becoming military conflict, says analyst
Pompeo wraps up Asia tour in Vietnam following prisoner release
HANOI, Oct 30 (Reuters): US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wound up a visit to Asia in Vietnam on Friday after a tour marked by his repeated calls for help for the United States in confronting security threats posed by China.
Now its United States' turn to campaign for support in India and Indonesia
WASHINGTON, Oct 25 (AFP) - When the United States tried to seal a defence deal seven years ago with the Maldives, a sprawling and strategic archipelago, its plans were quietly torpedoed by a friend -- India, which considers the Indian Ocean its sphere of influence.
Jokowi’s hopes for Japan: Jakarta Post
JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network): It is widely known among foreign envoys in Jakarta that President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo’s foreign policies are based on down-to-earth purposes and pragmatism.
Taiwan jets scramble as China air force enters air defence zone
Taiwan's air force scrambled on Friday to warn away 18 Chinese aircraft that entered its air defence zone, Taiwan's defence ministry said, part of what is a regular pattern of incursions that has angered the government in Taipei.
China-US ties: Lloyd Austin looks forward to meeting Chinese defence minister Wei Fenghe to ‘engage in the future’
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said he was looking forward to meeting his Chinese counterpart for the first time at next month’s Shangri-La Dialogue Asian security summit to promote security and stability, after describing “countering aggression and bullying from China” as a “pacing challenge”.
Vietnam and Japan agree to boost defence, economic, energy ties
HANOI, Oct 19 (AP): Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, in his first summit foray since taking office last month, agreed with his Vietnamese counterpart to step up defense and security cooperation in the face of China's expanding influence in the region.
Wang Yi: China, Malaysia achieve wide range of consensuses on cooperation
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 13 (Xinhua): China and Malaysia have achieved a series of consensus on a wide range of issues including strengthening bilateral cooperation, said China Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Vietnamese and Japanese leaders reject use of force in Ukraine
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida discussed the war in Ukraine with Vietnamese leaders on Sunday and said they agreed on the respect for international law and rejection of the use of force.
Electric sea creature sparks China’s nanogenerator innovation
Chinese researchers say their tiny device can generate 3,000 volts by copying the way a ray uses electricity as a weapon without harming itself. Lead researcher Song Qunliang said the design is simple and robust enough to be assembled at home with a pair of scissors.
US, Japan reaffirm bilateral ties amid Covid-19 pandemic
TOKYO, Oct 6 (dpa): US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on Tuesday reaffirmed the two countries’ cooperation, with an eye on the Covid-19 pandemic and China’s increasing assertiveness.
‘Unreliable’ personality-driven US foreign policy risks chaos due to Donald Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis
HONG KONG, Oct 5 (SCMP): ‘This underscores the unreliability of the US. It points to the chaotic part of this administration,’ former US state department official saysUS diplomats seek to reassure allies and domestic constituents that American policies will remain steady and consistent
Asean must get back to basics ahead of US summit: Jakarta Post contributors
The writers Phar Kim Beng and Mae Chew say the US-Asean summit should lead to an important breakthrough ahead of the Asean leaders' summit in Phnom Penh.
Does Taiwan-held Taiping Island need a longer runway?
Beijing’s military build-up of three artificial islets in the South China Sea has raised concern on Taiwan over whether it should extend the runway of its Taiping Island to handle bigger warplanes.
Indonesia protests against China ship in its waters
JAKARTA, Sept 14, 2020 (AFP): Jakarta has protested against the intrusion of a Chinese coast guard ship into the South-East Asian archipelago's waters, Indonesia's Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
Facebook: Fake pages from China tried to disrupt US politics
Facebook says it has removed a small network of fake accounts and pages that originated in China and focused on disrupting political activity in the US and several other countries.
Divers may have found US submarine lost in WWII
Divers have found what they believe is the wreck of a United States Navy submarine lost 77 years ago in South-East Asia, providing a coda to a stirring but little-known tale from World War II.
Philippines stands to lose as DOE halts oil search: expert
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): “It’s a game of chicken and we’re losing,” maritime expert Jay Batongbacal said on Monday (April 18) after the Department of Energy (DOE) ordered the suspension of oil exploration activities in the West Philippine Sea on April 6.
Asean news headlines as at 9pm on Wednesday (Feb 22)
News highlights from the Asean Plus section on Wednesday (Feb 22)
Australia has reasons to be involved
From ANDREW GOLEDZINOWSKI, Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Kuala Lumpur.
Report: US plane disguised itself as Malaysian aircraft to spy on China’s military bases
PETALING JAYA: A US Air Force aircraft used a transponder code to electronically impersonate a Malaysian plane while spying on China’s military bases, the US-based Popular Mechanics has reported, quoting a Chinese think tank.
China urges neighbours to back its data security ideas, not the US’
HONG KONG, Sept 11 (SCMP): Beijing launched the Initiative on Global Data Security to try to ease concerns about Chinese tech firmsWashington’s equivalent, The Clean Network, has expanded, while US continues to target the likes of TikTok and Huawei
'China-Asean strategic mutual trust now at new level'
JAKARTA, Sept. 8 (Xinhua): "Facing the test of the pandemic, China and Asean have more deeply realised the importance of promoting the building of a new community with a shared future.
China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi urges EU and Asean to work to build trust
HONG KONG, Sept 7 (SCMP): Yang’s comments follow visit to Myanmar, Spain and Greece as part of a drive to counter growing pressure from the USCommunist Party’s foreign affairs chief insists relationship with EU is one of the most important to China as investment treaty deadline looms
Taking power: Chinese firm to run Laos electric grid amid default warnings
VIETIANE, Sept 4 (Reuters): The poor, small South-East Asian country of Laos is set to cede majority control of its electric grid to a Chinese company, as it struggles to stave off a potential debt default, people with direct knowledge of the agreement said.
Philippines: Covid-19 cases still rising and nears 210,000 with 3,999 new cases
MANILA, Aug. 28 (Xinhua): The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the Philippines surged to 209,544 after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 3,999 new daily cases on Friday.
Honouring teacher and scholar extraordinaire Wang Gungwu
This is a book not just for professional historians but for all those with an interest in the on-going contestations over Malaysia’s history.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Tuesday (Feb 21, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Tuesday (Feb 21, 2023)
Sabah to investigate Tip of Borneo renovation status, says Liew
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry will check on the upgrading status of the tourism spot, Tip of Borneo in Kudat which was closed last year to allow for renovation works.
11 whale species spotted during deep-sea expedition
HAIKOU: Chinese researchers have spotted 11 whale species in the South China Sea during a deep-sea scientific expedition, the Chinese Academy of Sciences said.
New challenges for Asean to tackle
FROM TAN SRI MICHAEL YEOH , President, KSI Strategic Institute Chairman, Asean Leadership and Partnership Forum
Asean and US coordinate response to new wave of Covid-19 infections
HANOI (Vietnam News/ANN): Asean and the US agreed to work together to cope with the new wave of Covid-19 infections and minimise the pandemic’s impact at the virtual 33rd Asean-US Dialogue on Wednesday (Aug 5).
Malaysia-Indonesia art project reframes 'border thinking', regional connections
A multimedia exhibition examines the premise of ‘exchange’ and connections between Malaysia and Indonesia
US Patriot missiles deployed in Philippines for first time during exercise
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): The United States has deployed its state-of-the-art air and missile defence system to the Philippines for the first time as part of an annual joint war games and a major display of American force.
Philippine Presidential candidates urge tougher stance on China
Presidential candidates in the Philippines want the country to take a tougher stance against Beijing over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Monday (Feb 20, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Monday (Feb 20, 2023)
War games begin as the Philippines and US forces start war drills in region facing Taiwan
Thousands of American and Filipino forces began on Monday one of their largest combat exercises in years that will include live-fire maneuvers, aircraft assaults, urban warfare and beach landings in a showcase of US firepower in the northern Philippines near the sea border with Taiwan.
Vietnam postpones hosting Asian security forum
MANILA/HANOI, July 27 (AP): Vietnam has postponed its hosting of Asia’s largest security forum, which includes North Korea, and an annual meeting of South-East Asian foreign ministers by a month to September due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Asian shares drop on jitters over virus, China-US friction
TOKYO (AP): Shares fell in Asia on Tuesday (July 14) as skepticism set in about the recent upward momentum in global markets given rising confirmed coronavirus cases and percolating tensions between the US and China.
‘Not yet time to invoke US treaty’
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr said he was not yet inclined to invoke the country’s Mutual Defence Treaty (MDT) with the United States over incidents in the West Philippine Sea because it would only escalate rather than cool down tensions.
China aims to expand nuclear power programme amid threat of global energy crisis following Ukraine invasion
China is doubling down on nuclear power and promoting advanced technologies under its energy plan for 2025 as the world faces an energy crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Philippines slams Chinese ship's 'close distance manoeuvring' at Scarborough Shoal
MANILA (Reuters): The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday (March 27) reported a recent incident of "close distance manoeuvring" by a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel in the disputed South China Sea that "constrained" the movement of a Philippine ship sailing nearby.
Viet PM warns of calamity at summit
THE country’s Prime Minister warned that the virus pandemic has swept away years of economic gains as South-East Asian leaders met online for a summit.
China’s Horn of Africa envoy advances Beijing’s push for peace in strategic and complex region
China’s new envoy for Horn of Africa affairs will help Beijing take a bigger role in the African region’s politics, economy and security to further peace in a part of the world where Beijing has vast investment interests and its first overseas military base.
Coronavirus Hong Kong: lawmakers suggest using cruise ships for quarantine, drones to airlift in supplies amid surging fifth wave
Several Hong Kong lawmakers have suggested using empty cruise ships as makeshift quarantine facilities, while others have called on residents to “complain less” and “tolerate more” amid an ongoing surge in coronavirus cases that has overwhelmed the government’s response.
‘No benefit’ for China’s Taiwan claim in Russian war with Ukraine
A Russian invasion of Ukraine would be a diplomatic dilemma for Beijing and do nothing to further the reunification of Taiwan with the mainland, according to Chinese experts.
‘No benefit’ for China’s Taiwan claim in Russian war with Ukraine
A Russian invasion of Ukraine would be a diplomatic dilemma for Beijing and do nothing to further the reunification of Taiwan with the mainland, according to Chinese experts.
US urged to explain balloon flights in Chinese airspace
BEIJING (China Daily/Asia News Network): Beijing on Tuesday (Feb 14) urged Washington to carry out a thorough investigation and give China an explanation about US balloons entering Chinese airspace.
China quarantines 94 people on Seoul flight after 3 show fever
BEIJING (AFP): China quarantined 94 air passengers arriving from Seoul after three people on the flight were discovered to have fevers, state media reported Wednesday (Feb 26).
India bans 54 apps including ‘Free Fire’ on China security worries
India has banned 54 apps it says are of Chinese origin, including Sea Ltd’s marquee game Free Fire, citing security concerns, people with knowledge of the matter said, the latest instance of tensions between the two neighbours locked in a protracted border dispute.
Asia's slow aviation recovery to cast shadow over Singapore Airshow
SINGAPORE (Reuters): The Asia-Pacific aviation industry's slow recovery from the pandemic amid government restrictions will cast a shadow over the Singapore Airshow next week, though there are nascent signs of improvement as concerns over the Omicron variant recede.
Philippines Duterte deals blow to US by terminating troop pact
MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday (Feb 11) terminated a two-decade-old Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States (VFA) delivering on threats to downgrade an alliance crucial to US interests.
Duterte terminates Philippines troop pact, U.S. calls move 'unfortunate'
MANILA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday announced the termination of a two-decade-old Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States (VFA), delivering on threats to downgrade an alliance important to U.S. interests.
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Saturday (Feb 5, 2022)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Saturday (Feb 5)
China-Japan ties may rest on trade alone after Tokyo human rights vote
Economic ties could be all that remain of China and Japan’s relations, after a cross-bench parliamentary resolution in Tokyo on China’s human rights record was condemned by Beijing as a “severe provocation”.
Philippines urges China to halt any "provocative act" after laser aimed at vessel
China should restrain its forces so that they do not commit any "provocative act", the Philippine military said on Monday, after Manila accused China's coast guard of using a laser to try to disrupt a resupply mission to its troops in the South China Sea.
Heavy showers and thunder expected in Brunei over the week
The weather condition over Brunei Darussalam is forecast to be active starting today until Wednesday, the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department (BDMD) announced.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Monday (Feb 13, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Monday (Feb 13, 2023)
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Saturday (Jan 29, 2022)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Saturday (Jan 25)
Philippines secures supersonic anti-ship missiles from India
The Philippine defense chief signed an 18.9 billion peso ($378 million) deal Friday with India to acquire the military’s first shore-based anti-ship missile system that he said would be used to defend the country’s sovereignty especially in the disputed South China Sea.
US House finalises bill to confront China, including provisions on semiconductors and Taiwan ties
The US House of Representatives on Tuesday finalised sweeping legislation meant to boost US competition with China.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Sunday (Feb 12, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Sunday (Feb 12, 2023)
Indonesian President assures fishermen of sovereignty of Natuna Islands
JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo flew to the Natuna Islands on Wednesday (Jan 8) amid a stand-off between Indonesian warships and Chinese coast guard vessels and fishing boats in the rich fishing grounds between Malaysia and Borneo.
Volcano erupts near Manila; airport shut, villagers flee (update)
TAGAYTAY (Philippines): A small volcano near the Philippine capital that draws many tourists for its picturesque setting in a lake erupted with a massive plume of ash and steam on Sunday (Jan 12), prompting thousands of people to flee and officials to shut Manila’s international airport.
China opposes Japan, US interfering in its domestic affairs
TOKYO/BEIJING (China Daily/Asia News Network): China has lashed out at Japan and the United States as the two allies pointed fingers at Beijing's domestic issues and core interests and went overboard in interfering in its affairs
United States and Japan agree to boost security and economic cooperation amid rising concerns
US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed in a virtual meeting on Friday night (Jan 21) to boost cooperation on pressing economic and security issues, including China, North Korea's missiles and Russia's threat to Ukraine.
North Korea using Russian satellite navigation system instead of GPS for missile launches, observers say
North Korea has been launching missiles without the support of America’s global positioning system, instead turning to Russia’s satellite navigation network, according to observers.
No price on sovereignty
Land border and maritime delimitation negotiations take time – sometimes decades – for a good reason: each country fiercely protects its myriad interests.
Philippines agrees to buy India anti-ship missile system
The Philippines has agreed to buy an anti-ship missile system from India, the defence minister said Friday, shoring up its security in the face of growing Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.
Top 10 gems in Malaysia
Klang Valley folks eager to escape the concrete jungle can explore these domestic destinations that will surely leave them in awe of nature’s beauty.
On visit to Beijing, Cambodia's Hun Sen meets China's Xi; cement close ties between two Asian countries
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen met Friday with Chinese President Xi Jinping on a visit to his ally that underscores increasingly close ties between the two Asian countries.
Cambodian PM Hun Sen receives support pledges from China
CAMBODIAN Prime Minister Hun Sen received multiple assurances of Chinese economic and political support during a meeting in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Japan-Australia defence deal could add fuel to China-US rivalry, analysts say
A “landmark” defence deal between Japan and Australia could further fuel competition between China and US-led allies and deepen worries that countries in the region may be forced to take sides, Chinese observers warned.
Japan-Australia defence deal could add fuel to China-US rivalry, analysts say
A “landmark” defence deal between Japan and Australia could further fuel competition between China and US-led allies and deepen worries that countries in the region may be forced to take sides, Chinese observers warned.
Hong Kong customs officers seize HK$17 million worth of contraband sea cucumber, arrest seven
Hong Kong police and customs officers have seized HK$17 million (US$2.2 million) worth of contraband sea cucumber on a vessel believed to be smuggling it out of the city, arresting seven in the process.
US-China relations to settle into 'mutually tolerable friction' zone in 2022: Forum
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): The world is in for a decade-long geopolitical contest that could prove more intense and dangerous than the Cold War, an eminent political scientist said on the topic of US-China relations at a forum on Thursday (Dec 6).
Foreign Minister Wang Yi says Europe has a ‘cognitive split’ on China policy
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Europe had a “cognitive split” in its China policy by being both a partner and a rival, while Beijing had serious doubts over whether Washington wanted to improve bilateral ties.
Marcos in Tokyo to sign defence, infrastructure deals
Tokyo (AFP): Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos will meet Japan's prime minister on Thursday (Feb 9) seeking to deepen ties, including with defence deals, in response to growing Chinese military pressure in the region.
Continous rain forecast in Johor, Sabah and Sarawak, says MetMalaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) is forecasting a monsoon surge from Dec 27 to 30, which could cause continuous rain in eastern Johor,
It’s not a one-off occurrence, warns climatologist
PETALING JAYA: The recent flooding incident that had caused widespread damage throughout the country will recur, says a climatologist.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Tuesday (Feb 7, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Tuesday (Feb 7, 2023)
Mutual trust and understanding essential
For China and Malaysia, however, this is being challenged by the security incidents and active disputes in the South China Sea.
US imposes arms embargo on Cambodia over China, human rights concerns
The US government on Wednesday night (dec 8) imposed an arms embargo on Cambodia, citing concerns about human rights and corruption in the South-East Asian nation as well as China's activities there.
US, EU diplomats voice concern about China’s human rights abuses, aggression
The US and European Union held a new round of diplomatic talks on their relations with China on Thursday, the latest sign of a burgeoning transatlantic united front to confront Beijing amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Indo-Pacific gets crowded as Russia, Asean hold naval drills
JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network): Russia kicked off its first ever joint naval exercise with Asean member states in the Malacca Strait on Wednesday (Dec 1), making the Eastern European country the latest actor to show a keen interest in the increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region.
Sankei: Washington weighing deploying medium-range missiles to US forces in Japan
TOKYO (Reuters): Washington has suggested deploying medium-range missiles in Japan as part of a plan to bolster defences against China along the East and South China Seas, the Sankei newspaper reported on Saturday citing unidentified people involved with US-Japan relations.
German coalition seals deal for new government, new tough-talking China policy
A deal announced on Wednesday confirmed that Germany will have a new government, a new chancellor and, according to the coalition agreement, a new and tougher policy on China.
Philippines rejects China's demand to remove grounded navy ship
MANILA (Reuters): The Philippines will not remove a dilapidated navy ship grounded on an atoll in the South China Sea, its defence chief said on Thursday (Nov 25), rejecting a demand by China after it blocked a mission to resupply the vessel's crew.
Cooperation, regional stability among agenda at Asean meet retreat, says Zambry
JAKARTA: The agenda of fair cooperation, Myanmar issues, regional stability and Islamophobia were among the focus of discussion at the Asean Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMM Retreat), according to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Saturday (Feb 4, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Saturday (Feb 4, 2023)
Philippines accuses China of 'harassment' in disputed sea
Manila's defence minister on Tuesday accused the Chinese coastguard of "intimidation and harassment" after Philippine navy personnel were filmed and photographed unloading goods in the disputed South China Sea.
PM: Asean and China can make a real difference
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean and China could work together on boosting multilateralism, especially in reforming the United Nations to ensure it remained effective and relevant amidst evolving global dynamics.
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Monday (Nov 22)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Monday (Nov 22)
Oil prices off seven-week lows but under pressure as release of reserves eyed
Oil prices came off seven-week lows on Monday but remained under pressure after Japan said it was weighing releasing oil reserves and as the Covid-19 situation in Europe worsened, raising concerns about both oversupply and weak demand.
Xi, Asean leaders to plan future goals
BEIJING (China Daily/Asia News Network): China and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) will use a summit commemorating the 30th anniversary of their dialogue relations to upgrade bilateral cooperation and make greater contributions to peace, stability and prosperity in the region, officials and experts said.
Malaysia's diplomats need to be ready to adapt to changes, says Sultan Nazrin
PETALING JAYA: With evolving challenges confronting diplomacy over time, Malaysia must be ready to adapt and leverage them to its best advantage, says Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.
Malaysian explores a piece of history in Labuan
Our reader made his first trip to the Federal State of Labuan in 2011 and visited places such as the Labuan Chimney, Kampong Patau Patau, and the largest World War II grave in Malaysia.
Manila says alliance with United States is ‘rock solid’
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): The Philippine-United States (US) alliance is “rock solid,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo said on Friday (Feb 3).
China looking into report of spy balloon flying over US
BEIJING: China said it is looking into reports that a Chinese spy balloon has been flying in US airspace and urged calm, adding that it has “no intention of violating the territory and airspace of any sovereign country”.
Adani crisis shakes investors’ faith in India
Just Just 10 days ago, Gautam Adani and his sprawling energy-to-ports empire looked invincible. Now, a damning short-seller attack has left the billionaire battling the worst crisis of his corporate life – and is raising bigger, darker questions about India’s credibility as a global growth engine and a destination for international investors.
Wang: China to provide Asean with jabs until pandemic ends
BEIJING (Xinhua): Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with diplomatic envoys of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Aeean) countries on Sunday (Nov 13) in Beijing.
Beijing urges Tokyo not to ‘complicate the situation’ in East China Sea
Japan has raised concerns over Chinese military activities in the disputed East China Sea in talks on Wednesday, while Beijing urged Tokyo not to do anything to complicate the situation.
US sanctions Cambodian officials over alleged corruption at Ream Naval Base
The US government has sanctioned Cambodian officials for alleged graft at the South-East Asian nation’s largest naval base, where the demolition of structures funded by Washington has drawn criticism from US officials concerned about China’s access to the facility.
US urged to elaborate on submarine collision
Washington should elaborate further on a submarine incident in the South China Sea in order to fully respond to the concerns and misgivings of countries in the region, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday (Nov 2), urging the United States to stop undermining the sovereignty and security of other countries.
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Monday (Nov 1)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Monday (Nov 1)
Biden criticises China's 'coercive' actions across Taiwan Strait
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (AFP): US President Joe Biden on Wednesday (Oct 27) criticised Beijing's "coercive" actions across the Taiwan Strait in an address to a summit of Asia-Pacific nations also attended by China's premier.
Japan pledges to work with Asean toward free, open, peaceful Indo-Pacific
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Making his debut appearance at a high-level meeting with Asean leaders, Japan's new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday (Oct 27) pledged to work together with the regional grouping to ensure a free, open and peaceful Indo-Pacific.
China seeks upgrade of ties with Asean in lead-up to Xi summit
BEIJING (Bloomberg):-- China wants to upgrade its relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, calling for a special summit next month that President Xi Jinping (pic) will attend as the world’s second largest economy seeks to expand its reach in a region where the US is also vying for influence.
Nation stands committed to FPDA, says Hishammuddin
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia remains firm in its commitment under the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), despite the emergence of the newly formed three-party security pact known as Aukus, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
M’sia firmly committed to FPDA despite Aukus emergence, says Hisham
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is firmly committed to the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) despite the emergence of the new Australia-United Kingdom-United States (Aukus) security pact, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
Biden sparks confusion with commitment to Taiwan’s defence if Beijing attacks
US President Joe Biden said the United States would come to Taiwan’s defence in the event that China attacked the self-governed island, prompting confusion about whether his administration remained committed to the long-held US policy of “strategic ambiguity”.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Tuesday (Jan 31, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Tuesday (Jan 31, 2023)
Biden: US would defend Taiwan from attack by China
BALTIMORE (Bloomberg): President Joe Biden said the US was committed to defending Taiwan from a Chinese attack, in some of his strongest comments yet as the administration faces calls to clarify its stance on the democratically ruled island.
Asean can ward off Aukus' Cold War tactics: China Daily editorial
The paper says it would be beneficial for the region and beyond if Asean could set up a firewall of common will to safeguard regional peace and stability.
Indonesia and Malaysia concerned over AUKUS nuclear subs plan
Indonesia and Malaysia share strong reservations over Australia's decision to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, even though nuclear weapons were not part of the plan, Malaysia's foreign minister said on Monday.
The Philippines and US eye return to full military drills in 2022
The US and the Philippines are planning to return to full-scale military drills in 2022 after two years and will invite Australia and the UK as observers, in another sign of the Biden administration’s push to deepen ties in the Indo-Pacific and counter China’s assertiveness.
US, Philippines seek to return to full military drills in 2022
MANILA (Bloomberg): The US and the Philippines are planning to return to full-scale military drills in 2022 after two years and will invite Australia and the UK as observers, in another sign of the Biden administration’s push to deepen ties in the Indo-Pacific and counter China’s assertiveness.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Monday (Jan 30, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Monday (Jan 30, 2023)
Aukus impact on SEA security to be discussed at retreat
THE government’s stand on Aukus is clear as it views the regional security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States as having the potential to undermine peace and stability in South-East Asia, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
Asean defence meeting retreat to discuss regional stance over Aukus, says Hisham
KUALA LUMPUR: The upcoming Asean Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) retreat next month will be an important platform to strengthen regional defence cooperation in light of the controversial trilateral security pact between Australia, United Kingdom and the United States (Aukus).
Tropical storm turns London-Hong Kong flight with British Airways into 36-hour on-board ordeal, forcing diversion to Manila
What should have been a 12-hour flight from Britain to Hong Kong turned into a 36-hour ordeal for about 100 passengers stuck aboard a British Airways plane that was forced to divert to Manila due to Tropical Storm Lionrock.
Sabah’s jumpy politics
There is talk of a power broker stirring the pot and encouraging politicians to jump in the Land Below the Wind.
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Saturday (Oct 9)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Saturday (Oct 9)
Navy deploys additional ship after encroachment into EEZ off Sabah, S'wak coast
SANDAKAN (Bernama): The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has deployed an additional vessel to monitor activities in Malaysian waters, following the presence of foreign vessels in Malaysia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off Sabah and Sarawak's coast recently.
GLC chairmen should act in line with ruling government
FROM DR GAN KANG KAI
Hisham: We have our own stand on Aukus
AS a sovereign nation, Malaysia has its own position regarding the security pact known as Aukus between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Sunday (Jan 29, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Sunday (Jan 29, 2023)
Asean nations caught in a quandary
The entry of the new trilateral defence pact in the Asia-Pacific region has divided South-East Asian countries and negated the quest for a zone of peace, freedom and neutrality.
Asean defence cooperation equally important with Aukus development, says Hisham
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia as a sovereign nation has its own position regarding the security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and United States, known as Aukus, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
Fighting for Malaysia's fish: Game of cat and mouse on the high seas
Malaysian authorities are waging a battle against foreign fishermen who ane encroaching illegally into local waters and depriving our fisher folk of their catch.
Malaysia summons envoy over encroachment of Chinese vessels into its waters
PUTRAJAYA (Bernama): The Foreign Affairs Ministry (Wisma Putra) called in China’s ambassador on Monday (Oct 4) to convey Malaysia’s position and protest against the presence and activities of Chinese vessels, including a survey vessel, in Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone off the coasts of Sabah and Sarawak.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Saturday (Jan 28, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Saturday (Jan 28, 2023)
Quad leaders, meeting in person for first time, are seen to plan several initiatives for confronting China
US President Joe Biden and prime ministers of Australia, India and Japan expected to announce measures on vaccines, climate change and 5GBy not moderating its assertive military posture in Indo-Pacific, Beijing may be driving greater regional interest in the group, analysts say
Aiming for regional peace
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will seek views from Beijing on defence issues following the new security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States known as Aukus, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein told the Dewan Rakyat.
China military: PLA in market for Russian Ka-52K heavy attack helicopters
China has struggled to come up with its own combat choppers for its new amphibious assault shipsAgreement would signal closer defence ties amid US hostility, observer says
Explain trilateral security pact with UK and US, Australia urged
PETALING JAYA: Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has called on Australia to address regional perception towards its trilateral security pact with the United Kingdom and the United States, known as Aukus.
Aussie officials to brief Malaysia on Aukus
PUTRAJAYA: Australia will send its officials to Malaysia to provide further clarification and understanding on the security partnership involving the country, the United Kingdom and the United States, known as Aukus, says Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
Australia to send officials to provide further understanding on Aukus, says Saifuddin
PUTRAJAYA (Bernama): Australia will send its officials to Malaysia to provide further clarification and understanding on the security partnership involving the country, the United Kingdom and the United States, known with the acronym Aukus, said Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
AUKUS defence pact puts Indonesia in tight spot
JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network): Australia’s newly unveiled defence pact with the United Kingdom and the United States is expected to heighten tensions in the Indo-Pacific, with Indonesia and other countries finding themselves caught in the middle of an arms race between Western allies and China.
Concern over security pact
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has expressed its concern that the security partnership involving Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, known as Aukus, could potentially spark a nuclear arms race in the Indo-Pacific region.
Indonesia warns against arms race after Australian nuclear sub pact
Indonesia said on Friday it was worried about an arms race in the region after neighbouring Australia announced plans to acquire nuclear-powered submarines as part of a new Indo-Pacific security alliance with the United States and Britain.
France warns ‘Aukus’ alliance threatens security partnerships in Indo-Pacific
France ‘notes and regrets’ end of its submarine deal with Australia and will convene EU summit on European defenceNo mention of China in announcement of alliance between Australia, Britain and US which is aimed at Indo-Pacific security
Malaysian tour guide recalls first local tour with foreigners in late 80s
The columnist recalls his first local tour with foreigners more than three decades ago.
Embassy slams Japan defence chief's verbal attacks on China
HANOI (Xinhua): The Chinese Embassy in Vietnam on Monday (Sept 14) refuted Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi's verbal attacks on China during his visit to Vietnam.
China, Cambodia agree to enhance bilateral cooperation
PHNOM PENH (Xinhua): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and visiting Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed on Sunday (Sept 12) to enhance cooperation in fighting Covid-19, boost bilateral trade and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.
Separated yet still connected
ON Thursday, we will celebrate Malaysia Day, the day on which, 58 years ago, the Federation of Malaya, Sarawak, North Borneo (as Sabah was then called) and Singapore came together to form the Federation of Malaysia.
Philippine FM and US State Secretary tackle vaxxing efforts, human rights in first face-to-face meet
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in a face-to-face meeting for the first time and discussed Covid-19 vaccination efforts, the importance of respecting international law in the South China Sea as well as human rights, among others.
Asean news headlines as at 9pm on Thursday (Jan 26)
News highlights from the AseanPlus section on Thursday (Jan 26)
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Friday (Sept 3)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Friday (Sept 3)
9/11, 20 years later: did the tragedy give US-China relations a respite?
Beijing saw the opportunity to reset its relationship with Washington, which needed its support and agreed to label ETIM a terrorist groupMore recently, analysts say, the US focus on other theatres has emboldened China’s aggressive moves in the South China Sea and elsewhere
Hong Kong customs racking up record drug busts as global trafficking syndicates switch tactics during pandemic
The successful drug busts have been attributed to increased cooperation by global law enforcement agenciesDrug couriers have been grounded by travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic, forcing traffickers to resort to air and sea cargo instead
Fresh resolve on sea feuds
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said he had proposed to China that the two countries hold talks between their foreign ministers to quickly resolve any new conflicts in the disputed South China Sea, and blamed Chinese actions for the disagreements.
Conflict with China not inevitable: US officials
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Senior United States officials stressed during a panel discussion on Tuesday (Aug 24) that US-China conflict is not inevitable, and the US' intent is not to ask countries to choose sides.
Harris blasts China, says US won’t force Asia to pick sides
SINGAPORE (Bloomberg): Vice President Kamala Harris warned that China poses a threat to countries in Asia, while reassuring nations in the region the US won’t force countries to choose between the world’s biggest economies.
RM1bil allocation to boost border security for Sabah, Sarawak timely, says Kunak rep
KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Government’s commitment to allocate RM1bil for border infrastructure in Sabah and Sarawak is a good step towards strengthening the border security for both regions, says Kunak assemblyman Norazlinah Arif.
Asean news headlines as at 9pm on Tuesday (Jan 24)
News highlights from the Asean Plus section on Tuesday (Jan 24)
Indonesia should act as bridge between US, China: Prabowo
JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/ANN): Gerindra Party chairman and DefenCe Minister Prabowo Subianto has said Indonesia should continue to foster good relations with both China and the United States so that it can act as a bridge between the two powers, while expressing his admiration for the former’s rapid development.
Chinese scientists say their model can predict dangerous ‘internal waves’ in Andaman Sea
The waves are so strong they can sink submarines, and the study findings could help to improve safety and combat capabilitiesMore than half of China’s foreign trade passes through the nearby Strait of Malacca and its naval activity has increased in the area
Coronavirus: Hong Kong nurse suspended after giving man 2 BioNTech vaccine jabs in same sitting
Authorities are investigating the incident at the Tuen Mun facility, which experts said posed little threat to the recipient’s healthCity confirms five new cases – two from Switzerland and three involving sea crew members from Thailand, Singapore and South Korea
US’ aircraft carrier shock trial tells China it doesn’t fear ship-killer missiles, observer says
USS Gerald R. Ford tested against impact from underwater detonation of 40,000lbs of explosives, equivalent to a 3.9-magnitude earthquakeThe trials send a message to China and Russia about US aircraft carriers’ resilience, former Chinese military instructor says
US’ aircraft carrier shock trial tells China it doesn’t fear ship-killer missiles, observer says
USS Gerald R. Ford tested against impact from underwater detonation of 40,000lbs of explosives, equivalent to a 3.9-magnitude earthquakeThe trials send a message to China and Russia about US aircraft carriers’ resilience, former Chinese military instructor says
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Tuesday (Aug 10)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Tuesday (Aug 9)
US dismisses Myanmar election plan, urges Asean pressure
WASHINGTON (AFP): The United States said Monday (Aug 2) that Myanmar's junta was playing for time with a two-year election timeframe as Secretary of State Antony Blinken prepared to encourage Asean to appoint an envoy.
Philippines' Duterte fully restores key troop pact with US
MANILA (Reuters): President Rodrigo Duterte has restored a crucial pact governing the presence of US troops in the Philippines, the two countries' defence ministers said on Friday (July 30), reversing a decision that had caused increasing concern in Washington and Manila.
Philippine leader Duterte unabashedly threatens to kill drug dealers
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte unabashedly renewed his threat to kill drug dealers in his final state of the nation speech late on Monday (july 26), while defending his non-confrontational approach in the country's territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea.
Worrying unemployment figures among youth: Korea Herald
The paper says that Korean government needs to prioritise job creation to solve unemployment in the long-run.
Duterte vows to lead Philippines out of Covid-19 pandemic in last year in office
MANILA (The Straits Times/ANN): President Rodrigo Duterte vowed on Monday (July 26) to shepherd the Philippines out of the Covid-19 pandemic in his last year in office, outlining plans to pull the economy out of a deep recession and keep the coronavirus at bay.
Vietnam succession battle heats up after President’s ouster
Over the past few years, Vietnamese Communist Party Chief Nguyen Phu Trong has won praise from investors for removing corrupt officials. Now as some big names fall, it’s becoming clear his campaign serves another purpose: strengthening his hand in choosing a successor.
Taiwan, Beijing and the US: has Japan chosen a side?
Japanese officials have shown support for the self-ruled island while defence white paper calls for vigilance with ‘a sense of crisis’Chinese observers say the country’s strategic direction has shifted and Beijing-friendly voices in Tokyo have been muted
Before China dropped waste in West Philippine Sea, reclamation already exacted its toll: scientists
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN): The use by hundreds of Chinese vessels of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) as a massive toilet for human excreta and other raw wastes was just one of the destructive impacts of China’s territorial grab in the area.
Philippine groups protest after Beijing calls Hague ruling ‘a piece of waste paper’
MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN): Appearing to take a cue from President Rodrigo Duterte’s past remarks, China has called the Philippines’ 2016 landmark victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration “nothing more than a piece of waste paper, ” drawing protests in Manila for the “disrespectful, crass statements.”
China reveals secret programme of unmanned drone submarines dating back to 1990s
Drone submarine test-fired in Taiwan Strait without human input, declassified details suggestTesting showed it could detect a mock craft, use artificial intelligence to identify its origin, and hit it with a torpedo
Duterte’s pivot to China yet to deliver promised billions
MANILA (Bloomberg): Near the centre of Manila, construction workers are now rushing to complete a US$69-million China-funded bridge by the end of this year after repeatedly missing deadlines.
India’s latest Agni-P missile no great threat to China: experts
The nuclear-capable medium range weapon ‘still needs to prove’ its anti-ship capability after successful first firingMissile is said to match China’s DF-21D ‘aircraft carrier killer’ and is an advanced variant of the Indian Agni class
Vietnam says Netflix removes show violating sovereignty laws
Netflix Inc stopped offering the political TV drama Pine Gap in Vietnam after the government’s Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information said it violated sovereignty laws by depicting a map indicating South China Sea islands are not Vietnamese territory.
Philippines and Japan to hold first joint air force exercises
MANILA (Reuters):The air forces of Japan and the Philippines will hold their first-ever joint exercises next week, Japan's embassy in Manila said on Thursday (July 1), in a further sign of deepening defence ties between the two countries.
MetMalaysia anticipates monsoon surge to begin tomorrow until Jan 23
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) anticipates monsoon surge to begin tomorrow until Jan 23, with possible continuous rainfall over certain states, namely Johor, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu.
Aquino, Philippine ex-leader who challenged the might of China, will always be fondly remembered
Former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III was buried on Saturday with thousands lining the streets of Manila to remember him for standing up to China in bitter territorial disputes, striking a peace deal with Muslim guerrillas and defending democracy in the Southeast Asian nation where his parents helped topple a dictator.
Asean News Headlines at 9pm on Tuesday (Jan 17, 2023)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Tuesday (Jan 17, 2023)
Why Chinese military’s latest Taiwan sortie suggests PLA is expanding scope of combat training
Tuesday’s mission was the largest of its kind, but was also the first such operation conducted on the eastern side of the island, home to two key airbasesMilitary analysts say this suggests the PLA is trying to improve its operational capabilities and provide ‘realistic’ combat training
Wisma Putra votes to free detainees and end violence in Myanmar
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia fully supported and voted in favour of the United Nations’ resolution which called for an end to the violence and release of political detainees in Myanmar, said Wisma Putra.
Geopolitical balance in SE-Asia region is dynamic, says Hisham
PETALING JAYA: Geopolitical balance, especially between the United States and China, is dynamic and no country remains unaffected, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
China must consider environmental effect and economic fragility for belt and road projects, study says
China’s ambitious effort to address global inequality and boost trade has an unequal problem of its ownStudy finds some countries are in desperate need of economic development but their environment could collapse in rapid growth
China and Asean pledge efforts to safeguard regional peace
China and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) has pledged joint efforts to safeguard regional peace.
China’s European investments in downward trend, 10-year low amid coronavirus pandemic, political tensions: report
Covid-19 and rising political tensions blamed for 10-year low in Chinese investments in EU countries and BritainFears Chinese investors would use pandemic to snap up distressed assets prove unfounded, as total global spend drops
A far-flung Taiwan island risks triggering a US-China clash
TAIPEI (Bloomberg):When 28 Chinese warplanes streaked through the skies around Taiwan on Tuesday (June 15) -- the largest such incursion this year -- they followed a pattern that has generated alarm among US and Taiwanese military planners.
China’s rocket force tests ‘carrier killer’ DF-26 ballistic missiles
Video of PLA rocket force training shows rapid-response drill deploying missiles with 4,000km range that can be used in nuclear or conventional strikesShowing enhanced strike capability against naval vessels sent a warning to foreign forces ‘not to meddle in China’s core interests’, says military analyst
Asean News Headlines as at 9pm on Monday (June 7)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Monday (June 7)
Five Eyes: why New Zealand wants to go its own, quieter way on China
Smallest member of world’s oldest intelligence-sharing network prefers a more traditional approach to megaphone diplomacy, according to analystsThey say it suggests different ideas on the purpose of the alliance and that Wellington doesn’t want to damage relations with Beijing, as others have
Vivian Balakrishnan in China for Asean-China meeting
BEIJING (The Straits Times/ANN): Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan is in China for meetings with his Asean and Chinese counterparts this week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement on Sunday (June 6).
China – Malaysia engagement has not ended but …
FROM Dr Rais Hussin is President and CEO of EMIR Research, a think tank focused on strategic policy recommendations based on rigorous research
Pacquiao emerges as obstacle to Duterte’s succession plans
MANILA (Bloomberg): Boxer-turned-politician Manny Pacquiao is emerging as an obstacle to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s succession plans when his single six-year term ends next year.
MCA: Strong but diplomatic response needed
PETALING JAYA: The issue of 16 Chinese military aircraft detected near Malaysian airspace must be handled decisively and tactfully, says MCA.
China says military flight off Malaysia was 'routine training'
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): China said Wednesday (June 2) a flight by 16 military aircraft over hotly contested waters off Malaysia was routine training, after the Southeast Asian nation accused Beijing of breaching its sovereignty.
No foreign interference, says China, as Australia, New Zealand unite over human rights
BEIJING (The Straits Times/ANN): China said on Monday (May 31) it was firmly opposed to foreign interference after Australia and New Zealand, presenting a united front, expressed concerns over China's actions in Hong Kong and the north-western Xinjiang region.
Dairy valley project set for Mersing
JEMALUANG in Mersing district, located about 150km from Johor Baru city centre, has the potential to emerge as the leading dairy producer in Malaysia.
Tension in the Taiwan Strait 'gravest threat' to East Asia security: Experts
TOKYO (The Straits Times/ANN): The Taiwan Strait poses the gravest threat to regional security in the event of a military accident there as tensions threaten to boil over, even if the preference may be to preserve the status quo, experts told a regional forum on Friday (May 21).
From The Archives: The many types of laksa in Malaysia
A 'laksa war' has broken out amongst Malaysian netizens recently. But what are the different types of laksa in Malaysia? Here is a story from our archives where we explored the different interpretations in each state and region.
QuickCheck: Was a dolphin calf found beached in Johor?
IT is said that a dolphin calf was found beached along the coastline of Pantai Air Papan in Mersing.
China adds ships in disputed sea, says Philippine top diplomat
MANILA (Bloomberg): China has added more ships in a disputed area of the South China Sea even after the Philippines’ repeated protests, according to President Rodrigo Duterte’s top diplomat, who’s pledged to take up the issue with his Chinese counterpart.
Vietnam agency seeks to build airport on disputed Spratly islands: media
HANOI (Bloomberg): Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority is proposing the construction of an airport in the disputed Spratly Islands, Thanh Nien newspaper reported.
China watches for changes to US’ Taiwan policy after Kurt Campbell’s comments
A ‘lack of transparency has made the PLA doubt whether Washington will adjust its strategic ambiguity over the Taiwan issue’, military source saysDespite tensions, both sides appear to have scaled back their provocative actions in the region, adviser to Beijing says
China-Australia relations: farmer laments ‘mistake’ of depending solely on Chinese market as supply chains shift
South Australian farmer Corey Blacksell said the biggest eye-opener for him last year was not so much the deteriorating relations between Australia and its biggest trading partner, but how Australia had become so complacent in its reliance on that one export customer: China.
FILE PHOTO: Some of the about 220 Chinese vessels reported by the Philippine Coast Guard, and believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel, are pictured at Whitsun Reef, South China Sea, March 7, 2021. Philippine Coast Guard/National Task Force-West Philippine Sea/Handout via REUTERS.
MANILA (Reuters) - Hundreds of Chinese vessels believed to be manned by militias in the South China Sea have spread to a wider area, the Philippines said on Wednesday, defying its demand for the flotilla to be withdrawn immediately.
The Philippines has described the presence of the boats inside its 200-mile exclusive economic zone at Whitsun Reef as "swarming and threatening", while Canada, Australia, the United States, Japan and others have voiced concern about China's intentions, prompting rebukes by Beijing.
Chinese diplomats have said the boats were sheltering from rough seas and no militia were aboard.
In a statement, the Philippines' task force on the South China Sea expressed "deep concern over the continuing unlawful presence (swarming) of the Chinese maritime militia, which did not pull out."
"Neither the Philippines nor the international community will ever accept China's assertion of its so-called 'indisputable integrated sovereignty' over almost all of the South China Sea," the task force said, urging an immediate withdrawal of the vessels.
The Philippine position over Chinese boats is one of the strongest since President Rodrigo Duterte took power in 2016 and sought to befriend Beijing, which has frustrated nationalists who say he has been soft on China, hurt ties with the United States and gambled with national sovereignty.
Citing intelligence gathered by its own patrols, the task force said 44 vessels were still at Whitsun Reef and about 200 others were spread out around other parts of the Spratly islands, including near China's militarised manmade islands, where four of its navy boats were seen.
China's embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday said Washington stands by its ally, the Philippines, in the face of China's massing maritime militia at Whitsun Reef.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2021/03/31/philippines-says-chinese-039militia039-swarm-has-spread-in-disputed-waters
