Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
China and ASEAN set emergency meeting on coronavirus
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are preparing to hold an emergency meeting of their foreign ministers this month to discuss the outbreak of the new coronavirus.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Donald Trump Proposes $1.5 Billion Fund to Ensure Indo-Pacific is Free of ‘Malign Chinese Influence’
The Trump administration has proposed USD 1.5 billion in budgetary allocation for 2021 fiscal for the strategic Indo-Pacific, which it said was part of its efforts to ensure that the region remains free, open, and independent of “malign Chinese influence”.
— News18
Food and beverage industry: no plans to totally discard plastic
Twelve years ago, a tainted milk scandal broke in China after 16 infants in Gansu province were diagnosed with kidney stones.
— Eco-Business
Asean chief charts new UN course
Shortly after last month’s Asean foreign ministerial retreat in Vietnam’s Nha Trang, Secretary General Dato Lim Jock Hoi flew to New York.
— Bangkok Post
The Coronavirus in Asia and ASEAN – Live Updates by Country
Due to the developing situation in China and Asia concerning the Coronavirus, we will be operating this article as a running live update service to keep businesses involved in ASEAN and Asia updated with the latest relevant regional news.
— Asean Briefing
Sea code high on Asean summit agenda
Member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and China expect the completion of the second reading of the code of conduct (COC) covering the disputed South China Sea this year, Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
— The Manila Times
Forum: Asean should explore broader engagement
Yusof Ishak Institute proffered great insights into South-east Asians’ perceptions of China and the United States, especially their divergence from actual data (China and the US in South-east Asian eyes, Feb 8).
— The Straits Times
Minimum Wages in ASEAN: How Are They Calculated?
Minimum wage rates across ASEAN countries are rising gradually to match the region’s increased cost of living and boost domestic demand.
— Asean Briefing
MRC proves Xayaburi Hydroelectric Power Plant is not causing drought in the Mekong
Dr Anoulak Kittikhoun, Chief Strategy and Partership Officer of the Mekong River Commission (MRC), recentlybrought a group of 50 people including representatives of MRC member countries
— Bangkok Post
Asean needs to consider its response to US-China conflict
LAST year was the year in which the US-China conflict that disrupted the East Asian regional order intensified.
— The Business Times
2nd #ASEAN-EU Dialogue on Sustainable Development: Towards Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
The 2nd ASEAN-EU Dialogue on Sustainable Development: Towards Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals opened on 10 February in Brussels.
— EU Reporter
Britain Says ‘open For Business,’ Seeks Deeper ASEAN Ties
Britain sees huge trading opportunities in Southeast Asia and seeks to build a “new modern and dynamic” relationship with the region’s 10 nations after leaving the European Union, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Tuesday.
— Republic
European Union to invest in ASEAN green-infrastructure fund
THE European Union (EU) is planning to invest in a program to develop green infrastructure in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), known as the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility (ACGF), committing 50 million euros, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said.
— BusinessWorld Online
Virus outbreak at crossroads? Impact on ASEAN
With the new coronavirus — the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD) — there are now (2 p.m. Wuhan time, Tuesday) more than 42,600 confirmed cases worldwide.
— The Jakarta Post
Singapore incumbent banks should launch digital offensive in Asean
THERE was a scramble for non-bank players to speed-date the traditional lenders in Singapore, but thus far, none has made it to the altar with the final digital-bank consortia.
— The Business Times
Vietnam consults Singapore about ASEAN defence activities
A delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence led by Deputy Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh is paying a working visit to Singapore from February 10-13 to consult the Singaporean side about military and defence activities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2020.
— Vietnamplus
ASEAN journalists rub shoulders with JAXA astronaut
The Foreign Press Visit Programme hosted by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs concluded on a high note on Monday, with a visit to the Tsukuba Space Centre in Tsukuba Science City, one of the organisations under the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
— Borneo Bulletin
Startups in Southeast Asia eye space as next frontier for expansion
Singapore-based startup SpaceChain has a grand vision for blockchain, with plans to take the digital ledger technology beyond this world and into space.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Australia’s Asia engagement in higher education and research must do better
The strategic response to the global shift to the East and the rise of China has seen all of Australia’s ‘top-ten’ sources of international higher education students coming from Asia.
— East Asia Forum
Why Gojek’s small stake has big implications for Asean’s unicorns
Southeast Asia’s dominant unicorns, notably ride sharing and food delivery companies Grab and Gojek, are vying to become the super-app choice for the Asean region.
— FinanceAsia
China’s Emerging Disaster Diplomacy: What It Means For Southeast Asia – Analysis
The Chinese government formed two new bodies in 2018 that have been expected to improve China’s response to natural hazards and humanitarian emergencies in other countries.
— Eurasia Review
There’s no shortage of threats in the Southeast Asian seas. So why aren’t residents buying maritime patrol aircraft?
Maritime patrol and maritime surveillance aircraft are a vital tool in ensuring what is known as maritime domain awareness, and they serve as a complementary asset for navies and coast guards protecting their nation’s maritime interests.
— DefenseNews
Japanese firms moving production sites to Southeast Asia as coronavirus outbreak disrupts supply chains
Japan’s manufacturers have started moving production out of China because they fear the deadly coronavirus outbreak could prolong plant closures and wreak more havoc on their supply chains.
— The Japan Times
How to Build a Successful Company by Overcoming Linguistic and Cultural Barriers in Southeast Asia
As a consultant who has spent the last three years jumping among countries in the ASEAN region, I have learned first-hand the difficulties localizing web and social media properties in various countries.
— Entrepreneur
Why Asean stories matter: AirAsia and PMC’s streetwear collab shows off region’s diverse talent
With a population of more than 655 million, Southeast Asia is a melting pot of cultures that provides endless inspiration for its creatives.
— Malay Mail
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
EU to pull Cambodia trade privileges over human rights concerns
Cambodia is bracing for the European Union to take away trade privileges on Wednesday over human rights concerns about how its government handled a political crackdown two years ago.
— UPI
PM: EBA Withdrawal Not a Problem for Cambodia
Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen has once again called on his compatriots not to worry too much of the possible removal of EU’s Everything But Arms (EBA) preferential trade scheme.
— AKP
Factories in Cambodia to Face Shutdown due to Coronavirus-related Raw Material Supply Disruptions, Not EBA: PM Hun Sen (Video inside)
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen announced Tuesday that if some factories in Cambodia shuts down, the cause is coronavirus-related raw material supply disruptions; not because of the EU’s preferential trade scheme EBA.
— Fresh News Asia
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
All 62 coronavirus suspects tested negative: Jokowi
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) confirmed that 62 coronavirus suspects in Indonesia had proven negative for the presence of the infection.
— Antara News
BREAKING: Indonesia not repatriating IS fighters to protect nation from ‘terrorist virus’
The government has decided not to repatriate Indonesian citizens who joined the Islamic State (IS) movement, Coordinating Legal, Political and Security Affairs Minister Mahfud MD announced.
— The Jakarta Post
BI upbeat about 5.5 percent economic growth despite coronavirus threat
Bank Indonesia (BI) is optimistic that Indonesia will record an economic growth of 5.1-5.5 percent this year despite a new strain of coronavirus that originated in China having spread to several other countries.
— Antara News
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
Laos to Implement New Income Tax Rates
On February 17, 2020, Laos’ new Income TaxLaw (Tax Law No. 67/NA) will come into effect. The law replaces Tax Law No. 70/NA, which was issued in 2015 and sets out the latest tax rates for businesses and employees.
— ASEAN Briefing
Medics monitor for presence of coronavirus, all tests negative so far
Health officials announced on Sunday that 19 people with symptoms of the new coronavirus (nCoV) had tested negative and had been declared free from infection.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)
US opens coronavirus push with aid to Laos
The United States said on Monday (Feb 10) it had provided health supplies to Laos in the first delivery from a pledge of up to US$100 million in global assistance to fight the coronavirus.
— CNA
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
MACC to get more information on AirAsia-Airbus scandal
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has requested for documents from United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) to further examine facts before questioning AirAsia Group over its receipt of “alleged payments” from European aircraft maker Airbus.
— The Sun Daily
Malaysia domestic trade ministry conducting inspections to ensure no panic buying of essentials by Singaporeans in Johor
The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has been conducting surveillance in Johor since Saturday (Feb 8) to ensure there is no panic buying of essential food or household items by Singaporeans in the state.
— CNA
Petronas fails to stay Sarawak suit over 5pc sales tax, hearing set for March 13
The High Court here today dismissed a bid by Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) to stay proceedings in a civil lawsuit filed by the Comptroller of Sarawak Sales Tax and the state government against the national oil company for.
— Malay Mail
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Myanmar inflation peaks at 8.8% in December 2019
Inflation in 2019 peaked at 8.81 percent in December, the highest level in 12 months, according to the latest available data released by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO). In January 2019, inflation was 6.94pc.
— Myanmar Times
Myanmar earns over 907 mln USD from mineral export in 4 months
Myanmar earned over 907 million U.S. dollars from mineral export in the first four months of present fiscal year (FY) 2019-2020 which started in October, according to figures of the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday.
— Xinhua
Is Facebook’s bias a source of concern for Myanmar’s 2020 election?
“There are plans to form a group that will monitor words being said on Facebook, to remove words that will impede or harm the election, and to delete words that can be classified as hate speech. We’ve discussed these matters with Facebook’s representatives. We have talked it over to either delete items that they found to meet this criteria and have also asked Facebook to also remove items that we submit to them.”
— Eleven Myanmar
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Senate divided as Philippines sends VFA notice of termination to U.S.
The Senate on Tuesday, February 11, split along political lines after the Philippines sent its notice of termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) to the United States.
— Rappler
Taiwan seeks lifting of PHL travel ban, says it is “wrong” for Taiwan to be confused with China
Taiwan on Tuesday, Feb. 11, said that it would continue to communicate with the Philippine government in hopes of reversing a travel ban that the Philippines had imposed on Taiwan because of the novel coronavirus scare.
— Eagle News
Military members disagree with VFA termination – senior officers
Members of the Philippine military are generally against the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US, said two senior officers who spoke on condition of anonymity on Tuesday, February 11, hours after President Rodrigo Duterte officially ordered to scrap the deal.
— Rappler
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
2 new coronavirus cases in Singapore, including second Bangladeshi worker and RWS casino employee
Singapore reported two more confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday (Feb 11), said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a daily update.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Singapore ranked most liveable city for Asian expats for 15th year
Singapore has been ranked the most liveable city for expatriates from other Asian markets for the 15th year running.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Dengue outbreak possible with rise of DenV-3, a virus type not dominant in more than 30 years
The weekly cases had been rising steadily since mid-December, peaking at 404 cases in mid-January.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Thailand refuses entry to cruise ship amid coronavirus concerns
Thailand has barred passengers from Holland America’s cruise ship MS Westerdam from disembarking, its health minister said on Tuesday (Feb 11), the latest country to turn it away amid fears of the coronavirus despite no confirmed infections on board.
— CNA
Chinese tourist from Wuhan confirmed Thailand’s 33rd coronavirus case
Chinese tourist from Wuhan confirmed Thailand’s 33rd coronavirus case Thailand’s Disease Control Department (DCD) today announced an additional coronavirus case, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Thailand to 33.
— Thai PBS News
PRISON LOCKDOWN Coronavirus UK: ‘Drug-dealing kingpin’ extradited from Thailand at centre of suspected outbreak at high-security jail
AN alleged drug-dealing kingpin is at the centre of a suspected corona-virus outbreak at a high-security jail.
— The Sun
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
EU Approval of Trade Pact Will Give Vietnam Green Light to Continue Violations: HRW
A European Union approval of a landmark free trade deal with Vietnam, absent any concrete improvement to its human rights record, would give Hanoi carte blanche to continue with violations, a rights group warned Monday, on the eve of an EU vote on the pact.
— Radio Free Asia
Vietnam culls tens of thousands birds to contain H5N6 outbreak
Vietnam has so far this year culled tens of thousands of birds to contain an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N6 bird flu detected at several farms in its northern provinces, an agriculture ministry official and state media said on Monday (Feb 10).
— The Straits Times
Meeting of International Media Groups with Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam
The topics that were discussed during the meeting ranged from trade, commerce, the security of Vietnam and other countries. The much-debated health crisis, the outbreak of the Corona Virus at Wuhan in China was also discussed.
— The Policy Times
See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news
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Asean morning news for February 12 added by Digital Editor on
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