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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

Chinese coastguard personnel patrol the waters around the disputed Scarborough Shoal, which Beijing claims as Huangyan Island, in November 2025. Photo: Xinhua

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

5 Mar 2026 - 4:47PM

China trade

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

6 Mar 2026 - 10:20AMvideocam

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

Vote counting takes place on January 25 in Yangon for Myanmar’s general election. Photo: Kyodo

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

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

A visitor takes photographs amid colorful ice cream-themed sculptures at cafe and theme park in Pattaya, Thailand. Photo: AFP

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

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

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

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

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

US President Donald Trump dispatched tariff letters to six more countries on Wednesday. Photo: AP

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

Chinese sailors wave to their Vietnamese counterparts after a joint patrol in the South China Sea in 2024. Photo: Xinhua

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

Southeast Asia’s ageing population contributed to the big jump in case numbers, researchers said. Photo: Shutterstock

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

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

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Brunei Darussalam

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

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

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

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.

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