News
China’s Influence Steadily Grows in Laos, Weathering Political Change
When Laos’ National Assembly ratified the appointment of a new president and prime minister to lead the closed, one-party communist state in early 2016, most analysts viewed the political changes in Vientiane as signaling a shift away from its much larger and influential neighbor, China. ...
Michael Hart
China offers assurances on Mekong's use
China has pledged its cooperation on water-resource management and protection of the environment of the Mekong River, but is unlikely to become a full member of the Mekong River Commission (MRC), Chinese officials said.Keep reading ...
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
Rapid Decline in Tonle Sap Raises Alarms For Key Southeast Asian Fishery
Cambodia’s Tonle Sap, a lake known as the country’s “beating heart,” faces a more rapid decline than previously estimated, according to a new study. Experts say that urgent countermeasures are needed to save Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake, which has served Cambodia for millennia. Millions ...
Dan Southerland
Photo contest celebrates the Mekong River as a shared resource
A selection of 30 winning photographs submitted to the Mekong River Commission as a part of their first photo contest are now online, depicting scenes from the mighty river and the communities that depend on it.The MRC is an international research body that periodically reports ...
Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon
Lancang-Mekong countries set up joint law enforcement center
A joint law enforcement center, founded by countries along the Lancang-Mekong River, started operation Thursday in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province.Keep reading ...
Liangyu
Modern slavery: Corporations take action to free some of the 40 million slave workers
When one of the biggest food companies in the world, Nestle, found slavery in its supply chains in 2015 it made a public admission, a move praised by anti-slavery groups.[]The company’s investigation found many of the workers were from Myanmar and Cambodia. Some had been ...
Imogen Brennan
Risk to endangered clouded leopards grows as smuggling rises
The smuggling of organs from clouded leopards has been rising and warrants immediate action to protect the big cat, environmentalists say.[]Clouded leopards have been seen only in Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, Bhutan and China.Keep reading ...
Eleven Reporter
Malaysia has lowest poverty rate in S-E Asia - Salleh
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook 2017 has reported that Malaysia’s poverty rate is the lowest among South-East Asian countries, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak.He said it was just 3.8% compared to Vietnam and Indonesia (11.3%), Thailand (12.6%) ...
The Star Online Reporter
Opening Opportunities for Local Startups in the Mekong Region
The Mekong Business Initiative, sponsored by the Australian Government and the Asian Development Bank, is sourcing international investment and facilitating regional expansion for innovative startups.Keep reading ...
Greater Mekong Subregion
Five Reasons Air Travel Is Booming in the Greater Mekong Subregion
The Greater Mekong Subregion is one of the fast-growing markets for air transport services today.[] Bangkok is still the busiest aviation hub in the subregion, followed by Kunming, said the report. It notes that more airports are being connected to international destinations because of Open ...
Greater Mekong Subregion
