These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
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A friend indeed
Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday said the government will not let Wuhan virus fears affect the nation’s economy.
Mr Hun Sen in a press conference at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh said some members of the public had requested the government to consider closing flight routes to China and evacuate Cambodians living there.
He said by doing so, it would affect relations with China as investments from the country have contributed to the Kingdom’s economic growth. – Khmer Times
US urges government, armed groups to sit down, talk peace
The United States has urged the Myanmar government and ethnic armed groups to settle their political differences at the negotiating table so the country can achieve sustainable peace.
US Ambassador Scot Marciel said that while the Myanmar peace process is very complicated because there are so many ethnic armed groups, the US can help and share ideas, especially on the issue of federalism. – Myanmar Times
Metro commuters lost 257 hours to traffic last year
Commuters in Metro Manila on average lost a total of 257 hours - or 10 days and 17 hours - in their commute during rush hour last year, a global mobility report said, ranking the metropolis as having the second worst traffic congestion among 416 cities in the world in 2019.
Manila (referring to the metropolis) is second only to the Indian city of Bengaluru in extra time spent in traffic, according to the ninth edition of the annual TomTom Traffic Index, which was released on Wednesday. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Tourism minister opposes scrapping visa-on-arrivals
Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc attended a ceremony to a launch tree-planting campaign in Trấn Yên District, northern Yên Bái Province on Thursday. The province hopes to plant at least 520ha of trees this year.
Speaking at the event, PM Phúc said the Government and localities nationwide hope to achieve forest coverage of 42 percent, earning at least US$12 billion from wood and wooden furniture exports this year and $20 billion by 2025, turning Vietnam into a wood production and export centre in the next decade. – Viet Nam News
PM launches tree-planting campaign
Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn says the government should not scrap visas-on-arrival (VOAs) for Chinese travellers despite the public health minister insisting on a suspension.
Anutin Charnvirakul, the public health minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader, has said the state should scrap VOAs for Chinese travellers because the Chinese government has already banned outbound tours. A temporary suspension is in line with the Chinese government's policy. – Bangkok Post