3 d. ago China eyes 10 new national data zones in digital economy push, AI race with US

China will establish 10 national data pilot zones, its data agency announced, as the country seeks to bolster its digital economy and compete with the United States in the race to dominate artificial intelligence. The National Data Administration (NDA) said the zones would be established in Beijing, Zhejiang, Anhui and other regions. The initiative encourages select local governments to spearhead efforts “in nurturing data-related market entities and expanding the data market”, according to the...

Politics

4 d. ago South Korea’s Lee pledges warmer ties, but past tensions leave Japan ‘worried’

South Korea’s newly inaugurated President Lee Jae-myung has pledged to pursue warmer ties with Japan, but analysts caution that optimism may be premature, citing his past criticism of Tokyo’s wartime actions and fears he could reignite anti-Japan sentiment to bolster domestic support amid economic challenges. Within hours of taking office, Lee struck a conciliatory tone, calling for collaboration in areas such as trade, security and culture. “We can identify mutually beneficial areas in the...

Events

8 d. ago ‘Not mere pawns’ in big power rivalry: Asean asserts agency at Shangri

Asean defence chiefs emphasised individual agency at the Shangri-La Dialogue, after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth called on Indo-Pacific allies to boost military spending and cooperation to counter what he called the “real” threat posed by China. Among them was Philippine Secretary of National Defence Gilberto Teodoro Jnr, who asserted that his country, a US treaty ally, was not a mere pawn with “no strategic agency”. Despite China’s pursuit of being a superpower, “we must not overemphasise...

Politics

1 week ago ‘Asian alliance’: how China is forging a new power centre amid the trade war

China is pushing to forge a powerful new economic bloc with countries across Southeast Asia and the Middle East to counteract rising US protectionism, with some analysts suggesting a prototype for an “Asian Union” may be taking shape. Premier Li Qiang attended the opening of a new forum bringing together leaders from China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Tuesday, where he remarked that the current global tensions offered an...

Events

1 week ago Chinese premier returns to Beijing after official visit to Indonesia, ASEAN

Chinese premier returns to Beijing after official visit to Indonesia, ASEAN-China-GCC summit in Malaysia  Xinhua

Politics

1 week ago China, Asean, Gulf states deliver ‘elaborate’ message on economic, energy ties

China, Southeast Asian nations and six Gulf states have pledged to foster closer cooperation with a strong emphasis on economic integration and energy collaboration, marking a milestone in enhancing tripartite alignment to tackle regional and global challenges. In a comprehensive joint statement, leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system and economic...

Economics

1 week ago China aims to capitalize on U.S. tariff turmoil with new ASEAN

China aims to capitalize on U.S. tariff turmoil with new ASEAN-GCC forum  The Japan Times

Politics

1 week ago South China Sea tensions ‘won’t stop’ Asean’s blue economy growth: official

Southeast Asia’s plans to grow its blue economy – especially its fisheries sector – will not be hindered by tensions in the South China Sea, according to a senior Asean official, despite warnings from observers that ongoing maritime disputes with China could threaten the region’s economic and environmental progress. Satvinder Singh, deputy secretary general of the Asean Economic Community, said disputes involving claimant states such as the Philippines and Vietnam would not hamper the bloc’s...

Politics

1 week ago Speech by H.E. Li Qiang Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China at the Opening Ceremony of The ASEAN

Speech by H.E. Li Qiang Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China at the Opening Ceremony of The ASEAN-China-GCC Economic Forum_Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States of America  中华人民共和国驻美利坚合众国大使馆

Politics

1 week ago What experts say Hong Kong gets right and wrong in plan to tap ‘silver economy’

Hong Kong’s plan to tap the multibillion-dollar “silver economy” and bolster elderly residents’ spending power requires measures that will increase their participation in the workforce and give them more income, such as a flexible retirement age and better medical insurance, analysts have said. The government on Tuesday announced 30 measures aimed at reaping the economic rewards of the ageing population. Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Warner Cheuk Wing-hing outlined five key areas his...

Politics

1 week ago China's premier tells ASEAN, Gulf nations to remove trade barriers

China's premier tells ASEAN, Gulf nations to remove trade barriers  Reuters

Politics

1 week ago ASEAN opens summit with Persian Gulf nations and China as U.S. threatens tariffs

ASEAN opens summit with Persian Gulf nations and China as U.S. threatens tariffs  Washington Times

Politics

1 week ago China, ASEAN, Arab states hold 1st summit to bolster economic ties

China, ASEAN, Arab states hold 1st summit to bolster economic ties  Kyodo News+ | Japan's leading news agency.

Politics

1 week ago China’s Premier Courts Asean, Gulf States as Trump Tariffs Bite

China’s Premier Courts Asean, Gulf States as Trump Tariffs Bite  Bloomberg.com

Politics

1 week ago China enhances intl academic exchanges to bolster digital economy

China enhances intl academic exchanges to bolster digital economy  China Daily

Politics

1 week ago ASEAN opens summit with Gulf nations and China amid US tariffs threat

ASEAN opens summit with Gulf nations and China amid US tariffs threat  morningsun.net

Politics

1 week ago China’s Li Qiang calls for ‘vibrant economic circle’ with Asean, Gulf states

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday urged Asean and Gulf state leaders to increase cooperation with Beijing, his call coming at a time when China is seeking to strengthen global economic ties amid intractable trade tensions with the US. Addressing the inaugural summit involving China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Li said that the three sides could create a “vibrant economic circle” through deeper exchanges to benefit each nation as well as...

Economics

2 w. ago China in Focus as ASEAN Pushes Back on U.S. Tariffs at Kuala Lumpur Summit

China in Focus as ASEAN Pushes Back on U.S. Tariffs at Kuala Lumpur Summit  The China-Global South Project

Politics

2 w. ago Goodbye Washington, hello Beijing; ASEAN turns to China, unites to fight US tariffs

Goodbye Washington, hello Beijing; ASEAN turns to China, unites to fight US tariffs  The Economic Times

Politics

2 w. ago Now or never? Philippine’s Marcos urges Asean to fast track South China Sea code

Now or never? Philippine’s Marcos urges Asean to fast track South China Sea code  South China Morning Post

Politics