Latest Association of Southeast Asian Nations News

Southeast Asia nations hold first joint navy drills near disputed South China Sea

Sep. 19, 2023 05:09 AM EDT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations began its first joint naval exercise on Tuesday at a time when several member countries are responding more strongly to increasing Chinese assertiveness in the area. The non-combat drills, named ASEAN Solidarity...

In Southeast Asia, Kamala Harris is at the center of White House efforts to counterbalance China

Sep. 07, 2023 14:29 PM EDT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — It took more than a day of flying, including two refueling stops, for Vice President Kamala Harris to reach this year’s summit of Southeast Asian countries. And once she arrived, she had less than eight minutes of public speaking time during two meetings. ...

After summit joined by China, US and Russia, Indonesia's leader warns of protracted conflicts

Sep. 07, 2023 11:49 AM EDT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia's president issued a stark warning Thursday after wrapping up a summit of Southeast Asian countries that was joined by China, the United States and Russia, saying “we will be destroyed” unless conflicts are resolved. The three-day summit by...

A unified strategy and more funding are urgently needed to end the crisis in Myanmar, UN chief says

Sep. 07, 2023 03:52 AM EDT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The United Nations chief renewed an urgent call to the international community Thursday to seek a unified strategy to end the worsening crisis in Myanmar. Secretary-General António Guterres said declining financial aid should be boosted to previous levels...

China's premier is on a charm offensive as ASEAN summit protests Beijing's aggression at sea

Sep. 06, 2023 12:08 PM EDT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — In talks with Southeast Asian leaders Wednesday in the Indonesian capital, Chinese Premier Li Qiang underscored his country's importance as the world’s second-biggest economy and as the top trading partner of the region. Countering renewed alarm over...

Myanmar won't be allowed to lead Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2026, in blow to generals

Sep. 05, 2023 10:57 AM EDT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Southeast Asian leaders decided Tuesday that Myanmar won’t take over the rotating leadership of their regional bloc as scheduled in 2026, in the latest blow to efforts by its ruling generals to gain international recognition after violently seizing power in 2021. ...

An orangutan, chirping birds and a waterfall at ASEAN venue contrast to Jakarta's pollution outside

Sep. 05, 2023 03:09 AM EDT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesian President Joko Widodo will welcome fellow Asian and world leaders with a captivating jungle scene of a two-story waterfall, wild orchids and even an orangutan perched up a tree. The make-believe wilderness set up in elaborate detail in the huge...

Vice President Harris will face doubts and dysfunction at the Southeast Asian nations summit

Sep. 04, 2023 18:40 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris will deepen her outreach to Southeast Asia this week at an international summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, where she'll try to erase doubts about U.S. commitment to the region stirred by President Joe Biden's absence. It’s Harris’...

Southeast Asian leaders are besieged by thorny issues as they hold an ASEAN summit without Biden

Sep. 04, 2023 03:54 AM EDT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Southeast Asian leaders led by Indonesian host President Joko Widodo are gathering in their final summit this year, besieged by divisive issues with no solutions in sight: Myanmar’s deadly civil strife, new flare-ups in the disputed South China Sea, and the...

South Korea's Yoon will call for strong response to North's nuclear weapons at ASEAN and G20 summits

Sep. 04, 2023 00:53 AM EDT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s president says he’ll tell world leaders about the need to faithfully enforce U.N. sanctions on North Korea and block the country’s illicit activities to fund its weapons programs when they converge in Indonesia and India for annual summits this week....