Latest Association of Southeast Asian Nations News
ASEAN finance leaders end meetings in Laos, pointing to challenges from geopolitics, volatile prices
LUANG PRABANG, Laos (AP) — Southeast Asian economies are gaining ground as tourism and exports recover from the shocks of the pandemic, but geopolitical tensions and volatile commodity prices still pose serious risks, regional financial leaders said Friday. Laos’ Finance Minister...
Southeast Asian countries consider ways to boost 'green financing' as region chokes on smog
LUANG PRABANG, Laos (AP) — Senior finance and central bank officials from Southeast Asia and major economies met Thursday in the scenic Laotian city of Luang Prabang to discuss ways to help the region build resilience against shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters brought on by...
Thailand sends aid to war-torn Myanmar, but critics say it will only help junta
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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...
