Singapore's Wong urges restraint in Thai-Cambodia border dispute
SINGAPORE: Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has called for restraint and dialogue between Thailand and Cambodia, urging an amicable resolution to their border dispute in line with international law.
"In today's uncertain global environment, Asean countries cannot afford to let disputes divide us,' Wong said in a Facebook post late Wednesday (July 2) following a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh.
"It is in our collective interest to work together to preserve peace, strengthen regional stability, and deepen Asean integration.'
Tensions escalated after troops from both countries exchanged fire on May 28 in a disputed border area, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier.
Since then, the two countries have shut several border crossings in tit-for-tat moves, massed troops along the frontier and closed or shortened the operational hours of key land routes that serve as vital trade links. - Bloomberg
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
PM discusses high-impact strategic partnerships with 40 French captains of industry
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today chaired a roundtable meeting with 40 captains of industry from France with operations in Malaysia to discuss strategic investment and partnership opportunities in high-impact sectors at the global level. He said Malaysia offers a strategic position as a gateway into the Asean market, supported by political stability as well as investor-friendly policies and a dynamic industrial ecosystem. "I emphasised that Malaysia is now a major hub in the clean energy, semiconductor, and electrical and electronic sectors, and continues to play an important role in the oil and gas industry. "This potential has also been strengthened with the implementation of investment faciliation initiatives by government agencies," he posted on his personal X account, @anwaribrahim, after the meeting that was held in Paris on Friday. Anwar is leading a Malaysian delegation to the city in conjunction with a two-day official visit to France. French companies that participated in the roundtable session included Air Liquide, L'Oréal, Axens, Schneider Electric and Thales which have been well established in Malaysia and continue to show their strong commitment. Anwar said that at the same time, the government is also focusing on empowering small and medium enterprises so they can participate in the global supply chain and become strategic partners to foreign investors, including through technology transfer, training and talent development. "I also encouraged French companies to explore Special Economic Zones and halal parks in Malaysia as well as to establish collaborations in renewable energy, CCUS (carbon capture, utilisation and storage), the digital economy, defence and aerospace in line with the country's inclusive and sustainable economic reformation agenda," he added. France has remained one of Malaysia's top five trading partners among European Union members. In 2024, the bilateral trade between the two nations reached RM15.95 billion (US$3.63 billion), and for the January-May 2025 period, a total of RM6.26 billion (US$1.49 billion) was recorded. – Bernama
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
PM: Time to reset Southeast Asia–Europe ties on equal terms
PARIS: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a bold remark called for the need to redefine the terms of engagement between Southeast Asia and Europe, as equals, as co-creators, and as partners in both ties and trade, in a world yearning for balance. While no doubt France and Europe at large have made tremendous progress be it in the area of culture, renewable energy, biodiversity initiatives as well as political philosophy and governance, Southeast Asia also has its own set of achievements, he said. Today, the advancements in Southeast Asia may be gleaned from the trajectory of growth of Asean itself which is no doubt a manifestation of the fruition of Asean economic integration," he said during his lecture entitled: "Southeast Asia and Europe: Recalibrating The Terms of Engagement" at Sorbonne University Paris. Anwar pointed out that the region has tremendously promoted intra-regional trade and investment, enhanced the economic resilience and competitiveness of member countries. Furthermore, there is much to be lauded in terms of Asean's focus on regional diplomacy and cooperation, as a hallmark of its centrality and progressive multilateralism, said Anwar. He said barring the crisis in Myanmar, this has yielded momentous progress in helping to address inter-state tensions, manage conflicts and promote collective decision-making in regional crises. On the other hand, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has not only shaken the continent's sense of security, but also its assumptions - about deterrence, dependence and the durability of peace. "A war many thought impossible became a reckoning that shattered the illusion of permanence and reminded us that even in the heart of Europe, history still breathes. "But we do not forget that while history may liberate, it may also incarcerate. "Hence, Europe finds itself grappling with uncertainty in its oldest alliance. "As debates over military spending and collective resolve unfold, the ballast of the transatlantic compact is being tested in ways not seen for generations. "The European project, conceived to bury war through integration, now finds itself reimagining its defence, its technological sovereignty, and its energy security," said Anwar. On that backdrop, while Southeast Asia welcomes Europe's engagement and the deepening of its presence in the region, including through its growing ties with Asean, it must be done right on equal terms, he said. "We believe this is the right moment for an open and thoughtful conversation about the terms of our partnership – grounded not in hierarchy, but in mutual respect and understanding," he said. Touching on trade, Anwar, who is also the finance minister, stressed that it should be a bridge, not a barrier. "For Southeast Asia and Europe to build a meaningful partnership, our economic engagement must be guided by the same principles we ask of security: respect, flexibility and restraint." He said Southeast Asia fully respects Europe's right to regulate in ways that reflect its values. "But when those regulations shut others out, even unintentionally, we must speak openly about the consequences. "We do not ask for indulgence. We ask only that Europe meet us where we are, not where its models presume we ought to be. "What we seek is not favours, but fairness. Not exemption, but equity," said Anwar. Hence, while Southeast Asia welcomes partnerships with Europe, Anwar was firm in stating that it should be on the basis of mutual respect and equality. The region rejects condescending attitudes, geopolitical containment strategies, and the imposition of external fears onto our region, he added. — Bernama
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Philippines says mild US tariff drove ‘strong' investor interest
MANILA: The global tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump in April triggered "strong' investor interest in the Philippines, which was threatened with a lower levy than most neighbours, a top trade official said. New investors are considering setting up shop in the SouthEast Asian nation, while companies seeking to divert orders are looking to tap existing Philippine businesses with excess capacity, Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo (pic) said in an interview on Thursday (July 3). Trump's tariffs, which were paused for 90 days to July 9 to allow negotiations, included levies of 46% for Vietnam, 36% for Thailand, 32% for Indonesia and 24% for Malaysia. In contrast, the Philippines was only threatened with a relatively low levy of 17%, making it attractive compared to its South-East Asian neighbours. "In our discussions with investors, they are saying the investments in the Philippines will indeed happen. It's just a question of magnitude, depending on the result of July 9,' Rodolfo said. Electronics, garments, wearables and sporting goods companies have expressed interest in investing in the Philippines since Trump's tariff announcement, the trade official added. While Trump paused the higher tariffs, in general reducing them to 10% during the negotiation period, countries are racing to reach agreements as the tariff deadline looms. Trump on Wednesday announced a deal with Vietnam that lowers the 46% levy announced in April to 20%. Manila viewed the initial tariff imposed by the US as beneficial to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's push to woo investments, with a lower rate compared to its Asian neighbours. But challenges including poor infrastructure, high energy costs and regulatory unpredictability have been constant concerns among foreign investors looking at the Philippines. The Philippines' approved foreign investments dropped in the first quarter, the most recent period for which data are available. The cloudy trade outlook has also prompted the government to slash its goal for economic growth this year. But Rodolfo said that even with the US-Vietnam deal, investor interest in the Philippines will likely be sustained. "The Philippines is a fair and decent country to trade with and invest in,' he said. "Among the countries in the region, we stand out as the country that really espouses market-based approach.' US trade with the Philippines totalled around US$23.5 billion in 2024, with Washington recording a deficit of $4.9 billion with Manila, according to US government data. That compares with a deficit of $45.6 billion with Thailand and $123.5 billion with Vietnam. - Bloomberg
