Jakarta, Indonesia | Xinhua | The 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related summits kicked off here on Tuesday, with the focus on establishing the region as an epicenter of economic growth. Addressing the opening ceremony, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, whose country is holding the rotating ASEAN …
Read More »The African Union at 20
Some reason to cheer, but lots of work ahead | CHRIS CHANGWE NSHIMBI | The European Union (EU) has lived up to the primary reason it was created – ensuring that member states will not wage physical war against one another, but settle their differences amicably. It owes some of …
Read More »World’s largest trade deal enters into force
Jakarta, Indonesia | Xinhua | The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, the world’s largest trade deal so far, enters into force on Saturday. The mega free trade agreement has been applauded by the Asia-Pacific region as an important step toward deeper regional integration and a renewed worldwide momentum for free …
Read More »ASEAN leaders agree on pandemic-coping measures, multilateral cooperation
Hanoi, Vietnam | XINHUA | The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) concluded its 37th summit and related meetings on Sunday, putting priorities on measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and commitments to multilateral cooperation. Addressing the closing ceremony, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that leaders of …
Read More »ASEAN, China, Japan, S. Korea reaffirm commitment to actions against COVID-19 fallout
Kampala, Uganda | XINHUA | Economic ministers from the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China, Japan and South Korea have reaffirmed their commitment to take collective actions in mitigating the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Attending the 23rd ASEAN Economic Ministers Plus Three Consultations …
Read More »China, ASEAN ministers applaud robust bilateral trade, investment growth despite COVID-19
Kampala, Uganda | XINHUA | Economic ministers from China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members on Thursday welcomed the robust growth of their bilateral trade and investment despite impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the 19th AEM (ASEAN Economic Ministers)-MOFCOM (China’s Ministry of Commerce) Consultations held via …
Read More »Trump plans to visit China, Japan, S. Korea in November
Washington, United States | AFP | US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced he intends to visit China, Japan and South Korea later this year, a blockbuster maiden presidential visit to Asia. Trump said aboard Air Force One that a US delegation would likely make the trip in November, adding that …
Read More »China still building South China Sea islands: think-tank
Manila, Philippines | AFP | China is expanding artificial islands in disputed South China Sea areas despite saying it stopped two years ago, according to a security think tank that released satellite images it said showed the land reclamation. Beijing claims most of the sea and has been turning reefs in …
Read More »China scores diplomatic coup in sea row
Manila, Philippines | AFP | China on Sunday scored a diplomatic coup in its campaign to weaken regional resistance against its sweeping claims to the South China Sea when Southeast Asian nations issued a diluted statement on the dispute and agreed to Beijing’s terms on talks. After two days of …
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