Public health experts warn the outbreak is a cautionary tale for nations with vaccination rates below 90 per cent – such as the Philippines, which reported more than 42,000 cases this year.

The election raises the possibility the island nation – one of Taiwan’s four remaining Pacific allies – will pick a pro-Beijing leader, which could also jeopardise the Marshall Islands’ relationship with the US.

Once torn apart by civil war, the autonomous region in Papua New Guinea kicks off a two-week independence vote amid rivalry between the US and China.

Tensions in the US-Korea relationship have flared over rumours of a troop drawdown and mixed messages from Washington, causing concerns that Seoul could look to others, including Beijing, for security and defence support.

International students are being called home or face the agonising decision of whether to wait out the unrest.

Highest-ranking officer Admiral Karl Schultz says American assistance at sea is an ‘alternative to chequebook diplomacy’.

The Pakistani designer has made clothes for some of the world’s wealthiest celebrities and royalty, including Princess Diana. But he is also behind a project to revive disappearing craft traditions like needle and threadwork.

Russia sold US$6.6 billion in arms to the region between 2010 and 2017, as Southeast Asian nations spend more on defence as a hedge against China’s rise – particularly those involved in disputes in the South China Sea.

Russian overtures have been welcomed by Southeast Asia amid trade war uncertainties and disputes in the South China Sea. But even in embracing Moscow, the countries are well aware of the limits of this courtship.  

Protests over changes to Indonesia’s anti-corruption agency present a difficult balancing act for the president, who must tiptoe the line between conservative elites and populist pressures.

Thousands of students have protested against controversial legal changes that would discriminate against minorities, restrict free speech and hamper graft investigations.

The last time the Fed slashed rates, central banks from India to Indonesia followed suit. Experts expect a similar response this time. And that’s a good thing – but there are caveats.

Singapore economist Tan Kong Yam said the economic confrontation had roiled other economies more and could end up being the ‘sideshow’ as Washington and Beijing battle it out for technological supremacy.

With China pumping funds into aid and infrastructure projects in the Pacific, island nations are reassessing their ties with Taiwan.

The overlap between Huawei and the Chinese government ‘raises very serious concerns’, says Robert Strayer, deputy assistant secretary of state for cyber and international communications.

The Thai and Indonesian business titans discuss how the city played an essential role on their way to the top – and will do so today for investments related to Xi Jinping’s ambitious global trade strategy.

Manila recently reignited an old row with Malaysia over Sabah, a founding state of the Malaysian Federation that was historically under the rule of a Philippines-based sultanate.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledged to invest in naval infrastructure in East Timor and connect it to an Australian undersea cable system during his visit to the country, to mark the 20th anniversary of its independence referendum.

The drinks giant’s attempt to market its product in smaller bottles has been met with a social media backlash in the Himalayan nation, which is already grappling with litter and pollution.

The island nations are unified in support of a UN investigation into human rights abuses in the province, putting pressure on Jakarta, as growing Chinese influence in the region provides them an alternative source of financial support.

East Timor is looking for international partners to finance its Greater Sunrise gas project, tapping some of the country’s last remaining resources

Dionísio da Costa Babo Soares tells sceptics of Dili’s ties with Beijing that it is not a ‘new, fragile country’ that would be swayed by the largesse of others.

Since August 4, parts of Indian-held Jammu & Kashmir have been under lockdown, with communications cut and freedom of movement restricted.

Many of Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic allies will join world leaders at the Pacific Islands Forum this week.

An estimated 1 million people living in a conflict zone in the western part of the country have been without internet access since June 21.

Analysts say Beijing considers the island nations a critical part of its belt and road strategy, and views economic support for infrastructure projects as a stepping stone towards increased military presence.

The US Secretary of State on Monday met leaders of Pacific island nations where the US maintains exclusive defence access.

International energy firms have left the country in the lurch by pulling out of a critical offshore project near Darwin, which has left Dili with only one place to turn.

Southeast Asia’s youngest nation faces a Catch-22 in ties with China. To join Asean, it needs to improve its economy, but accepting China’s help may jeopardise its chances.

Admiral Karl Schultz says there are ‘clear indicators’ of Beijing’s increased presence in the Pacific. The Coast Guard plans to offer themselves as a ‘partner of choice’ to nations in the region and help protect their sovereign interests.