Asean steps up push for South China Sea code of conduct
Southeast Asian leaders have stepped up their push for a South China Sea code of conduct at the close of the 48th Asean summit in Cebu.Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr said the code is key to unlocking deeper China-Asean economic cooperation, and that no such initiatives can be institutionalised until it is finalised.He told a press conference on Friday that the task is complicated because Asean member states have different approaches to Beijing.He said those differences would need to be incorporated into a single document.The remarks matter because the code of conduct has been presented as a prerequisite for broader... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 08 May 2026 08:32 LONDON
ASEAN agrees to renewed engagement with Myanmar
ASEAN foreign ministers have agreed to resume engagement with Myanmar, with a virtual meeting with the country's foreign minister expected in the near future.The move marks a fresh diplomatic opening after Myanmar was largely sidelined from top-level ASEAN meetings following the 2021 military coup.Kao Kim Hourn said Myanmar had indicated it wanted to normalise ties with the 11-member bloc.He said neighbouring states still wanted to see progress on de-escalation, dialogue and access for aid before ties could move further.He said the ministers had agreed on the virtual meeting during the ASEAN summit in the Philippines on Thursday.He also said discussion... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 08 May 2026 04:00 LONDON
Thailand and Cambodia pledge lasting peace after border clashes
Thailand and Cambodia have said they want to build trust and pursue lasting peace after last year's fighting along their disputed border.The pledge came at an ASEAN meeting, with further talks planned to help solidify ties.Troops remain deployed on both sides of the long-disputed 817km border.The row follows battles in July and December, when skirmishes escalated into air strikes and exchanges of artillery and rockets.The clashes caused significant loss and disruption.Close to 150 people were killed and at least 300,000 were displaced, with each country accusing the other of starting the fighting.The latest diplomatic language matters because it suggests both... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 07 May 2026 16:01 LONDON
ASEAN summit in the Philippines overshadowed by rising fuel costs
ASEAN leaders have begun meeting in the Philippines, with the summit quickly overshadowed by concerns over soaring fuel prices and living costs.Residents near the venue say the cost of fuel is their main worry, according to the confirmed reporting from the meeting area.The gathering is taking place as the regional bloc faces what officials have described as a "stress test decade".The immediate pressure on the summit is linked to energy dependence across member states and the wider impact of the Iran conflict.Officials say many ASEAN countries rely heavily on energy supplies from the Gulf.That makes the issue relevant beyond the... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 05 May 2026 18:00 LONDON
