Indonesia risks creating internal rifts among South China Sea fishermen in its efforts to ward off China
Following Chinese incursion in Indonesian waters, the government is sending fishermen from Java to help defend the area.
China
China-Indonesia South China Sea incident likely a blip in a long-term trend of mutual adjustment
The recent flare-up of tensions between Indonesia and China over fishing in the south-central South China Sea will not be the turning point in ASEAN-China relations many predict.
Bangkok’s balancing act: Is Thailand really in lockstep with China?
Five years of junta rule trammelled Thailand’s relations with the US and pushed it to new military and strategic ties with China. Prayuth hasn’t left Washington for Beijing—Bangkok is just being pragmatic.
“You go alone, you’ll be bullied”: The need for solidarity is the key takeaway from the 35th ASEAN Summit
Set against the backdrop of the US-China trade war and increasing tensions in the South China Sea, the 35th ASEAN Summit saw regional leaders push for increased unity to meet regional challenges.
Cleaning up a dirty industry: ASEAN is becoming more dependent on coal but it has an obligation to mitigate its environmental impact
Two recent reports point to coal as the most feasible way to meet ASEAN’s rising energy demand. However, the industry cannot spend the next two decades relying on the same technologies it did for the past two.
At the intersection of Chinese censorship and globalisation: Vietnam removes ‘Abominable’ film from cinemas
Vietnam blocks cinemas from showing ‘Abominable’. As China wrestles control of the global cultural narrative, the decision will be the first of many.
Southeast Asian border demarcation talks carry pledges to coal power and political repression
New Myanmar-China and Laos-Cambodia border agreements saw leaders exploit power dynamics to push national interests that risk exacerbating ethnic conflicts and political repression.
Renewed fighting in Shan State exposes flaws in Myanmar-China development plan
Renewed violence between ethnic armed groups and the Myanmar military in Shan State has thrown joint China-Myanmar development plans into question. Relying on China to broker peace seems an increasingly risky gamble.
Vanguard Bank is a clear example of Beijing’s South China Sea strategies in action
China is trying to manipulate international dispute resolution mechanisms to sew confusion and further its economic interests in the South China Sea. Its diplomatic and military activities are pushing the region closer to the brink of conflict.
Chinese naval facility in Cambodia is a reflection of US diplomatic failings
A recent Wall Street Journal report uncovered a secret agreement between China and Cambodia which would see Beijing assume partial control of Ream naval base. The road to this critical juncture is littered with missed diplomatic opportunities.