Latest Association of Southeast Asian Nations News

Thailand sends aid to war-torn Myanmar, but critics say it will only help junta

Mar. 25, 2024 07:11 AM EDT

MAE SOT, Thailand (AP) — Thailand delivered its first batch of humanitarian aid to war-torn Myanmar on Monday, in what officials hope will be a continuing effort to ease the plight of millions of people displaced by fighting. But critics charge that the aid will benefit only people...

Southeast Asian leaders call for South China Sea disputes to be resolved without threats or force

Mar. 06, 2024 08:31 AM EST

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s prime minister expressed concerns Wednesday over “unsafe and destabilizing behavior” in the South China Sea, citing the collision between Chinese and Philippine ships the previous day. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's remarks came as...

Taylor Swift struck a deal with Singapore not to perform in any other Southeast Asian country

Mar. 05, 2024 10:24 AM EST

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Taylor Swift stole the show at an Asian summit Tuesday when Singapore’s leader was prompted to defend his tiny country's exclusive concert deal with the singer that risks bad blood in the region by preventing her from performing in neighboring nations. ...

Singapore's prime minister says a South China Sea code of conduct will take time

Mar. 05, 2024 03:41 AM EST

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Southeast Asian countries’ quest to reach agreement with China on a code of conduct in the contested South China Sea will take time, with difficult issues yet to be resolved despite recent efforts to accelerate the process, Singapore’s prime minister said Tuesday...

Philippines urges neighbors to stand together more strongly against China in the South China Sea

Mar. 04, 2024 06:04 AM EST

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Monday that he had no choice but to defend his country’s territory in the South China Sea against what he called Chinese aggression and illegal actions in pursuit of Beijing's own territorial claims. “It...

China and Myanmar likely to be high on the agenda when Southeast Asian leaders meet in Australia

Mar. 03, 2024 20:58 PM EST

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An increasingly assertive China and a humanitarian crisis in Myanmar are likely to be high on the agenda when Southeast Asian leaders meet in Australia for a rare summit this week. The ASEAN-Australia Special Summit that starts in Melbourne on Monday...

9 UN Security Council members urge a halt to airstrikes by Myanmar's military

Feb. 06, 2024 01:44 AM EST

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Nine members of the United Nations Security Council condemned “indiscriminate” airstrikes by Myanmar's military against civilians before an envoy briefed the council Monday as part of regional efforts to implement a peace plan that has so far been largely ineffective. ...

Southeast Asian nations cautiously optimistic of progress on Myanmar and South China Sea conflicts

Jan. 29, 2024 05:55 AM EST

LUANG PRABANG, Laos (AP) — China’s increasingly assertive posture in the South China Sea and escalating violence in Myanmar topped the agenda for Southeast Asian diplomats at their meeting in Laos on Monday, with the Laotian foreign minister expressing guarded optimism that progress could be...

Tensions simmering in the South China Sea and violence in Myanmar as Laos takes over ASEAN chair

Jan. 26, 2024 01:11 AM EST

BANGKOK (AP) — Simmering tensions in the South China Sea between China and several Southeast Asian nations now regularly spark direct confrontation. Fighting in Myanmar against the military government that seized power three years ago has grown to the point that most say the country is now in a...

A veteran diplomat from Laos, the new ASEAN special envoy for Myanmar, embarks on inaugural mission

Jan. 10, 2024 12:04 PM EST

BANGKOK (AP) — A veteran Laotian diplomat recently appointed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ’ special envoy to Myanmar arrived Wednesday on his first mission to the strife-torn nation, meeting with the head of the ruling military council and other top officials, state television...