Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 16 — record deaths in Indonesia, regional recoveries top 115,000
As of 00:41 GMT July 16 there was 77,663 active cases of COVID-19 throughout the 10 Asean member countries, an increase of 804, or 1.04 per cent, on the day prior.
— AEC News Today
Legarda seeks environmental sustainability initiatives at ASEAN
House Deputy Speaker Antique Rep. Loren Legarda has urged member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to vigorously push for initiatives seeking to promote environmental sustainability and resilience to sustain their socioeconomic gains and reduce poverty.
— Manila Bulletin
Praying for Rain by the Mekong as Monsoon Season Begins
As the monsoon gets underway across Indochina, farmers and fishermen are praying for rain after a lengthy drought — aggravated by climate change and dam construction.
— VOA
Spotlight: RCEP agreement could be new booster for regional development, say officials, scholars
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade pact, once realized, will create the world’s biggest free trade zone and serve as a new booster for regional development, Cambodian officials and experts have said.
— Xinhuanet
Coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia top 200,000
The total number of coronavirus cases in Southeast Asian countries has reached 203,077 as of Thursday, including 5,732 fatalities and 117,320 recoveries.
— Anadolu Agency
Menace of illicit drugs in Golden Triangle region
The Golden Triangle region of Southeast Asia is one of the major producers of illicit drugs.
— The Korea Times
SE Asia Firms Step Up Amid Protective Gear Shortage
Around the world, medical workers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic are facing a serious shortage of protective equipment.
— NHK World (video)
Can Asean ride on China’s second-quarter economic rebound?
China on Thursday surprised the world with a second-quarter economic rebound, dodging a recession and outperforming economists’ expectations.
— South China Morning Post
4,000 MSMEs and youths offered digital skills training
Brunei has launched a regional initiative that will provide digital skills training to 4,000 local micro-entrepreneurs and under-employed youths.
— The Scoop
China-ASEAN integration to deepen despite US disruption
With the novel coronavirus pandemic wrecking the global economy, economic ties between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as regional economic integration in Asia, will be enhanced despite the US’ interruptions in the South China Sea amid its intensifying presidential election season.
— Global Times
South China Sea roils as Asean bloc prepared to take on China
The US has hardened its position on the South China Sea, where it has accused China of attempting to build a “maritime empire” in the potentially energy-rich waters, despite regional concerns.
— Business Day
Washington aims to create a geopolitical fault line in Southeast Asia
On July 13, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a strong-worded statement about Washington’s position on maritime claims in the South China Sea. It declares most of China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea as unlawful.
— Global Times
Conflicts And COVID-19: What Explains Rise In Terror And Counter-Terror Ops In Southeast Asia? – Analysis
The COVID-19 pandemic has helped induce ceasefires in a range of conflict zones around the world.
— Eurasia Review
Will China revisit South China Sea policy as Washington reaches out to Asean?
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s statement on Washington’s opposition to Beijing’s expansive claims in the South China Sea goes beyond its traditional assertions of navigational and overflight freedoms.
— South China Morning Post
Is this high time for QUAD Plus Diplomacy?
On March 20, 2020, the Quadrilateral Dialogue (QUAD) member countries, including Australia, Japan, India, and the United States, met through a video conference for discussing collective actions against COVID-19 pandemic.
— Modern Diplomacy
Building ASEAN Community remains top priority: Senior ASEAN officials
Successfully building the ASEAN Community continues to be a top priority of the bloc despite the difficulties and challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, ASEAN member states reiterated at the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM), which was held online on July 16 and chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung.
— Vietnamplus
River dams in China helped alleviate drought along Lancang-Mekong, research finds
China was one of the countries that suffered the most from a severe drought along the Lancang-Mekong River in 2019, hydrology researchers found, in contrast with allegations by some foreign researchers which blamed China for the drought in countries on lower reaches of the river.
— Global Times
ASEAN peacekeeping centres network video conference
The ASEAN peacekeeping centres network (APCN) hosted a meeting under the theme of ‘Enhancing cooperation among APCN members in response to COVID-19 pandemic’ on July 16 via video conference.
— Vietnamplus
Asia Pacific real estate investment activity registers significant Covid-19 impact in first half of 2020
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was felt deeper in Asia Pacific real estate markets in the second quarter of 2020 than the previous quarter, contributing to investment volumes and rental prices declining across most major commercial asset classes in the first half of the year.
— Property Funds World
What’s behind rising tensions in the South China Sea?
The United States this week hardened its position on the South China Sea, where it has accused China of attempting to build a “maritime empire” in the potentially energy-rich waters, despite regional concerns.
— Livemint
EMERGING MARKETS-Thai baht hits one-month low as finance minister resigns
The Thai baht fell to a one-month low on Thursday after the surprise resignation of the country’s finance minister, while the Indonesian rupiah weakened as investors braced for a fourth interest rate cut this year.
— Reuters
Official sports of SEA Games 31, Para Games 11 to be announced in July
The host Vietnam will hold an online conference with regional countries on July 21 and 22 to announce the list of sports at the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) and the 11th Southeast Asian Para Games (Para Games 11), which are scheduled for 2021.
— Vietnamplus
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
School Owners Agree with School Reopening in Three Stages: The Sooner, The Better
The Minister of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS), Hang Chuon Naron, said in May that the Ministry will consider reopening schools in early November, 2020 – only if the Covid-19 situation has improved. He added students at the examination years, grades 9th and 12th, will begin classes first.
— Focus Cambodia
Savagely battered Cambodia’s garment industry seeks urgent help to stay alive
Cambodia’s garment industry had issued a renewed plea for help amidst new statistics revealing that more than 150,000 workers have now lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic.
— Khmer Times
The new normal – Taking stock of Cambodia’s real estate sector
The real estate sector is in the doldrums. Low foreign investments and pending projects are expected to slow growth by five to six per cent this year compared to 10 to 15 per cent a year ago, said Cambodia Valuers and Estate Agents Association president Chrek Soknim.
— The Phnom Penh Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
Bank Indonesia Cuts Rate for Second Month as Growth Sputters
Bank Indonesia lowered its key interest rate for a second straight month to bolster economic growth, and signaled further easing will depend on inflation and how the recovery from the coronavirus pandemic unfolds.
— Bloomberg
Indonesia’s COVID-19 mortality rate the second highest in ASEAN – here’s why
As of Wednesday morning (15 July), Indonesia recorded 3,710 deaths due to COVID-19, meaning that the death rate for the country is 14 deaths per one million population.
— The Online Citizen
Covid-19: Indonesia cases exceed 80,000
Indonesia reported 1,522 new Covid-19 infections on Wednesday, raising the country’s tally beyond 80,000.
— New Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
Lao Migrants Returning from Thailand Stuck in Overflowing Quarantine Camps
Thousands of Lao migrant workers who recently returned from Thailand after losing their jobs to COVID-19 have been facing fresh hardships in crowded, undersupplied quarantine camps, Lao officials and migrants told RFA.
— RFA
Laos government intends to boost agricultural export to China
According to the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the country earned 560 million U.S. dollars in 2019 by exporting agricultural products, with 80 percent of the goods being sold to China.
— Fresh Plaza
Laos Borders Remain Closed to Foreign Visitors
The government of Laos has chosen to keep its borders closed to foreign visitors, with testing and medical certification required before travelers can exit the country to ensure it remains free of Covid-19.
— The Laotian Times
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
433 new investment projects worth RM97.4b identified – Azmin Ali
The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) has identified 433 new projects which have the potential to bring in RM97.4 billion worth of new investment to the country, said International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (pix) today.
— The Sun Daily
Amid virus crisis, U.S. bars imports of Malaysia’s Top Glove over labour issues
U.S. Customs placed a detention order on imports of products made by subsidiaries of the world’s largest medical glove maker, Malaysia’s Top Glove Corp Bhd (TPGC.KL), an action taken against firms suspected of using forced labour.
— Reuters
Malaysia Airports says improvement in June traffic movements sign of air travel revival
Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) has reported an improvement in June traffic movements, indicating revival in air travel in both Malaysia and Turkey, following the relaxation of restrictions announced earlier in the month.
— The Sun Daily
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
COVID-19 lockdown in Myanmar exposes precarious position of LGBTQI population
In Myanmar, the COVID-19 lockdown has laid bare the stigmatization, discrimination and harassment faced by many LGBTQI people, particularly in rural areas. The United Nations is working to support those people.
— UN News
Myanmar border trade using individual trading cards exceeds 24mil USD in nine months of FY 2019-20
Myanmar’s total border trade using Individual Trading Cards (ITC) exceeded 34 billion kyats (US$24mil) in nine months of present fiscal year (FY) 2019-2020 which started in October, said figures released by the Ministry of Commerce on Thursday (July 16).
— The Star Online
UN urges Myanmar to cooperate with justice mechanisms
The new United Nations special rapporteur has urged Myanmar to cooperate with existing international justice mechanisms “to ensure accountability for alleged international crimes.”
— UCA News
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Over 33k active COVID-19 cases not in hospitals, DOH figures show
Over 33,000 active cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as of July 15 have not been admitted to hospitals, data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed.
— GMA Network
Metro Manila risks reverting to strict lockdown as cases surge
THE presidential palace on Thursday threatened to put Manila and nearby cities back under a stricter lockdown if cases of the coronavirus that has sickened more than 61,000 and killed about 1,600 people in the Philippines continue to surge.
— BusinessWorld
DOH recommends flu, pneumonia shots to dodge COVID-19 complications
The health department recommends the use of flu and pneumonia vaccine to prevent complications from the novel coronavirus disease, an official said Thursday.
— ABS-CBN News (video)
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
Singapore retail rents to see sharper falls amid mounting mall vacancies: Report
Rents for retail space in Singapore are expect to fall more sharply in the second half of this year amid mounting vacancies from the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a report by property consultancy Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) released on Thursday (July 16).
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Singapore’s financial system resilient despite worst downturn: MAS
Singapore’s financial system remains robust and resilient even as the economy suffers its most severe downturn due to the coronavirus pandemic, central bank chief Ravi Menon said on Thursday.
— Reuters
Sea robbery incidents in Singapore Strait double in first half of 2020
Piracy and armed robbery incidents on ships in the Singapore Strait doubled in the first half of 2020 compared to the same period last year, according to a maritime information sharing centre on Thursday (Jul 16).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Uttama, 3 others resign from cabinet
Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana and three other members of the so-called Four Boys group announced their resignation from the cabinet on Thursday, effective immediately.
— Bangkok Post
Numerous medical clinics in Bangkok implicated over embezzling public funds
On Thursday, Thailand National Health Security Office (NHSO) revealed that eighteen community clinics in Bangkok have been embezzling money from the universal healthcare budget. The…
— Sawadee Siam
CAAT tightens up control of stopover charter and special flights
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has tightened the control of chartered and special flights by Thai airliners and international flights, which land in Thailand for refueling or brief…
— Thai PBS News
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam dismisses China claims of East Sea activity over 2,000 years ago
Vietnam Thursday dismissed Chinese claims of East Sea activities dating back 2,000 years plus and called for all countries to respect international law.
— VnExpess
Will We See a US-Vietnam Strategic Partnership?
Common concerns over China’s have brought the United States and Vietnam together, but there are frictions, too.
— The Diplomat
FDI Data Shows Vietnam’s Steady Performance in First Half of 2020
Vietnam has garnered international praise for its swift and effective response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
— Vietnam Briefing
See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news
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Asean morning news for July 17 added by Digital Editor on
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