Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on May 3, 2025
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S'poreans head to the polls in PM Wong's first election as leader
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Straits Times
4 days ago
- Straits Times
Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong faces second charge under national security law
Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong walks to a prison van to head to court with other activists, over a national security law charge, in Hong Kong, China March 4, 2021. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo HONG KONG - Hong Kong authorities once again arrested prominent activist Joshua Wong on Friday and charged him with conspiracy to collude with a foreign country under a Beijing-imposed national security law. Wong, 28, was originally set to be released in January 2027 from a 56-month jail sentence he is serving under the same law for conspiracy to commit subversion after he participated in an unofficial primary election. Taken to the West Kowloon magistrates' courts, Wong faced a new charge of conspiracy to collude with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security. The former student pro-democracy activist, who wore a blue shirt and appeared noticeably thinner than before, replied, "Understand," when the clerk read out the charge and details of the offence. Wong did not apply for bail, and the case was adjourned to August 8. Before returning to custody, he waved, shrugged, and shook his head in the direction of the public gallery. In a statement, Hong Kong's national security police said they had arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of the offence, as well as for "dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence". A charge sheet seen by Reuters accuses Wong of having conspired with exiled activist Nathan Law and others to ask foreign countries, institutions, organizations, or individuals outside China to impose sanctions or blockades. Such actions against Hong Kong or China, along with other hostile activities targeting them, took place in 2020, between July 1 and November 23, it added. The National Security Law, which punishes offences such as acts of subversion, collusion with foreign forces, and terrorism, with terms of up to life in jail, was imposed by Beijing on the former British colony in 2020. The Chinese and Hong Kong governments say the law is necessary to restore stability following anti-government protests in 2019. But some Western governments have criticised it as being used to suppress free speech and dissent. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Straits Times
President Tharman, PM Wong congratulate newly elected South Korean President Lee Jae-myung
South Korean president Lee Jae-myung taking an oath during his inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly in Seoul on June 4. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG SINGAPORE – President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong extended congratulations to newly elected South Korean president Lee Jae-myung on June 5. Mr Lee was elected president in a June 3 snap election, six months to the day after he evaded military cordons to vote against a shock martial law decree imposed by his ousted predecessor. Singapore and the Republic of Korea enjoy substantive and multi-faceted relations, underpinned by robust economic links and strong people-to-people ties, wrote Mr Tharman in his letter. He noted that both countries are 'like-minded partners who cooperate well at multilateral fora and share a similar outlook on key regional and international issues, in particular the need to support free trade, multilateralism, and a rules-based international order'. Mr Tharman said that, with 2025 marking the 50th anniversary of Singapore's diplomatic relations with South Korea, he is confident that these close ties will continue to strengthen with Mr Lee's support and leadership. 'I wish you every success as you assume your new role and take the country forward,' said Mr Tharman, who also extended an invitation to Mr Lee to visit Singapore soon and wished him good health . PM Wong said in his letter that Mr Lee's victory reflected the confidence that the people of South Korea have in his leadership and vision. Also highlighting the close and longstanding friendship that Singapore and South Korea shared, PM Wong noted the strong and multi-faceted cooperation between both countries, including collaboration in new and emerging areas like the digital economy, energy and sustainability, artificial intelligence, start-ups, research and development and food security. 'We are like-minded partners on many regional and international issues, including the importance of a peaceful Korean Peninsula and an open, rules-based international trading system,' said PM Wong. Both countries are set to upgrade relations to a strategic partnership in October, and this also includes timely reviews of the Korea-Singapore Free Trade Agreement and the bilateral Air Services Agreement, said PM Wong, adding that he is looking forward to working with Mr Lee to advance this cooperation. 'I wish you good health and success as you assume office. I look forward to visiting the Republic of Korea later this year to attend the Apec (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Economic Leaders' Meeting, and to make an official visit where we can jointly launch the Republic of Korea-Singapore strategic partnership,' said PM Wong. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Business Times
6 days ago
- Business Times
Singapore and the Philippines to expand collaboration in renewable energy, sustainability and healthcare
[SINGAPORE] Singapore and the Philippines will deepen their collaboration in several areas, including renewable energy, sustainability, healthcare and civil service development. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr announced this at a joint press conference on Wednesday (June 4), the first day of an introductory visit to Manila by PM Wong. At the press conference at Malacanang Palace following their meeting, PM Wong thanked President Marcos for his invitation to visit and said the bilateral relationship 'has never been better'. 'It is a partnership that has been carefully nurtured over the decades by successive generations of leaders and officials,' he said. 'It is built on a high degree of mutual trust and respect, and it has enabled mutually beneficial cooperation over a wide range of areas, for example in trade and investments.' On renewable energy, the two countries agreed to deepen both bilateral and regional cooperation, and to accelerate efforts to achieve the Asean power grid. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up This is a plan to connect the electricity networks of the group's 10 member countries to enable cross-border power trading by 2045. Marcos said Singapore will continue to be a major partner in the Philippines' aspiration to diversify its energy sources, and hailed the robust ties between the two countries. PM Wong said Singapore companies are interested in renewable energy in the Philippines, including solar and wind projects. 'Such projects can generate economic opportunities for the Philippines, while supporting the Philippines' renewable energy targets,' he added. On the sustainability front, the two countries are working to finalise a legally binding implementation agreement for cross-border carbon credit transfers that is aligned with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement governs international cooperation to tackle climate change, and includes guidelines for countries to trade carbon credits to meet their climate targets. An implementation agreement will facilitate commercial participation in carbon credits projects, which can spur technology transfer, green investment and create good jobs, said PM Wong. The two leaders also said their respective health ministries are exploring ways to deepen health cooperation, such as in upskilling and the reintegration of returning Filipinos into the Philippine healthcare system. Marcos expressed his appreciation that Singapore has ensured the welfare, safety and security of the over 200,000 Filipinos working in the city-state, while PM Wong said Singapore is committed to being a good second home for them. 'They live and work in Singapore, contributing to our economy and society and enriching our cultural diversity,' said PM Wong. 'I conveyed to the President Singapore's appreciation for their invaluable contributions, especially the Filipino healthcare workers who stood with us during the Covid-19 pandemic.' Marcos noted that the two sides are working to conclude an agreement on health cooperation through a digital leadership programme between the Philippine Civil Service Commission and the National University of Singapore (NUS). Besides this collaboration, PM Wong said Temasek Foundation has also been active in the healthcare space in Taguig City – which is to the east of Manila – and the two countries will continue to step up cooperation in this field. Both countries also agreed to work 'shoulder to shoulder' at the Asean level, so as to accelerate regional integration and unlock the grouping's full potential, said PM Wong. The Philippines can count on Singapore's full support for its Asean chairmanship in 2026, he added. 'We will coordinate closely, because Singapore takes over from the Philippines the Asean chairmanship the following year,' he said. During their meeting, the leaders reaffirmed the excellent bilateral ties between the two countries, exchanged views on regional and global developments, and underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation towards a more resilient Asean, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement. At an official dinner held in his honour, PM Wong noted that this was his first bilateral visit since Singapore's recent general election, and also his first visit to the Philippines as Prime Minister. He said the visit came as the two countries have become more connected than ever, having signed an upgraded Singapore-Philippines air service agreement in May 2024. The agreement, which raised the number of codeshare services between each country's airlines from 35 to up to 150 flights, will enable more exchanges between the two peoples, said PM Wong. 'The Singapore-Philippines partnership is built on firm and growing connections between our countries,' he said in a toast speech. 'And I look forward to working with President Marcos Jr to take it to even greater heights.' THE STRAITS TIMES
