Tag - asean

 
 

ASEAN

Cranes and containers are pictured at the Yantian port in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China, on Thursday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Apr 21, 2025
China warns countries against striking trade deals with U.S.
Beijing will firmly oppose any party striking a deal at China's expense and "will take countermeasures in a resolute and reciprocal manner," its Commerce Ministry said.
A police car enters Insein prison before the release of prisoners to commemorate the Buddhist New Year in Yangon on Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 17, 2025
Myanmar junta to free nearly 5,000 prisoners in amnesty
The junta said 13 foreign nationals would also be pardoned and deported, without giving details of their identities or crimes.
ASEAN should use the 90-day pause on Donald Trump’s punishingly high tariffs to develop a unified position and broaden its membership by admitting East Timor and opening accession talks with Sri Lanka.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Apr 16, 2025
ASEAN should expand to counter Trump’s tariffs
It came as no surprise that China would be the hardest hit, but the punishing duties imposed on most Asian countries were a profound shock.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping waves as he arrives for a two-day state visit at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on Monday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 14, 2025
Xi seeks to win with Southeast Asia trip as Trump pauses some tariffs
Xi arrived in Vietnam on Monday and was due to visit Malaysia and Cambodia later this week, just days after Trump raised tariffs on China but gave everyone else a 90-day pause.
Asian countries can counter Donald Trump’s protectionism by deepening regional trade, financial cooperation and strategic alliances to reduce U.S. dependence.
COMMENTARY / World
Apr 1, 2025
Asia must unite to survive Trump 2.0
Asian countries can counter Donald Trump’s protectionism by deepening regional trade, financial cooperation and strategic alliances to reduce U.S. dependence.
Just like in times of old, with unresolved territorial disputes, regional disunity and economic self-interest prevailing over solidarity, Southeast Asia faces growing instability as tensions escalate.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 13, 2025
Southeast Asia must learn to defend itself
Would any of the region’s governments lift a finger to maintain peace on behalf of a neighbor?
The 50th ASEAN-Japan commemorative summit was held in Tokyo in December 2023. Japan has strong relations with ASEAN member countries and should continue leveraging this position to pursue its Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision.
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Feb 14, 2025
Why ASEAN is crucial to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific
Tokyo understands ASEAN's centrality to the Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision better than Washington does and should continue leading in defending this regional order.
A man walks pastthe ASEAN logo during the ASEAN foreign ministers' retreat in Langkawi, Malaysia, on Saturday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 19, 2025
Malaysia takes on ASEAN mantle but tempers expectations on Myanmar and South China Sea
Malaysia is committed to addressing regional issues, but expectations on Myanmar and disputes in the South China Sea should be measured, a top official said.
A train passes over downtown Kuala Lumpur
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 26, 2024
ASEAN's second renaissance is now
The bloc’s economies, despite varying political landscapes, rank among the world’s most dynamic.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) shakes hands with Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone during an ASEAN summit closing ceremony to hand over the grouping's chairmanship to Kuala Lumpur at the National Convention Center in Vientiane, Laos, in October.
JAPAN / Politics
Dec 16, 2024
Lowering tensions key priority for incoming ASEAN chair Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur will reach out to key players including Japan to try and jointly tackle the critical security issues affecting Southeast Asia, Malaysian envoy says.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is considering visiting Indonesia and Malaysia in early January, government sources have said.
JAPAN
Dec 9, 2024
Ishiba eyes visit to Indonesia and Malaysia in early January
Ishiba will postpone his planned visit to South Korea early next year due to political turmoil in the country.
ASEAN leaders pose for a group photo during the 21st ASEAN-India Summit in Vientiane on Oct. 10. U.S. President Joe Biden was notably absent once again from this years ASEAN gathering.
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 21, 2024
The U.S. risks irrelevance in Asia
While the Biden administration has boosted U.S. influence in the short term, the long-term outlook for Washington is one of increasing irrelevance in Asia.
President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) Hun Sen (center), Honorary President of the CPP Heng Samrin (left) and Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet (right)
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 14, 2024
The son almost rises: Cambodia's Hun Sen the power behind throne
More than a year after inheriting power from his father, Cambodian PM has yet to hold an open news conference to explain how he will navigate challenges.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang addresses the ASEAN-China summit during Association of Southeast Asian Nations meetings in Vientiane, Laos, on Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 13, 2024
U.S. official accuses Russia and China of blocking Asia leaders' statement
Russia and China blocked a proposed consensus statement for the East Asia Summit, mainly over objections to language on the contested South China Sea.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba attends the East Asia Summit during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Vientiane, Laos, on Friday.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 11, 2024
Ishiba clears low bar in diplomatic debut
Experts said Ishiba's visit signaled that he would maintain continuity with the policies set by former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Ishiba addresses the ASEAN-Japan Summit meeting in Laos on Thursday.
JAPAN / Politics
Oct 10, 2024
Ishiba keeps low profile as he makes diplomatic debut
The prime minister made pledges to strengthen maritime security and promote decarbonization during his first international trip since taking office.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. looks toward Chinese Premier Li Qiang during a meeting at the ASEAN summit in Vientiane, Laos, on Thursday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 10, 2024
Philippines challenges China over South China Sea at ASEAN meet
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said ASEAN and China cannot pretend that all is well on the economic front when there are political tensions.
Soldiers sit next to an armored vehicle outside a hotel during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Vientiane on Tuesday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 9, 2024
Southeast Asian summit to seek progress on Myanmar civil war
Rising tensions in the disputed South China Sea will also be on the agenda at the gathering of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Laos.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has floated an idea of creating an Asian version of the NATO security framework.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Oct 8, 2024
Ishiba's 'Asian NATO' dead on arrival as new PM set for diplomatic debut
Many Asian countries maintain delicate ties with China, making the creation of any defense group aimed at countering Beijing's influence difficult.
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra speaks during a news conference in Bangkok on Sept. 7.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 8, 2024
ASEAN must play key role in resolving Myanmar crisis, Thai prime minister says
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Monday the regional bloc ASEAN must play a key role in ending the protracted civil war in Myanmar, ahead of a summit of the leaders of the 10-member group in Laos this week.

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Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.
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