News
Indonesian president vows to fund ‘massive’ maritime infrastructure program
President Joko Widodo vowed on August 16 to develop all of Indonesia’s frontier areas, including the Natuna Islands close to where it is embroiled in a dispute with China, and outlined plans to fund a massive maritime infrastructure program to accelerate growth in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy. “We ...
Bananas on the Lancang: grown in Yunnan, destined for Shanxi
Along the banks of the Lancang in Yunnan, bananas grown from the river’s water are part of a complex network of national trade. Luc Forsyth and Gareth Bright have set out on a journey to follow the Mekong river from sea to source, The Diplomat will ...
Thailand gains clout as Southeast Asia's leading investor nation
Thailand has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s most enthusiastic investors in mutual funds as a growing middle class seeks ways to better manage its financial assets. “The Thai percentage is high, compared with the Southeast Asian average of about 10%,” said Yohei Kitano, senior analyst at ...
ASEAN can no longer sidestep its rights obligations
In 2007, the 10 members of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations celebrated the adoption of the Asean Charter that for the first time in the region’s history includes human rights as one of its principles and objectives. The charter seeks to implement a human ...
