VIENTIANE: Singaporeans need to brace themselves and be mentally prepared that things may go wrong in this “turbulent and difficult phase of development worldwide” amid a “new Cold War”, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Saturday (Oct 12). Speaking to reporters on the final day of his visit to Vientiane, Laos, Mr Wong said that world … Read more
“Unfortunately, there has been no political progress and in fact the fighting in Myanmar has worsened,” said Mr Wong. Noting that the conflict is really a domestic situation, he said: “We have to be realistic about what ASEAN can do, and at the same time, patient and steadfast in pursuing efforts towards peaceful resolution.” He … Read more
International relations expert Chong Ja Ian of the National University of Singapore said both sides are expected to discuss a range of issues, such as management of tributaries to the Mekong and cross-border trade. “The visit signals the continued valuing of Vietnam’s relationship with PRC (People’s Republic of China), and a desire to have smooth … Read more
SRI LANKA’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY While prices remain inflated, they are a far cry from the peak of 70 per cent. Inflation has currently settled at about 1.7 per cent. Sri Lanka’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew over the last three quarters, after contracting by double digits at the height of the crisis. Mr Sabry pointed … Read more
The federal government has named Lt.-Gen. Jennie Carignan as defence chief. As CBC News first reported last week, Carignan’s appointment makes her the first woman to hold the Canadian Armed Forces’ top job. She is currently the military’s chief of professional conduct and culture, a position created following the sexual misconduct crisis. Several high-ranking leaders were forced … Read more
The ministry vows to actively work with the global basic research innovation community by taking part in major international projects, such as Digital Earth, research on negative ocean emissions technology, deep-sea habitats and seamless forecasts for the ocean and climate. It said China would actively take part in important international science programmes – such as … Read more
SEEKING AN ALTERNATE WORLD ORDER The best way of looking at Malaysia’s application to join BRICS is to see it as an additional platform for Malaysia to gain a larger international voice as a middle power, and to benefit economically. There have been deep-seated issues relating to OIC and ASEAN in recent years. The OIC … Read more
SINGAPORE: Singapore is entering uncharted territory as it enters the next phase of its development, said Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. While the unpredictable geopolitical environment poses some challenges, there are also silver linings for the nation to tap on, including its position as a trusted player in the Southeast Asian region, said Singapore’s next … Read more
This fuzziness is not new of course. The securitisation of global economic networks stretches back decades with the United States wielding tools including dollar weaponisation and trade sanctions, as well as using capital for geopolitical gains. China’s past economic coercion of Australia and Vietnam is simply a borrowed play by a different team. Unsurprisingly, as … Read more
WILL AUKUS ALLIANCE BECOME JAUKUS? Thursday’s first trilateral summit between the US, Japan and the Philippines adds to the trend of overlapping minilateralism. It follows a summit held at Camp David between the US, Japan and South Korea during Kishida’s visit last year. Even before his current US visit, a joint naval exercise was held … Read more
