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ASEAN Heading Into Tense New Era as Philippines Takes the Helm

The Philippines became the new chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this week, taking over from Malaysia. The shift marks a new phase that could see the 11-member body become more embroiled in U.S.-China geopolitics. Manila is expected ...

Trump, China, and Stalled Diplomacy: Five Takeaways From ASEAN Summit

By Isabelle Leong The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) concluded on Tuesday its biannual summit attended by foreign leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump, with trade and regional tensions on the agenda. Here are ...

China and ASEAN Sign Updated Free Trade Deal

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) signed an updated free trade agreement on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. Negotiations on upgrading their earlier trade agreement started in 2022. The ASEAN-China Free Trade ...

China Urges ASEAN Unity as ACFTA 3.0 Trade Pact Signed

China urges ASEAN unity and told Southeast Asian governments to stand with Beijing against “power politics and economic bullying” as it signed an upgraded free trade pact with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Tuesday. Chinese Premier Li Qiang ...

As Trump Departs, China’s Li Qiang Steps In to Champion Free Trade at ASEAN Summit

Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang arrived in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, on Monday to take part in the ASEAN leaders' summit that started over the weekend. Li's arrival came one day after U.S. President Donald Trump left Malaysia to continue his ...

Analysis from Cobus van Staden

The Pain of Un-Polarity

“THE G2 WILL BE CONVENING SHORTLY!”
This post by U.S. President Donald Trump in the run-up to his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping last week may end up leaving a more lasting mark than the actual summit he attended.

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Q&A: Reading China’s Military Parade and Southeast Asia’s Optics Right

In Asia’s high-context politics, the stage often speaks as loudly as the words. Welcoming ceremonies, traditional dances, marathon speeches, China's military parade, and photo ops are never just pomp. They are signals to multiple audiences. At home, they convey respect and access. 

Malaysia Opens First EV Plant with Backing from China’s Geely

Malaysia’s Proton launched its first electric vehicle assembly plant on Thursday with backing from China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. The country aims to position itself as a regional hub for EV production. The facility is located in the Automotive High-Tech ...

China Backs ASEAN-Mediated Cambodia and Thailand Ceasefire

Cambodia and Thailand agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire on Monday following a special meeting hosted by Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim, as the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The meeting was attended by leaders from both countries, as well as ...

Malaysia Insists on Sovereignty, Halal Standard in U.S. Tariff Talks

Malaysia insists and will not compromise on sovereignty or halal certification standards in its negotiations with the United States over a 25 percent import tariff tied to U.S. efforts to curb transshipment from China to the U.S. through Southeast Asia, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Saturday, as ...

China in Focus as ASEAN Pushes Back on U.S. Tariffs at Kuala Lumpur Summit

By Jan Hennop and Isabelle Leong Southeast Asian leaders met Monday in Kuala Lumpur for their first summit since U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs upended global economic norms, with the trade-dependent nations expected to issue a joint message of deep concern. ...

U.S. Tariff Tensions Test Southeast Asian Leaders at Regional Summit

By Jan Hennop in Kuala Lumpur and Martin Abbugao in Singapore Southeast Asian leaders will express deep concern over U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff blitz when they meet at a summit Monday, warning that the unilateral move poses huge challenges to ...

The Inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit: Economic Aspirations Amid Strategic Ambiguity

BY Sufian Jusoh and Joanne Lin The ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Summit, set to take place in Kuala Lumpur on 27 May, under the Malaysian Chairmanship of ASEAN, marks a significant diplomatic first. It will bring together leaders from ASEAN, ...
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