ASEAN News

The leaders of the ASEAN are under pressure once again to tackle the growing problem of transboundary haze from forest and land fires in Indonesia to neighboring countries. The smoke pollution has affected daily life in both countries, leaving people to worry about the impact on their health and the cooperation between Singapore and Malaysia. The ASEAN Haze Crisis is …

With the trend of companies diversifying manufacturing operations from China, Southeast Asia is becoming a more appealing option. Growth of exports of electronics, foreign investments, and improved regional trade is generating new economic opportunities. In 2026, ASEAN Export Growth is on the rise, especially in Malaysia and Vietnam, as companies solidify overseas supply chains.  View this post on Instagram A …

The United States, India, Japan and Australia are considering a leaders’ meeting in Manila in conjunction with other events related to ASEAN. The proposed Quad Summit in Manila may bring back the high-level coordination between the four Indo-Pacific democracies. But there has been no official announcement of any summit and it is said that the discussions are still preliminary.  View …

The 101-year-old Chinese great-grandfather’s unusual diet has drawn attention for its mix of seafood, Coca-Cola, Sprite and a steady routine. Lu Shizeng lives in rural Zhejiang province in eastern China. His love of fizzy drinks contrasts with low-sugar advice. His story does not prove soft drinks promote longevity. Seafood Trips And A Strong Appetite Lu goes to a town market …

China’s fall holiday has morphed into a travel opportunity to go much further than a short break. The Mid-Autumn Festival holiday lasted from 25th September to 27th September 2026, followed by the National Day holiday from 1st October to 7th October 2026.  Some took extra leave, resulting in a two-break vacation of up to 13 days. According to booking reports, …

Holidays in Southeast Asian travellers now involve more than just the many famous landmarks and busy cities, as well as the popular beaches. There are those who are looking for more peaceful locations, local dishes, nature and activities. This is affecting the region’s changing tourism. Ever wonder why Southeast Asians are choosing hidden destinations over tourist hotspots? It stands out …

A police raid, where LGBTQ+ patrons were beaten and detained in a Taipei gay bar, has sparked concerns over the protection of Taiwan’s LGBTQ+ community. The October 3 operation led to 51 customers being taken to a police station for questioning and the bar’s owner being arrested.  It puts Taiwan’s LGBTQ friendly reputation to the test prior to Pride, when …

China ASEAN Trade Growth picked up in the first nine months of 2026, which reflects the increased economic cooperation between China and Southeast Asian countries. The General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) announced bilateral trade grew 22.7% year-on-year to 6.84 trillion yuan (about $960 billion). The figures are reaffirming ASEAN’s status as China’s biggest trade partner as regional supply …

The GoldMedalist Lawsuit warning has come into the spotlight in response to the agency’s announcement of ‘strengthened legal measures’ against online misinformation on October 14, 2026, from Kim Soo-hyun. The statement comes in the wake of a police decision to not take the actor’s Child Welfare Act allegations to court. Now, GoldMedalist is warning that making, sharing, or posting defamatory …

ASEAN Russia Trade cooperation took a new step forward following the meeting of the ASEAN Secretary-General, Dr Kao Kim Hourn with the Russian business community on 13 October 2026 in Moscow. The talks were centered around further investment opportunities, closer business relations and opportunities in the major sectors. The meeting emphasized the efforts aimed at making the diplomatic engagement into …