ASEAN IN FOCUS
China urges Philippines to make ‘rational choice’ over maritime tensions
BEIJING, Dec 21, 2023 (AFP) – China on Thursday warned the Philippines to “make the rational choice” following Manila’s recent efforts to challenge Beijing’s South China Sea claims. Videos released by the Philippine Coast Guard showed Chinese ships blasting water cannon at Philippine boats this month and there was also a collision between vessels from the two countries during tense clashes at flashpoint reefs. Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin on Thursday said: “We hope that […]
China warns Manila to ‘act with caution’ after maritime clashes
BEIJING, Dec 21, 2023 (AFP) – China has warned the Philippines that it “must act with caution”, Beijing’s foreign ministry said, following a string of incidents in the disputed South China Sea as Manila increasingly stands up to Chinese assertiveness in the region. Videos released by the Philippine Coast Guard showed Chinese ships blasting water cannon at Philippine boats this month and there was also a collision between vessels from the two countries during tense […]
Living in extraordinary times! ASEAN in Focus – Full broadcast: December 20, 2023
Malaysia bans Israeli-flagged ships in response to Gaza war
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20, 2023 (AFP) – Malaysia banned on Wednesday Israeli-flagged cargo ships from docking at its ports in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza, which it said ignores “basic humanitarian principles”. Ships on their way to Israel will also be barred from loading cargo at any port in the largely Muslim Southeast Asian nation with immediate effect, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in a statement. Anwar singled out Israel’s biggest shipping firm ZIM. […]
Living in extraordinary times! ASEAN in Focus – December 19, 2023
15 suspected drug smugglers killed in Thai army shootout
BANGKOK, Dec 18, 2023 (AFP) – Thai soldiers killed 15 suspected drug smugglers in a shootout in a remote northern district near the Myanmar border, an army official said Monday. The clash on Saturday evening took place in Chiang Rai province’s Mae Fah Luang district, close to the “Golden Triangle” where Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet, which has long been a hub for smuggling. After the clash, officers found 17 bags containing more than two […]
Myanmar ethnic minority fighters seize town from military
BANGKOK (AFP) – Ethnic minority fighters battling Myanmar’s junta said Saturday they seized a trading hub in Shan state, days after China said it had mediated a temporary ceasefire. Clashes have raged across Myanmar’s northern Shan state since the Arakan Army (AA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) launched a joint offensive late October. The three allied groups — known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance — say […]
Japan, ASEAN agree to boost maritime security cooperation
TOKYO, Dec 17, 2023 (AFP) – Southeast Asian and Japanese leaders agreed on Sunday to boost dialogue and cooperation in “maritime security” in the face of China’s growing assertiveness in the region. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, a vital trade corridor, and its increased deployment of vessels and other methods to assert its claims in disputed areas have riled nations across the region as well as Washington. Japan and the Association […]
Temporary ceasefire agreed between junta, armed groups in north Myanmar: China
BEIJING, Dec 14, 2023 (AFP) – Beijing said on Thursday it had mediated a temporary ceasefire in fighting between the Myanmar junta and ethnic minority armed groups in the north of the country close to the Chinese border. Recent talks between Myanmar’s military and the groups, facilitated by China, resulted in several agreements “including the temporary ceasefire and maintaining the momentum of dialogue”, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in a statement. Clashes […]
Philippines to study constitution change for investment push: President Marcos
MANILA, Dec 15, 2023 (AFP) – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos said Friday he has ordered a study on whether the country’s constitution needed to be revised to draw more foreign investment. In his first public comments on the politically charged issue since becoming president last year, Marcos said certain laws drawn from the constitution either ban or discourage foreign investors from some parts of the economy. The Philippines adopted its new constitution in 1987, limiting […]
ASEAN, Japan to bolster security ties with China in mind
TOKYO, Dec 15, 2023 (AFP) – Leaders from Southeast Asia and Japan will hold talks this weekend on boosting security ties with an eye on China, as well as Tokyo’s contentious efforts on energy cooperation. Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, a vital trade corridor, and its increasingly aggressive behaviour in areas also claimed by Southeast Asian nations has stoked regional tensions. Close US ally Japan, which also has competing territorial claims with […]
