ASEAN News

In Japan, Respect for the Aged Day, known as “Keiro no Hi,” is a cherished national holiday observed on the third Monday of September. It serves as a beautiful blend of celebrating the wisdom and resilience of the elderly, advocating for their well-being, and promoting the ideals of peace—an intricate tapestry of traditions and contemporary expressions. Honoring the Elderly The …

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) recently held its 43rd summit, which provided insight into the growing alliance between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea (ROK), with a particular emphasis on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s role in promoting regional centrality and universal multilateralism in opposition to China’s assertive actions in the South China Sea. Historical Foundation and …

Following a stunning victory in the most recent election, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a former Senior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, was sworn in as the country’s ninth President, creating history in Singapore. This article examines the significance of his presidency, the changing responsibilities of the Singaporean President, and the long-term effects of this achievement for Singapore. The election of Tharman Shanmugaratnam …

Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia, has made it very obvious to the rest of the world that his country is not a “banana republic” where financial misdeeds go unpunished. Anwar recently signaled a significant shift in Malaysia’s strategy toward resolving this issue during his speech at the Milken Institute’s Asia Summit in Singapore. Anwar expressed his desire to …

Thailand and Australia joined forces on September 13, 2023, to emphasize the value of exchanging ideas and projects in the field of sustainable agriculture. The Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Bangkok is hosting the 23rd meeting of the Thailand-Australia Joint Working Group on Agriculture. The meeting, which was presided over by the First Assistant Secretary of the Trade …

Since the military coup in 2021, there has been considerable unrest in Myanmar’s political environment. One of the notable developments is the apparent shift in the junta’s foreign policy stance, whereby it now seeks influence from China, India, and Russia while displaying “little regard” for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). An in-depth analysis of Myanmar’s complex foreign relations …

The annual G20 conference is crucial for resolving global economic issues and promoting collaboration among the major economies of the world in our increasingly interconnected world. However, given that China’s President Xi Jinping elected to miss the summit, there will be much unrest and doubts about the bloc’s continued importance at this year’s event in New Delhi, India. The original …

China has raised concerns about US’s divisive politics in Southeast Asia, attempting to polarize the region with power play. At the ASEAN summit in Jakarta, Chinese Premier Li Qiang sounded the alarm that a “new Cold war” is in the making, if bilateral conflicts and prejudice is made to sneak into multilateral forums.  Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi …

The United Nations chief Antonio Guterres sounded alarm at the ASEAN summit in Jakarta that the world is facing a real risk of fragmentation as countries butt heads. He warned of a “great fracture” in world economic and financial systems with diverging strategies on technology and artificial intelligence, and conflicting security frameworks.  “Our world is stretched to the breaking point …

Indonesia is currently a hub of enhanced activity as the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) hold separate summits with big powers, including China, Japan, India, South Korea and the US – with an 18-member East Asia Summit commencing Thursday. The string of meetings is expected to introduce regional issues and prominent rivalries such as the South China Sea, …