Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (right) welcome Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (left) at the Tokyo’s Akasaka Palace state guest house in December. Photo: AFP

White House to host first-ever US-Philippines-Japan summit to counter China

US President Joe Biden’s press secretary confirmed the April 11 meeting with Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and Fumio Kishida to ‘advance a trilateral partnership built on deep historical ties of friendship’.

4 hours ago

Singapore minister’s visit to Palestinian territories a ‘visible gesture’

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan’s Middle East tour comes as Singapore becomes ‘more vocal’ on Israel’s actions in Gaza, observers say.

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan’s Middle East tour comes as Singapore becomes ‘more vocal’ on Israel’s actions in Gaza, observers say.

6 hours ago

Beijing criticises South Korea for inviting Taiwan to democracy summit

Representatives from Taipei have been included in all three democracy summits, which were begun by US President Joe Biden in 2021, and mainland China has been excluded.

Representatives from Taipei have been included in all three democracy summits, which were begun by US President Joe Biden in 2021, and mainland China has been excluded.

19 Mar 2024 - 12:22AM

Could 3-way meet with the US draw Japan to help Philippines in South China Sea?

Biden, Kishida and Marcos Jnr are set to meet next month in a landmark summit over the issue deemed by Manila to be the top ‘flashpoint’.

Biden, Kishida and Marcos Jnr are set to meet next month in a landmark summit over the issue deemed by Manila to be the top ‘flashpoint’.

18 Mar 2024 - 9:23PM

Australia should ‘end servility to US’, defuse Aukus deal: ex-Greek minister

Yanis Varoufakis says diplomacy is a ‘far better way’ for Canberra to engage with Beijing, and that the Aukus deal would ‘turbocharge a new Cold War’.

Yanis Varoufakis says diplomacy is a ‘far better way’ for Canberra to engage with Beijing, and that the Aukus deal would ‘turbocharge a new Cold War’.

14 Mar 2024 - 12:46PM

MORE STORIES

The Lefortovo prison in Moscow. Photo: AFP

Alleged South Korean spy case in Russia ‘won’t be settled soon’ as ties worsen

The arrest of Baek Kwang-soon comes as relations between Seoul and Moscow have deteriorated since the Ukraine war, while ties between Moscow and Pyongyang have grown closer.

13 Mar 2024 - 8:36PM

Are China and Vietnam on collision course over Beijing’s Gulf of Tonkin marking?

The demarcation could also be an “inevitable step” towards the disputed Spratly Islands being the next area where Beijing wants to set its lines.

The demarcation could also be an “inevitable step” towards the disputed Spratly Islands being the next area where Beijing wants to set its lines.

13 Mar 2024 - 6:03PM

Is Philippines at front line of ‘WWII-style war’ with China over disputed sea?

President Marcos Jnr recently described his country as a frontline state, in remarks that recalled the Philippines’ dark chapter of being colonised by Japan.

President Marcos Jnr recently described his country as a frontline state, in remarks that recalled the Philippines’ dark chapter of being colonised by Japan.

12 Mar 2024 - 6:00PM

Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim makes ‘no apology’ for Hamas links on Germany visit

Anwar rejects the “narrative” that the Israel-Gaza war began on October 7, saying it was due to decades of “atrocities” against the Palestinians.

Anwar rejects the “narrative” that the Israel-Gaza war began on October 7, saying it was due to decades of “atrocities” against the Palestinians.

12 Mar 2024 - 3:49PM

Can India forge a 3-way Indo-Pacific partnership with Japan and South Korea?

India’s deepening security ties with both nations highlights its growing ability to act as a go-between as Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific grows, analysts say.

India’s deepening security ties with both nations highlights its growing ability to act as a go-between as Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific grows, analysts say.

12 Mar 2024 - 3:17PM

Quad summit delay sparks fears over US commitment in Asia-Pacific

Despite the Quad members’ different positions on some issues, the bloc is committed to boosting regional security to counter China’s influence.

Despite the Quad members’ different positions on some issues, the bloc is committed to boosting regional security to counter China’s influence.

11 Mar 2024 - 8:00AM

US and Japan ‘mulling defence cooperation that could help Ukraine’

The allies are trying to plan an arrangement in conjunction with an April summit between PM Kishida and US President Biden, the Yomiuri newspaper reported.

The allies are trying to plan an arrangement in conjunction with an April summit between PM Kishida and US President Biden, the Yomiuri newspaper reported.

10 Mar 2024 - 4:58PM

Will stronger Manila-Canberra ties lead to Western support in South China Sea?

Manila and Canberra’s interests are ‘intertwined’, President Marcos Jnr said in remarks seen as a subtle message to China it has the West’s security support if needed.

Manila and Canberra’s interests are ‘intertwined’, President Marcos Jnr said in remarks seen as a subtle message to China it has the West’s security support if needed.

9 Mar 2024 - 12:00PM

Can Shehbaz Sharif thaw Pakistan-India ties as Kashmir remains sticking point?

Analysts say disputed Kashmir remains a sore issue, while new PM Sharif needs a ‘national consensus’ to change China-friendly Pakistan’s policy on India.

Analysts say disputed Kashmir remains a sore issue, while new PM Sharif needs a ‘national consensus’ to change China-friendly Pakistan’s policy on India.

7 Mar 2024 - 7:57PM

Asean urges ‘immediate ceasefire’ as Malaysia warns time running out for Gaza

The call comes as Malaysia rebukes the international community for a continued failure to end Israel’s five-month bombardment and get urgent aid to Palestinians.

The call comes as Malaysia rebukes the international community for a continued failure to end Israel’s five-month bombardment and get urgent aid to Palestinians.

6 Mar 2024 - 10:31PM

Australia ‘buying US hegemony’, ex-PM says as he slams Canberra’s China policy

Southeast Asian nations typically avoid a zero-sum position between superpowers US and China, analysts say, despite growing Chinese influence in the region.

Southeast Asian nations typically avoid a zero-sum position between superpowers US and China, analysts say, despite growing Chinese influence in the region.

6 Mar 2024 - 5:47PM

Why Singapore’s possible hosting of future Aukus subs could provoke Beijing

The remarks reiterate Singapore’s role as a ‘military access point’ for the US and Australia in Southeast Asia, observers say.

The remarks reiterate Singapore’s role as a ‘military access point’ for the US and Australia in Southeast Asia, observers say.

6 Mar 2024 - 10:48AM

Australia unveils US$1.3 billion fund to hitch its future to Southeast Asia

‘Southeast Asia is where Australia’s future lies,’ Australian PM Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday as he announced the fund to focus on clean energy and infrastructure and provide loans, guarantees, equity and insurance.

‘Southeast Asia is where Australia’s future lies,’ Australian PM Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday as he announced the fund to focus on clean energy and infrastructure and provide loans, guarantees, equity and insurance.

5 Mar 2024 - 2:46PM

Philippines can’t deny ‘shared DNA’ with China even as sea row sours ties: Marcos

The Philippines is determined to rely on diplomacy to resolve the row with China, with which it has historical ties, President Marcos Jnr said in Australia.

The Philippines is determined to rely on diplomacy to resolve the row with China, with which it has historical ties, President Marcos Jnr said in Australia.

5 Mar 2024 - 7:25PM

Singapore’s Shanmugam defends US envoy Jonathan Kaplan after scathing report

Shanmugam’s comment comes after a US watchdog report noted Kaplan’s shortcomings including his “poor relationships with some ministries”

Shanmugam’s comment comes after a US watchdog report noted Kaplan’s shortcomings including his “poor relationships with some ministries”

4 Mar 2024 - 4:41PM