Malaysia’s foreign ministry said the group were stranded in Laukkaing, a town known as a notorious hub for major organised crimes. An Indonesian and a Hongkonger were also evacuated.

Targeting more renewable energy without limiting fossil fuel production is likely to slow the clean energy transition, a goal that many of the biggest fossil fuel producers are eyeing.

As China looks to shore up its marine economy and turn the tide with Southeast Asian countries after several heated disputes in the South China Sea, an academic has suggested a strategy of ‘unilateral opening-up’.

Chinese commerce minister Wang Wentao met Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Saturday in Ho Chi Minh City, with trade and Vietnamese infrastructure on the agenda.

In call with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan praises ‘improved tenor’ of Beijing-Washington relations following Xi-Biden meeting, echoing earlier statement from Southeast Asian regional bloc.

A view of Beijing as coercive and aggressive has the potential to diminish its influence and push countries towards the West if it does not soften, analysts say.

It will benefit India to have a ‘working relationship’ with the resistance groups as the security situation along the border continues to deteriorate, analysts say.

Aman Youyi-2023 exercises held in Guangdong province aim to further deepen ‘mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation’, according to Chinese state media.

Readers discuss China’s growing confidence against a seemingly more uncertain US, how Russia is building support in Southeast Asia, and the return of Formula Three racing at the Macau Grand Prix.

A Chinese official has warned against countries forming ‘small cliques’ – suggesting lingering concerns over being shut out of important value chains.

Defence ministers from Indonesia and Malaysia have called for a truce, saying terrorism is condemned and ‘parties must exercise utmost restraint and de-escalate’.

Ahead of this year’s Apec summit, PM Anwar Ibrahim said that Malaysia is not tilting towards China, but geographically, the country is closer, and the US is equally important and a traditional ally.

Asean defence ministers to meet in Jakarta to discuss regional challenges, including the rising tensions over the territorial disputes in the South China Sea between China and the Philippines.

As new Asean chair, Vientiane may be ‘susceptible to Chinese pressure’ when dealing with the South China Sea issue, analysts say

Consumers are more cautious after a rough few years thanks to the pandemic, then a cost of living crisis exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Anies Baswedan takes a jab at current leader Joko Widodo’s absence at the UN General Assembly and calls for Indonesia to be more active globally

A decades-old policy favouring local players over foreign investors has dulled Malaysia’s competitive edge. Anwar Ibrahim’s administration wants to make the country ‘the darling of investors’ again.

Japan and the Philippines have been seeking to boost trilateral defence ties with the US over China’s construction of islands with military infrastructure in nearby waters.

Transport minister says ‘all essential data’ will also be shared on daily basis with stakeholders across the border.

China and regional bloc will ‘accelerate negotiations’, Chinese foreign ministry says after senior officials had ‘in-depth exchange of views’ and agreed to deepen cooperation.

Readers discuss the intergenerational and economic impact of early marriage, the value of large infrastructure projects, and legal protection for Victoria Harbour.

Several lawmakers say they are disappointed over a lack of focus in Lee’s second policy address and question if leader’s vision can be carried out given spending constraints.

Washington hopes to end freeze with several opportunities to kick-start upcoming talks, including potential Biden-Xi summit.