Laos

Myanmar's de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, left, talks with Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces General Min Aung Hlaing at the airport in Naypyitaw on May 6, 2016.
Politics

Myths and realities behind the Rakhine crisis

Condemnation of Aung San Suu Kyi highlights ironies of Myanmar's recent history

12 September 2017
The latest round of RCEP negotiations was held in Manila. (Photo courtesy of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry/Kyodo)
Economy

Countries grapple with perplexing RCEP puzzle

Lack of clear incentives clouds outlook for the next big Pacific trade deal

12 September 2017
From left, Serge Pun, chairman of Serge Pun & Associates, Ko Ko Gyi, managing director of Capital Diamond Star Group, and Hidetoshi Mano from Mitsubishi Corp. speak at Myanmar Economic Seminar in Tokyo on Sept. 11. (Photo by Keiichiro Sato)
Economy

Myanmar execs seek help in fostering human resources

Deputy minister points to 'policy stability,' 'friendly climate' for investment

11 September 2017
ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh walk in front of flags as they attend the opening ceremony of the 49th Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers and Related Meetings in Manila on Sept. 7.
Economy

With RCEP deal unlikely this year, ministers settle for 'realistic' goals

Failing to find common ground, countries look to October round

11 September 2017
A group of Rohingya refugees cross a canal after traveling over the Bangladesh-Myanmar border in Teknaf, Bangladesh.
Politics

Rakhine crisis: Still time for a course correction

Amid humanitarian disaster, Myanmar's allies could help resolve Rohingya dilemma

10 September 2017
Rohingya refugees wait for food near the Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh on Sept. 6 after crossing the Myanmar border.
Politics

Rohingya refugee camps over capacity as 270,000 flee: UNHCR

Muslim minority seeks shelter in Bangladesh as Myanmar forces, insurgents clash

9 September 2017
Opening ceremony of the 49th Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers and Related Meetings in Manila, Philippines on Thursday Sept. 7, 2017.
Economy

ASEAN to cut non-tariff measures 10% by 2020

Grouping aims to address investors' concerns on trade barriers

8 September 2017
While strengthening deterrence with U.S. President Donald Trump, right, South Korean President Moon Jae-in is tapping more channels to engage his northern neighbor.
Politics

Seoul looks to ASEAN amid nuclear crisis

Regional grouping could play key role in securing peace on Korean Peninsula

8 September 2017
Myanmar drivers use the right side of the road, yet the majority of the cars there are right-hand-drive imports -- a recipe for danger.
Economy

Myanmar steers auto market toward new cars

Regulations, incentives spur shift away from right-hand-drive used imports

8 September 2017
A customer and her daughter shop at a store in Hanoi. Vietnam's eye drop market is growing by double-digits, according to Lion.
Business

Japan's Lion leaps into Vietnam's fast-growing eye drop market

Consumer goods group will play up made-in-Japan pedigree

8 September 2017
Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi holds a news conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Naypyitaw on Sept. 6.
Politics

Tangled interests keep Myanmar's Asian partners mum on Rohingya

Japan, China, India reluctant to pile on as Suu Kyi blames fake news

7 September 2017
A second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge is expected to open in 2019 at the latest.
Economy

Mekong region racing to bolster cross-border logistics

Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand and cohorts build infrastructure, lower barriers

7 September 2017
Rohingya refugees from Myanmar wait for food rations distributed by Bangladeshi volunteers near the Gundum area of Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, on Sept. 3.
Politics

Rohingya conflict dims Myanmar's business picture

The military's crackdown on minority Muslims is throwing a damper on investment

7 September 2017
John Hume is caring for orphan rhinos Pablo and Picasso on his ranch in Klerksdorp, South Africa. (Photo by Chloe Geraghty)
Politics

Rhino horn trade in South Africa sparks a conservation row

Legalization could save the species -- or hasten its destruction

7 September 2017
Ships lie at anchor in front of a refinery on Singapore's Bukom Island.
Economy

Southeast Asian ports thirst for more seaborne trade

Lack of adequate transport infrastructure crippling region's competitiveness

7 September 2017
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, and Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi at a news conference on Wednesday in Naypyidaw.
Politics

India inks maritime partnership deals with Myanmar

Infrastructure, security agreements aim to counter China's diplomatic offensive

7 September 2017
Stream article image
Politics

Japan looks to spread its customs system in Southeast Asia

Cambodia, Philippines, Laos among possible new adopters in effort to set region's standard

7 September 2017
A Rohingya woman and children come ashore after boating across a narrow stretch of the Bay of Bengal that separates Bangladesh and Myanmar on Sept. 5.
Politics

In crisis, Rohingya refugees have Southeast Asia on guard

Malaysia summons Myanmar ambassador to express concern

6 September 2017
The flag of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, on the far right, stands with those of the bloc's 10 members.
Economy

ASEAN economic ministers move to accelerate trade talks

Discussions to focus on RCEP as states struggle to find common ground

6 September 2017
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Politics

UN chief calls North Korea 'most dangerous crisis we face'

Guterres urges international action on nuclear threat, Rohingya issue and climate change

6 September 2017
Officials from RCEP members meet in the Japanese city of Kobe on Feb. 27. Negotiations, while ongoing, remain fraught.
Economy

RCEP hits snags on continued discord over tariffs

Members to abandon goal of having rival to TPP this year

6 September 2017
Indonesians protest against the violence inflicted on Rohingya at the Myanmar embassy in Jakarta on Sept. 4. (Photo by Bobby Nugroho)
Politics

Asian neighbors add pressure on Suu Kyi to act on Rohingya crisis

Indian prime minister to add to Indonesia's call for violence to stop

5 September 2017
A street vendor sells beverages to motorists during rush hours traffic in Jakarta, Indonesia June 14, 2017.
Economy

Informal jobs sector both a blessing and curse in Southeast Asia

Unemployment rates low but income growth slowing

5 September 2017
Members of the media visit a village in northern Rakhine State on a government-organized visit on Aug. 30. (Photo by Thurein Hla Htway)
Politics

Rakhine crisis blights Myanmar economic outlook

Looming 'humanitarian catastrophe' dampens international relations, business sentiment

5 September 2017
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, received President Htin Kyaw of Myanmar in August 2016.
Politics

Eyeing stronger ties, Modi embarks on 3-day trip to Myanmar

Indian leader voices confidence that visit will open 'a bright new chapter' in bilateral relations

5 September 2017