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Maria Siow
Senior Correspondent, Asia
Maria Siow is a long-time China-based correspondent and analyst with keen interest in East Asia. Maria has a masters degree in international relations.
Maria Siow is a long-time China-based correspondent and analyst with keen interest in East Asia. Maria has a masters degree in international relations.
Areas of Expertise:
Chinese foreign relations, Asian affairs, China’s public diplomacyLanguages Spoken:
English, Mandarin
Takaichi aims to bolster ties with Seoul by avoiding ‘divisive’ issues as Tokyo grapples with Beijing’s economic retaliation.
US funding for the Asia-Pacific now ties aid to business and security wins, a move analysts condemn as a ‘corrosive’ shift.
Bangladesh’s election, Hasina’s presence in India and Dhaka’s signing of the UN water convention could complicate the 1996 Ganges agreement.
Cambodia, Laos and North Korea are expected to tighten their embrace of Moscow and Beijing amid growing distrust of the US.
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These countries fear the consequences of criticising the US, particularly given Trump’s willingness to use the tariff threat in trade talks.
Japan, South Korea and Singapore made the cut, leaving key partners like India and Vietnam – and even New Zealand – on the sidelines.
The junta has been emboldened to strike as China, Russia and the US are looking the other way to serve their own interests, analysts say.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the leaders of five Central Asian nations are expected to establish a new framework for cooperation in AI.
Analysts warn the squabble is a ‘step backwards’ that offers Beijing a chance to drive a wedge between the two US allies.
The region appears just twice in the new 32-page US National Security Strategy, raising fears it is being relegated to a ‘bargaining chip’.
One reason is to maintain public support for the alliance by preventing any shortfalls of the deal from being made known, analysts say.
A national security bilateral meeting and Narendra Modi’s message of support for Khaleda Zia signal that ties are on the mend.
Pyongyang wants nuclear recognition and analysts say Kim Jong-un is waiting on a Ukraine peace deal to boost his leverage with Washington.
A viral video showing a Sanseito MP telling foreign residents to cremate their dead or ship them home spotlights discomfort with diversity.
A junta spokesman slammed the Japanese prime minister’s comments on Taiwan, saying Tokyo had not shown remorse for its ‘crimes’ in Asia.
South Korean analyst Sung Ki-young says major powers are more likely to support incremental steps for peace rather than a sudden shift.
At least four such Chinese vessels have been spotted in the strategic Indian Ocean recently, according to media reports.
Myanmar’s junta has been under pressure to raid fraud hubs by China as its citizens have been badly affected by these scammers, analysts say.
The move signals Moscow’s desire to revitalise defence ties with New Delhi and offer ‘solutions’ to its military upgrade drive, analysts say.
Certain political factions in Thailand and Cambodia view his role as harmful to their vested interests, analysts say.
Analysts question if the July Charter championed by Muhammad Yunus can overcome Dhaka’s ‘winner-takes-all’ political culture.
Despite trade tensions, India, the US, Australia and Japan are set to stay the course on defence cooperation within the Quad, analysts say.
The US president views the Thai-Cambodia ceasefire deal as a ‘diplomatic trophy’ and will use trade leverage to protect it, analysts say.
While the new proposal may significantly affect Indian arrivals, they could also address New Delhi’s long-standing concerns, experts say.
With US approval for Seoul to develop nuclear submarines, Aukus become a more expansive Indo-Pacific defence network.
Supporters laud his three-decade rule for drastically cutting poverty, saving Indonesia’s economy and delivering national pride.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth’s visit pushed military cooperation, but Vietnam wants to ensure it keeps all its geopolitical options open.
The move would not only strengthen deterrence but also reduce the risk of open conflict in Northeast Asia, analysts say.
The Angkor Sentinel drills signal renewed US interest in the region and allow Cambodia to recalibrate its ties beyond China, analysts say.
