ASEAN News

In light of China’s expanding influence in the region, concerns have been raised over US President Joe Biden’s projected absence from the following meetings with Southeast Asian leaders in Jakarta. Although Biden has stated intentions to visit Vietnam and is planning to attend the G20 summit in India, it is becoming less probable that he will be present at the …

Vietnam hosted the ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony in Hanoi to mark the bloc’s 56th founding anniversary.  Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son highlighted that ASEAN has constantly grown and become a central force in all regional processes. It demonstrates the vision of a community living in peace, stability, and prosperous development. Son said the image of Southeast Asia of solidarity, …

Philippine officials are thinking of extending the lower import tariffs on rice, corn, and pig past 2023 in response to the country’s continuously high inflation rates and supply-side difficulties. The existing reduced taxes, which will end this year, were implemented in 2021 to reduce inflationary pressure. However, officials are considering keeping the levies in place to mitigate inflationary pressures due …

A middle-aged woman in a full-face crash helmet, dark green jacket and black trousers made off with 37 necklaces in a gold shop robbery in Bang Sao Thong district on Friday evening. As shown in a security camera footage, the woman parked her motorcycle in front of Kittima gold shop at Muang Mai Bang Phli housing community at 5:52 pm …

Upholding its foreign policy “Neighborhood First”, India reiterated its food support to Myanmar, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Speaking at the United Nations Security Council open debate on famine and conflict-induced global food insecurity, Indian ambassador Ruchira Kamboj said India has always been proactive in assisting its partners in times of distress.  She highlighted that the country provided food aid even …

North Korea harshly criticised the United States’ choice to give Taiwan a weapons aid package costing up to $345 million on August 4. Congress approved up to $1 billion in weapons for the island as part of the aid package included in the 2023 budget. In response, North Korea charged that the US had turned Taiwan into an “unsinkable advanced …

Indonesia’s Golden Visa policy will waive visas for foreign companies who make a real investment of at least $50 million in the country and individuals whose investment value in government bonds is at least $350,000, according to Tempo. The policy will likely be issued in one or two weeks, said Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan …

Reaffirming Beijing’s readiness to work with Pakistan, President Xi Jinping highlighted the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as an exemplary project of high quality. He said China and Pakistan have adhered to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits in advancing the project.  Xi highlighted the CPEC has injected new momentum into Pakistan’s economic and social development and …

Aung San Suu Kyi, the former head of Myanmar, has received a partial pardon on five of the 19 crimes she was found guilty of, shortening her sentence by six years. Former president Win Myint’s sentence was reduced by four years thanks to a pardon from the State Administration Council, which is run by the military junta. The amnesty for …

A fire broke out Monday morning at a shophouse in Geylang – a township area located in the central region of Singapore – prompting the evacuation of some 30 people from neighbouring units. Twelve emergency vehicles and about 50 firefighters were deployed to put out the blaze. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was alerted of the incident at 61 …