TOPIC

/ location

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

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

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

South China Sea

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

7 Jan 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

Hong Kong police

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

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

Travellers walk through the arrival hall at La Guardia Airport in New York on December 23, 2025. Photo: AFP

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

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth met Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun on the sidelines of the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus. Photo: X/Secretary of War Pete Hegseth

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

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

An exhibitor demonstrates a surgical robot at the China-Asean Expo in Nanning on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

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

President Xi Jinping (centre) with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Tiananmen Square on Wednesday for China’s Victory Day military parade. Photo: EPA

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

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

Asean and Gulf officials join hands for a group photo at the second Asean-GCC Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 27. Photo: AFP

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

The BrahMos missile system being set up for a rehearsal in January in New Delhi ahead of the Republic Day parade. Photo: Reuters

United States

Trump announces new tariffs on Brazil, 6 smaller economies

‘Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from reciprocal,’ letters say, adding alleged deficits are threats to US national security.

11 Jul 2025 - 1:55AMvideocam

South China Sea

Opinion | How data-sharing can help defuse South China Sea tensions

A project to share maritime information could contribute to turning the region from a geopolitical flashpoint into a model for preventive diplomacy.

25 Jun 2025 - 8:16AMvideocam

Hassanal Bolkiah

Brunei’s 78-year-old sultan discharged from hospital in Malaysia

Sultan Hassanal will remain in Kuala Lumpur for a few more days to rest, his office has said.

31 May 2025 - 10:05PM

Hassanal Bolkiah

Brunei’s 78-year-old sultan hospitalised in Malaysia

The sultan of Brunei is the world’s longest-reigning monarch – and one of its richest people. His office said he had been ‘feeling tired’.

28 May 2025 - 1:39PMvideocam

Disease

Heart disease is Southeast Asia’s biggest killer. And it’s only getting worse

A new study has found a huge surge in cardiovascular disease across the region in recent years. Researchers say immediate action is needed.

28 May 2025 - 8:53AM

Asean

‘Concerned’ Asean leaders fail to issue fresh condemnation of Myanmar’s junta

Southeast Asia’s leaders reaffirm the bloc’s backing of a so-called five-point consensus as a road map for resolving Myanmar’s crisis.

27 May 2025 - 11:26PM

Southeast Asian leaders pose for a family photo at the Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Fame and celebrity

Who is Weezer bassist Scott Shriner’s wife Jillian Lauren – who just got shot?

Lauren – who wrote Behold the Monster: Confronting America’s Most Prolific Serial Killer – was shot by police in LA this week, before being arrested and released on a US$1 million bond.

11 Apr 2025 - 6:00PM

Meet Weezer bassist Scott Shriner’s wife, bestselling author Jillian Lauren – who was shot by police in LA this week. Photos: @jillianlauren/Instagram

China-Asean relations

Maritime rivals China and Brunei vow oil and gas cooperation in disputed waters

They pledge to support resource development in ‘mutually agreed areas’ of South China Sea, but analyst says agreement is largely symbolic.

7 Feb 2025 - 8:57PMvideocam

South China Sea

South China Sea conflict risks to rise in Trump’s second term, academic forecasts

The year ahead is likely to see Washington take a more aggressive approach to Beijing, while other disputes in the waterway continue.

6 Jan 2025 - 10:54PMvideocam

US presidential election 2024

Asia-Pacific to see slowing economic growth amid trade tensions: Apec

Protectionism ‘harms economic relations’ among 21 member countries, group’s report says, as unease rises over Donald Trump’s agenda.

13 Nov 2024 - 4:47AMvideocam

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte waves at the government palace in Lima on November 12, 2024. Peru is hosting this year’s summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, an intergovernmental group that promotes free trade. Photo: Reuters

E-commerce

Discount shopping giant Temu enters Vietnam and Brunei amid Indonesia ban

The latest expansion initiatives of Temu reflect its efforts to grow in Southeast Asia, home to nearly 700 million people.

13 Jan 2025 - 2:36PM

Temu has been blocked from Apple’s App Store and Google Play in Indonesia. Photo: Shutterstock

Malaysia

Malaysian king vows to work with China to keep peace in South China Sea

Monarch on Beijing trip says country ‘would like to join hands with China to contribute constructively’ to stability in resource-rich waters.

21 Sep 2024 - 3:50PMvideocam

Belt and Road Initiative

Hong Kong to tout strengths in dispute resolution at Southeast Asia roadshows

Justice secretary Paul Lam to lead another delegation to Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia to promote the city’s ‘unique advantages’.

11 Sep 2024 - 8:01PMvideocam

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Brunei Darussalam

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}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

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

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.

Trump announces new tariffs on Brazil, 6 smaller economies

‘Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from reciprocal,’ letters say, adding alleged deficits are threats to US national security.

Opinion | How data-sharing can help defuse South China Sea tensions

A project to share maritime information could contribute to turning the region from a geopolitical flashpoint into a model for preventive diplomacy.

Brunei’s 78-year-old sultan discharged from hospital in Malaysia

Sultan Hassanal will remain in Kuala Lumpur for a few more days to rest, his office has said.

Brunei’s 78-year-old sultan hospitalised in Malaysia

The sultan of Brunei is the world’s longest-reigning monarch – and one of its richest people. His office said he had been ‘feeling tired’.

Heart disease is Southeast Asia’s biggest killer. And it’s only getting worse

A new study has found a huge surge in cardiovascular disease across the region in recent years. Researchers say immediate action is needed.

‘Concerned’ Asean leaders fail to issue fresh condemnation of Myanmar’s junta

Southeast Asia’s leaders reaffirm the bloc’s backing of a so-called five-point consensus as a road map for resolving Myanmar’s crisis.

Who is Weezer bassist Scott Shriner’s wife Jillian Lauren – who just got shot?

Lauren – who wrote Behold the Monster: Confronting America’s Most Prolific Serial Killer – was shot by police in LA this week, before being arrested and released on a US$1 million bond.

Maritime rivals China and Brunei vow oil and gas cooperation in disputed waters

They pledge to support resource development in ‘mutually agreed areas’ of South China Sea, but analyst says agreement is largely symbolic.

South China Sea conflict risks to rise in Trump’s second term, academic forecasts

The year ahead is likely to see Washington take a more aggressive approach to Beijing, while other disputes in the waterway continue.

Asia-Pacific to see slowing economic growth amid trade tensions: Apec

Protectionism ‘harms economic relations’ among 21 member countries, group’s report says, as unease rises over Donald Trump’s agenda.

Discount shopping giant Temu enters Vietnam and Brunei amid Indonesia ban

The latest expansion initiatives of Temu reflect its efforts to grow in Southeast Asia, home to nearly 700 million people.

Malaysian king vows to work with China to keep peace in South China Sea

Monarch on Beijing trip says country ‘would like to join hands with China to contribute constructively’ to stability in resource-rich waters.

Hong Kong to tout strengths in dispute resolution at Southeast Asia roadshows

Justice secretary Paul Lam to lead another delegation to Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia to promote the city’s ‘unique advantages’.

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