Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
China to hold illegal military drills in South China Sea amid rising tensions
It said the first military training exercise will be held 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6, and the second from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.
— Spratly Islands
South China Sea: Beijing makes bombshell announcement as tensions erupt in disputed water
Wang Yi was speaking in Bangkok after meeting with Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) counterparts. Mr Wang said progress to form a code of conduct to resolve disputes in the region, which Beijing hopes to finalise by 2021, was going ahead of schedule.
— Express.co.uk (video)
Achievements at AMM highlighted
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has issued a statement highlighting Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhonn’s participation during the 52nd Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting in Bangkok last week.
— Khmer Times
ASEAN growth slower than forecasted
While growth in Southeast Asia remains robust, data from the first half of 2019 indicates it has been slower than forecasted.
— The Asean Post
Weekend RCEP meeting move closer to the world’s biggest trading bloc
Whilst the UK looks to walk away from the EU trade bloc and the US continues to ramp up the trade war with China, the formation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which would be the largest trade bloc in the world, continues to gather pace.
— The Thaiger
EU criticises ‘militarisation’ of South China Sea
The “militarisation” of the South China Sea is threatening peace in the contested waterway, the EU’s top diplomat said Monday (Aug 5) in Hanoi, echoing warnings from the US as pressure mounts against Beijing’s ambitions in the region.
— CNA
Malaysia to push for proactive action on haze at Asean meet
The regional haze issue will be raised at the Asean 21st Technical Working Group and Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee meeting on Transboundary Haze Pollution which commences in Brunei today.
— Malay Mail
ASEAN’s strategic engagement in the unwieldy Indo-Pacific
As the world continues to navigate ever-changing geopolitical challenges, one concept generating more than its share of controversy is the “Indo-Pacific”.
— The Interpreter
Cambodian PM calls for joint efforts to fight terrorism in the region
Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Monday called for joint efforts to combat terrorism in the region following multiple bomb blasts in neighboring Thailand last week.
— Xinhuanet
ASEAN expert: Progress made on S.China Sea issue
Ministers from Southeast Asian nations and their dialogue partners have wrapped up a series of meetings in Bangkok.
— NHK World
It’s time for ASEAN to break silence on Myanmar: UN expert
ASEAN’s authority could potentially be undermined unless it starts addressing the political and human rights aspects of the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar, a United Nations expert has warned, as a team of UN investigators uncover damning evidence that links foreign money with a military crackdown that forced out more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)
ASEAN forges cooperation in agriculture, forestry
The Special Senior Officials Meeting of the 40th Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (Special SOM-AMAF) opened in Vietnam’s central province of Thua Thien-Hue on August 5.
— Vietnamplus
China rises to become ASEAN’s “most important” dialogue partner
China is now the “most important” dialogue partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, according to ASEAN foreign ministers who held an annual series of meetings last week in Bangkok.
— Kyodo News
Why technology alone won’t solve ASEAN’s water crisis
On July 26, 2019, Vietnam became the latest ASEAN nation to express concerns over its water security.
— Asean Today
Vietnam affirms commitment to Mekong-Japan cooperation
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to coordinating with Japan and other Mekong countries in implementing the Tokyo Strategy 2018 for Mekong-Japan Cooperation.
— Vietnamplus
Mitsui expands LNG processing fleet with eye on Southeast Asia
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines will more than double its fleet of LNG regasification ships, a low-cost alternative to onshore import terminals, to tap into a construction boom for gas-fired power stations in such developing regions as Southeast Asia.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
ASEAN market declines in Q2
Sales of new vehicles in southeast Asia’s six largest markets combined turned negative in the second quarter of 2019, by 2.4% to 833,515 units from 854,343 units in the same quarter of last year, according to data collected by www.AsiaMotorBusiness.com from local industry sources including vehicle manufacturers, trade associations and government departments.
— Just-auto.com
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Raksmey Khoem @raksmey.aecnews
PM Hun Sen: Cambodia’s Economic Growth Could Not Be the Highest in ASEAN with Dirty Governance (Video inside)
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen, on Monday, reminded all officials to work together to keep Cambodia’s economic growth at a rate of 7% per annum, speaking at a graduate ceremony to more than 1,000 police officers at the Cambodian Police Academy in Kandal province.
— Fresh News
Cambodia Gains Positive Progress in Market Access with RECP Free Trade
Cambodia has gained positive progress in market access with Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Free Trade.
— AKP
PM issues stern warning to corrupt officials
Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned of termination and the seizure of properties from armed forces members and government officials found to be involved in corruption, illegal logging or land grabs.
— Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
Lights on? Prepare for more blackouts, says PLN
Following the blackout that disrupted activities across West Java and Greater Jakarta on Sunday, state electricity firm PLN has warned there will be further, planned, power outages in several regions as repairs get under way.
— The Jakarta Post
JCI falls 2.59 percent as trade tension escalates, GDP growth slows
Indonesian share prices mostly declined on Monday as the escalation of the trade war between the United States and China, and a decline in Indonesia’s GDP growth in the second quarter added to investors’ concerns.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia, Vietnam to achieve $10 billion trade target by 2020: Envoy
Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Ibnu Hadi has expressed confidence that trade between Indonesia and Vietnam will reach US$10 billion by 2020.
— The Jakarta Post
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Raksmey Khoem @raksmey.aecnews
Seven missing after Huaphan landslide
Seven people are missing and two children were injured in the early hours of Saturday when a landslide struck in Viengxay district, Huaphan province, after more than two days of rain.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)
National University to accept over 8,000 students this year
The National University of Laos in Vientiane will accept about 8,100 students to study across its 13 faculties in the coming academic year, after they pass the entrance exams.
— Vientaine Times
Lao local authorities aim to make newly-listed world heritage site more visitor friendly
Xieng Khuang provincial authorities in Laos plan to install more facilities at the Plain of Jars to make the area more visitor friendly, in anticipation of a tourist influx following its listing as a World Heritage Site this year.
— Xinhua
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
ACCCIM: Malaysian businesses positive with higher capex spent in 1H19
Businesses’ cautiousness about their capital expenditure (capex) spending plans have turned positive in the first half of 2019 (1H19) with 58.8% of respondents having increased their capex, according to a survey by the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM).
— The Sun Daily
Bombing suspects travelled to Malaysia several times, say Thai cops
The two suspects who were arrested for allegedly planting explosive devices at the sidewalk near the Royal Thai Police headquarters in Rama I Road here on Thursday (Aug 1) evening had travelled to Malaysia several times, according to Thai police.
— The Star Online
No new tax measures in 2020 Budget
There will be no new tax measures in the upcoming 2020 Budget, said Finance Minister, Lim Guan Eng.
— New Sarawak Tribune
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
UN Calls for Sanctions Against Firms Owned by Myanmar Military
The United Nations fact-finding mission in Myanmar has called for sanctions against a network of companies owned by the country’s military, saying they helped carrying out and finance nationwide human rights violations, including against Rohingya Muslims.
— Bloomberg
Myanmar to reduce annual timber logging quota by half
Myanmar will cut its annual logging limit of teak and hardwood by 50 percent and produce only enough timber to meet the cost of production during 2019-20 logging season, according to the state-run Myanmar Timber Enterprise (MTE) Monday.
— Xinhua
Nearly 60 Foreign Firms Tied to Military Businesses: UN Report
Mission experts say these companies contribute to financing the “wide array of human rights and humanitarian law violations” the military commits.
— Irrawaddy
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Dengue outbreak worsens in Samar
The province of Samar is now under a state of calamity as the dengue cases continue to surge despite the efforts to contain the mosquito-borne illness.
— Manilastandard.net
Navy expresses concern over planned Chinese development in strategic islands
The Navy on Monday raised concern over the reported plan by Chinese investors to develop three strategic islands of the Philippines into economic hubs.
— GMA News
Philippines auditor slams DICT free Wi-Fi project that saw UNDP pocket $1.2mln
The Philippines Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is under fire over its free Wi-Fi in public places programme, with state auditors questioning the cost effectiveness of its arrangement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
— AEC News Today
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
Over 9,000 dengue cases reported so far this year, largest cluster in Chai Chee
Singapore is in peak dengue season, with 9,135 cases reported as of Aug 2 – about five times more than the total number of dengue cases reported in the same period last year.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
STI plunges 2% amid risk aversion, US-China trade escalation
Singapore stocks opened the week on the back foot on Monday (Aug 5), with the Straits Times Index (STI) plummeting by as much as 2 per cent in morning trade.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Singapore tourism receipts in Q1 fell 4.8% amid global economic uncertainty
SPENDING by visitors to Singapore fell 4.8 per cent to S$6.5 billion in the first quarter of 2019 from the same period last year, although international arrivals ticked up by 1 per cent to 4.7 million.
— The Business Times
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
PM: More than 10 involved in bombings
Security forces are hunting more than 10 suspects in connection with a series of bomb attacks in Bangkok last week, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Monday.
— Bangkok Post
Prayut makes light of alleged oath gaffe
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday shrugged off the opposition’s move to hold him to account over an alleged incomplete oath of allegiance, saying the swearing-in ceremony was complete and finished with.
— Bangkok Post
Thai police help deliver happy ending for expectant mum in Bangkok traffic (video)
When an expected mum on the way to the hospital in Bangkok went into labour last Thursday (Aug 1) things weren’t looking good. Bangkok traffic at its best can be described as slow-moving, while at its worst it is little more than a huge multi-lane carpark.
— AEC News Today
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam Spends Less Importing More Steel In 7 Months
Vietnam spent nearly 5.7 billion US dollars importing 8.4 million tonnes of steel and iron between January and July, down 2.4% in value but up 4.5% in volume against the same period last year.
— Steelguru
Five products to see stronger export to EU: ministry
Five key exports of Vietnam – seafood, fruit, woodwork, footwear and apparel goods – will have a good chance to boost their growth into the EU market thanks to tariff reduction brought about by the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
— VietnamPlus
Vietnamese police disrupt funeral of Catholic lawyer who fought corruption
Victims of alleged land-grabbing in southern Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City have accused local authorities of seriously disrupting a relative’s funeral.
— UCA News
See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news
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Asean morning news for August 6 added by Digital Editor on
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