People and government
China’s water wars
China is often thought of as a country that suppresses internal conflicts, usually to great effect. But there are a number of notable exceptions and, of these, conflicts over water are perhaps the most intriguing. []But in some cases China has been a constructive neighbour, for ...
Number of smokers in Thailand down to 10.7 million
A recent tobacco consumption study by the Ministry of Public Health, shows that the number of smokers in Thailand has decreased to 10.7 million, while around 100,000 deaths per year are attributed to coronary heart disease and stroke. Keep reading ...
What’s Behind Cambodia’s War on Fake News?
The government’s efforts to regulate fake news have raised concerns amid a wider campaign to suppress dissent as elections approach. Keep reading ...
Vietnam Prime Minister hopes for stronger ties with the US
Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc affirmed that Việt Nam attaches importance to its relations with the US at a reception for US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Hà Nội on July 9. Keep reading ...
Pushback against BRI in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asian nations are pushing back against China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), wary of Beijing’s creeping influence and unmanageable debts. Japan and India are seeking to capitalize on this setback and bolster their presence in the region, but standing up to Beijing could carry ...
Asean May See Divisions Amid Heightened U.S.-China Competition: Analysts
In the two decades since Asean was formed, it has failed to uphold its original mandate of maintaining cohesion among its members, experts have said. The rise of China, the United States’ uncertain position on the region and instability in its member states have led some ...
5 years on, the Belt and Road Initiative's contribution to Asian integration
Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013, calling for economic cooperation focused on connectivity and aimed at achieving win-win outcomes. The BRI is an example of China’s determination to support globalization as the world faces uncertainties, such as rising protectionist ...
Can Southeast Asia weather a trade war?
In the face of growing economic protectionism, undergirded by a trade tiff between the United States (US) and China, Southeast Asian economies are bracing for the impact from a possible economic fallout. Over the past few months, US President Donald Trump has not minced his ...
ADB loan to boost highways
Thailand has gained a US$99.4 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to help upgrade some of the country’s highways and improve road safety in the Northeast. []“Transport infrastructure is an important driver of growth for Thailand’s economy,” said Subramaniam. “Improving the country’s road network ...
MTCO heading for legal status
As 475 delegates gathered, last week, at the Mekong Tourism Forum its leaders – members of the Greater Mekong Sub-region group – were pondering over the ticklish issue of the office’s legal status. Keep reading ...
