Government
International relations
Empowering civil society in ASEAN
As a regional association, ASEAN must avoid the pitfalls of becoming a high-minded, elitist organisation, with its inner workings confined within the hallowed hallways of the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. As it evolves, it must adapt to the needs and demands of its constituents – ...
Cambodia's Phnom Penh, China's Beijing become "sister cities"
Cambodia’s Phnom Penh and China’s Beijing entered into an agreement on Monday to establish a “sister cities” relationship. Phnom Penh Governor Khuong Sreng and Qi Jing, member of the Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal Committee of Communist Party of China (CPC) and head of the ...
China tests bombers on South China Sea island
China says it has landed long-range bombers for the first time on an island in the South China Sea, the latest in a series of maneuvers putting Beijing at odds with its neighbors and Washington over China’s growing military presence around disputed islands. Keep reading ...
China is making Mekong friends
Since Chinese President Xi Jinping took over power in 2012, Southeast Asia has become a focal point of China’s geopolitical ambitions. Instead of the clandestine and illegal tactics seen under Mao Zedong, the current strategy combines two major approaches: building Chinese-led institutional mechanisms and buying ...
China using ‘debtbook diplomacy’ to spread its strategic aims in Asia Pacific
The Chinese government is leveraging billions of dollars in debts to gain political leverage with developing countries across Asia and the Pacific, a new report presented to the US State Department claims. Keep reading ...
U.S. criticizes China for shielding Myanmar from U.N. action
The United States indirectly criticized China on Monday for shielding Myanmar from strong U.N. Security Council action over a military crackdown against mainly Rohingya Muslims that the U.S. and other countries have denounced as ethnic cleansing. Keep reading ...
Cambodia-Laos Border Dispute: Geopolitical Flashpoint or Playing Politics?
Cambodia’s usually low-key dispute over an unmarked stretch of its remote 540-km long border with northern neighbour Laos made international headlines last August when long-time Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen issued a stern six-day ultimatum for Laotian troops to withdraw from the disputed region or ...
China, Laos vow to boost cooperation on law enforcement, security
China and Laos have pledged to boost cooperation on law enforcement and security and maintain regional stability. The pledge came as visiting Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi held talks separately with Chansamone Chanyalath, Lao minister of national defence and Somkeo ...
Rising China benefits Cambodia, whole world: Cambodian ruling party MP
Suos Yara, a member of parliament from the ruling Cambodian People’s Party said that the rising China has benefited Cambodia and the whole world. In an opinion published on the Phnom Penh Post newspaper on Wednesday, the MP said China is “not a threat to ...
China-initiated eye protection program launched in Laos
A program to promote scientific eye protection knowledge and to provide free treatment in Lao schools, namely “Lancang-Mekong Bright Journey to Laos”, has been launched in Lao capital Vientiane on Thursday. The program is the second edition of the “Mekong Bright Journey” initiated by China, ...
