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Brunei Darussalam

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Brunei Darussalam. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Bandar Seri Begawan

Head of State

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah

Head of Government

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah

Philippine Navy Colonel Dennis Hernandez (left) looks on as United States Marines Colonel Robert Bunn speaks during a Balikatan briefing on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

The Philippines

Why Southeast Asian nations are skipping major US-Philippine Balikatan drills

Given the rivalry between Washington and Beijing, joining the annual military exercise may risk being seen as picking the US, analysts say.

45 minutes ago

US-China relations

Russian and Chinese envoys meet in Beijing to discuss Iran, Ukraine and Taiwan

15 Apr 2026 - 4:46AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Asia’s energy supply at breaking point as US blockades Hormuz

14 Apr 2026 - 6:09PM

The Philippines

Philippines to rename disputed South China Sea islands

The features to be renamed belong to the Spratly archipelago, site of repeated confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels.

31 Mar 2026 - 11:29PM

The Philippines

As Philippines battles fuel crisis, will Marcos postpone Asean summit?

Lawmakers have urged the president to postpone or scale down the event and redirect funds towards softening the blow of rising energy costs.

27 Mar 2026 - 12:30PMvideocam

The Philippines

Philippines will allow use of dirtier, cheaper fuel amid US-Iran war

The ‌Philippines has taken steps such as shortening the work week and providing ⁠fuel subsidies to counter the impact of rising costs.

22 Mar 2026 - 7:13PM

Vietnam

Vietnam warns of April flight reductions as jet fuel shortage fears deepen

Hanoi seeks new suppliers as China and Thailand halt exports of jet fuel due to the Iran war.

17 Mar 2026 - 8:37AMvideocam

Vietnam faces potential flight cuts from April due to jet fuel shortages. Photo: EPA

China travel

Here are 5 ways to enter China without a visa – by land, sea or air

China has continually expanded its visa-free policies in recent years. Here is a breakdown of the latest rules.

14 Mar 2026 - 4:00PM

Two Sessions 2025

Beijing signals high hopes for South China Sea ‘golden rules’ by end of year

Wang Yi voices ‘determination’ to work with rival claimants yet urges Manila to ‘be aware of its responsibility’.

8 Mar 2026 - 6:44PMvideocam

Singapore

How Southeast Asia’s coffee chains are brewing cross-border success

Home-grown brands such as Zus Coffee are betting on cultural fluency, halal positioning and digital tools to make further inroads.

5 Mar 2026 - 4:47PM

A Kenangan Coffee outlet at a shopping centre in eastern Singapore. The Indonesian chain has opened about 10 outlets in the city state. Photo: Kenangan Coffee

China trade

Despite loss of Panama Canal, China investing US$23.9b in global seaports: study

Beijing funds 363 ports outside the Panama Canal to safeguard against East-West decoupling and US bid to curb China’s supply chain influence.

6 Mar 2026 - 10:20AMvideocam

A view of the Port of Balboa, managed by CK Hutchison Holdings based in Hong Kong, at the entrance to the Panama Canal in Panama City. On February 24, 2026, Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison objected to a takeover by Panamanian authorities of two ports its subsidiary previously controlled on the Panama Canal. Photo: AFP

Asean

Asian Angle | How Asean can resolve its Myanmar dilemma post-election

Asean should not discard the Five-Point Consensus, but translate it into a politically astute strategy of conditional engagement.

14 Feb 2026 - 12:30PMvideocam

South China Sea

The Philippines wants to seal South China Sea code of conduct. Can it deliver?

As 2026 Asean chair, Manila has highlighted its push to finalise within its term a code of conduct covering the contested waters.

11 Feb 2026 - 6:14AMvideocam

Hong Kong police

Editorial | Interpol meet will enable Hong Kong to bolster global crime-fighting ties

As host of Interpol’s 94th general assembly, the city will be able to show that its ‘superconnector’ role extends to international law enforcement.

9 Jan 2026 - 6:45AM

Hong Kong Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming at the 93rd Interpol general assembly in Marrakech, Morocco, in late November 2025. Photo: Handout

South China Sea

Opinion | Why coastguards, not warships, are shaping future of South China Sea

The test is not claimants resolving their disputes but whether they preserve the infrastructure that keeps encounters from becoming a crisis.

7 Jan 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Hong Kong police

Police to deepen Asean ties as Hong Kong set to host first top Interpol meeting

Police chief Joe Chow says Hong Kong’s high standing will help foster ties as city looks to host 196 member country representatives in November.

5 Jan 2026 - 8:30AM

Tourism

Asian travellers brace for ‘chilling’ US social media scrutiny

The proposal, which requires visa-exempt visitors to provide five years of social media history, comes amid moves to toughen US borders.

1 Jan 2026 - 5:45PM

Asean

Opinion | How China and Asean can ensure their upgraded pact is truly win-win

Beijing must assuage Southeast Asian concerns about its power while Asean leaders can benefit from a more multidimensional view of China.

5 Nov 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

Thailand

How Thailand melted tariff barriers to become Asia’s top ice cream exporter

A blizzard of free trade deals and clever sourcing has helped Thai ice cream exports surge by more than 10 per cent annually since 2020.

3 Nov 2025 - 9:20AM

SCMP Highlights

US-China defence talks, C919 jet’s global win in Brunei: SCMP daily highlights

From a Washington-Beijing defence meeting to a robotics expert leaving Sweden for China, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

31 Oct 2025 - 9:15PM

Singapore

Singapore cyber summit stresses need for unified front amid rising threats

Policymakers and industry leaders say close partnerships between governments and tech giants can ensure swift responses to cybercrimes.

22 Oct 2025 - 11:34PMvideocam

Singapore’s Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo speaking at the Singapore International Cyber Week on Wednesday. Photo: Ministry of Digital Development and Information of Singapore

Diplomacy

Opinion | Apec offers a stage for China, US and two Koreas to make peace

With Trump and Xi set to attend, it could pave the way for a US-North Korea summit and mend China-South Korea ties.

27 Sep 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

China trade

Chinese firms treat trade fair as testing ground for Asean market ambitions

10-nation bloc is China’s largest trading partner and an increasingly important alternative to Western markets amid US tariff war.

20 Sep 2025 - 8:00AM

SCMP Highlights

How Chinese view US rivalry, Beijing’s deterrence muscle: SCMP daily highlights

From Chinese public opinion on US, Russia and North Korea to science and tech at Victory Day parade, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

4 Sep 2025 - 9:15PM

China exports

China presses ahead with Southeast Asia port expansion as US tensions simmer

The huge project in Brunei comes as China vies to fend off US pressure and ramp up exports to Southeast Asia.

12 Aug 2025 - 8:00AM

Construction continues on a new container terminal at Muara Port in Brunei. The project to expand the port is reportedly on track to be completed by the end of 2027. Photo: Xinhua

Asean

Opinion | US ‘lone wolf’ doctrine in Southeast Asia cedes ground to China

Rather than viewing Beijing’s regional inroads as setbacks, Washington seems more than happy to weaken once-cherished bonds with allies.

23 Jul 2025 - 10:13AMvideocam

Asean

Asean-GCC economic axis: the Global South’s answer to US volatility?

The two blocs’ emerging alliance looks to leverage each other’s strengths to buffer both regions from tariffs and US-China trade tensions.

22 Jul 2025 - 4:20PM

India

Everyone gets a BrahMos? Global interest in missile raises India’s profile

New Delhi has to expand its defence sector’s capabilities and ease relevant policies to build on the success of the missile, analysts say.

20 Jul 2025 - 11:40AMvideocam

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Brunei Darussalam

Why Southeast Asian nations are skipping major US-Philippine Balikatan drills

Given the rivalry between Washington and Beijing, joining the annual military exercise may risk being seen as picking the US, analysts say.

Russian and Chinese envoys meet in Beijing to discuss Iran, Ukraine and Taiwan

Asia’s energy supply at breaking point as US blockades Hormuz

Philippines to rename disputed South China Sea islands

The features to be renamed belong to the Spratly archipelago, site of repeated confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels.

As Philippines battles fuel crisis, will Marcos postpone Asean summit?

Lawmakers have urged the president to postpone or scale down the event and redirect funds towards softening the blow of rising energy costs.

Philippines will allow use of dirtier, cheaper fuel amid US-Iran war

The ‌Philippines has taken steps such as shortening the work week and providing ⁠fuel subsidies to counter the impact of rising costs.

Vietnam warns of April flight reductions as jet fuel shortage fears deepen

Hanoi seeks new suppliers as China and Thailand halt exports of jet fuel due to the Iran war.

Here are 5 ways to enter China without a visa – by land, sea or air

China has continually expanded its visa-free policies in recent years. Here is a breakdown of the latest rules.

Beijing signals high hopes for South China Sea ‘golden rules’ by end of year

Wang Yi voices ‘determination’ to work with rival claimants yet urges Manila to ‘be aware of its responsibility’.

How Southeast Asia’s coffee chains are brewing cross-border success

Home-grown brands such as Zus Coffee are betting on cultural fluency, halal positioning and digital tools to make further inroads.

Despite loss of Panama Canal, China investing US$23.9b in global seaports: study

Beijing funds 363 ports outside the Panama Canal to safeguard against East-West decoupling and US bid to curb China’s supply chain influence.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Asian Angle | How Asean can resolve its Myanmar dilemma post-election

Asean should not discard the Five-Point Consensus, but translate it into a politically astute strategy of conditional engagement.

The Philippines wants to seal South China Sea code of conduct. Can it deliver?

As 2026 Asean chair, Manila has highlighted its push to finalise within its term a code of conduct covering the contested waters.

Editorial | Interpol meet will enable Hong Kong to bolster global crime-fighting ties

As host of Interpol’s 94th general assembly, the city will be able to show that its ‘superconnector’ role extends to international law enforcement.

Opinion | Why coastguards, not warships, are shaping future of South China Sea

The test is not claimants resolving their disputes but whether they preserve the infrastructure that keeps encounters from becoming a crisis.

Police to deepen Asean ties as Hong Kong set to host first top Interpol meeting

Police chief Joe Chow says Hong Kong’s high standing will help foster ties as city looks to host 196 member country representatives in November.

Asian travellers brace for ‘chilling’ US social media scrutiny

The proposal, which requires visa-exempt visitors to provide five years of social media history, comes amid moves to toughen US borders.

Opinion | How China and Asean can ensure their upgraded pact is truly win-win

Beijing must assuage Southeast Asian concerns about its power while Asean leaders can benefit from a more multidimensional view of China.

How Thailand melted tariff barriers to become Asia’s top ice cream exporter

A blizzard of free trade deals and clever sourcing has helped Thai ice cream exports surge by more than 10 per cent annually since 2020.

US-China defence talks, C919 jet’s global win in Brunei: SCMP daily highlights

From a Washington-Beijing defence meeting to a robotics expert leaving Sweden for China, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

Singapore cyber summit stresses need for unified front amid rising threats

Policymakers and industry leaders say close partnerships between governments and tech giants can ensure swift responses to cybercrimes.

Opinion | Apec offers a stage for China, US and two Koreas to make peace

With Trump and Xi set to attend, it could pave the way for a US-North Korea summit and mend China-South Korea ties.

Chinese firms treat trade fair as testing ground for Asean market ambitions

10-nation bloc is China’s largest trading partner and an increasingly important alternative to Western markets amid US tariff war.

How Chinese view US rivalry, Beijing’s deterrence muscle: SCMP daily highlights

From Chinese public opinion on US, Russia and North Korea to science and tech at Victory Day parade, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

China presses ahead with Southeast Asia port expansion as US tensions simmer

The huge project in Brunei comes as China vies to fend off US pressure and ramp up exports to Southeast Asia.

Opinion | US ‘lone wolf’ doctrine in Southeast Asia cedes ground to China

Rather than viewing Beijing’s regional inroads as setbacks, Washington seems more than happy to weaken once-cherished bonds with allies.

Asean-GCC economic axis: the Global South’s answer to US volatility?

The two blocs’ emerging alliance looks to leverage each other’s strengths to buffer both regions from tariffs and US-China trade tensions.

Everyone gets a BrahMos? Global interest in missile raises India’s profile

New Delhi has to expand its defence sector’s capabilities and ease relevant policies to build on the success of the missile, analysts say.

Asian Angle | How Asean can resolve its Myanmar dilemma post-election