Category: ASEAN

US Plays ‘Essential Role’ in Ensuring Peace and Stability in Asia: Singapore PM

The United States still plays an irreplaceable role in ensuring peace and stability in Asia, but most Asian countries prefer not to choose sides, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said at a regional annual conference in Tokyo, Japan. At the “Future of Asia” conference organized by Nikkei and the Japan Center for Economic Research…


US Intensifying ASEAN Relations, Opposing the Chinese Regime

News Analysis As part of its efforts to counter China in the Pacific, the United States turns its attention to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). “The United States and ASEAN have shared a vision for this region, and together will guard against threats to international rules and norms,” Vice President Kamala Harris told…


ASEAN Summit to Demonstrate US ‘Will Be a Steady Partner’ in SE Asia: Top White House Official

President Joe Biden will host national leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Washington this week. It is the latest in an effort to demonstrate that the United States will be a lasting partner to the nations of Southeast Asia, according to comments made by the White House’s chief Asia strategist. “This…


Biden to Host ASEAN Leaders as Part of Indo-Pacific Strategy: Senior White House Official

The Biden administration is organizing the first-ever Washington-based summit of leaders from across the entirety of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to a White House National Security Council official. “New venues like the Quad are important but, foundationally, what is critical is a strong, vital, innovated, committed approach to ASEAN. And that’s…


New Zealand Appoints Official From Its Embassy in Beijing as Ambassador to ASEAN

The New Zealand government has announced that it has appointed Stuart Calman, the deputy head of its mission at its embassy in Beijing, as the country’s new ambassador to the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) based in Jakarta, Indonesia. “Aotearoa New Zealand and ASEAN share a strong legacy of working together to promote peace…


ASEAN Countries’ Responses to Russian Aggression in Ukraine Vary Across the Spectrum

On Feb. 26, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) released a statement regarding the situation in Ukraine. Without naming Russia, the foreign ministers of the ten member states said they were “deeply concerned over the evolving situation and armed hostilities in Ukraine.” “We call on all relevant parties to exercise maximum restraint and make…


Australian Advisor to Aung San Suu Kyi Remains in Detention in Burma

Australian economist Sean Turnell remains in detention in Burma (also known as Myanmar) as the Cambodian Prime Minister apologised for giving the wrong information that he had been released. Prof. Turnell is a former advisor to the ousted Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi. He has been detained for a year after being arrested on Feb. 6,…


Blinken Heads to Southeast Asia to Deepen Cooperation on China Pushback

WASHINGTON—The Biden administration will seek to bolster economic and security cooperation with Southeast Asia through a visit to the region next week by its top diplomat, as it works to forge a united front against China in the Indo-Pacific. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Monday and will…


US and EU Reject China Trade

News Analysis China’s trade patterns seem set to shift in the next few years. The United States and the Europe Union have made agreements that will surely advance their decoupling from China. Meanwhile, agreements in Asia seem ready to increase trade flows between South Korea, Japan, and China and do so substantively, if not immediately….


Russia, ASEAN Conclude First-Ever Joint Naval Exercise

The first-ever joint military exercise of Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has concluded, the Indonesian navy confirmed on Saturday. The three-day exercise kicked off in Indonesia’s territorial waters on Dec. 1 off the coast of North Sumatra, a province between the Malacca Strait and the Indian Ocean, and was aimed at…