These are the top stories making the front pages of major newspapers from across Southeast Asia today.
Get up to speed with what’s happening in the fastest growing region in the world.
Coronavirus: China’s Wuhan reports no new infections for first time, imported cases surge
The central Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the country’s coronavirus outbreak, reported no new infections for the first time, while imported cases surged by a record, led by new infections in the capital of Beijing.
The new imported infections also accounted for all of the new confirmed cases in mainland China, placing more pressure on authorities to screen travellers at key travel hubs.
Mainland China had 34 new confirmed cases on Wednesday, the country’s National Health Commission said, more than doubling from 13 cases a day earlier. – The Straits Times
COVID-19 infection increases to 37
The Health Ministry has detected two more cases of COVID-19 in Tboung Khmum province, bringing the number of infections to 37.
The ministry said in a statement issued late today that two Cambodian men who had just returned from Malaysia tested positive for the virus. – Khmer Times
China sends medical aid to Malaysia
China has sent medical aid to Malaysia, to help fight the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in the county.
The Chinese Embassy in Malaysia on its Facebook page today shared photos of medical items arriving in Malaysia. – The New Straits Times
Trump dubs COVID-19 ‘Chinese virus’ despite hate crime risks
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he doesn’t think calling COVID-19 the “Chinese virus” - or the “kung-flu,” as one administration official reportedly called it - puts Asian Americans at risk of retaliation despite growing reports they are facing virus-related discrimination.
Since coronavirus infections started appearing in the United States in January, Asian Americans have shared stories of minor aggression to blatant attacks from people blaming them for the pandemic, which has killed more than 130 people in the United States. – Philippine Daily Inquirer
Army disinfects Bangkok roads nightly
The army Thursday morning began spraying roads in Bangkok with disinfectant to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Army units have been deployed to carry out the daily cleaning from 1am to 5am until the end of the month. The cleaning operation uses water mixed with disinfectant. – Bangkok Post