Latest Association of Southeast Asian Nations News
Southeast Asian defense chiefs discuss regional security with US, China and other partner nations
VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) — Southeast Asian defense chiefs met Thursday with China, the United States and other partner nations in Laos for security talks, which come as Beijing’s increasingly assertive stance in its claim to most of the South China Sea is leading to more confrontations. ...
US defense chief regrets China's decision not to meet during Southeast Asian security talks
VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) — U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed regret Wednesday that his Chinese counterpart chose not to hold talks with him during meetings of Southeast Asian defense chiefs in Laos, calling it a setback for the entire region. The Association of Southeast...
China's exports grew 12.7% in October, fastest pace in more than 2 years
HONG KONG (AP) — China's exports rose 12.7% in October from a year earlier, the fastest monthly growth in more than two years, according to customs data released Thursday. The report came a day after former President Donald Trump won Tuesday’s election, gaining a second term as...
UN envoy warns Myanmar is in crisis, with conflict escalating and criminal networks 'out of control'
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. special envoy for Myanmar warned that the Southeast Asian nation is in crisis, with conflict escalating, criminal networks “out of control” and human suffering at unprecedented levels. Julie Bishop told the U.N. General Assembly’s human rights...
Blinken tells ASEAN the US is worried about China's 'dangerous' actions in disputed sea.
VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Southeast Asian leaders Friday that the U.S. is concerned about China's “increasingly dangerous and unlawful” activities in the disputed South China Sea during an annual summit meeting, and pledged the U.S. will continue to...
China defiant over South China Sea skirmishes in ASEAN talks and blames meddling by foreign forces
VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) — Southeast Asian leaders stepped up pressure on China to respect international law following clashes in the disputed South China Sea, but Chinese Premier Li Qiang was defiant during annual summit talks on Thursday as he blamed “external forces” for interfering in...
Southeast Asian leaders meet in Laos to discuss Myanmar war and disputed sea
VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) — Southeast Asian leaders gathered Wednesday for an annual forum that will focus on the civil war in Myanmar and territorial tensions in the South China Sea, two key challenges that have tested the bloc's credibility. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations...
Blinken heads to Asia this week for a summit of regional leaders
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken will make his 19th trip in office to Asia this week when he leads the U.S. delegation to a meeting of East Asian leaders in Laos. The State Department said Tuesday that Blinken would fill in for President Joe Biden at the annual...
Bangladesh's interim leader seeks Malaysia's support for repatriation of Rohingya refugees
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladesh's interim leader, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, on Friday sought Malaysia's help in engaging a regional Southeast Asia bloc on raising the issue of repatriating Rohingya refugees home to Myanmar. Malaysia takes over the chair of the Association...
East Timor looks to the pope's visit as a reward after 20 years of fragile stability
DILI, East Timor (AP) — East Timor is in a festive mood as it prepares for the arrival of Pope Francis on his first trip to the deeply Catholic country, hard on the heels of the 25th anniversary of the referendum on independence from Indonesia. Francis is due to arrive Monday in...
