Opinion

The visit by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to Hangzhou demonstrates that China wants to play a bigger role in the Middle East despite economic challenges.

Delhi’s authoritarian tendencies, human rights stance and alleged interference in Ottawa’s internal affairs create barriers to an improved relationship with the West, while Beijing’s influence continues to grow.

Malaysia’s PM has to reignite his reform agenda quickly while communicating the economic benefits to Malays, amid a strong opposition that has fanned racial insecurity.

With oil prices rising, there is good reason – besides fossil fuel-induced climate change – for the import-heavy continent to slash oil consumption.

Some, including in Pakistan and India, defend the dangerous practice – usually done to young girls – as a cultural right, or even deny it exists.

Hanoi’s Communist leaders would not have agreed to meeting President Biden if not confident that Beijing would not punish Vietnam for doing so.

Asean can realise its long-term economic potential and hedge against external risks by forging closer ties within the grouping, writes Malaysia’s trade minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz.

Some critics say the ruling party has lost its way, but today’s PAP is a logical extension of what it was already destined to become under Lee Kuan Yew’s leadership.

Renewed interest in Forest City also comes amid talk of reviving another Belt and Road Initiative project in Malaysia, the US$10 billion Melaka Gateway.

Boosting support for defeating Russian expansionism will go some way towards bolstering a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific and advancing New Zealand’s interests.

The decisions reached on Myanmar at the recent Asean summit indicate greater cohesion among member states and not yielding to the junta’s demands.