Latest news with #China-funded
Barnama
4 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, & Thailand: July 16, 2025
The appointment of dozens of deputy ministers as state-owned enterprises' (SOEs) commissioners has raised renewed questions over conflicts of interest and the potential impact on the government's overall performance, amid the lack of any mechanism to evaluate poorly performing cabinet members. US President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he had reached a deal with Indonesia as Jakarta tried to get Washington to drop its looming tariffs. Trump broke the news on the social media platform Truth Social by announcing that it would be a win for both sides. 1. LANCANG-MEKONG TO FINANCE LAO PROJECTS -- VIENTIANE TIMES Laos has secured about RM12 million (US$2.8 million) from the China-funded Lancang-Mekong Cooperation for 10 development projects. The funding will cover agriculture, human resources, public health, water resources and poverty eradication projects. 2. INCENTIVES FOR JAPANESE INVESTORS -- VIENTIANE TIMES Lao will offer several investment incentives to Japanese investors. It has announced exemptions on import duties for raw materials and construction equipment used in production, cheaper electricity, and water supply. MYANMAR 1. APRIL-JUNE HONEY OUTPUT TOUCHES 480 METRIC TONNES -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Myanmar exported over 480 metric tonnes of honey valued at RM3 million (US$720,000) between April and June this year. Myanmar produces about 4,000 metric tonnes of honey annually and 60 per cent is exported. THREATS TO FAMILIES IN MAGWAY - - THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Families living in Magway Region are being evacuated as the water level of the Ayeyarwady River has been rising due to rain. Authorities fear the water level could reach a dangerous level in the coming days. SINGAPORE TARIFFS MAY LAST WELL AFTER TRUMP; CRUCIAL FOR COUNTRIES TO DEEPEN TRADE TIES: SM LEE -- THE STRAITS TIMES Countries that support free trade should strengthen cooperation and work together to adapt to evolving global trade dynamics in response to the United States' increasingly protectionist stance. OF TARIFFS NOT TEMPORARY, WORLD WILL NOT GO BACK TO STATUS QUO: SM LEE -- CNA The world will not go back to 'status quo', or what it was like before US President Donald Trump rolled out tariffs, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday (Jul 15). THAILAND 1. THAILAND BRACES FOR HEAVY RAIN AND ROUGH SEAS AS STRONG MONSOON INTENSIFIES -- THE NATION A low-pressure cell and strong southwest monsoon bring heavy rain and 3-metre waves to parts of Thailand. Small boats advised to stay ashore. 2. MONKS' TITLES RESCINDED, 'GOLF' CUFFED -- BANGKOK POST His Majesty the King has issued a royal command to revoke the royal appointments and ecclesiastical titles previously conferred upon a total of 81 monks, in light of recent reports of monastic misconduct that have deeply affected public sentiment. VIETNAM FISHING IN CA MAU -- VIETNAMPLUS The Ca Mau province is eliminating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing to help remove the European Commission's 'yellow card' warning on Vietnam's seafood exports. Sustainable practices are being promoted to about 2,000 fishing vessel owners in the area. RULES ON DAIRY PRODUCTS IMPACT EXPORTERS -- VIETNAM NEWS Only sterilised milk made from fresh raw milk can be exported to China starting September 16. Vietnamese exporters can only use fresh cow or goat milk as raw material for sterilised milk production, including ultra-high temperature and pasteurised milk. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
Scoop
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 15 July
Tuesday, 15 July 2025, 4:49 pm Article: RNZ Samoa - elections In a historic milestone for Samoa, two prominent members of the Samoa Fa'afafine Association (SFA) have announced they will be candidates in the upcoming general election. Afioga Falesaopule Seimaleula Vaialia Iosua will be contesting in the Gagaifomauga District, while Afioga Siligatusa Alosina Ropati is standing in the Vaimauga District. Both are respected matai and senior advisory councillors within the SFA. The Fa'afafine Association said that it welcomed their decision to enter politics with immense pride. It said that Samoa's laws have always acknowledged the equal rights of all citizens to participate in public life. The Samoa Observer reports that August's election is expected to see a number of fresh faces, but the candidacy of the two fa'afafine leaders is significant and symbolic. Samoa - elections Samoa's electoral commissioner says that the 20-day timetable approved by the Supreme Court gives his office the time it needs to carry out its responsibilities ahead of the 2025 general election. Speaking to the Samoa Observer following the court's confirmation of key dates, Tuiafelolo John Stanley said that the extended timeframe will mean they can do the job properly. The Office of the Electoral Commissioner had initially requested 15 days, but the court granted five additional days after considering submissions from all parties. Tuiafelolo said that it will give space to deal with objections and challenges in a fair and thorough way. All objections to the voter roll and nominations must be filed by Friday. Nauru - China Nauru President David Adeang says China is transforming his country. In June, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a China-funded sports centre that will host events at the 2026 Micronesia Games. Adeang told China's state-run media'China Media Group that he was expecting the sporting landscape in Nauru to completely change as a result Nauru switched diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China in January last year. Fiji - desecration Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has stressed that the desecration of the Samabula Shiv Temple in the capital Suva is not the actions of a responsible citizen. Rabuka has said sorry to the Hindu community for what he has called an unacceptable act. He told that such actions are disappointing and should never be accepted. A 28-year-old man has been charged with one count of alleged sacrilege and one count of throwing an object. Fiji - meeting More than 150 regional leaders, diplomats, security experts, and civil society representatives are in Suva Fiji for one of the Pacific's largest security gatherings - the Pacific Regional and National Security Conference. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Niue's Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi and Pacific Islands Forum secretary-general Baron Waqa opened the meeting Monday. The high-level meeting brings together senior government officials from Pacific Islands Forum member countries. The Fiji Times reported that regional stakeholders are expected to develop a Pacific-led roadmap towards the proposed "Ocean of Peace" - something Forum leaders will consider later this year. Papua New Guinea - sorcery A Catholic bishop in PNG has criticised authorities for failing to make sustained efforts to curb sorcery related violence. The issue is back in the spotlight following the murder of a woman who had been accused of using witchcraft to kill her husband earlier this month. The Bishop of Mendi Don Lippert said that existing laws are not being enforced. The PNG government had promised new laws to make failing to report such cases a crime. Papua New Guinea - fuel Prime Minister James Marape says the development of a fuel storage facility in Port Moresby is one of the key outcomes of a Defence Cooperation Agreement with the United States. Marape held talks with US government officials in Washington DC last Wednesday. With fuel shortages having been a thorny topic in PNG for a while now. The National newspaper reported that Marape saying the fuel storage facility is set to improve fuel security and ensure supply reliability during emergencies. Marape said that he is seeing real progress through the agreement. Cook Islands - race A group of 10 proud Cook Islands athletes have made history as the nation's first-ever representation at the Emo Aito Māori fruit-carrying race in the Heiva Tahiti Tu'aro Maohi Traditional Games in Tahiti. Leading the team are coaches Ioana George Piira and Mylan Lane Vakapora, alongside manager Tixier-Teau. Both Vakapora and Tixier-Teau, the only female competitors, will compete in the masters division. Local media reported Tixier-Teau saying that coach Piira's personal journey has been a source of inspiration. © Scoop Media
The Star
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Work on bridge across Mekong River in Cambodia's Kratie province nears completion
The bridge will be open temporarily for motorcycles and family cars during the Pchum Ben Festival, or Ancestor's Day, in late September. - Instagram PHNOM PENH: Work on a China-funded bridge across the Mekong River in northeast Cambodia's Kratie province neared completion after two and a half years of construction, said a press release from Cambodia's Ministry of Public Works and Transport on Monday (July 7). A ceremony for connecting the final segments of the bridge was held on Monday, the press release said. The 1,761-metre-by-13.5-metre bridge, along with a 31.69-km connecting road, is being constructed by the Shanghai Construction Group under China's preferential loan. "By the end of June 2025, 96 per cent of the bridge construction has been completed," Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol said. According to Chanthol, the bridge will be open temporarily for motorcycles and family cars during the Pchum Ben Festival, or Ancestor's Day, in late September. The bridge is another fruit of close cooperation between Cambodia and China under the Belt and Road Initiative. "This project will importantly contribute to connecting Cambodia's interior transportation system, promoting the growth of transportation in the areas of agriculture, agro-industry and tourism in the northeastern provinces," Chanthol said. The project would contribute to promoting Asean connectivity and the Lancang-Mekong subregion connectivity, the official said. - Xinhua
DW
19-06-2025
- Business
- DW
New Zealand pauses Cook Island aid over China deals – DW – 06/19/2025
China has been wooing Pacific Island countries with strategic partnership agreements. New Zealand has said it will pause funding to the Cook Islands until it can take a closer look at these deals. New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Thursday said millions of dollars in funding for the Cook Islands would be suspended while his government examines the "breadth and content" of agreements with China. Luxon, who is visiting China for the first time this week, said the Cook Islands was not transparent about the scope of its strategic partnership with Beijing. "We've suspended some of the aid money until we can get clarity on those issues," he said in Shanghai. The funding pause amounts to a $11 million development assistance payment for the next financial year, according to government figures. New Zealand is the biggest provider of financial support for the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands' China deals The funding pause is part of larger friction between New Zealand, Australia and smaller Pacific island nations that China is approaching with partnership agreements as Beijing works on expanding its influence in the Pacific. In February, the Cook Islands surprised New Zealand by signing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement with China on deep-sea mining, regional cooperation and economic issues. The agreement did not include security cooperation, but it did allow for more China-funded infrastructure projects. The Cook Islands was formerly part of the Colony of New Zealand. Today, it is self-governing and currently has a "free association" relationship New Zealand, sharing a military and passports. New Zealand also provides the Cook Islands with budgetary assistance, and advises on foreign affairs and defense. Cook Islanders can also freely work and live in New Zealand, which heightened security concerns after the agreement with China was signed. China's plan to dominate the seas To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Thursday that "both New Zealand and the Cook Islands are important partners of China," adding that the strategic partnership agreement was not intended to antagonize New Zealand. "China-Cook Islands cooperation targets no third party, nor should it be interfered with or constrained by any third party," Beijing said. Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown said in February that the agreement with Beijing did not "replace our longstanding relationships with New Zealand, Australia and others, but rather complements them, ensuring that we have a diversified portfolio of partnerships." New Zealand Prime Minister Luxon is due to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping this week. New Zealand seeks more 'trust' The funds in question are part of a larger raft of $116 million (€101 million) in aid provided by New Zealand to the Cook Islands over the past three years under its free association agreement and earmarked for health, education and tourism sectors. A spokesperson for New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said Thursday said the Cook Islands' agreements with China demonstrated a "a gap in understanding" between the governments "about what our special relationship of free association requires." "New Zealand has therefore paused these payments and will also not consider significant new funding" until the Cook Islands government "takes concrete steps to repair the relationship and restore trust," the spokesperson's statement said. Edited by: Zac Crellin
Barnama
18-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Top News Headlines In Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore & Vietnam: June 18, 2025
Cambodia has been re-elected as a member of the Program Coordinating Board of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). It will represent the Asia-Pacific Region for the 2026-2028 term beginning on January 1, 2026. China-funded Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Project on Mine Action in Cambodia will bring safety and development affected areas. About 700 families will directly benefit from mine-free land and an additional 55,111 families in targeted areas will also gain. TO DISCUSS SECURITY, TRADE WITH PUTIN -- THE JAKARTA POST President Prabowo Subianto is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday to talk about security, trade and the economy during their first official bilateral engagement, following the two leaders' previous pledge to deepen Jakarta-Moscow relations. BANKNOTES ON DISPLAY AS AGO SEIZES US$728 MLN IN PALM OIL GRAFT -- JAKARTA GLOBE The Attorney General's Office (AGO) has seized more than Rp 11.88 trillion (around US$728 million) from five subsidiaries of Singapore-based agribusiness giant Wilmar Group in connection with a corruption case involving crude palm oil export permits. LAOS BANK-FUNDED WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECT -- VIENTIANE TIMES Laos will implement the World Bank-funded RM162 million (US$38 million) waste management project from 2025 to 2031. The project involves the management of waste, plastics and pollution and also improving municipal solid waste services in Vientiane. TO ADDRESS BORDER CRIMES -- VIENTIANE TIMES At the 6th Thai-Laos and Lao-Thai Summit, both governments pledged to address border issues. Officials will address drug trafficking, unlawful border crossing and crimes. The Lao-Thai border passes through nine provinces in Laos and borders 12 provinces in Thailand. MYANMAR 50,000 PRIVATE BUSINESSES REGISTERED -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Private industries are growing with nearly 47,879 companies registered with the Ministry of Industry this year. Fifty per cent of the companies are in the food sector. Yangon is home to 8,220 businesses and Mandalay boasts 6,898 companies. PRICE RISES IN LOCAL MARKET -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Local maize prices have increased due to strong demand in the global market and a shortage in the domestic market. Myanmar exports about three million metric tonnes of maize annually, with Thailand being its main market. SINGAPORE CALLS FOR IRAN'S 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER' AS ISRAEL-IRAN AIR WAR ENTERS SIXTH DAY -- THE STRAITS TIMES/REUTERS Iran and Israel launched new missile strikes at each other on June 18 as the air war between the two longtime enemies entered a sixth day despite a call from US President Donald Trump for Iran's unconditional surrender. CALLS FOR IRAN'S 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER' AS ISRAEL-IRAN AIR WAR RAGES ON -- CNA/REUTERS President Donald Trump called for Iran's "unconditional surrender" on Tuesday (Jun 17) and warned that US patience was wearing thin, but said there was no immediate intention to kill Iran's leader "for now", as the Israel-Iran air war raged for a fifth day. VIETNAM ORDERS 40 ROLLS ROYCE TRENT 7000 ENGINES -- VIETNAMPLUS Vietjet ordered an additional 40 Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines. The latest procurement will help to expand its 20 Airbus A330neo aircraft fleet. The airline ordered 40 similar engines at the Singapore Airshow last year. WUTIP THREATENS WITH HEAVY RAINFALL -- VIETNAM NEWS Hanoi meteorologists warn about the severity of Storm Wutip that brings heavy rainfall due to a shift in seasonal weather patterns. So far nine people have died, 60,000 hectares of crops submerged in floods and eight boats damaged. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
