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China-Asean relations

China-Asean relations
The latest news, analysis and opinion on China-Asean relations. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Open Questions series

Wu Shicun on why Beijing will not rule out Scarborough Shoal construction

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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Illustration: Henry Wong

Wu Shicun on why Beijing will not rule out Scarborough Shoal construction

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28
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

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15
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

7
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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93
Illustration: Henry Wong
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
China Coast Guard personnel watch a Philippine ship near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Beijing and Manila have competing maritime claims over the atoll and surrounding waters. Photo: Handout via Xinhua
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Why Southeast Asia feels relief and caution after the Xi-Trump summit

Countries in the region could feel less pressure as the thaw in US-China ties continues but deeper disputes remain unresolved, analysts say.

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Belt and Road Initiative

Indonesia eyes China for massive 2,772km railway project – with caution

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AI: Companies

Opinion | How Chinese firms can avoid a Europe-style backlash in Southeast Asia

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US-China relations

Asian Angle | Southeast Asia faces a false binary in US-China mineral trade

The real question for rare earth exporters is how to turn global mineral competition into higher-value industries.

The Lynas Rare Earths processing plant in Gebeng, Malaysia. Photo: AFP
Asean

Opinion | In a US-China world, Asean must do more than avoid choosing sides

Following the uneasy truce at the Xi-Trump summit, Asean must go beyond passive hedging and forge middle-power partnerships to secure its autonomy.

Asean

Opinion | How Chinese firms can optimise their ‘going out’ strategy in Southeast Asia

While local partners gain valuable technical and marketing skills, Chinese companies must navigate vastly different regulatory and cultural landscapes to succeed.

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South China Sea

Why Brunei prefers ‘quiet diplomacy’ over confrontation in South China Sea

As a nation with a small military, Brunei would rather work with Beijing in safe zones such as peacekeeping than butt heads, analysts say.

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Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (left) and son Prince Abdul Mateen arrive for the Asean Summit welcome ceremony in Cebu, Philippines, on May 8. Photo: EPA
Infrastructure

Can the new Pinglu Canal become China’s Yangtze of the southwest?

The 134.2km waterway promises shorter routes to the sea and lower transport costs, potentially reshaping the fortunes of landlocked regions.

South China Sea

‘Wolf in sheep’s clothing’: why Japan’s Natuna port plan raises alarm in China

Tokyo offers port upgrades to boost maritime security, but analysts say Jakarta is being pragmatic, not taking sides against Beijing.

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Mainland China

Video | Pinglu Canal opens in China’s Guangxi

The Pinglu Canal features a waterway large enough to accommodate 5,000-tonne vessels, three dual-line shiplock hubs and 27 newly built or renovated bridges.

China’s new Pinglu Canal entered service as the country’s first river-to-sea canal on Wednesday. Built to handle ships of up to 5,000 tonnes, the infrastructure will shorten the transit distance from southwestern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to the sea by 560km (348 miles), bypassing ports in Guangdong province. By linking an expansive system of rivers and tributaries directly to the Gulf of Tonkin, the waterway provides landlocked areas across southern and southwestern China – such as Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan provinces – with faster routes to Asean markets and international sea lanes.
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China exports

China launches Pinglu Canal, slashing transit time to Southeast Asia

Newly opened Pinglu Canal will allow cargo from inland provinces to reach the Gulf of Tonkin, avoiding a 560km detour, deepening trade ties.

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A trial vessel moving through the Pinglu Canal in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Photo: Xinhua
Asean

Opinion | As the global order fragments, at least Asean is still talking

A modest lesson in a multipolar world is that sometimes the achievement is simply that disagreement does not end the conversation.

China economy

Opinion | Western businesses need to crack the new CIA: China, India and Asean

The businesses that adapt early to engage China, India and Asean will help draft Asia’s next chapter and profit from it.

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China trade

China’s export machine strengthens in August as trade imbalance concerns mount

While Western officials still name China’s trade surplus as an area of concern, analysts said the 2026 surplus is on track to beat last year’s record.

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Workers inspect a turbine set for export at a factory in Deyang, southwest China’s Sichuan province. Photo: Xinhua
China trade

China’s US$10.8b short cut: new Pinglu Canal prepares to supercharge Asean trade

Delivery of first command vessel looks to signal imminent opening of megaproject connecting inland factories directly to Southeast Asian markets such as Vietnam.

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Trial vessels are seen at a navigation lock on the Pinglu Canal in China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on August 12. Photo: Xinhua
Singapore

Small state, big agenda: Singapore prepares to steer Asean through crisis

The city state takes the helm on Asean’s 60th anniversary amid civil war, tariff threats and rising global tensions.

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong lawmaker urges firms to expand into emerging markets amid US visa pause

Jonathan Lamport tells SCMP the local business community is closely monitoring whether business visa processing, approvals will be affected.

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Xinjiang

From mountains to sea: China’s plan to ring the nation with highways

The vast ‘border-coast loop’ is designed to boost development and national unity, but will have to navigate geopolitical and ecological barriers.

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The G219 highway is part of China’s plan for a vast new road link running along the country’s borders and coastline. Photo: Handout
US-China relations

Exclusive | Waico vs Pax Silica: Southeast Asia caught between China and US in AI race

Beijing reportedly offers exclusive perks to attract Global South partners while describing the American-led body as exclusionary.

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Indonesia

Will other Southeast Asian countries copy Indonesia’s joint China drill?

The recent exercise in strategically sensitive waters east of Taiwan may set a precedent for other Asean members.

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SCMP Exclusives

Exclusive | Malaysia’s Anwar to visit China next month with an eye on building trade ties

The Malaysian prime minister is expected to attend digital economy expo in Hangzhou and hold talks with Premier Li Qiang, sources say.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) and Chinese Premier Li Qiang (left), seen here in May 2025, are expected to hold talks next month in China, sources say. Photo: Handout
South China Sea

Opinion | How China can turn its ‘blue cradle’ into a bridge with Southeast Asia

A jointly governed, tiered South China Sea ocean data framework would transform knowledge of a contested sea into stewardship of a shared one.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Asean

Editorial | Hong Kong’s economic and trade network plays to city’s strengths

The opening of a new Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur is part of a strategic move towards bolstering relations with Asean.

Taiwan

PLA holds first joint naval drill with Indonesia in waters east of Taiwan

As Washington and its allies tighten cooperation in the region, Beijing steps up defence ties with Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.

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Hong Kong economy

Opinion | How Hong Kong can unlock the real value of its Asean trade boom

By providing high-value services that enable cross-border transactions and corporate expansion, the city can convert surging commerce into long-term economic returns.

Hong Kong’s Kwai Chung Container Terminal, seen on March 4. Hong Kong’s Asean opportunity depends less on moving more containers than on attaching more high-value services to each transaction. Photo: Elson Li
Belt and Road Initiative

China completes milestone test of US$10.8 billion canal link to Southeast Asia

Patrol vessel’s full run along Pinglu Canal moves megaproject closer to a planned September launch.

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A Chinese maritime patrol vessel completes the first full navigation test of the Pinglu Canal. Photo: Handout
Malaysia

Opinion | Why Malaysia’s political turmoil matters to Beijing

Malaysia shows how local battles over race and national identity could complicate China’s Southeast Asian playbook.

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Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong urged to be ‘super partner’ in businesses’ overseas expansion push

Chinese General Chamber of Commerce chief Jonathan Choi says city should invest and operate abroad, while urging annual review of first five-year plan.

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