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East Timor

East Timor
The latest news, analysis and opinion on East Timor. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hands the gavel over to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr at the closing ceremony of the 47th Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 28. The Philippines takes over as Asean chair on January 1. Photo: Xinhua
Asean

Opinion | In its year under Malaysia, Asean tried to set systemic reform in motion

Despite grumbles about loss of focus and misgivings about the longevity of new networks, Malaysia, ironically, perhaps didn’t go far enough.

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Asean

Asean unifies under single extradition treaty to fight organised crime

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Thailand

Exclusive | Thailand’s top diplomat calls for Asean to rethink non-interference principle

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Asean

Opinion | East Timor’s membership marks a new chapter for Asean

Dili can bolster Asean’s diplomatic outreach and action on shared concerns, while other members can lend a hand in East Timor’s development.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Indonesia

Outcry as Suharto named Indonesia’s national hero despite rights abuse claims

The new title has sparked wider concerns about historical revisionism in the country under Suharto’s former son-in-law, Prabowo.

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Asean

Philippines courts East Timor as new South China Sea ally in Asean

Next year’s Asean chair has shown interest in formalising defence cooperation with the latest member of the 11-nation bloc.

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Asean

Opinion | Manila’s biggest challenge as next Asean chair? Staying neutral

The Philippines’ challenge, given its assertive South China Sea policy, is to keep the bloc out of great power politics.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
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.

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Indonesia

Indonesia’s surprise Portuguese push: diplomatic ploy or educational priority?

Some say Portuguese learning ‘makes sense’ near East Timor, but experts warn that rolling it out nationwide could take over a decade.

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Asean

Editorial | East Timor’s journey to Asean membership can be source of inspiration

Asia’s youngest country has come a long way from war and occupation to increased investment and strong relationships with its neighbours.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, East TImorese Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn pose during the signing ceremony of Timor-Leste’s admission to Asean, in Kuala Lumpur, on October 26. Photo: Reuters
Asean

Could East Timor be new ally for Philippines as Manila prepares to chair Asean?

Dili and Manila could work together in trade, infrastructure development, conservation and the maritime Code of Conduct, analysts say.

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From left, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Thailand’s PM Anutin Charnvirakul, East Timor’s PM Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr pose for a picture during the 47th Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. Photo: AP
Asean

‘This is history’: tears as East Timor completes journey into Asean

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao called Dili’s inclusion ‘a powerful affirmation of our journey, marked by resilience and hope’.

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Asean

Thailand, Cambodia sign ceasefire pact as Trump hails his peacemaking skills

Host Malaysia signs deal granting US access to rare earths, while American president tells Asean he is with the bloc ‘100 per cent’.

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Asean

Trump jets in to preside over Thai-Cambodia peace deal spectacle at Asean summit

Observers warn the US president’s focus on the spectacle of the ‘Kuala Lumpur Accords’ risks impeding their lasting implementation.

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US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One on Friday at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland as he travels to Malaysia for the Asean summit and other meetings. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Asean

Exclusive | From ‘hell’ to Asean: East Timor’s president talks growth, China and the future

Jose Ramos-Horta on Asean accession, geopolitical ‘war’ and the ‘nonsense’ claims of Chinese control over East Timor’s largest port.

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East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta during his interview with This Week in Asia at the presidential palace in Dili on Thursday. Photo: Lirio Da Fonseca
Asean

5 things to look out for as Trump jets in for Asean summit

Asean leaders will seek to extract trade and security commitments from Trump, whose unpredictable presence could liven up proceedings.

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SCMP Highlights

Evangelista’s wealth under fire, Singaporeans flock to Johor: 7 Asia highlights

From Diwali’s dented gold demand to Asia’s youngest nation poised to join Asean, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

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Asean

Asia’s youngest nation nears the end of its epic quest to belong

With East Timor finally poised to join the Asean family, its leaders and people are clear-eyed about the hard work ahead.

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East Timorese activists hold a pro-independence protest in the capital of Dili in 1999. Photo: Reuters
Asean

Opinion | Asean’s newest prospective member confronts a Chinese triad threat

A senior official’s claims, backed by a UN report, allege triad gangs from China and Southeast Asia are corrupting East Timor’s democracy.

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US-China relations

Exclusive | East Timor steps into Asean spotlight amid US-China rivalry

East Timor set to become newest member of Asean bloc, but can it balance relations with its neighbours while safeguarding its own interests?

Asean

Why East Timor is changing its tune on Myanmar’s military junta

East Timor’s diplomatic U-turn comes ahead of an Asean summit next month, where the junta had threatened to block its membership bid.

East Timor’s national flag is raised in Dili during a ceremony marking its 20th anniversary of independence. Photo: Kyodo
Asean

Asian Angle | What can East Timor bring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations?

The newest member of the Asean bloc could be its most optimistic, bringing a renewed focus on international law and unity.

East Timor’s President Jose Ramos-Horta delivers a speech at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Secretariat in Jakarta on August 1. Photo: AFP
Asean

Will Myanmar block East Timor’s Asean entry? The junta draws a red line

Myanmar’s military regime is attempting to block East Timor’s accession over its engagement with the ousted National Unity Government.

China-Asean relations

China looks to Singapore to help secure supply chains from US trade war turmoil

In talks with city state’s prime minister, Chinese premier says both countries must uphold ‘true multilateralism’.

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The Philippines

Ex-Philippine lawmaker’s arrest in East Timor seen as linked to Asean membership

Arnolfo Teves Jnr, who was arrested at his home in Dili, is wanted in the Philippines on charges of murder and attempted murder.

Arnolfo Teves Jnr, a former Philippine lawmaker, is wanted by Manila on charges of murder and attempted murder. Photo: Handout
Asean

Malaysia’s Anwar urges Asean not to ‘sacrifice’ member states over US tariffs

His call at the Asean summit comes as the bloc agrees to widen trade links with the GCC and China to cushion the impact of US tariffs.

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Leaders of Asean, the Gulf Cooperation Council and China discuss various trade issues at their summit in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Australia

Southeast Asia’s poorest nation ‘holding off’ Chinese interest in huge gas field

East Timor would prefer to work with Australia and Japan over Chinese firms that have expressed interest in the field, its president said.

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Indonesia

Indonesia’s Prabowo unveils ‘fat cabinet’ – will it lead to red tape?

President Prabowo Subianto says his cabinet of 48 ministries, which has 109 members, is representative of people across Indonesia.

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