Category: Southeast Asia

By Thanaporn Promyamyai and Damon Wake Suffocating under a mountain of debt to China, Laos is struggling to tame rampant inflation, with food prices rising so sharply that a growing number of households are resorting to foraging.

This article is co-authored by Yeta Purnama, a researcher at the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS), and Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, Director of the China-Indonesia Desk at CELIOS. The China-Indonesia Media Forum that took place in Beijing in early September ...

The push for electric vehicles (EVs) promises a cleaner future, but the production of their batteries comes at a steep cost to Indonesia’s small islands. Nickel, a critical component in many EV batteries, has spurred mining activities that devastate local ecosystems and communities.

In a region shaped by shifting superpower influence, Indonesia’s recent $10 billion in agreements with China underscores a deliberate pivot toward Beijing for economic growth while testing the limits of regional diplomatic flexibility and neutrality. The deals, which Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced at the Indonesia-China Business ...

Chinese President Xi Jinping told his Indonesian counterpart that Beijing hopes for a "new chapter" in bilateral relations, as the two leaders met on Saturday. Xi held talks with President Prabowo Subianto in Beijing, the first stop of the Indonesian leader's ...

Indonesia's new president headed to China for a state visit on Friday, starting a five-nation tour that could include a meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as he seeks to balance relations with major powers on his first foreign trip. Prabowo ...

The Philippines is aiming for a "persistent presence" in the South China Sea, a senior military official said Wednesday, as troops conducted war games featuring the mock retaking of an island in the flashpoint waters. China has sought to expand its ...

Joint naval exercises held frequently by the Philippines, United States, and other Western powers are helping rein in "aggressive" Chinese actions in the South China Sea, a Filipino military official said Wednesday. Beijing has sought to expand its presence in the ...

Myanmar's embattled junta chief arrived in China Tuesday -- his first reported visit since leading a coup in 2021 -- but analysts say the invitation is only a lukewarm endorsement from his key ally and could backfire. Min Aung Hlaing was ...

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will visit China this week, Beijing's foreign ministry said Tuesday, on his first foreign tour as he seeks a more prominent position for Jakarta on the world stage. The 73-year-old ex-general's state visit will take place from ...

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing will travel to key ally China this week, both countries said Monday, in his first known trip there since seizing power in a 2021 coup. China is a major ally and arms supplier of the ...

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will visit China next week, Beijing said Friday. The visit will take place from Monday to Thursday, Beijing's foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing. Anwar ...