https://www.scmp.com/rss/503335/feed Melinda Martinus is a lead researcher in socio-cultural affairs at the Asean Studies Centre at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Melinda Martinus Melinda Martinus The second Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit, held in Malaysia from May 26 to 27, marked a significant step towards deepening ties between Southeast Asia and the Gulf. While interregional cooperation is often framed in terms of energy, trade and investment, the bedrock of this relationship is increasingly shaped by people-to-people connectivity, anchored in labour migration, religious devotion and growing financial linkages. As fast-growing... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3316133/are-migrant-workers-real-glue-cementing-asean-gcc-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3316133/are-migrant-workers-real-glue-cementing-asean-gcc-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Jun 2025 04:00:09 +0000 With global leaders jetting off to Bali for a G20 summit and Bangkok for an Apec meeting, Cambodia can heave a sigh of relief after hosting one of the season’s other main get-togethers, Asean, without much drama. Concerns over the global economy, threats of recession and food and energy security took centre stage against the gridlock of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, intensifying US-China rivalry and the problem of Myanmar. Yet, Asean’s 10 members were able to make some difficult decisions on... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3200079/aseans-summit-season-was-smooth-ride-despite-year-turbulence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3200079/aseans-summit-season-was-smooth-ride-despite-year-turbulence?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Nov 2022 03:00:14 +0000 More than a year after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Covid-19 outbreak a public health emergency, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) – a region with a combined GDP of US$9.34 trillion and a population of more than 650 million – has not recovered from the global economic tumult resulting from the pandemic. While some economies in the region do appear to be recovering, Asean governments are still prioritising the disbursement of stimulus measures for short-term... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3141363/how-aseans-covid-19-recovery-measures-are-missing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3141363/how-aseans-covid-19-recovery-measures-are-missing?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Jul 2021 03:00:18 +0000 5G adoption is continuing apace across Southeast Asia, even amid the significant economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In fact, the unprecedented use of such technologies and digital services as telemedicine, video conferencing and online marketplaces this year has put 5G solidly at the forefront of the region’s digital transformation. Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations continue to roll out their 5G masterplans, with Singapore, for example, still on track to... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3110145/huawei-and-5g-test-southeast-asias-digital-transformation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3110145/huawei-and-5g-test-southeast-asias-digital-transformation?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Nov 2020 00:00:08 +0000 Covid-19 lockdowns may be bringing a little solace for those living in Southeast Asia’s bustling urban centres. It is rare for people in Manila, for instance, to see a bright skyline exposing the Sierra Madre mountain range. It is also fascinating that the Philippines’ capital has seen a surge in bicycle sales as people have started to use this eco-friendly transport mode more because of public transport restrictions during the pandemic. Lockdowns in many Association of Southeast Asian Nations... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3091761/coronavirus-response-gives-asean-cities-chance-embrace-greener?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3091761/coronavirus-response-gives-asean-cities-chance-embrace-greener?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Jul 2020 11:15:08 +0000 China is the latest nation to pledge support for the Asean Smart City Network, which aims to address the Southeast Asian bloc’s urbanisation challenges through digital technology and innovation, an ambitious plan supported also by the United States, Australia and South Korea. The network was launched in 2018 with 26 cities under pilot programmes, including Bandar Seri Begawan, Battambang, Bangkok, Cebu City, Da Nang, Jakarta, Hanoi, Kota Kinabalu, Luang Prabang, Phuket, Singapore and... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3045414/china-can-boost-aseans-smart-city-dreams-first-it-needs-earn-some?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3045414/china-can-boost-aseans-smart-city-dreams-first-it-needs-earn-some?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Jan 2020 09:00:13 +0000