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ASEAN-Australia relations will grow

Location:

ASEAN/AUSTRALIA

Besides a leaders’ plenary and retreat, there were events linked to four thematic tracks: business; climate and clean energy; maritime cooperation; and emerging leaders…

South-east Asia may align more with China in near term

Location:

SOUTH-EAST ASIA

A key finding is that 50.5% of respondents would pick China if forced to take sides in US-Chinese rivalry, up from 38.9% in 2023. China continues to be regarded as the most…

Vietnam will rethink its relations with Russia

Location:

VIETNAM

Vietnam is Russia’s closest partner in South-east Asia and has refused to criticise Moscow over the Ukraine war. Between 2000 and 2022, Russia accounted for more than 80% of…

IPEF failure will hurt US firms on digital trade

Location:

UNITED STATES

Although it does not have the force of law, the IPEF Supply Chain Agreement, along with the associated IPEF Critical Minerals Dialogue, is expected to strengthen chains of…

Thailand will pursue a more proactive foreign policy

Location:

THAILAND

Thailand is devoting more attention to foreign policy under Srettha. The fallout from the 2006 and 2014 coups adversely affected its foreign relations, but it retains an important…

Eased travel to China will have limited success

Location:

CHINA

Measures include relaxed visa requirements and improved payment options. Visitors from some European and South-east Asian countries have joined a group of 17 other countries that…

South Korea will regain growth momentum

Location:

SOUTH KOREA

Separately, the head of Samsung Electronics -- the cornerstone of the Samsung Group, which contributes around 20% of South Korea’s GDP -- has been cleared of wrongdoing in a…

Tough economic challenges await Taiwan president-elect

Location:

TAIWAN

The election in January of Lai Ching-te as president signalled continuity in economic policy, and economic pressure from Beijing has to date had limited effect. However, Lai faces…

Thai search for investors in land bridge will be tough

Location:

THAILAND

The road-and-rail project, which could end up costing around USD30bn, would link deep-water ports on either side of the Kra Isthmus, in effect connecting the Andaman Sea and the…

Abductions will impede Tokyo-Pyongyang ties

Location:

NORTH KOREA/JAPAN

Any such rapprochement would be two-edged: suggesting a less acerbic Pyongyang, but also altering delicate alliance dynamics. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reportedly did…