Government
International relations
Vietnam plans Hanoi-Vientiane highway project: report
Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport has started a feasibility study on a 760-kilometer highway to connect Hanoi and Vientiane, local media reported on 11 November. The study conducted by Transport Engineering Design Inc. will help decide whether the route should pass through Nghe An or Ha Tinh, two central ...
Myanmar's election good for ASEAN: Surin
The November 8 election in Myanmar marked a good start for the country as well as Asean, said Surin Pitsuwan, former secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Keep reading ...
Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia to ease visa rules for Chinese
Three of China’s neighbors in Southeast Asia are further easing their visa regimes to attract more Chinese tourists. Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance announced move to lower Chinese visitors’ visa-application fees in a new step to boost its tourism. Starting from 23 November, Chinese tourists’ visa fees ...
Myanmar polls a success: international observers
Despite criticism of Myanmar’s “flawed” constitutional framework, international observers on 10 November gave a largely positive appraisal of the elections, commending a well-run election day while highlighting major issues such as an opaque system of advance voting. The Carter Center, the Asian Network for Free Elections, and ...
ASEAN nations adopt new technology plan
ASEAN ministers of science and technology met recently in Vientiane to adopt the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) for 2016-2025. The 16th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology was organised in Vientiane by the Ministry of Science and Technology and presided over by ...
Cambodian think tank proposals focus on foreign policy
Cambodia’s Future Forum think tank on 9 November marked Independence Day by releasing its first set of proposals, calling on the ruling and opposition parties to form a unified foreign policy ahead of the 2018 election. In an open letter to Prime Minister Hun Sen and Cambodia ...
Vietnam, Philippines to sign strategic-alliance pact
An official says the Philippines and Vietnam plan to sign an accord next week to elevate their relationship to a strategic level, allowing them to deepen economic ties and maritime cooperation. Keep reading ...
Thai border troops primed for possible Myanmar unrest
Thai security authorities along the Myanmar border have been put on alert in preparation for any unexpected incidents or violence following the neighbouring country’s election. The Surasee Task Force of the 9th Infantry Division, responsible for the Thai-Myanmar border area in Kanchanaburi held a meeting with police, ...
New Zealand PM to discuss trade, security in Southeast Asian meetings
Trade and security links will be high on the agenda when New Zealand Prime Minister John Key undertakes a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia next week. Key said Monday he would lead a trade delegation to Vietnam from 14 to 17 November and meet with Prime ...
Reducing trade barriers key goal at ASEAN summit
ASEAN leaders will flock to the ASEAN Summit this month to declare their commitment to the ASEAN Economic Community and sketch out their 10-year strategies to increase the region’s competitiveness and draw more investment. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will lead the Thai delegation to the 14th ASEAN Summit, which will ...
