Top News Headlines In Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, & Vietnam : May 13, 2025
Two Chinese naval vessels docked at the Ream Naval Base for the 2025 Golden Dragon joint military exercise. The seventh China and Cambodia exercise will be held in Kampong Chhnang and Preah Sihanouk provinces from May 14 to 28.
Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni will preside over the Royal Ploughing Ceremony in Kampong Chhnang province on May 15. The annual ceremony will be held at the Royal Field in Kampong Chhnang Stadium located in Klang Prak Village.
1.AUSTRALIAN PM ALBANESE TO MEET PRESIDENT PRABOWO FOR KEY BILATERAL TALKS -- JAKARTA GLOBE
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will make a state visit to Indonesia this week, marking his first official trip since securing a second term. The visit, scheduled for May 14-15, is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries, particularly in the fields of economy, security, and regional cooperation.
2.TNI SECURITY PROTECTION FOR AGO DRAWS FLAK -- THE JAKARTA POST
The Indonesian Military's (TNI) expanded deployment of personnel to provide security protection for prosecutors nationwide has once again landed the institution in hot water for stoking fears of military intervention in the judicial realm.
LAOS
1.AUSTRALIA'S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PROJECT FOR RURAL PEOPLE -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Australia's RM8 million 'Reproductive Health and Sexual Rights Promotion with New Mechanisms' project will benefit over 500,000 people, including ethnic communities, in remote Bokeo and Luang Namtha provinces. They will benefit from improved access to reproductive health and sexual rights services.
2.NEW DRY PORT NEAR LAO-THAI MEKONG FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The government agreed to construct a dry port on the Lao side at the 5th Lao-Thai Mekong Friendship Bridge linking Bolikhamxay with Thailand's Beungkan province. The new dry port and the customs warehouse will enhance logistics and trade between the countries.
MYANMAR
1.SIXTEEN HOTELS DESTROYED BY EARTHQUAKE IN MANDALAY -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The Mandalay Region Hotel Entrepreneurs' Association said 16 hotels were destroyed by the deadly earthquake on March 28 in the region. Officials are still assessing the damage to the hotels.
2.NAMPON IS NOW PROTECTED FOREST -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation designated 325 acres within Tangyan Township in Shan State as the 'Nampon Protected Public Forest'. The move will help to protect teak trees and wildlife habitat in the area.
SINGAPORE
1.SINGAPORE'S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK BRIGHTENS ON US-CHINA DE-ESCALATION, BUT TARIFF UNCERTAINTY REMAINS -- THE STRAITS TIMES
The outlook for Singapore's export-driven economy has brightened as the world's two largest economies stepped back from a tariff war that could collapse trade between them and trigger a global recession, analysts said.
2.GLOBAL STOCKS RALLY AFTER US AND CHINA PAUSE TARIFF WAR, BUT UNCERTAINTY REMAINS -- CNA/REUTERS
Global stock markets surged on Monday (May 12) after the US and China agreed to slash steep tariffs for at least 90 days, tapping the brakes on a trade war between the world's two biggest economies that had fed fears of a global recession.
THAILAND
1. FLOOD WARNING ISSUED FOR THALANG DISTRICT, PHUKET DUE TO HEAVY RAINS -- THE NATION
Residents in Thalang district, Phuket, have been advised to remain vigilant for potential flooding due to continuous heavy rainfall on Monday.
2. BOT WARNS OF LONG PATH TO RECOVERY -- BANGKOK POST
Structural problems are a key concern undermining Thailand's future growth potential, Bank of Thailand governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput has warned in a harrowing forecast of the country's economic future.
VIETNAM
1.ROBUST HONDA VIETNAM SALES IN APRIL -- VIETNAMPLUS
Honda Vietnam said its sales of motorcycle and automobile segments in April saw year-on-year increases of 6.9 per cent and 18.9 per cent respectively. The company sold 170,986 motorcycles and exported 17,953 units to various international markets last month.
2.VIETNAM AIRLINES AND RUSSIAN BANK PROMOTE TIES -- VIETNAM NEWS
Vietnam Airlines and Russia's state-owned VTB Bank signed a memorandum of understanding in Moscow on May 10 to enhance co-operation. Both aim to promote cultural exchanges and enhance tourism between the nations.
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The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong charged under Beijing-imposed security law for second time
Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong did not apply for bail, and the case was adjourned to Aug 8. - Reuters HONG KONG: Prominent Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong on Friday (June 6) was charged with conspiracy to collude with foreign forces to endanger national security under a Beijing-imposed law that critics say has crushed Hong Kong's once-thriving pro-democracy movement. The prosecution was the second time Wong has been charged under the sweeping national security law. He was already convicted in a separate subversion case linked to an unofficial primary election and was sentenced last year to four years and eight months in jail for that charge. The prosecution accused Wong, 28, of conspiring with fellow activist Nathan Law and others to ask foreign countries, institutions, organisations or individuals outside of China to impose sanctions or blockades, or engage in other hostile actions, against Hong Kong and China. They also said he disrupted the formulation and implementation of laws and policies by the Chinese and Hong Kong governments, and that the act was likely to have serious consequences. The alleged offences occurred between July 2020 and November 2020. The prosecution didn't elaborate on the accusations in court. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. After hearing the charge in court, Wong, who wore a blue shirt and was visibly thinner, said he "understood' the charge. The case was adjourned to August. National security police arrested Wong in Stanley, an area in southern Hong Kong, over the national security charge and also on suspicion of "dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence," police said in a statement. Wong rose to fame in Hong Kong in 2012 as a high school student leading protests against the introduction of national education in the city's schools. Two years later, he became world famous as a leader of the Occupy Movement. In 2016, Wong co-founded a political party named Demosisto with fellow young activists Law and Agnes Chow In the 2019 pro-democracy movement, Wong helped seek overseas support for the protests. His activism led Beijing to label him an advocate of Hong Kong's independence who "begged for interference' by foreign forces. Demosisto disbanded when Beijing imposed the security law in 2020. The Chinese and Hong Kong governments said the law brought back stability to the city. In 2023, Hong Kong authorities offered rewards of one million Hong Kong dollars (US$127,600) for information leading to the arrests of Law, who moved to Britain, and some other overseas-based activists. - AP
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Vietnam trade surplus with US surges, clouding tariff talks
HANOI: Vietnam's trade surplus with the US expanded sharply in May as exports swelled and its imports from China also jumped, exacerbating sore points with Washington that could hurt Hanoi's efforts to avoid crippling tariffs. Separate trade data from the US also showed Vietnam's surplus overtook Mexico's in April, lagging only China and the European Union. US President Donald Trump has vowed to bring down the US trade deficit and the Southeast Asian country faces one of his highest 'reciprocal' tariffs at 46% if a deal cannot be negotiated before a pause on the levies ends in early July. Despite Hanoi's efforts and pledges to meet Washington's demands, the surplus keeps growing, particularly as exporters rush to get their goods to the US before the tariffs go into effect. The new figures 'may put some clouds in the sky of these negotiations and put pressure on Vietnam to make additional concessions to reach an agreement,' said Leif Schneider, vice-chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam's legal sector committee. The surplus with the US surged to US$12.2 billion (RM52 billion) in May, up nearly 42% from a year earlier and 17% higher than April, Vietnamese government data showed yesterday. Exports to the US also climbed roughly 42% from a year earlier to a post-pandemic high of US$13.8 billion. That stands in contrast to signs that other countries are reining in their exports to the US with the US trade deficit narrowing sharply in April. Schneider noted that while Vietnam's spike in exports was largely due to front-loading ahead of possible tariffs, and represents a short-term inflation of the surplus, Vietnam is in a particularly hard spot because of its limited imports from the US. In the first five months of the year, the surplus hit nearly US$50 billion, up 28.5% and putting Vietnam on track to exceed last year's record surplus. The country's imports from China also posted a post-pandemic record of US$16.2 billion in May, up 21% from a year earlier. Vietnam is home to large manufacturing operations of US multinationals such as Apple, Intel and Nike , and it also hosts numerous Chinese companies, often suppliers to US firms. US officials have repeatedly accused Vietnam of being used as a waypoint for Chinese goods destined for the US. They allege that some goods have 'Made in Vietnam' labels despite having received no or insufficient added value in the country – allowing Chinese exporters to avoid high US duties on their goods. The US has sent a 'long' list of 'tough' requests to Vietnam in its tariff negotiations including demands that could force the country to cut its reliance on Chinese industrial goods imports, two people briefed about the matter have said. Under US pressure, Hanoi has launched a crackdown on illegal transshipments of goods, mostly from China. It has also repeatedly shown its willingness to reduce non-tariff barriers and to import more US goods including US planes, farm products and energy, although no purchase contracts have been announced yet. Vietnam's overall trade figures with the world showed exports in May rose 17% from a year earlier to US$39.6 billion, while imports were up 14% at US$39 billion. Separate government data also out yesterday showed industrial production in May shot up 9.4% from a year earlier, while consumer prices rose 3.24% and retail sales were up 10.2%. Foreign investment inflows for January-May climbed 7.9% to US$8.9 billion. Foreign investment pledges over the period soared 51.2% to US$18.4 billion. – Reuters
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Auto sector hit by China rare earth curbs
TOKYO: The global auto industry has been rocked by China's decision to restrict exports of rare earth magnets that are crucial to making vehicles. With a near monopoly on the output of rare earth elements, Beijing is using them as a key weapon in its trade war with Washington. Here we look at the implications for the sector. China's restrictions China accounts for more than 60% of rare earth mining production and 92% of global refined output, according to the International Energy Agency, driven by generous state subsidies and lax environmental protections. As the trade war with the US has developed, Beijing has required Chinese companies since April to obtain a licence before exporting these materials – including rare earth magnets – to any country. While these rules were expected to be relaxed after a tariff deal in Geneva last month, industry stakeholders said they have not been eased at a sufficient pace. 'Since early April, hundreds of export licence applications have been submitted to Chinese authorities, yet only approximately one-quarter appear to have been approved,' the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) said Wednesday. 'Procedures are opaque and inconsistent across provinces, with some licenses denied on procedural grounds and others requiring disclosure of intellectual property-sensitive information.' And US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this month said Beijing was 'blocking certain products it had agreed to market as part of our agreement'. China, however, defended its 'common international practice'. Few alternatives Rare earths are 17 metals used in a wide variety of everyday and high-tech products, from light bulbs to guided missiles. Two of them – neodymium and dysprosium – are crucial to making powerful magnets for electric vehicles and wind turbines. These components play an essential role in 'electric motors, sensors, power steering, and regenerative braking systems, among other advanced features in modern vehicles', according to consultancy firm BMI. China's restrictions highlight the world's heavy dependency, with Europe importing 98% of its rare earth magnets from the country, BMI said. And, it notes, while the European Union has introduced regulations to boost its production of critical minerals, 'rare earth processing operations in Europe not only struggle to compete with Chinese producers on cost, but also lack the necessary scale to supply its automotive sector'. Industry group CLEPA added that efforts undertaken in Europe to diversify supply sources 'offer no short-term solutions and cannot address the acute risks currently facing supply chains'. Production halts, supply concerns The auto industry is already suffering globally. 'With a deeply intertwined global supply chain, China's export restrictions are already shutting down production in Europe's supplier sector,' said CLEPA secretary-general Benjamin Krieger. The group on Tuesday reported 'significant disruptions' in Europe, where these restrictions 'have led to the shutdown of several production lines and plants'. It warned that 'further impacts (were) expected in the coming weeks as inventories deplete'. 'The slow pace of customs formalities for shipments requiring a valid export licence poses a problem,' Hildegard Muller, president of Germany's automotive industry association VDA, told AFP. 'If the situation does not evolve quickly, production delays, or even production losses, can no longer be ruled out.' While not citing 'direct restrictions' for itself, Germany's Mercedes-Benz said it was maintaining 'close contact' with its suppliers, while Japan's Suzuki Motor said Thursday it 'had ceased production of certain models due to a component shortage', including rare earths, the Nikkei daily reported. And US auto giant Ford had to halt production for a week in May at its Chicago plant making the Explorer SUV because of shortages, according to Bloomberg. The firm told AFP that it does not comment on 'supplier issues'. Indian scooter-maker Bajaj Auto recently warned the restrictions could impact its production in July. 'The slow processing of (export) requests appears to be causing significant supply shortages,' Cornelius Bahr from IW Economic Institute told AFP. 'Statements (by German firms) indicating that stocks will only suffice through the end of June should certainly be taken seriously.' The electronics industry, another major consumer of rare earths, could also suffer. 'Concern is visibly growing, many companies currently have resources only for a few weeks or months,' said Wolfgang Weber, president of Germany's electronics industry association ZVEI. Hope for a turnaround While uncertainty remains, talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Thursday seem to have paved the way for a potential easing by Beijing. 'There should no longer be any questions respecting the complexity of (exporting) rare earth products,' Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform after their phone call. A rapid resolution of the China-US row remains unlikely but reports indicate 'an agreement was reached to overcome immediate obstacles, particularly con-cerning critical minerals', noted Wendy Cutler, vice-president of the Asia Society Policy Institute.
