NEWSWORTHY
Southeast Asia wary of China's Belt and Road project, skeptical of U.S. commitment: survey
Southeast Asian countries should be cautious in negotiating with China on its flagship Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to avoid being trapped in unsustainable debt, 70 percent of respondents said in a policy survey released on Monday. Southeast Asia is increasingly skeptical of U.S. commitment ...
Trump's summit no-show at ASEAN draws Asian nations closer together
U.S. President Donald Trump didn't make it to this week's summit of Asian nations in Singapore, but his influence was still keenly felt among the leaders who gathered in the city. One prime minister warned that the trade war between Washington and Beijing could trigger ...
Tokyo joins ASEAN action plan to take on plastic waste in world's oceans
Japan on Thursday offered to cooperate with other Asian countries to address ocean pollution by reducing plastic debris. The country, together with China and South Korea, will assist the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in enhancing their monitoring of plastic waste and assessing the impact ...
16 Asia-Pacific nations eye 2019 conclusion of RCEP trade deal after delay
Leaders from 16 Asia-Pacific nations, including Japan, China and India, have said they will now seek a free trade agreement next year, missing a year-end deadline amid disagreements over tariffs and other politically sensitive issues. The delay underscores the difficulty posed by the diversity of ...
Pence tells Suu Kyi violence against Rohingya 'is without excuse'
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence criticized Myanmar's military over the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in a meeting with national leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday and said those responsible should be held accountable. "The violence and persecution by military and vigilantes that resulted in ...
Myanmar's neighbors to call for 'accountability' in Rakhine crisis: draft statement
Southeast Asian nations will call for those responsible for atrocities in Myanmar's Rakhine state to be held "fully accountable," according to a statement prepared for a regional summit, reflecting a stronger line being taken within the group. The draft of the chairman's statement, which was ...
RCEP ministers begin talks, seek accord on key parts of giant free trade deal
Ministers from 16 Asia-Pacific countries, including Japan, China and India, began talks Monday in Singapore, in a race to agree on key parts of a free trade deal before the end of the year. At stake is the creation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership ...
Pence subs for Trump at summits with skeptical Asian nations
U.S. President Donald Trump's absence at several international summits in Asia this week isn't a snub, Vice President Mike Pence told reporters en route to the region. The vice president was due to arrive in Tokyo later Monday on a trip that will also take ...
Abe and Mike Pence may meet next week to discuss North Korea: Japanese government sources
During the planned meeting, Abe is expected to seek cooperation in resolving the abductions issue and brief Pence on his recent visit to China.
U.S., China agree to Asia defense rules to avoid air clashes
Defense chiefs from the U.S. and China agreed in principle to guidelines on encounters between warplanes, in the latest bid by Pacific nations to keep increased military activity from escalating into conflict. U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis and seven other regional military chiefs, including ...
Japan will invite ASEAN air force personnel to observe ASDF training: Iwaya
Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Saturday that Tokyo will invite commissioned air force officers from every member state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to observe Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) training. "The Indo-Pacific region is facing complicated security issues, and we need to collectively ...
Southeast Asia hails world's first multilateral air encounter code
Southeast Asian countries agreed on Friday to guidelines to manage unexpected encounters between their military aircraft, with host Singapore calling the pact a world first and saying they would encourage their international partners to join. The agreement, signed by defense ministers of the 10-member Association ...
