Politics

China's plan to blast deep channels in the Mekong river for cargo vessels has been put on hold. (Getty Images)
Economy

Greens take on China's infrastructure projects in Southeast Asia

Tougher environmental compliance facing Chinese companies at home and abroad

26 March 2018
Premchai Karnasuta, president of Italian-Thai Development, arrives at the Central Investigation Bureau in Bangkok on March 20. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
CEO in the news

Poaching scandal piles pressure on Thailand's construction mogul

President of Italian-Thai on bail as debate grows about privileges for wealthy

23 March 2018
Yamin Oo, center, with other members of the RecyGlo team at the Phandeeyar office in Yangon. (Courtesy of Phandeeyar)
Politics

In Myanmar, the ties that bind have a dark side

A strong sense of community can produce both volunteerism and intolerance

22 March 2018
Yamin Oo, center, with other members of the RecyGlo team at the Phandeeyar office in Yangon. (Courtesy of Phandeeyar)
Tea Leaves

In Myanmar, the ties that bind have a dark side

A strong sense of community can produce both volunteerism and intolerance

22 March 2018
Myanmar workers in Thailand. An estimate shows that without the contribution of migrant workers, Thai GDP could be 0.75% lower.
Politics

Southeast Asia needs better labor migration policies

Improving worker mobility benefits migrants and raises growth

22 March 2018
Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, left, and Htin Kyaw, who resigned as Myanmar's president on Wednesday, speak during a photo session after the cease-fire agreement at the Myanmar International Convention Center in Naypyitaw on Feb. 13.
Politics

Myanmar president's resignation draws mixed reactions

But leader's exit still leaves questions over role of Aung San Suu Kyi and military

21 March 2018
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, left, and Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull shake hands at a joint press conference in Sydney on March 16.
International relations

Australia right to huddle closer to Southeast Asia

With the US in retreat and China ascendant, chances grow for future ASEAN accession

20 March 2018
China occupies Subi Reef, part of the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
International relations

Australian and ASEAN pursue maritime code of conduct

Summit draws nations with mixed views on Beijing's moves in South China Sea

19 March 2018
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull takes a selfie with a delegate in Sydney on March 16.
International relations

Australia courts Southeast Asia with unprecedented summit

Leaders to talk trade and security amid doubts about US, concerns about China

16 March 2018
Upgrading Southeast Asia's dilapidated rail infrastructure comes with social costs.
Politics

China's Belt and Road rail project stirs discontent in Laos

Belated compensation for over 4,000 affected families involves opaque assessments

15 March 2018
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks at an event in Singapore on March 13. (Photo by Kentaro Iwamoto)
International relations

Singapore PM tells ASEAN to adjust to new power balance

Lee says region can benefit from China, India despite their "tidal pulls"

13 March 2018
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, center, arrive with Southeast Asian leaders at a reception in New Delhi on Jan. 26. India is building partnerships in the region to counter China's influence.
FT Confidential Research

India pivots to Southeast Asia to counter China's growing clout

New Delhi seeks to capitalize on discontent over Beijing's influence: FTCR

13 March 2018
Myanmar authorities are building military bases and roads over the ruins of Rohingya villages, according to an Amnesty International report.
International relations

Myanmar military bases built atop Rohingya ruins: Amnesty report

'Land grab' intended to erase evidence of crimes, rights group says

13 March 2018
A woman shows her finger after voting in national elections in the Philippines. The Southeast Asian nation ranks above the global average in women in parliament.
Politics

Once a world leader, Asia now trails in women lawmakers

Philippines, Laos and China among best in terms of females in parliament

8 March 2018
A Chinese sailor signals Russian ships as a Chinese-Russian joint naval drill concludes off Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, China.
Politics

China puts the US Navy on notice with far-flung ports and big guns

Xi's drive to become a maritime superpower echoes European imperialism

8 March 2018
Construction workers take a break in Singapore, where migrants make up about a third of the workforce.
Asia Insight

Southeast Asia's vulnerable migrants pose an economic dilemma

Countries struggle to prevent abuse without hindering business

6 March 2018
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, left, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen share a light moment during their bilateral talks in Phnom Penh on Jan. 11.
International relations

Cambodia acts tough toward US with China in its corner

Beijing has used international tensions to cultivate partners in Southeast Asia

1 March 2018
A ship departs a port in Zhanjiang, China, in July for Africa's Djibouti to dispatch members of the People's Liberation Army to man a military base there.
Politics

Brahma Chellaney: China is ensnaring vulnerable states in debt traps

The Maldives is just the latest nation at risk from Beijing's maneuvering

1 March 2018
Myanmar plans to build a new airport to address overcrowding at Yangon International Airport.
Business deals

Myanmar drops airport contract with Japan-Singapore group

Cost differences cited as deal with JGC's consortium expires

28 February 2018
A Chinese sailor signals Russian ships as a Chinese-Russian joint naval drill concludes off Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, China.
China People's Congress 2018

China puts US Navy on notice with far-flung ports and big guns

Xi's drive to become a maritime superpower echoes European imperialism

27 February 2018
Staff at a privately run television station in Myanmar produce video for broadcast.
Politics

Myanmar to get five more TV channels

Newcomers include a former critic of military rule and major conglomerate

21 February 2018
A ship departs a port in Zhanjiang, China, in July for Africa's Djibouti to dispatch members of the People's Liberation Army to man a military base there.
International relations

China ensnares vulnerable states in a debt trap

Easy loans are used to secure influence and grab control of strategic assets

20 February 2018
A worker collects palm oil fruit at a palm oil factory in Sepang, outside Kuala Lumpur.
Politics

ASEAN labor flows hit a wall with growing migrant crackdown

Malaysia and Thailand left short-handed as foreigners leave en masse

18 February 2018
A ban on the import of Japanese beef in China may have created unofficial routes for the product into the country.
Economy

Is Cambodia a 'Japanese beef-laundering' hub?

Smugglers bypass Chinese import ban to satisfy hunger for prized meat

18 February 2018
Siti Aisyah from Indonesia, left, and Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam are currently on trial for the murder of Kim Jong Nam.
International relations

Southeast Asia shuns North Korea, but loopholes remain

Murder of Kim's brother in Kuala Lumpur pushes countries to limit ties

16 February 2018