Malaysia – Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today encouraged the US to pursue a more aggressive trade and investment strategy with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), claiming that doing so would benefit Washington both economically and diplomatically. Ismail Sabri expressed some of the displeasure felt in Asia after former President Donald Trump exited a regional …

China – Following reports about the Russian soldiers who are encountering stiff opposition in Ukraine, the chief of the United States’ intelligence community has given a hint that China is now growing more apprehensive about taking a military action against Taiwan. Avril Haines, who is the Director of National Intelligence, said on Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee that …

ASEAN – What can we actually expect from the Chinese youth of today? The conclusion reached in the country’s first white paper on the subject, titled “Youth of China in the New Era,” which was published a month ago, is that young people in China are self-assured, optimistic, and responsible. Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a call to action to …

Taiwan – The People’s Liberation Army said on Monday that China’s military forces conducted another round of drills near Taiwan last week to boost collaborative combat operations, after the Chinese-controlled island reported an increase in activity. For the last two years, Taiwan has complained about regular Chinese military activity near it, which is largely centered in the island’s air defense …

Philippines – Now that Duterte’s successor is being elected, observers believe there is a chance for a reset of the Philippines’ ties with both big countries, and the election’s result might upset Asia‘s power balance. How it plays out may depend on the goals of current presidential frontrunner Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son and namesake of the Philippines’ late ousted …

ASEAN – Hong Kong will reduce the required hotel quarantine for passenger flight crews from seven to three days, while cargo crews will be excused, in a small step toward easing the city’s coronavirus restrictions, which have transformed it into one of the world’s most secluded locations. The measures, which take effect in May, would provide “much-needed survival space” for …

ASEAN – Officials said a group of foreign policy advisers to South Korea’s president-elect met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday in an effort to restore long-strained relations between the two US allies. At a time when both countries confront dangers from North Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol, who took over as South Korea’s president on May 10, has announced …

ASEAN – According to the host country, US President Joe Biden will meet with leaders of Southeast Asian countries in mid-May, with a probable focus on China’s expanding strength. The meeting, which was previously set for March, “will show the United States‘ continuing commitment to Asean,” according to White House press secretary Jen Psaki. “Serving as a strong, trusted partner …

ASEAN – The Asian Games venues have been finished six months before participants from around the region descend on Hangzhou in eastern China, according to organizers. Despite China’s largest Covid-19 outbreak since the pandemic began, the tournament, the 19th edition of the intensely competitive regional athletic event, is still on. Organizers say an infection control strategy will be released in …

ASEAN – Issues such as the South China Sea conflicts, regional power competition between China and the Western-led Quad alliance, Myanmar‘s military persecution of its Rohingya community, and this year’s coup d’etat have all put ASEAN unity to the test in recent years. Too frequently, bureaucrats fail to present a cohesive front, instead issuing feeble, formulaic pronouncements in reaction to …