“I was lucky the bullet didn’t hit my family members. Imagine, if my nephew was running around in that area (where the bullet came through), It could have hit him,” said the 36-year-old. “I’m afraid for my own safety. What if more bullets hit my house? My biggest concern is that if more bullets fly … Read more
One of Myanmar’s strongest allies, Beijing has connections with the key players in the conflict, including the junta, ethnic armies, the civilian National Unity Government, and Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party. It is also close to Laos, the current ASEAN chair. This puts Beijing in a prime position for peace efforts, … Read more
For many of Southeast Asia’s economies that are plugged into the international trading system, aligning domestic legislation with extraterritorial rules such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation is a matter of practicality to facilitate cross-border digital commerce. However, a major constraint in framing AI discussions through a predominantly business-focused lens is that it … Read more
Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Monday (Jan 29) pressed for an end to Myanmar’s bloody conflict and expressed unity in their backing for a regional peace plan and a “Myanmar-owned and led solution” to the crisis. In a statement after an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) retreat, the ministers gave support for efforts by … Read more
There are few visible efforts from Southeast Asian capitals to invest in updating the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) so that it can more effectively perform its existing mandate in a more contested and uncertain world. Otherwise, committing to at least starting ASEAN reform or the development of related Southeast Asia-based mechanisms would seem … Read more
TOKYO: Southeast Asian and Japanese leaders agreed on Sunday (Dec 17) to boost dialogue and cooperation in “maritime security” in the face of China’s growing assertiveness in the region. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, a vital trade corridor, and its increased deployment of vessels and other methods to assert its claims in … Read more
He urged them to help build a China-Asean community with a shared future, deepen and expand cooperation with Asean countries in commerce, labour, industry, science and technology and education. Xi, who is also China’s top military commander, met senior People’s Liberation Army officials stationed in Nanning on Friday morning. A day earlier, Xi visited the … Read more
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will make a four-day working visit to Tokyo to attend a summit commemorating relations between Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Mr Lee will visit the Japanese capital from Dec 15 to Dec 18 to attend the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship … Read more
