ASEAN News

Taiwan – In an interview with CNN, the president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen expressed confidence that the US would protect the island if China launched a military assault. “I have trust” that US soldiers would assist Taiwan protect itself, Tsai told the television network, adding that Washington’s commitment includes sending Americans to train Taiwan’s military, a program confirmed to the …

Malaysia – In order to bolster border security, Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to further increase collaboration between the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) in the form of integrated posts, as well as other means. According to the Senior Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, the joint action between the Malaysian Armed Forces …

ASEAN – Myanmar is ‘part of the ASEAN family’, Brunei has said, after a summit of the Southeast Asian regional group, which barred Myanmar general Min Aung Hlaing for his failure to implement a reconciliation plan agreed at a previous meeting in April. The military seized power of Myanmar in February, detaining civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and triggering …

Japan – Princess Mako of Japan married her university boyfriend on Tuesday, foregoing her title in a marriage devoid of customary pomp and circumstance, with the pair allegedly considering relocating to the United States. When a member of the imperial family marries a commoner, she cannot attain the Chrysanthemum Throne and loses her royal position. Mako, Emperor Naruhito’s 30-year-old niece, …

Malaysia – Malaysia completely supports Brunei’s decision on Myanmar’s participation at the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said. He said this on Twitter in response to Malaysia’s remarks at the three-day summits commencing Tuesday via virtual conference and chaired by Brunei. On Oct 15, at an online conference of ASEAN …

Korea – Kim Seon Ho’s ex-girlfriend, who publicly discussed their relationship on the internet, has chosen to file a lawsuit against him for death threats and personal attacks. She posted anonymously to an online forum last week, accusing an actor she had previously dated of coercing her into having an abortion. She claimed the actor deceived her about the penalty …

Singapore – Strict border restrictions are no longer particularly important as Singapore adjusts to life with Covid-19, according to Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, which is why borders are reopening despite the fact that individuals are not permitted to meet in groups greater than two. During a press briefing on Saturday (Oct 23), Ong, co-chair of the national Covid-19 task …

ASEAN – The UN said yesterday it feared an even greater human rights catastrophe in Myanmar amid reports of thousands of troops massing in the north of the Southeast Asian country, which has been in chaos since a February coup. “We should all be prepared, as the people in this part of Myanmar are prepared, for even more mass atrocity …

Asean – The United Kingdom’s (UK) Minister of State for Asia on Monday expressed her country’s “serious” desire to grow its relationship with the Philippines and other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). In a video posted on Twitter, Amanda Milling said she spent the last three days in the Philippines and met with Cabinet secretaries and …

Indonesia – Indonesia is urging developed countries to commit to their pledge to provide financing for poorer countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at this month’s UN climate conference, President Joko Widodo said today. Rich countries have missed a target billion a year to support developing countries in their climate action projects, which experts say could break down trust at …