The foreign ministers of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Sunday (April 26) urged China to stop reclamation in the disputed waters in theSouth China Sea and engage in discussion ahead of a regional summit. “It would be much appreciated if China can stop work and sit down with us and member states and discuss,” said Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman after the ministers of the regional bloc met in Kuala Lumpur. “The ASEAN […]
ASEAN IN FOCUS
Philippines appeals to ASEAN foreign ministers to thwart China’s reclamation activities
THE Philippines has called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Sunday to “assert its leadership, centrality, and solidarity” in order to thwart China’s massive reclamation activities over the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). In his intervention during the 26th ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario urged his fellow ministers to support the Philippines in opposing China’s unreasonable actions on its way towards controlling […]
ASEAN draft statement to steer clear of criticizing China’s actions in disputed waters
FOREIGN Ministers of the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held a one-day ministerial level meeting in Malaysia on Sunday (April 26). The preparation meeting at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre came ahead of the leaders summit on Monday (April 27) where heads of state of the regional bloc will meet to discuss a slew of regional and international issues. Territorial disputes in the South China Sea and establishment of an integrated […]
Aquino leaves for 26th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia
PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III has a busy schedule ahead of him as the President and other Southeast Asian leaders gather in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday for the 26th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. President Aquino, along with the official Philippine delegation, is due to arrive here on Sunday afternoon to attend the summit on April 26 to 28, with nine other ASEAN leaders. On his first day in Kuala Lumpur, the President […]
Asia Africa summit closes on promises of increased South-South cooperation
The Asia Africa Summit closed on Thursday (April 23) with leaders of Asia and Africa endorsing documents aimed at strengthening multilateral relationships between the two regions. Among the leaders in attendance were Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Speaking during the closing ceremony, summit host, Indonesian President Joko Widodo told the audience that three key documents had been approved. These include; the Bandung Message to Strengthen South-South Cooperation, the Declaration on Reinvigorating […]
Political watchers: Malaysia might downplay maritime dispute at upcoming ASEAN Summit
Despite increasing concerns over Chinese reclamation works on the South China Sea, political watchers say Malaysia, the rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN), is likely to downplay the issue in the upcoming 26th summit meeting. China claims most of the potentially energy-rich South China Sea through which five trillion dollar in ship-borne trade passes every year. The waters are also claimed by Philippines, Vietnam,Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. Recent satellite images showed China […]
Widodo, Mugabe stress need for stronger cooperation between Asia and Africa
(Eagle News, April 22) — Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe spoke of the need for a much stronger and more vital partnership between Asia and Africa during the 60th Asia-Africa summit in Jakarta where more than 30 heads of state from the two continents are attending. In their speeches, the two leaders who both chair the ongoing summit stressed the importance of strengthened cooperation between the two regions and the need […]
Purisima in Jakarta for the World Economic Forum on East Asia
FINANCE Secretary Cesar V. Purisima is in Jakarta to attend the World Economic Forum on East Asia. He joins other ASEAN leaders anticipating the launch of the ASEAN Economic Community by end-2015. Hosted by Indonesia and themed, “Anchoring Trust in East Asia’s New Regionalism,” the 24th World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia brings together economic leaders in unlocking the barriers to integration, competition, and interconnectivity. Purisima will be in the spotlight as he discusses […]
Asian and African Foreign Ministers meet in Indonesia
Asian and African Foreign Ministers meet in Indonesia
Indonesian President speaks highly of China’s role in Asian-African Conference
Indonesian President speaks highly of China’s role in Asian-African Conference
Security tight as Asia and African leaders meet in Jakarta
SECURITY at the venue of Asian African Conference in Jakarta was tight on Wednesday (April 22) ahead of the arrival of leaders. The high-level meeting follows a ministerial meeting and business summit which took place earlier in the week. Leaders are expected to emphasize cooperation in counter terrorism, economic issues, education and women empowerment. They are also likely to discuss issues linked with the situation of Palestinians, and are expected to endorse a document to […]
ASEAN prepares to become an integrated market
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries are due to become an integrated market by the end of this year, but concerns over the wealth gap persist. From wealthy Singapore to impoverished Myanmar, countries in the region are together aiming to form the market body that will eliminate non-tariff barriers and remove obstacles to labor flows in the region of 600 million people. “There will be more challenges for the local businesses as there will be a lot of […]
