Latest news with #ChinaConference:SoutheastAsia
South China Morning Post
17-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Malaysia's trade minister calls on Asean, Hong Kong, mainland China to shape the ‘Asian century'
At the 'China Conference: Southeast Asia', organised by the South China Morning Post in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Zafrul Aziz hailed 2025 as Asean's year, vowing to make Asean centrality 'not just an ideal'. He underscored how Hong Kong can serve as a gateway to mainland China for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, while Malaysia could serve the same purpose for Hong Kong to Asean and beyond. Below is his closing speech in full: Advertisement The Honourable John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ms Catherine So, CEO of the Post, It has been an honour to share the stage today with the Honourable John KC Lee, chief executive of Hong Kong. I also want to thank the Post, the sponsors and partners, the distinguished speakers and everyone who took the time to be with us today for the excellent sessions. Without summarising every single thing that was said, I think, arguably, the obvious sentiment in this conference is that Asean and China's potential is unrivalled and that the recognition that we need to be connected remains as strong as ever. Advertisement The key is to stay the course, even though there will of course be many distractions moving forward, as well as deliver on our individual and shared potential.
South China Morning Post
17-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Can Southeast Asia be part of a new world order amid US-China tug of war?
Southeast Asia can be part of a new international order if China plays its cards right amid a 'free fall in geopolitics' sparked by mounting uncertainty over the United States' regional role. Panel speakers at the 'China Conference: Southeast Asia' in Kuala Lumpur on Monday gave an overview of changing power dynamics and how this would affect the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). The experts noted how Asean members had been in limbo in recent weeks as they waited to see how far US President Donald Trump would go with his promise to widen tariffs, which he said would not only affect China but also other nations – especially those with large trade surpluses with America. But the tides appear to be shifting in Trump's second act in the White House. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a professor of international relations and senior fellow with the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University, at the 'China Conference: Southeast Asia' forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday. Photo: Nora Tam Asean has until recently had clear lines of engagement with China as the bloc's largest trading partner and with the US as a security bulwark for the region, according to Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a professor of international relations and senior fellow with the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University. Trump's focus on tariffs and US economic nationalism, however, raised concerns that the world's largest economy might no longer be interested in maintaining its presence in Southeast Asia, he warned.
South China Morning Post
17-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong to become Muslim-friendly city for Asean businesses, tourists: John Lee
Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has pledged to make the city a Muslim-friendly destination for businessmen and tourists from Southeast Asia, by rolling out measures such as simplifying immigration requirements and more halal food offerings. He also focused on deepening ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) bloc, saying talks were under way with the Malaysian government on opening the city's fourth economic and trade office in the region. The Hong Kong chief executive was giving an online address at the South China Morning Post China Conference: Southeast Asia on Monday, in which he hailed the strong economic relations between the two places and said he was committed to 'building on our gratifying ties'. He highlighted the relaxed criteria for people of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam applying for multiple-entry visas to Hong Kong, and the extension of their validity from two to three years. 'We will also provide self-service immigration clearance for invited Asean-country visitors participating in business, development and related activities in Hong Kong,' Lee said. 'And to make our Asean friends feel at home in Hong Kong, we are compiling a list of restaurants offering halal food, while encouraging hotels and other establishments to provide appropriate worship services.'. Hong Kong received about 44.5 million visitors last year, up 31 per cent year on year.
