Filipino citizens were caught by surprise yesterday as large banners saying “Welcome to the Philippines, Province of China” appeared on bridges throughout Manila and other cities. The banners popped up on the second anniversary of the Philippines’ legal victory against China at the Hague.
United States (US) President Donald Trump on Thursday again signalled optimism about efforts to end the nuclear standoff with North Korea, as he took the extraordinary diplomatic step of tweeting out a letter from Kim Jong Un.The four-paragraph letter – an upbeat missive in which Kim voices hope in a "new future" and speaks of his "invariable trust" in Trump – is dated 6 July, the day Secretary of State Mike Pompeo landed in North Korea for what turned out to be acrimoniou
Further evidence of Donald Trump’s trade war with China is set to show up in economic data due from Friday, although it will likely just be a taste of things to come.From exporters of Wi-Fi equipment to households splurging on Maine lobsters and other American goods, China is beginning to adjust to the effect of the current tariffs from both nations, and the possibility of more. The trade war arrives as the economy is already slowing, adding an external shock to a home-made one.
In the Philippines, the life expectancy of mayors and their deputies can be very short. A recent spate of public assassinations of local officials in broad daylight brought the spotlight back on political killings in the country, now dubbed the “murder capital of Asia” by opposition senator Antonio Trillanes.Five local officials were shot to death in six days, from 2 to 7 July, in a mix of political and drug war-related killings.
Thailand is seeking Chinese investment to help galvanize a five-year, 1.7 trillion-baht (US$51 billion) development plan for its eastern seaboard to bolster the economy.While political tension has shadowed Chinese investment in nations from Australia to Sri Lanka, the Thai military government views its so-called Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project as well placed to link with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
You may not have noticed, what with the outbreak of trade war with the United States (US) and all, but China’s economic diplomacy has had a bad few weeks. The country’s flagship Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is dealing with ever-greater resistance, slowing a momentum that once seemed unstoppable.
Cambodian political parties on Saturday kicked off a three-week-long campaign for a controversial general election later this month, which strongman Hun Sen is poised to sweep after the main opposition were disbanded and their senior members driven into self-exile.Hun Sen – who has ruled Cambodia for 33 years – told a sea of supporters dressed in matching T-shirts adorned with the logo of his ruling party, that his government would ensure peace, economic growth and raise salaries for the key
Singapore will seek compensation for all costs incurred if Malaysia cancels a planned multibillion-dollar high-speed railway link between the two countries.Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan told parliament on Monday that compensation would be sought under the terms of the 2016 high-speed rail bilateral agreement between Singapore and Malaysia.“We will deal with the question of compensation from Malaysia for costs incurred by Singapore in accordance with the bilateral agreement and internationa
Over the weekend, talks on denuclearisation between United States (US) Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo and Pyongyang seemed to have elicited differing reactions from both sides.
The world is waiting with bated breath as rescue operations for the 12 trapped Thai boys along with their football coach is currently underway. Latest reports at the time of writing show that four boys were rescued on Sunday. Thai authorities say that the group are safe but did not elaborate further on their condition.
The United States (US) and North Korea sharply diverged after two days of talks, with Pyongyang terming the US position on denuclearisation during meetings with Mike Pompeo “extremely regrettable,” hours after the secretary of state cited progress on central issues.A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman, in a statement reported by the state media outlet Korea Central News Agency (KCNA), said Pompeo had put forward the same “cancerous” demands that past administrations had sought.Trust betw
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said he may step down as early as next year once a new constitution, which will pave the way for a federal shift in government, is in place.Duterte, in a televised speech late Friday, rejected suggestions that a recently concluded review of the nation’s charter is meant to prolong his stay beyond his six-year term, which ends in 2022.“I suggest and I would like Congress to approve it – make my term co-terminus with the beginning” of a new constitution, Dut
