Underestimating the economic power of ASEAN would be a mistake (The Nation, 30 March 2016)
Underestimating the economic power of ASEAN would be a mistake (The Nation, 30 March 2016) To underestimate the region, however, would be a mistake. The GDP of its ten members now totals more than $2.5 trillion – about 25 per cent more than India’s. If ASEAN were one economy, and current growth trends continue, it could be…
Read MoreUS Upgrades Economic Ties With ASEAN Amid China’s Growing Influence (The Diplomat, 30 March 2016)
US Upgrades Economic Ties With ASEAN Amid China’s Growing Influence (The Diplomat, 30 March 2016) ASEAN has become the strategic focus in the U.S. “rebalance to Asia” strategy. China enjoys comparative advantages in historic, geographic, and geo-economic terms, and has been ASEAN’s largest trading partner for six consecutive years since the bilateral free trade agreement…
Read MoreChina’s actions in South China Sea far bigger than other claimants, says US official (Straits Times, 30 March 2016)
China’s actions in South China Sea far bigger than other claimants, says US official (Straits Times, 30 March 2016) China’s campaign of land reclamation and military construction on features in disputed waters of the South China Sea “vastly outstrips what all other claimants have done over the past several decades”, a senior US official has…
Read MoreIndonesia and Malaysia protest ‘trespass’ of Chinese boats (Asian Correspondent, 30 March 2016)
Indonesia and Malaysia protest ‘trespass’ of Chinese boats (Asian Correspondent, 30 March 2016) Indonesia has demanded that the Chinese government explain the “encroachment” of its coast guard vessel, claiming that it had interfered with Indonesia’s seizing of a Chinese boat that was fishing illegally in its waters. According to the Jakarta Post, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno…
Read MoreSouth-east Asia’s children face ‘double burden’ of obesity and undernutrition – UN report (UN News, 28 March 2016)
South-east Asia’s children face ‘double burden’ of obesity and undernutrition – UN report (UN News, 28 March 2016) A joint report released by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has shed new light on the nutrition situation of children across the region.…
Read MoreMyanmar: UN chief welcomes election of first civilian President in more than 50 years (UN News, 16 March 2016)
Myanmar: UN chief welcomes election of first civilian President in more than 50 years (UN News, 16 March 2016) Following the historic national polls last 8 November, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated Htin Kyaw, who was elected by the Myanmar Parliament as the first civilian President in more than five decades. “He welcomes this as…
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