Latest from Maria Siow
The Pacific nation was rocked by anti-Chinese violence in November, following claims its PM Manasseh Sogavare was using money from China to sway MPs’ votes.
The Pacific nation was rocked by anti-Chinese violence in November, following claims its PM Manasseh Sogavare was using money from China to sway MPs’ votes.
The possibility of a ‘Jaukus’ military alliance between the US, UK, Australia and Japan could push Moscow, Beijing and Pyongyang into a mirror group, experts say.
The possibility of a ‘Jaukus’ military alliance between the US, UK, Australia and Japan could push Moscow, Beijing and Pyongyang into a mirror group, experts say.
Tokyo has been expanding military ties with Britain, Germany and Australia while France has strategic interests in several island territories in the region.
Tokyo has been expanding military ties with Britain, Germany and Australia while France has strategic interests in several island territories in the region.
Experts agree reducing foreign interference and ensuring national security are essential. But will surveillance end up crimping innovation and competitiveness?
Experts agree reducing foreign interference and ensuring national security are essential. But will surveillance end up crimping innovation and competitiveness?
Put aside arguments about aesthetics, Chinese consumers have shown time and again they don’t appreciate these images. So why alienate your target audience?
Put aside arguments about aesthetics, Chinese consumers have shown time and again they don’t appreciate these images. So why alienate your target audience?
Cynics question whether Hun Sen is an ‘honest broker’, given his own crackdown on political opponents and dependence on Beijing. Others doubt his leverage.
Cynics question whether Hun Sen is an ‘honest broker’, given his own crackdown on political opponents and dependence on Beijing. Others doubt his leverage.
Apart from unveiling a record military budget, Tokyo and Washington have also drawn up a draft plan for a joint operation for a possible Taiwan emergency.
Apart from unveiling a record military budget, Tokyo and Washington have also drawn up a draft plan for a joint operation for a possible Taiwan emergency.
These stories are just some of the favourites from around the region chosen by the Asia desk’s Maria Siow, Bhavan Jaipragas and Francine Chen.
These stories are just some of the favourites from around the region chosen by the Asia desk’s Maria Siow, Bhavan Jaipragas and Francine Chen.
From Singapore to Malaysia to Thailand, Wang Leehom won hearts for being among a new breed of bilingual Asian stars who burst onto the scene in the 1990s and 2000s, until his very public falling out with estranged wife Lee Jinglei.
From Singapore to Malaysia to Thailand, Wang Leehom won hearts for being among a new breed of bilingual Asian stars who burst onto the scene in the 1990s and 2000s, until his very public falling out with estranged wife Lee Jinglei.
The grim details of both countries’ alleged abuses against their respective Muslim minority groups emerged the same year, so why is Washington dragging its heels on condemning Naypyidaw?
The grim details of both countries’ alleged abuses against their respective Muslim minority groups emerged the same year, so why is Washington dragging its heels on condemning Naypyidaw?
After the celebrity Taiwanese-American singer announced he was divorcing his wife, she publicly accused him of infidelity and other indiscretions.
After the celebrity Taiwanese-American singer announced he was divorcing his wife, she publicly accused him of infidelity and other indiscretions.
China is the largest investor in Central Asia, but amid demands for more jobs, exports and skills training Beijing is changing its approach to the region – as sustainability concerns and international competition mounts.
China is the largest investor in Central Asia, but amid demands for more jobs, exports and skills training Beijing is changing its approach to the region – as sustainability concerns and international competition mounts.
While Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit helped to rebuild ties after Donald Trump, he offered few details on Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
While Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit helped to rebuild ties after Donald Trump, he offered few details on Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
One minute Washington is imposing an arms embargo, the next it wants Phnom Penh’s help on Myanmar – but the United States cannot in the same breath castigate Cambodia and expect it to cooperate.
One minute Washington is imposing an arms embargo, the next it wants Phnom Penh’s help on Myanmar – but the United States cannot in the same breath castigate Cambodia and expect it to cooperate.
Support comes ahead of a visit to the region by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is expected to have China’s actions in the Mekong on his agenda.
Support comes ahead of a visit to the region by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is expected to have China’s actions in the Mekong on his agenda.
While US influence has waned, China has been courting the region – maximising its influence and setting the agenda.
While US influence has waned, China has been courting the region – maximising its influence and setting the agenda.
At a time when China is determined to position itself as the dominant power in Southeast Asia, playing the democracy game is counterproductive.
At a time when China is determined to position itself as the dominant power in Southeast Asia, playing the democracy game is counterproductive.
Some say switching diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing has fuelled resentment of Chinese influence. But violence has long dogged the islands.
Some say switching diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing has fuelled resentment of Chinese influence. But violence has long dogged the islands.
‘Many countries in the Indo-Pacific are waiting for Washington to step up its economic engagement to match its more robust security cooperation.’
‘Many countries in the Indo-Pacific are waiting for Washington to step up its economic engagement to match its more robust security cooperation.’
The wife of ex-Interpol chief Meng Hongwei has described the Chinese government as a ‘monster’ but there’s been little support for her claims that her husband was punished for being a reformer.
The wife of ex-Interpol chief Meng Hongwei has described the Chinese government as a ‘monster’ but there’s been little support for her claims that her husband was punished for being a reformer.
The White House’s frosty response was shaped by bipartisan consensus that China is a threat to the US’ global influence but across Asia, terms of familiarity are commonly used to forge warmer ties
The White House’s frosty response was shaped by bipartisan consensus that China is a threat to the US’ global influence but across Asia, terms of familiarity are commonly used to forge warmer ties
Analysts say Aukus could motivate China to seek a speedy conclusion to code of conduct talks, but the original sticking points remain. And Asean members are expected to raise objections at recent assertive tactics by Beijing in the disputed waters.
Analysts say Aukus could motivate China to seek a speedy conclusion to code of conduct talks, but the original sticking points remain. And Asean members are expected to raise objections at recent assertive tactics by Beijing in the disputed waters.
Former Labour Party leader Paul Keating urges Canberra against needlessly provoking Beijing.
Former Labour Party leader Paul Keating urges Canberra against needlessly provoking Beijing.
Taipei hopes that sending pangolins to Prague may help it win friends and exert more influence, but this risks heightening Beijing’s anxieties.
Taipei hopes that sending pangolins to Prague may help it win friends and exert more influence, but this risks heightening Beijing’s anxieties.
Canadian warship in Taiwan Strait suggests Ottawa may be uniting with Washington to counter Beijing’s growing influence in region.
Canadian warship in Taiwan Strait suggests Ottawa may be uniting with Washington to counter Beijing’s growing influence in region.
Banning the song by Malaysian artist Namewee and Australian singer Kimberly Chen that pokes fun at jingoistic internet trolls only makes China seem prickly and heavy-handed, writes Maria Siow.
Banning the song by Malaysian artist Namewee and Australian singer Kimberly Chen that pokes fun at jingoistic internet trolls only makes China seem prickly and heavy-handed, writes Maria Siow.
In this issue of Global Impact, we look at how the US-China rivalry has intensified after American forces withdrew from Afghanistan after 20 years, marking the end of America's longest war.
In this issue of Global Impact, we look at how the US-China rivalry has intensified after American forces withdrew from Afghanistan after 20 years, marking the end of America's longest war.
Sceptics of Beijing’s move say the real stress comes not from tutors but from a cultural emphasis on academic achievement and not wanting to get ‘left behind’.
Sceptics of Beijing’s move say the real stress comes not from tutors but from a cultural emphasis on academic achievement and not wanting to get ‘left behind’.