ASEAN
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UOB Upgrades 300,000 Visa Cards to New Premium Tiers Across ASEAN
United Overseas Bank is upgrading 300,000 Visa cards to new ‘Infinite Privilege’ and ‘Infinite Private’ tiers across five ASEAN markets starting in September.
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China Lodges Formal Protest After Violent Maritime Clash at Ren’ai Jiao
China has summoned the Philippine Ambassador following a violent maritime confrontation at Ren’ai Jiao, further straining regional diplomatic relations.
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The Durian Economy: From Local Curiosities to Regional Trade Powerhouse
As durian season peaks in Southeast Asia, the ‘King of Fruits’ is making headlines both as a protected urban curiosity in Singapore and a burgeoning driver of regional trade between ASEAN nations and China.
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Singapore PM Lawrence Wong to attend ASEAN-Russia summit in Kazan
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is set to visit Kazan, Russia, for the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit on June 17-18 to discuss strategic partnerships, despite Singapore’s ongoing sanctions against Moscow.
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Cebu Kicks Off ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026, City Schools Shift to Remote Learning
The Philippines officially launched the 45th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026 in Cebu, aiming to solidify its regional leadership in tourism and drive economic growth. The event, which includes high-level ministerial meetings and industry exchanges, prompted Cebu City to suspend…
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Standard Chartered Facilitates Chinese Firms’ ASEAN Expansion Amid US Trade Shifts
Standard Chartered is playing a pivotal role in facilitating Chinese companies’ strategic shift towards regionally integrated supply chains and multi-currency financial strategies across Southeast Asia, adapting to renewed U.S. trade restrictions.
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Cross-Border Realities: ASEAN Digital Payments Surge as Physical Borders Remain Fraught
From record-breaking ASEAN QR payment volumes to the persistent dangers faced at physical borders, cross-border movement in 2025 reveals both rapid digital progress and enduring human challenges.
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US and China Open Direct Military Communication Channels Amid South China Sea Tensions
The United States and China have agreed to establish direct military-to-military communication channels, a move intended to reduce risks of escalation in the Indo-Pacific as territorial disputes persist in the South China Sea.
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Trump’s Malaysia Visit: Peace Broker, Trade Strategist, and Protests Mark Asia Tour
Donald Trump’s visit to Malaysia saw him preside over a tentative peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, push ambitious trade frameworks, and face public protests—revealing the complex interplay of diplomacy, economics, and regional sentiment during his Asia tour.
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Indonesia and Canada Seal Historic Trade Deal Transforming Bilateral Ties
Indonesia and Canada have signed a landmark Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, eliminating tariffs on thousands of products and promising to reshape trade, investment, and economic collaboration between the two nations.
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Rubio and Wang Yi Hold Constructive Dialogue Amid US-China Tensions
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met during the ASEAN forum in Malaysia to discuss potential cooperation and address rising tensions between the two global powers.
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Rubio and Lavrov Meet Amid Escalating Ukraine Crisis
As Russian strikes on Kyiv intensify, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov convene in Malaysia to discuss the Ukraine conflict and broader geopolitical tensions.