Category Archives: NEWS DIGEST

EXSE FOCUS

Dept warns of worst drought in decade – Bangkok Post Thailand is going to experience the worst drought in a decade, as average precipitation across large swaths of the country has fallen far short of the monthly average. // People in rural area with relatively poor situation are more vulnerable on negative impacts of drought. As climate change causes extreme weather frequently, policymakers should protect those people from a chain of the negative impacts with priority.

Related:Govt speeding up drought relief work – Bangkok Post

Related: Tap water drying up, crops withering in arid fields – Bangkok Post

Making the Belt and Road work for Southeast Asia – East Asia Forum Southeast Asia is an important strategic partner in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The region serves as a key link in the BRI’s Maritime Silk Road, which aims to connect China’s coast to South Asia, the Middle East and Europe through the South China Sea and Indian Ocean. But criticisms of the BRI highlight some of the risks of participation. // The BRI’s operation & implementation of projects in Southeast Asia should not become a black box. Transparency through multilateralization of the BRI is surely necessary. Or, the AIIB – more internationalized platform – is a possible key to utilize China’s funds to regional development.

REGIONAL RELATIONS

Vietnam, China embroiled in South China Sea stand-off – The Straits Times Vietnamese and Chinese ships have been embroiled in a weeks-long stand-off near an offshore oil block in disputed waters of the South China Sea which fall within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone, two Washington-based think-tanks said on Wednesday (July 17).

Fixing ASEAN’s partnership with civil society – East Asia Forum In June 2019, Thailand wrapped up the 34th ASEAN Summit. In its role as ASEAN Chair this year, Thailand pushed for an ASEAN that increases partnership with and between the peoples of the region — one that helps build a stronger regional community. But in order for regional initiatives to have a meaningful impact for the peoples, both ASEAN leaders and civil society need to work out exactly what this ‘partnership’ is.

SUSTAINABILITY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Video shows dolphins caught in fishermen’s net – Bangkok Post An online video showing many dolphins caught in a net set by fishermen for tuna has plucked the heartstrings of netizens, a marine scientist and the incoming natural resources and environment minister.

Related: Mounting dugong deaths cause alarm – Bangkok Post

Waste not: Stepping beyond the trashhold as developing nations refuse to accept trash from the developed world – The Straits Times One by one, developing nations are refusing to accept trash from the developed world. So how is this waste issue being handled?

Can the global cement industry cut its carbon emissions? – China Dialogue It’s everywhere around us but cement is not a material we tend to give much thought to. The powdery substance is a key ingredient in concrete, which has been called “the most destructive material on Earth”.

With coordinated effort, countries gain against illegal fishing – China Dialogue Ocean The fight against a global, multibillion-dollar-a-year illicit activity can be painstakingly slow. And for more than a decade that’s been the story with the effort to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing around the world.

Is planting trees enough to fight climate change? – The Third Pole As the effects of climate change have made themselves felt across the world, and particularly in the countries surrounding the Hindu Kush Himalayas, tree plantation drives have been seen as an effective ‘solution’.

Cambodia to return 1,600 tonnes of waste to US, Canada – Channel News Asia Cambodia will send back 1,600 tonnes of plastic waste found in shipping containers to the US and Canada, an official said Wednesday (Jul 17), as Southeast Asian countries revolt against an onslaught of rubbish shipments.

Related: Plastic Cups Runneth Over at Cambodia’s Rubbish Café – The Irrawaddy

CHINA

AIIB faces climate protests at annual meeting in Luxembourg – China Dialogue The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is holding its first ever annual meeting outside of Asia on 12-13 July in Europe – a continent that has just suffered June temperatures more than 6-10C above average in many countries, including in France, which experienced its hottest day on record: 45.9C.

China’s Q2 growth hits 27-year low – The Straits Times China’s economic growth slumped to 6.2 per cent in the second quarter of this year, a 27-year low.

China says Trump ‘misleading’ people linking trade deal to slowing economy – Reuters  China on Tuesday rebuffed a suggestion from US President Donald Trump that Beijing needs a trade deal with the United States because its economy is slowing, saying this was “totally misleading” and that both countries wanted an agreement.

China’s LNG Imports Spark Security Debate – Radio Free Asia Analysts are divided on the degree of China’s risks from its growing reliance on imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as threats to shipping from the Persian Gulf grow.

SOUTHEAST ASIA

Huge Chinese influx divides Sihanoukville – Bangkok Post An ongoing massive influx of Chinese into the coastal city of Sihanoukville is generating mixed reactions among local residents.

Nearly 500 Families to be Displaced This Month for Laos’ Fifth Mekong River Dam – Radio Free Asia A new Mekong river dam in Laos’ Luang Prabang province will displace up to 465 families this month, the latest in the continuing trend of hydropower projects forcing villagers to relocate all over the country.

Monsoon flooding forces thousands from their homes in Myanmar – The Straits Times Days of heavy monsoon rain and dangerously high river levels in Myanmar have forced more than 18,000 people from their homes and flooded at least one camp for people displaced by recent fighting, authorities and a politician said on Monday (July 15).

Poll: Ending corruption should be cabinet priority – Bangkok Post A majority of people want the new cabinet under Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to do away with corruption in the spending of public money for state projects, according an opinion survey by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, or Suan Dusit Poll.

Vietnam’s New High-Speed Reunification Express Proposed For $26 Billion – Investvine Vietnam’s ministry of planning and investment has presented a new concept for the country’s planned north-south high-speed railway along the route of the Thong Nhat (Reunification) Express at an investment of $26 billion, as opposed to an earlier proposal by the ministry of transport of $58.7 billion.

Malaysia seized $330m from Chinese state firm over pipeline project: PM Mahathir – The Straits Times  Malaysia seized 1 billion ringgit (S$329.98 million) from a bank account of state-owned China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Ltd (CPP), Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Monday (July 15). The seizure comes nearly a year after Malaysia suspended two pipeline projects, valued at US$2.3 billion (S$3.12 billion), on which CPP was the lead contractor.

Malaysia to file WTO complaint on EU’s palm oil curb by November – The Straits Times Malaysia will file a complaint at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) by November to challenge a European Union move to phase out palm oil from being used in transport fuels in the bloc.

New reporting requirement for digital asset trading – Bangkok Post Parties involved with digital asset transactions worth above 5 million baht will have to report their trades to the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo).

Myanmar Opens Yangon Stock Exchange To Foreigners – Investvine Myanmar will allow direct foreign ownership of shares at the Yangon Stock Exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Myanmar said in a note on July 12.

Constitution Amendment Committee Returns Nearly 4,000 Recommendations – The Irrawaddy The Union Parliament’s Charter Amendment Committee—tasked with making the military-drafted Constitution democratic—has put forward more than 3,700 recommendations for various changes to provisions of the Constitution, suggesting amendments, additions and/or repeals.

Related: Myanmar Lawmakers Propose Constitutional Reforms to Dilute Military Control – Radio Free Asia

Vietnam Aims To Become ASEAN’s Leading Digital Economy – Investvine Vietnam aims to become the leading digital economy in the ASEAN by 2030 as a result of the national digital transformation strategy by Vietnam’s Authority of Information Technology Application (AITA) under the country’s Ministry of Information and Communications.

Nearly 9,500 People Affected by Rakhine State Floods – The Irrawaddy The Kaladan and Lemyo rivers began rising on July 11 due to heavy rains, flooding Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Minbya townships in Mrauk-U District in northern Rakhine. Roads in Kyauktaw were impassable, disrupting transportation.

Displaced Villagers in Laos Still Waiting for Railway Compensation – Radio Free Asia Many Lao villagers who were forced to relocate for construction on the Laos-China railway are still waiting for compensation from the government, while others who have received payments say the payments are much lower than they had expected.

Cambodia’s Construction Sector In Rapid Expansion – Investvine Cambodia’s construction sector attracted total investments of $3.39 billion in the first half of 2019, up 57.5 per cent over the same period last year.

This week’s news digest was curated by Hiroshi Yasui.

EXSE FOCUS

China’s war on pollution could boost solar power: Study – The Straits Times China’s efforts to reduce chronic air pollution could increase its ability to generate solar power by up to 13 per cent by allowing more sunlight to reach the earth, according to a study published on Tuesday (July 9). // China’s domestic electricity plan affects many other countries incl. the Mekong basin countries. Reducing coal power will surely increase China’s solar ability through removing air pollution. Then, if China successfully increase its ability of solar PV, its necessity to build hydropower in upstream the Mekong would decrease.

Lao government contests findings of UN poverty report – ASEAN Today Last week, the Lao government rejected the findings of a UN report that claimed the country’s development and investment policies are failing to reduce poverty and inequality. // The government activity for development should involve all society, especially people in poverty, ethnic minorities and rural areas should be benefitted. If the government relocate those people due to its projects, livelihoods of affected people should not be worsened than previous situation.

REGIONAL RELATIONS

Encouraging signs from the Osaka G20 – East Asia Forum The main media narrative surrounding the G20 focussed on the rather disappointing Trump–Xi summit. There was also the Trump–Kim impromptu meeting at the demilitarized zone, the confidence exuded by Russian President Vladimir Putin and continuing trade tensions.

Small countries have role to play in defusing US-China conflict: ESM Goh – The Straits Times With the United States and China engaged in a strategic rivalry that threatens to change the global geopolitical climate, all countries need to speak up to secure a peaceful and prosperous world and future, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong told a forum of world leaders here on Tuesday (July 9).

Australia debates developing nuclear weapons – Bangkok Post Facing a wobbly ally in the United States and an increasingly bellicose China, Australia’s military strategists are cautiously debating whether the country needs to consider developing its own nuclear deterrent.

ASEAN Defense Ministers Call for Peace, Stability in South China Sea – Radio Free Asia ASEAN defense ministers on Thursday committed to creating a “sea of peace” in the South China Sea, a region marked by tension over competing territorial claims by member nations, Taipei and Beijing, which has built up its military presence there.

SUSTAINABILITY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Making climate migration people-centred: Giving climate refugees agency and voice – Asian Correspondent NO one knows how many people are likely to have to move temporarily or permanently as a result of climate change, though there is no doubt that migration and displacement will occur and that in many cases it will occur in a way that either creates or exacerbates social, economic, and cultural vulnerabilities.

Waste-to-energy: panacea for Asia’s pollution problem or a load of rubbish? – Financial Times Technologies will stem trash tides but as a source of renewable energy their utility is limited.

Indonesia to send 210 tonnes of waste back to Australia – The Straits Times Indonesia said on Tuesday (July 9) that it would send more than 210 tonnes of garbage back to Australia, as South-east Asian nations push back against serving as dumping grounds for foreign trash.

G20 stalls on fossil fuel subsidies – The Third Pole As G20 countries met for the group’s annual summit in Osaka, the dirty secret was that the world’s leading economies were failing to phase out wasteful fossil fuel subsidies.

Deforestation + climate change = dead end for wildlife Asian Correspondent CLIMATE change combined with galloping tropical deforestation is cutting off wildlife from life-saving cooler climes, heightening the risk of extinction, researchers said Monday.

World’s Major Cities to Face ‘Unknown’ Climate Conditions by 2050 – The Irrawaddy A fifth of the world’s major cities will face “unknown” climate conditions by 2050, researchers warned on Wednesday, as rising temperatures heighten the risks of drought and flooding.

CHINA

Is there a China model? – East Asia Forum The US–China trade war has brought to the boil a simmering strategic rivalry between Washington and Beijing that some have begun to describe as a new Cold War. The Cold War analogy is something of a stretch given the interdependence of the Chinese and American economies — an interdependence sometimes referred to as ‘Chimerica’.

Related: Is the China model a threat? – East Asia Forum

Chinese rush to buy Cambodian property – Investvine Chinese interest in real estate in Cambodia is booming as Chinese investors seek to tap the growing demand for housing and also look for overseas assets as a hedge against yuan devaluation, market experts say.

China Dismisses Three Gorges Dam Safety Concerns as Rumor-Mongering – Radio Free Asia Official Chinese media moved on Sunday to dismiss safety concerns around its massive Three Gorges hydroelectric dam on the Yangtze River, after photos of what appeared to be signs of warping circulated on social media.

China’s war on pollution could boost solar power: Study – The Straits Times China’s efforts to reduce chronic air pollution could increase its ability to generate solar power by up to 13 per cent by allowing more sunlight to reach the earth, according to a study published on Tuesday (July 9).

Heavy rain, floods in China force evacuation of nearly 80,000 – The Straits Times The heaviest average rainfall to lash a swathe of southern and eastern China in more than half a century brought torrential rain and floods, destroying houses, damaging crops and forcing the evacuation of nearly 80,000 people, state media said.

SOUTH EAST ASIA

Master Plan Prepared For Chinese-Backed Kachin Economic Zone: State Minister – The Irrawaddy A Kachin State minister said a master plan for a planned, Chinese-backed, model economic zone along the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor has been prepared, and the Myanmar government is engaged in deep discussions with the company for the project’s implementation to avoid further challenges.

World Heritage status for Bagan in Myanmar – The Straits Times Unesco has inscribed Myanmar’s ancient capital of Bagan as a World Heritage site, nearly a quarter of a century after the complex of Buddhist temples was first nominated for listing.

Politics key threat to Thai outlook, World Bank warns – Bangkok Post Prolonged political uncertainty is a key risk for Thailand’s economic outlook, according to the World Bank’s Thailand Economic Monitor.

‘Tesla of Thailand’ powers vision of electric paradise – Bangkok Post Led by one of Thailand’s richest men, the company aims to change the way locals drive by handling everything from battery and car making to charging stations

Operators look for ways to regain the China market – Bangkok Post Several challenges beset Thailand’s tourism industry in the first half of 2019, especially the fading China market after a slowdown stemming from the sluggish global economy and trade tensions between the world’s two biggest economies.

Cambodia’s Hun Sen Downplays Possible Loss of EU Preferential Trade Scheme – Radio Free Asia Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen Friday reiterated that he is not concerned with the possibility of losing duty-exempt status for the country’s products in the European market under the Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme.

Two Groups of Cambodian Villagers Protest Over Land Disputes – Radio Free Asia Villagers embroiled in two separate land disputes in Cambodia’s Koh Kong province protested Monday, demanding solutions for their respective cases, one against a home-grown tycoon, the other against a Chinese developer.

Water plant built in Ben Tre to serve over 100,000 people – Nhan Dan Work started on July 6 on a factory that is set to supply clean water to more than 100,000 residents in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre.

Malaysia can draw up to $33b in rare earth investment over next 10 years: Minister – The Straits Times Malaysia could attract investments of up to RM100 billion (S$33 billion) in the rare earth sector over the next 10 years, once the government makes clear how it intends to regulate the industry.

State agencies determined to bring ‘water polluter’ to book – Bangkok Post Two state agencies say they are determined an ethanol factory will pay for polluting the Mae Klong River in October 2016 and are demanding almost 6 million baht for damage caused to the environment.

Thailand Gets First Foodtech Startup Accelerator – Investvine Thailand, known for its delicious food and diverse restaurant scene, has been chosen by US-based workspace and startup service provider WeWork as a destination for a foodtech startup accelerator.

Jakarta residents sue government over ‘world’s filthiest’ air quality – Mongabay A group of citizens is suing the Indonesian government, including the president, over the poor air quality in Jakarta, which in recent weeks has ranked as the worst in the world.

PNPC Dam Collapse Survivors Reluctantly Accept Lowball Compensation Offers – Radio Free Asia Nearly one year after the collapse of a saddle dam that caused a disaster described as Laos’ worst flooding in decades, struggling survivors are reluctantly accepting compensation for about 50 percent of their total property losses.

Japan-style ‘water bank’ ready in Aug – Bangkok Post The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will complete building the underground “water bank” at flood-prone Asok-Din Daeng Road next month, to better protect the area against severe inundation.

Loopholes in Myanmar’s Forest Sector Cost Govt Million in Revenue – The Irrawaddy Internationally known for forestry products such as teak, timber extraction in Myanmar is lucrative. The website of the Myanmar Timber Enterprise (MTE) boasts that the “forestry sector in Myanmar is one of the major contributors to the national economy.”

Can the China–Laos railway keep on track? – East Asia Forum Of all the railway projects that Chinese companies are constructing in Southeast Asia, the China–Laos railway has proceeded most rapidly.

This week’s news digest was curated by Hiroshi Yasui.

EXSE FOCUS

Villagers in Laos and Thailand Suffer as China Opens the Floodgates on Mekong River Dams – Radio Free Asia Villagers living near the Mekong River in Thailand and Laos are finding it difficult to cope with sudden releases of water from dams upstream in China. // Maximum 3.7 meters of increase of water levels in the Mekong due to sudden releases of water is definitely negative for local livelihood. Regional policy coordination mitigating these impacts and dealing with a root cause is urgently required.

Lao Government Begins Plan to Inspect 55 Dams One Year After PNPC Disaster – Radio Free Asia The Lao government is embarking on an plan to inspect all 55 dams in the country nearly one year after the collapse of a saddle dam that caused a disaster described as Laos’ worst flooding in decades. // The inspection will focus on the structure, design, technical specification of the dams and verifying whether they are properly insured. In addition to these criteria, the necessity of the dams should be re-checked, given their impacts on local environment and solar & wind power potential in the country.

REGIONAL RELATIONS

G-20 Summit: Leaders make little headway on trade and climate change – The Straits Times Group of 20 leaders agreed to disagree in their joint declaration yesterday, in a sign of little headway on the key issues. Leaders including Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and French President Emmanuel Macron admitted the talks had been challenging.

Related: G-20 members, without US, recommit to Paris climate deal – The Straits Times

The rules based economic disorder after Osaka G20 – East Asia Forum The Osaka G20 summit may yet be remembered in history as the moment the global rules based order was lost. There was no mention of the rules-based order in the communique, signaling an edge towards rule by might rather than rules among the major powers.

China prepared for no-deal outcome in trade talks with US – The Straits Times Despite some early concessions from Washington, Chinese state media acknowledges difficulties ahead.

Plenty of opportunities for US, China to collaborate, such as global agri-food solutions – The Straits Times It is encouraging news that the United States and China agreed to restart economic and trade consultations, and ultimately the two countries will cooperate because “it makes sense”, said a British business leader.

Washington’s fragile economic plans for the Indo-Pacific – East Asia Forum FOIP differs from the policy approach of previous administrations as it rests on an assumption that the United States and China are locked in strategic competition. This approach means that FOIP also contains economic elements as manifested in 5G technology rivalry and trade wars.

SUSTAINABILITY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Grid or no grid, firms keen on renewables – Bangkok Post SET-listed power companies are enthusiastic about capturing on- and off-grid power generation projects for renewable energy in line with global trends.

Charging the EV market – Bangkok Post More incentives and infrastructure are finally starting to emerge in Asean to spur adoption of green vehicles by bringing down costs.

Drowning in a sea of plastic – Bangkok Post After years of environmental activism, the government and some private companies are improving waste management.

Related: Curbs slash imports of plastic, e-waste – Bangkok Post

Temporary fishing bans can protect fish stocks, finds study – China Dialogue Ocean Temporary fishing bans could be the best way to protect the world’s fish stocks while still providing enough to eat, a new study claims.

Food and agriculture in a time of climate change – The Third Pole The appointment of a Chinese director general for the first time in the Food and Agricultural Organisation’s history may mean much on how the world tackles the challenges of food security in the time of climate change.

Indonesia to send back 49 containers of trash to developed countries – The Straits Times Indonesia will send back 49 containers of plastic garbage to countries such as the United States and Germany, an official said on Wednesday (July 3), amid a regional pushback on illegal trash imports.

Scientists Urge Climate Protesters to Save Planet by Planting Trees – The Irrawaddy The best way to keep climate change in check is by replanting trees on destroyed forest areas the size of the United States, scientists said on Thursday, as doing so would capture two-thirds of man-made planet-warming emissions.

Asia’s coal industry rethinks prospects as markets shrink – The Straits Times After riding China’s demand train for nearly two decades, Asia’s coal industry is looking to a future of smaller markets and slimmer pickings, as buying declines in the world’s second-biggest economy and climate change concerns blunt demand.

CHINA

China’s geostrategic conception of the developing world – East Asia Forum Not since the Mao era has the developing world played a larger role in China’s geostrategy. Over the last decade, China’s leaders have come to believe they can reshape the world to conform with their interests.

Why Central Asia chooses Chinese investment – East Asia Forum The post-Soviet states of Central Asia are surprising many by accepting vast sums of Chinese investment. By April 2017, China had invested in US$304.9 billion worth of contracts with its partners in the region, in sectors including transport, communication, energy infrastructure, financial linkages, technology transfer and trade facilitation.

Beijing’s giant new airport set to open on eve of China’s 70th birthday – The Straits Times Beijing is set to open an eye-catching multi-billion-dollar airport resembling a massive shining starfish, to accommodate soaring air traffic in China and celebrate the communist government’s 70th anniversary in power.

China says only small number of firms moving supply chains out of the country – The Straits Times Only a small number of companies are moving supply chains out of China, a commerce ministry official said on Tuesday (July 2), amid signs that some firms are shifting production to other countries as the US-China trade war drags on.

China-Backed Venture Proposes $800M Development Near Kyaukphyu Seaport – The Irrawaddy A Chinese petrochemical giant and a Myanmar firm have jointly proposed to the Rakhine State government the development of nearly US$800 million (1.21 trillion kyats) worth of projects near the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (SEZ)’s deep seaport and Ramree Island.

Thousands Protest Waste Incinerator Plans in China’s Wuhan – Radio Free Asia Authorities in the central Chinese city of Wuhan have detained around 20 people in a crackdown this week on a mass street protest at plans to build a new waste incineration plant, RFA has learned.

SOUTHEAST ASIA

Vietnam, EU Sign Landmark Free Trade Deal – Investvine The European Union signed an “ambitious” free trade deal with Vietnam on June 30, the first of its kind with a developing country in Asia, paving the way for tariff reductions on 99 per cent of goods traded between Vietnam and the EU’s 28 member countries.

US presses Cambodia over possible Chinese military presence – The Straits Times The US Defence Department has asked Cambodia to explain why it suddenly turned down an offer to repair a naval base, saying the decision had raised speculation of possible plans for hosting China’s military.

Oil giant PTT boosts renewables funding over ‘uncertain’ crude outlook – Bangkok Post Energy conglomerate PTT Plc is boosting investments in electricity generation, particularly renewables, given what it says is a “highly uncertain” outlook for oil over the next year.

Myanmar Villagers Get 14 Months Hard Labor For 2018 Protest Over Chinese Cement Plant – Radio Free Asia Four villagers in central Myanmar’s Mandalay region were sentenced to 14 months in prison with hard labor Tuesday for their roles in a July 2018 protest against a Chinese cement factory, the local court and the villagers said.

Skoda Plans To Set Up Production In Myanmar – Investvine Car makers from the Czech Republic and Hungary are interested in assembling vehicles in Myanmar, according to a statement by U Thaung Tun, Myanmar’s minister for investment and foreign economic relations, the Myanmar Times reported.

New Thai government may last years if it passes first major test – The Straits Times The first real test of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s razor thin majority will be whether his government can pass key legislation such as the January budget.

Solar rooftop revisions soon – Bangkok Post The Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency plans to ask the Energy Ministry to launch a revised solar scheme for the public after witnessing lower participation than expected in the household solar rooftop programme.

This week’s news digest was curated by Hiroshi Yasui.

EXSE FOCUS

INTERVIEW: LAST DAYS OF THE MIGHTY MEKONG AUTHOR BRIAN EYLER – GoKunming For many years, when the GoKunming editorial staff has needed a better understanding of Yunnan’s relationship with Southeast Asia or how the region deals with water issues, we’ve spoken to Brian Eyler. // Upstream dam development at the Mekong has shown negative impacts for the Mekong’s mightiness and local communities. Policy coordination among ministries, governments and beyond region -including development partners like China, U.S., Australia, Japan & EU- is really necessary. For sustainable development, the region and world’s policymakers should learn how the situation of the Mekong and other great rivers are similar, and different as well.

Southeast Asia’s plastic waste problem – East Asia Forum 75% of globally exported waste ends up in Asia. But since July 2017 — when China began to ban imports of plastic waste — Southeast Asia in particular has become a dumping ground for wealthier countries’ waste. After China’s ban, the amount of plastic waste imported to countries like the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia more than doubled. // Despite of the increasing public awareness against plastic waste, many countries have not yet satisfactory regulated the plastic waste management. Especially, U.S., the world’s biggest plastic waste exporter, is not a member country of the Basel Convention; a treaty against global movement of hazardous waste. Reducing plastic waste itself and banning export to other countries, both are urgently required.

REGIONAL RELATIONS – ASEAN Summit

Asean agrees on common vision for Indo-Pacific region – The Straits Times Asean leaders announced a collective vision for the Indo-Pacific region yesterday in an attempt to reclaim the geopolitical narrative amid the strategic rivalry between China and the United States.

Related: Sights set on Indo-Pacific – Bangkok Post

Assessing ASEAN’s New Indo-Pacific Outlook – The Diplomat A look at the regional grouping’s first articulation of its response to the Indo-Pacific concept, and the outlook for its future development.

Asean leaders emphasise economic strength in face of US-China tensions – Bangkok Post Southeast Asian leaders agreed on Sunday to work together on regional economy and security to strengthen their positions amid growing US-China tensions, as they wrapped up the summit.

Asean leaders back Thai push for RCEP deal – Bangkok Post Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have vowed to try to conclude the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) this year, deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak said on Saturday.

Southeast Asia to Launch Joint Bid to Host 2034 World Cup: Thai PM – The Irrawaddy Southeast Asian countries will jointly bid to host the World Cup in 2034, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Sunday, after meetings between the region’s leaders in Bangkok.

PM urges modernisation push for region to stay competitive – Bangkok Post Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand must embrace innovation or else risk losing their competitive edge, Thai Prime Minister, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday told a sub-regional economic forum.

ASEAN Makes Little Progress on Security Issues, Analysts Say – Radio Free Asia Analysts say the 34th ASEAN summit this weekend made little progress on two key security issues facing the region: Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea and stalled repatriation of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar who are languishing in Bangladesh.

REGIONAL RELATIONS- G-20 and others

5 things to watch for at G-20 summit in Osaka – The Straits Times Here are five things to watch out for during the leaders’ pow-wow, and the series of bilateral meetings taking place on the sidelines of the summit.

Can the Osaka G20 summit resuscitate the rules-based trading system? – East Asia Forum Economists are fretting over the trade turmoil that currently roils the world economy. Worst case scenarios are now front and centre, including the prospect of a WTO minus one (the United States or China), or perhaps even the world minus the WTO.

Related: Japan PM Abe calls for strong G-20 message on free trade – The Straits Times

Chinese president Xi Jinping’s G-20 trip to further bolster global consensus on upholding open economy – The Straits Times President Xi Jinping’s upcoming trip to Japan for the Group of 20 Summit will reinforce international consensus on upholding multilateralism and an open economy, amid rising protectionism that looms large over the global economy, observers said.

Trade negotiators hold talks ahead of Xi-Trump meeting: Chinese state media – The Straits Times Top Chinese and US trade negotiators have held telephone talks ahead of a crunch meeting between presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump at the G-20 summit this week, Chinese state media said on Tuesday (June 25).

Related: Chinese state media keeps up criticism of US ahead of Xi-Trump meeting in Osaka – The Straits Times

South East Asia is natural test bed for revamped Belt and Road – Nikkei Asia Review Region can benefit as China tackles transparency concerns and opens program to wider participation

G-20 members at odds over climate change for summit meeting: Sources – The Straits Times Group of 20 negotiators are wrangling over the wording of a summit communique on combating climate change, with the United States pushing to downgrade the language against European opposition, according to sources and drafts of the text.

US urges Cambodia to probe China-owned economic zone for tariff dodging – The Straits Times The United States on Friday (June 28) urged Cambodia to investigate a Chinese-owned special economic zone after uncovering efforts by firms operating there to evade duties on products destined for export to the US.

SUSTAINABILITY & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Southeast Asian countries pledge to tackle marine plastic waste crisis – Mongabay  Some of the countries most responsible for the plastic waste that ends up in the oceans have pledged to tackle the problem together, but activists say they’re focusing on the wrong end of the production chain.

Related: Asean still a long way from tackling problem of plastic waste in oceans, but good start made: PM Lee – The Straits Times

Southeast Asia’s trash, Japan Inc.’s power-generating treasure – Nikkei Asia Review Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia are emerging as fertile markets for waste-to-power plants, and Japan hopes to use its expertise in the field to capitalize on the opportunity.

Myitsone Dam Safe, Chinese Company Assures Kachin Lawmakers – The Irrawaddy The Chinese state-owned company behind the controversial Myitsone hydropower project in Kachin State last week tried to assure state lawmakers that the suspended mega dam on Myanmar’s lifeline Irrawaddy River would not collapse despite its proximity to one of the country’s biggest seismic fault lines.

Myanmar’s First Solar Power Plant Joins National Grid – The Irrawaddy An opening ceremony Thursday marked the completion of the first phase of electricity generation from Myanmar’s first solar power plant, which has been added to the national grid to supplement the country’s power needs.

CHINA

China’s Gas Supplies Shadowed by Stalled Pipeline – Radio Free Asia After years of false starts and unexplained delays, China is still counting on completion of a new Central Asian gas pipeline by 2022 to meet its air quality goals.

SOUTHEAST ASIA

Smoking at home to soon become a punishable offence in Thailand – The Straits Times People in Thailand will no longer be allowed to smoke at home if their habit has a negative effect on other family members due to exposure to second-hand smoke, once a new law comes into effect from Aug 20.

Vietnam shivers as China’s steel capacity glut returns – Nikkei Asia Review The U.S.-China trade war is stoking fears of another steel glut, which has Vietnam’s largest steelmaker thinking about putting plans for a third blast furnace on hold.

Malaysia Seeks To Recover $5 Billion In 1MDB Assets – Investvine Malaysia is looking to recover about $5 billion worth of foreign assets linked to scandal-ridden state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) set up in 2009 by then prime minister Najib Razak.

15 Dead in Collapse of ‘Illegal’ Chinese-owned Building in Cambodia’s Sihanoukville – Radio Free Asia At least 15 people were killed and 24 were injured when an under-construction building collapsed on Saturday in the Cambodian coastal town of Sihanoukville, officials and state media said, describing the building as an “illegal” structure for which four Chinese and Cambodians were arrested.

Related: Cambodia charges Chinese nationals over deadly building collapse – The Straits Times

Related: At Least Five Illegal Projects Uncovered in Cambodia’s Sihanoukville Following Fatal Building Collapse – Radio Free Asia

ADB President Meets with Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and Discusses Operations in Myanmar– Asian Development Bank Myanmar State Counselor Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi met with ADB President Mr. Takehiko Nakao today on the sidelines of the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit. They discussed ADB’s continued engagement with Myanmar.

Malaysia PM Will Not Serve More Than 3 Years – Says He “Underestimated” The Challenges – Investvine Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who will count 94 years of age on July 10, said that he will step down within three years of his term of office and hand over the reins to Anwar Ibrahim — his protege-turned-rival before the two reconciled again to win last year’s general elections.

Train service to Cambodian border to start July 1 – Bangkok Post The new daily train service between Bangkok and Ban Klong Luk border station in Sa Kaeo province will start running on July 1, the State Railway of Thailand announced.

13 awards given to research, innovation science projects – Bangkok Post The Thailand Science and Research Innovation (TSRI) on Wednesday gave awards to 13 research and innovation projects, among them a shirt that can tell a person’s health condition from body smell, and a computer 3-D model that can help restore historic sites.

Govt Has Duty to Solve This: Kayah Farmers – The Irrawaddy At a press conference in Loikaw on Wednesday, farmers in Kayah State appealed to the Union government for help solving ongoing land disputes between them and the Myanmar army.

Indonesia court upholds Jokowi win, rejects Prabowo challenge – The Straits Times Indonesia’s Constitutional Court yesterday ruled to uphold the results of the April 17 presidential election that handed President Joko Widodo a second term at the helm of the world’s third-largest democracy.

Two Years Later, 60 Families in Laos Still Waiting for Compensation for Dam Collapse – Radio Free Asia Sixty families in Laos who were affected by the collapse of a small hydroelectric dam two years ago may finally learn when they can expect cash compensation now that a central-government-backed investigation into the damages is complete.

BUSINESS & INVESTMENT

Thai Billionaire To Build Country’s First Own Electric Cars – Investvine Energy Absolute, Thailand’s second-largest electricity generating company by market capitalisation owned by Thai billionaire Somphote Ahunai, plans to start mass production of the country’s first homegrown electric vehicles for use in urban transport.

Thai tourism still wounded – Bangkok Post Next week will mark the one-year anniversary of the fatal tour boat accident in Phuket, and Thai tourism is still paying the price from the incident.

Southeast Asian unicorns’ appetite for acquisitions grows – Nikkei Asian Review Go-Jek, Grab and Tokopedia are driving exits of regional startups

Measures to curb hot money ahead – Bangkok Post The Bank of Thailand is set to implement measures to curb hot-money inflows after the baht recently rallied to a more than six-year high.

Foreign Developer Proposes 7,000-Acre Project in Sittwe – The Irrawaddy Foreign developer Gold Coast KTMG Myanmar has proposed a US$38 billion “new city” project in the suburbs of Sittwe, Rakhine State’s capital.

Japanese Firm to Help Build Industrial Zone for Agricultural Goods in Yangon – The Irrawaddy A Japanese company will develop an industrial zone in Yangon focusing on the production of value-added agricultural goods.

Cross-border exports up slightly – Bangkok Post The total value of border-trade exports rose 0.31% year-on-year to 321 billion baht while corresponding imports rose 4.94% to 256 billion baht in the first five months of this year, for a 65-billion-baht trade surplus.

Austria’s Lenzing Goes Ahead With To Build World’s Largest Lyocell Fiber Plant In Thailand – Investvine Austrian industry group Lenzing AG, which makes cellulose fibers used in textiles, is now going ahead with the construction of a lyocell fibers plant in Prachinburi, Thailand, with a capacity of 100,000 tonnes at an investment of around €400 million.

This week’s news digest was curated by Hiroshi Yasui.

EXSE FOCUS

Too little, too late for US ‘recommitment’ to Mekong countries? China’s already there – This Week in Asia US officials say Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will “recommit” the United States to supporting the five countries along Southeast Asia’s longest river, the Mekong, when he makes his first duty visit to Bangkok in July. // The China-led initiative has set aside $22billion. For the economic pillars – energy & infrastructure cooperation – of U.S. “recommitment” to the Mekong, robust private financial flows from U.S. and partner countries are essential. How to attract private sector investors, who are driven by the ESG investment, through tangible & strong policy supports is a key for U.S. government.

11 Million People Now Have Jobs In Renewable Energy – Forbes Eleven million people around the world were employed by the renewable energy sector in 2018, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reports in the sixth edition of their Renewable Energy and Jobs series. // Many job creations occurred especially in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The Southeast Asian policymakers see a new evidence that renewable energy becomes more attractive than before in terms of its environmental, economic, social benefits. Moreover, increasing number of experienced workers means renewable energy manufacturing and installation would be more efficient; a virtuous circle around productivity and renewable penetration is expected. 

REGIONAL RELATIONS

US-China trade war’s pains and gains: Investment floods Vietnam but exposes limits of its economy – The Straits Times As the US-China trade war rages on, companies have started moving their production bases from China to South-east Asia to avoid American tariffs. While the shift has given an economic boost to countries like Vietnam and Cambodia, suppliers face challenges such as infrastructure bottlenecks and a lack of skilled labor in these fledgling economies.

Related: Southeast Asia set to gain from trade war business relocations – Nikkei Asian Review

State Counselor to Attend ASEAN Summit in Thailand on June 22-23 – The Irrawaddy State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will attend the 34th ASEAN Summit in Thailand on June 22-23. Southeast Asian leaders will discuss issues of regional importance including marine pollution and disaster prevention while seeking to boost economic and security ties with Japan and the US.

Great Expectations: ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific Concept – The Diplomat As ASEAN gets closer to finally releasing its vision for the Indo-Pacific, its role in the region hangs in the balance.

Japan says G-20 summit to debate trade including WTO reform – The Straits Times Substantial discussions on trade, including reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), will likely take place at a summit of Group of 20 (G-20) major economies next week in Osaka, a senior Japanese Finance Ministry official said on Wednesday (June 19).

Japan goes long on Myanmar – East Asia Forum Japan is playing a central role in assisting Myanmar’s ongoing financial reforms and attempts to achieve industrialisation. Japan is interested in Myanmar from both an industrial and a financial perspective, while Burmese officials see Japan as a natural partner for financial cooperation.

As Summit Season Begins, ASEAN Has Many Issues to Address – The Irrawaddy When ASEAN organizes big meetings, the tendency for the host is to talk up a brouhaha. So it goes with the 34th ASEAN Summit under Thailand’s rotating chairmanship this year.

SUSTAINABILITY AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

G-20 agrees on marine plastic pollution deal – The Straits Times The Group of 20 major economies said they agreed on a deal to reduce plastic waste that is choking the seas at a meeting in Japan on Sunday (June 16).

Where does your plastic go? Global investigation reveals America’s dirty secret – Guardian A Guardian report from 11 countries tracks how US waste makes its way across the world – and overwhelms the poorest nations.

Related: Indonesia Becomes Latest Southeast Asian Country to Return Waste to the West – The Irrawaddy

Related:SE Asia Should Ban Imports of Foreign Trash: Environmentalists – The Irrawaddy

As Cambodia swelters, climate-change suspicion falls on deforestation – Mongabay Cambodia has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world, with key drivers including demand for timber products, land-use conversion, and urbanization.Extreme temperatures have led to public criticism linking deforestation to unusually hot weather.

Urbanisation, commercial farms threaten Asia’s forests, UN warns – Bangkok Post Sprawling urban areas and expanding plantations are placing greater pressure on forests and resources in Asia-Pacific, hurting rural communities and exacerbating the effects of climate change, the United Nations food agency said on Tuesday.

Trade openness is critical to securing Asia’s food against climate change – East Asia Forum Food security is a chronic problem. In the Asia Pacific region, the sheer magnitude of the challenge, and the complexity of addressing it in a region with nearly 60 per cent of the world’s population means that ensuring food security is never far from policymakers’ attention.

CHINA

Asian Insider June 17: The China syndrome – The Straits News Singapore, the world’s most trade dependent economy, has reported that non-oil domestic exports (Nodx) slipped 15.9 per cent year on year in May, the biggest drop in more than three years as electronic exports plunged.

New Chinese Ambassador Vows to Seek ‘Practical Cooperation’ with Myanmar on BRI Projects – Bangkok Post China’s new ambassador to Myanmar said he would push for deeper “practical cooperation” on Beijing’s grand infrastructure projects in the country while working to advance bilateral relations.

China could build 30 ‘Belt and Road’ nuclear reactors by 2030: Official – The Straits Times China could build as many as 30 overseas nuclear reactors through its involvement in the “Belt and Road” Initiative over the next decade, a senior industry official told a meeting of China’s political advisory body this week.

SOUTHEAST ASIA

Ministry sticks to plan to help palm growers – Bangkok Post Despite criticism, the Commerce Ministry stays committed to calling on retailers to mark up prices of cooking palm oil to reflect higher costs, in part to help boost domestic oil palm prices.

Related: Palm oil price hike is unwise – Bangkok Post

Malaysia PM Mahathir takes aim at international community over anti-palm oil narrative – Channel News Asia  Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Monday (Jun 17) hit out at the international community’s negative perceptions of the palm oil industry, while stating that palm oil cultivation has not affected his country’s ecosystem.

Indonesian seaweed farmers seek B4.3bn from PTT over oil spill in Australia – Bangkok Post Indonesian seaweed farmers were set to seek more than A$200 million (4.3 billion baht) from Thailand’s PTT Exploration and Production in a trial starting on Monday, to cover damage they say they suffered after Australia’s worst oil spill.

Philippines Most Exposed To Climate Change Risks – Study – Investvine The Philippines is topping the list of countries facing the highest risk of climate change hazards, according to the latest Global Peace Index released by Australia-based independent think tank Institute for Economics and Peace.

Myanmar and Lao to get infrastructure boost – The ASEAN POST Myanmar and Lao PDR look to be the biggest winners of an ASEAN plan to boost connectivity with a series of infrastructure projects.

Solutions sought for Mekong Delta’s sustainable development – Vietnam Plus A conference was held in Ho Chi Minh City on June 18 to review two years since the implementation of Resolution No.120/NQ-CP on sustainable development of the Mekong Delta in adaptation with climate change.

‘Small civic voice’ at big Asean Summit – Bangkok Post Representatives of civic groups are calling on Asean leaders to give them a voice in the region after their latest proposal for meetings with the leaders and senior officials at the Asean Summit this week was again rejected.

World Bank Puts Myanmar’s Power Investment Needs at $2B a Year – The Irrawaddy To sustain economic growth, Myanmar needs to invest up to US$2 billion (3.06 trillion kyats) annually in its electricity sector, according to a World Bank report released on Tuesday.

Climate crisis stares Mekong Delta closer in the face – Vietnam Plus Vietnam’s Mekong Delta faces many climate change problems, but these have exacerbated at a much faster pace than predicted.

Business Environment Index Shows Transparency a Major Challenge to SME Growth – The Irrawaddy The Asia Foundation recently published its first Myanmar Business Environment Index 2019 (MBEI), offering Myanmar’s Union, state and regional governments a base of information with which to begin pursuing widespread and decentralized economic governance reforms.

Myanmar’s Electricity Minister Reduces Workload Due to Illness – The Irrawaddy Union Minister for Electricity and Energy U Win Khine is on medical leave.

Foreign investment soars as trade war escalates – Bangkok Post Foreign investment into Thailand surged in the first quarter, further evidence that Southeast Asian nations are benefiting as businesses seek new locations in the region to avoid an escalating US-China trade war.

Related: May exports down 5.8% on trade war, baht – Bangkok Post

3 Thai universities boost global ranking – Bangkok Post Three out of eight Thai universities have improved their standing in the QS World University Rankings for 2020.

Thailand’s $13 Billion Plan Could Woo 65 Million Tourists Yearly – Bloomberg Thailand is already struggling to cope with the environmental impact of a tourism boom that’s expected to lure 40 million visitors this year. The influx is on course to hit 65 million a decade from now, signaling an even bigger challenge ahead.

This week’s news digest was curated by Hiroshi Yasui.

EXSE FOCUS

Innovative methods could transform Vietnam’s robusta farms into carbon sinks – Mongabay Climate change poses a threat to the country’s coffee sector, while poor farming techniques cause environmental degradation. A new report has found that intercropping and decreased fertilizer use can change robusta farms from carbon sources to carbon sinks. // Coffee farming and processing create climate/environment impacts by carbon emissions, use of fertilizer, wastewater etc. Also, monocropping of coffee puts farmers a vulnerable position against poor harvest, so they tend to use fertilizer to stabilize their harvest. But these impacts lead a vicious cycle around environmental harm and degrading coffee quality. Many coffee lovers in the region expect this study’s new finding to grow the new Vietnam’s specialty coffee market with a good taste and low environmental impact.

Accelerating climate change calls for better disaster preparedness – The Global New Light of Myanmar Myanmar is once again entering monsoon season and while the majority of the country is having its share of pouring rain and blowing winds, the nation’s dry zone has still not seen a drop. On the other hand, while there have been strong winds and lighting strikes occurring frequently we currently do not have to fear any approaching cyclones, storms or floods. However, we must not let our guard down. // Fast preparedness & adaptation efforts against an extreme weather and other climate change-related impacts are urgently required, as well as long-term mitigation efforts to stop climate change itself. As trees strengthen the soil against landslide and absorb CO2, protecting local environment would be the most effective way to achieve both preparedness & adaptation and mitigation of these impacts.

REGIONAL RELATIONS

No appetite for a ‘new Cold War’ in Asia – East Asia Forum Amid the escalating US–China trade war, all eyes were on US Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan and Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe at the recent Shangri-La Dialogue. Those hoping for fireworks would have been disappointed.

World’s top economies lay out principles on debt sustainability at G-20 meet – The Straits Times Finance leaders from the world’s top economies on Sunday (June 9) adopted new principles to ensure countries that lend and borrow for infrastructure spending do so in a sustainable manner, a move seen as addressing concerns that China’s lending practices have saddled some emerging nations with huge debt.

No easy choices ahead in regional aid and trade governance – East Asia Forum As trade relations between the United States and China grow more rivalrous, the situation in the Indo-Pacific becomes increasingly vexed. Asian states and regional organisations caught in the middle are struggling to cope, and now even the low-profile Asian Development Bank (ADB) is getting caught in the crossfire.

The 2019 US Indo-Pacific Strategy Report: Who’s It For? – The Diplomat The new Indo-Pacific Strategy Report brings little new to the table. It’s been a little more than one week since the release of the United States’ first-ever Indo-Pacific Strategy Report (IPSR), a strategic document prepared by the U.S. Department of Defense outlining Washington’s priorities in the region

The rules-based maritime order is not completely adrift – East Asia Forum Over two days in May 2019, navy chiefs and maritime experts from across the world gathered in Singapore for the sixth edition of the International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC).

Exclusive: Russia to boost LNG output fivefold to supply Asia – Nikkei Asian Review Utilizing the Arctic, Moscow eyes 20% global market share, energy minister says

US looks for Thai 5G entry point – Bangkok Post The US Commerce Department is exploring business opportunities and cooperation to promote US-based tech firms to expand investment in Thailand’s telecom sector, especially for 5G wireless broadband tech adoption.

SUSTAINABILITY AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Philippines Gets Major Plastic Bottle Recycling Plant – Investvine Coca-Cola’s Philippine branch will pioneer with an investment of one billion pesos ($19.3 million) to construct a recycling facility in the country, its first major investment in a recycling plant within entire Southeast Asia.

Banks may assess pollution risks before granting loans – Vietnam Plus Banks will assess environmental pollution risks when granting loans to projects in some industries, according to a State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) draft regulation.

Gov’t Lifts Ban on Plantation Teak Exports – The Irrawaddy The Myanmar government will again allow the exportation of raw teak and timber from state and privately-owned plantations, but a ban on raw teak and timber from natural forests will remain in place

Indonesian ban on clearing new swaths of forest to be made permanent – Mongabay A temporary moratorium that prohibits the issuance of new permits to clear primary and peat forests is set to be made permanent later this year.

Fisheries leaders threaten protests in the capital – Bangkok Post The National Fisheries Association of Thailand is threatening protests in the capital if the new government ignores its demand to revise strict rules and regulations on trawlers and their crews. 

South-East Asian countries are banning imports of waste for recycling – The Economist There is no point collecting recyclable waste unless someone is willing to buy it and actually do the recycling.

Debt and misery stalk the delta’s salt farms – Frontier Myanmar Life’s hard for the salt farming communities in the far south of Ayeyarwady Region, where services are basic, food is scarce and debt is never-ending.

CHINA

China’s Oil Giants Seek to Cut Gas Losses – Radio Free Asia China’s oil companies are trying to recover their losses from natural gas sales as they brace for the uncertainties of the next step in energy sector reforms.

China’s May industrial output growth cools to 17-year low as trade war bites – The Straits Times China’s industrial output growth unexpectedly slowed to a more than 17-year low in May, while investment also cooled, in the latest sign of weakening demand in the world’s second-largest economy as the United States ramps up trade pressure.

Bridge collapses in south China, casualties unknown – The Straits Times At least two vehicles plunged into a river after part of a bridge collapsed in the urban area of Heyuan city, south China’s Guangdong province early on Friday (June 14), according to the local road management authorities.

Twenty-three Chinese Banana Plantion Workers Deported From Myanmar – Radio Free Asia Ten Chinese nationals were deported from Myanmar last month after having been discovered illegally staying in the country in connection with their work on banana plantations in Kachin state.

China’s spreading influence deepens rivalry in the Pacific – Asian Correspondent THE INDO-Pacific is permeated by adversarial relations between China and India, Japan, and the US.

SOUTHEAST ASIA

Complaints flood in as water rises – Bangkok Post In just over two hours of heavy downpours on Friday afternoon, Bangkok became inundated and traffic came to a standstill. 

Floods affect tens of thousands in central Indonesia – The Straits Times Heavy rainfall in parts of central Indonesia in early June has led to severe flooding and landslides, affecting tens of thousands of people, local authorities said on Wednesday (June 12).

New government faces tough policy choices – Bangkok Post More than 100 billion baht a year is needed to fund welfare schemes vowed by the new government, according to Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) estimates. 

Prayut extols water management plan – Bangkok Post The government’s “active investment” on water management has been successful in limiting drought damage to local communities and saving people from flooding in the rainy season, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says.

Local Government in Laos Again Falls Behind on Living Allowances for Dam Collapse Survivors – Radio Free Asia The government in Laos’ Attapeu province has once again fallen behind on living allowance payments it promised to survivors of the country’s worst flooding in decades.

Time for Philippines to revive its maritime industry: Inquirer columnist – The Straits Times In her commentary, the writer says Philippines needs to strengthen its maritime industry and bounce back quickly from the closure of the Hanjin operations

FTI: Agriculture stimulus needed for growth – Bangkok Post The new government is being urged to stimulate the country’s agricultural sector because crop prices remain low and farmers have limited purchasing power in the local market, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

Vietnam To Join World’s Most Dynamic Markets By 2030 – Investvine Having reached amazing levels of progress in the last two decades and with continued strong growth, Vietnam is set to become one of the most dynamic markets in the world by 2030

Cambodia Needs ‘Real, Credible Improvement’ to Avoid Loss of Tariff-Free Trade Scheme: EU – Radio Free Asia Cambodia “must show real, credible improvement” on human and labor rights if it hopes to avoid losing preferential trade status, according to the European Union, drawing condemnation from a government spokesman who suggested that Phnom Penh has no intention to comply.

Vietnam’s first homegrown car to be delivered in days – Channel News Asia Vietnam’s homegrown carmaker VinFast will deliver its first cars on Jun 17, the company said on Friday (Jun 14) as it showcased a factory in one of Asia’s fastest growing economies.

Vietnam to tender $5bm motorway project in August – Global Construction Review The Vietnamese Ministry of Transportation has announced plans to tender a $5bn motorway that will run through 13 provinces from Nam Dịnh, about 60km south of Hanoi, to the southern province of Vinh Long in the Mekong Delta.

This week’s news digest was curated by Hiroshi Yasui.

EXSE FOCUS

No need to dam free-flowing rivers to meet world’s climate and energy targets – Mongabay In a comment article published in the Nature last month, scientists argue that an “energy future in which both people and rivers thrive” is possible with better planning. // Energy future around precious free-flowing rivers like the Mekong should be planned among a broader strategy for clean energy transition. In order to ensure a more sustainable future, the social & environmental benefits from the renewable energy revolution should be maximized and paired with strategically selected hydropower projects.

ASEAN faces key challenge: Go green or choke on air pollution, says US energy specialist – The Straits Times Increasingly foul air from rapidly growing cities and industry could force South-east Asian nations to speed up the switch to cleaner sources of energy and to meet UN climate goals, says a leading energy specialist. // As a consequence of an economic development & urbanization, air pollution has been repeated in the world’s history. Now, it’s the Southeast Asian turn. Whether Southeast Asia can avoid this historical stumble depends on learning from other cities’ example such as Beijing of 10 years ago, utilizing the region’s plenty of natural gas resources as a transitional energy source to low/zero carbon, and investing in technological innovation on renewable energy.

REGIONAL RELATIONS

BoI targets relocations from China, Japan  – Bangkok Post The Board of Investment (BoI) has been ordered to establish special task forces to rev up investment from Japan and China, which are expected to relocate their production bases to other countries like Thailand. According to Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, high-tech industries like IT and electronics are likely to move out of China amid the heightened trade row between that country and the US.

Assessing the US Indo-Pacific Strategy Report: Current Opportunities and Future Uncertainties –The Diplomat While the much-anticipated report is a notable development for US Asia policy and offers much promise, there remain uncertainties about how rhetoric will translate into reality.

China’s Southeast Asian neighbors mixed on Huawei for 5G networks amid security concerns – Radia Free Asia China’s Southeast Asian neighbors have expressed mixed interest in offers by telecom giant Huawei to roll out mobile wireless 5G networks and other products in their countries, amid concerns over the firm’s links to Beijing and how its technology could compromise national security.

Renewed partnership with Murray-Darling Basin Authority will prepare Mekong for current and future challenges – Mekong River Commission for Sustainable Development Mekong basin-wide planning, environmental monitoring, flood and drought management, climate change adaption, and stakeholder engagement are some of the key areas to benefit from a renewed partnership between the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) of Australia.

Mike Pompeo to visit Bangkok, commit to South-east Asia: Official – The Straits Times Mr Pompeo will travel to the Thai capital for the July 29-Aug 3 ministerial meeting of the Asean bloc and will lead talks on the Lower Mekong Initiative, said Mr Mark Clark, a US official in charge of the region.

SUSTAINABILITY AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Fish outta water: Reservoir giants killed by Thailand’s drought – Coconuts Bangkok A graphic video showing dozens of gigantic catfish carcasses being pulled out of a dried-out reservoir then lugged away from its muddy banks does not bode well for Thailand’s climate situation.

Local options key to FDI – Bangkok Post Thailand is moving ahead with plans to overhaul its infrastructure to build up transport networks and improve logistic efficiency across the country.

Better water resources management can address water security challenges in Vietnam – Modern Diplomacy Ensuring future water security in Vietnam will depend on meeting a host of critical challenges including emerging water stress, fast deterioration of water quality, and rising water-related disaster risks, resulting in a must to implement solutions to improve water productivity.

UN agencies urge stronger efforts to stop illegal fishing – Bangkok Post Major United Nations agencies are urging major fishing nations to join efforts to fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing as an activist warns that Thai vessels are being registered overseas to bypass the kingdom’s tough new laws.

Bloomberg downbeat on ASEAN EVs – Bangkok Post Prices not yet affordable as region still develops.

Plastic reduction efforts ‘a success’ – Bangkok Post Thailand’s Pollution Control Department (PCD) says the first year of the country’s effort to reduce plastic waste has been successful and has received cooperation from the business sector. 

Twice as many fishing vessels now, but it’s harder to catch fish – Mongabay The global fishing fleet has more than doubled from about 1.7 million boats harvesting fish in 1950 to 3.7 million fishing vessels in 2015. The growing fishing fleet is, however, catching less seafood for the same effort.

CHINA

China has whole towns focused entirely on making electric cars – The Straits Times Pieces of an electric car hang from the ceiling of a Chinese real-estate developer’s showroom, evoking an edgy installation at a modern art museum. In reality, they’re a symbol of the nation’s industrial ambitions.

US must bear sole and entire responsibility for talks setback: China – The Straits Times China has pinned the blame of the worsening trade war squarely on the United States, saying that it should bear “sole and entire responsibility” for the talks going south.

No longer just a trade war: The China and US fight starts to spread –The Straits Times The souring of ties between Washington and Beijing – already abundantly evident in the brewing trade war – today spilled over to the issue of the Tiananmen protests in 1989.

Related: China warns tourists, companies about risks in US – The Straits Times

China’s polluted land sold off – Chinadialogue Inadequate soil checks by local governments are allowing contaminated land to hit the market, risking public health.

IMF lowers China growth estimate because of trade tensions – The Straits Times The IMF lowered its forecast for China’s economic growth this year to 6.2 per cent from 6.3 per cent on Wednesday (June 5), just two months after upgrading it, warning that “uncertainty around trade tensions remains high and risks are tilted to the downside”.

SOUTHEAST ASIA

Cambodia’s outlawed opposition seeks support via noodle gatherings – The Straits Times Cambodia’s outlawed opposition party is aiming to reinvigorate grassroots support by having local party members continue to meet over noodles nationwide this week as a means of “passive resistance” to the government, an exiled party leader said.

Strong headwind slows growth – Bangkok Post Major Thailand-based airlines have set modest goals for themselves by looking closer to home for a risk-limiting expansion, as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced a downgrade of its 2019 outlook for the global air transport industry and a decline on 2018 net post-tax profits.

Fitness boom in Cambodia and Vietnam attracts Japan Inc muscle – Nikkei Asian Review Bulging waistlines in Cambodia and Vietnam are luring Japanese companies looking to cash in on the growing demand for health-related products and services.

Australia, Malaysia to meet over rare earths on June 20 – The Straits Times Australian and Malaysian government officials are due to meet later this month, a state mining spokesman confirmed, and the plan for Lynas Corp’s controversial rare earth waste storage in the country is likely to be at the top of the agenda.

Myanmar manufacturing PMI records highest in over a year – Nikkei Asia Review Myanmar’s manufacturing sector registered solid improvement in growth during May with quicker expansions in output and new orders, as well as strong client demand.

Related: Vietnam manufacturing PMI shows continuous growth in May – Nikkei Asia Review

Survivors of Lao Dam Collapse Want to Grow Rice, Not Bananas on Compensatory Land – Radio Free Asia Survivors of Laos’ worst flooding in decades are at odds with the government after land they were promised in compensation was granted to a Chinese-backed firm to grow bananas.

Thai Parliaments elects Prayut as PM for a fresh term – The Straits Times Thailand’s new Parliament voted yesterday to give a fresh term to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, three months after landmark elections.

Related: Thai junta chief Prayut vows to ‘do his best’ as civilian PM – The Straits Times

Related:Economic Woes Face Thailand’s Junta Chief Turned Civilian PM – The Irrawaddy

Successes and Failures of the Yangon Govt’s Third Year in Office – The Irrawaddy Yangon Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein has touted the municipal elections, a revamped public bus system and upgraded public parks as the main accomplishments of his government in its third year of administration.

MRT line to Tha Phra planned on Mother’s Day – Bangkok Post Mother’s Day on Aug 12 this year has been picked for the official launch of the MRT extension service from Hua Lamphong to Tha Phra before expanding to the last station a month later. 

Energy Ministry has high hopes for solar scheme – Bangkok Post Thailand’s Energy Ministry expects the solar power project for household rooftops to achieve its projection of 15,000 participants by year-end thanks to the popularity of the trend globally and declining investment costs in the sector.

World Bank trims growth view to 3.5% (Thailand) – Bangkok Post The World Bank has cut its Thai economic growth forecast for 2019 to 3.5% and plans to review the economic outlook again after a new cabinet line-up is announced.

Related: Singapore GDP growth slows sharply, recession expected for 2020 – Investvine

This week’s news digest was curated by Hiroshi Yasui.  

EXSE FOCUS

Experts Agree With IEP Report: PNPC Dam Collapsed Due to Faulty Construction-Radio Free Asia Several outside experts and the Lao government say a South Korean construction firm is shirking liability for poorly building the hydropower dam that collapsed last year, causing a disaster that has been described as the country’s worst flooding in decades.//Project management along with project planning of hydropower dams must be placed under higher scrutiny to mitigate impacts. According to the IEP report, this collapse was a preventable incident. The Lao Government should further investigate the extent of the South Korean constructor’s responsibility.

Related: Lao Dam Collapse Due to Use of Soil: Water Experts-Radio Free Asia

What is the future of energy for Myanmar’s rural population?-Eco-Business To deliver on its goal of 100 per cent energy access by 2030, Myanmar will need to shake up its energy market. With hydropower facing increasing objection from society, how will the former hermit nation power its people for a more sustainable future?//As Myanmar moves forward in pursuing its energy demand, incorporating solar into its energy mix is inevitable. Renewables such as solar and wind can assist in addressing rural electrification needs and the nation’s plans to reach 100% energy access by 2030.

REGIONAL RELATIONS

Vietnam on track to overtake Singapore in decade: DBS-Nikkei Asian Review Vietnam’s economy could grow as much as 6.5% a year over the next ten years and exceed Singapore in size by 2029, according to DBS Bank.

Toyota to build its first assembly plant in Myanmar-Nikkei Asian Review Suppliers expected to follow automaker as Suu Kyi seeks local investment.

Int’l road transport launched in Greater Mekong Subregion-Xinhua Net The international road transport (China-Laos-Vietnam) in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) has been launched as two Chinese logistics firms obtained GMS temporary entry documents for motor vehicles on Wednesday.

Vietnam set to import more electricity from China, Laos-Xinhua Net Vietnam plans to import more electricity from China and Laos in the coming years as its power supply is running out, Vietnam News Agency reported on Wednesday.

SUSTAINABILITY AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Malaysia’s Department of Environment gets tough on polluting e-waste-Strait Times The Malaysian government wants to make it mandatory for consumers to send certain unwanted electrical and electronic items to places licensed to handle e-waste.

1,300 Villages to Receive Solar-Generated Electricity in FY2019-20-Irrawaddy Over 1,300 villages in rural areas of five regions will get access to electricity through solar power in fiscal 2019-20 as part of the National Electrification Project (NEP), according to the Ministry of Electricity and Energy.

‘Baaaaaaaaa bye’: Manila sends back thousands of tonnes of garbage to Canada-Strait Times he Philippines on Friday (May 31) sent back truckloads of garbage exported by Canada, a festering issue that eroded ties between Manila and Ottawa for years, even as environmental activists called for a wider, permanent ban on such imports following reports of other trash shipments from Australia and Hong Kong.

Fish outta water: Reservoir giants killed by Thailand’s drought-Coconuts Bangkok A graphic video showing dozens of gigantic catfish carcasses being pulled out of a dried-out reservoir then lugged away from its muddy banks does not bode well for Thailand’s climate situation.

CHINA

Southeast Asia gains new leverage as China and US battle for influence-Nikkei Asian Review  Funding pours in as US allies seek to counter Belt and Road.

Gov’t Spells Out Conditions for Signing BRI Deals with China-Irrawaddy A senior Myanmar official revealed that the government has drawn up a set of conditions for signing memorandums of understanding (MOUs) related to Beijing’s grand infrastructure projects in the country in order to avoid falling into a “debt trap” with China and to ensure the projects benefit both countries.

Related: Making a multilateral Belt and Road – East Asia Forum A former Australian Foreign Minister argues about multiraterisation of China’s BRI and AIIB.

Cambodia’s Hun Sen quashes fears of Chinese ‘debt trap’-Nikkei Asian Review  Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday dismissed fears that his country is at risk of falling into a Chinese “debt trap” and said massive financial support from Beijing is not compromising Phnom Penh’s independence.

Cambodian Authorities Close Polluting Chinese Casino-Radio Free Asia Authorities in southwestern Cambodia’s Sihanoukville province have shut down a Chinese-owned casino accused of polluting an adjacent beach following the casino’s defiance of orders to cease operations, sources said on Friday.

Indonesian Village Reels from Plastic Pollution as Waste Imports Soar-Radio Free Asia Endi Sudiana, a community organizer in Taman Mekar, a village in Indonesia’s West Java province, is fed up with plastic trash that blankets the roadside next to his house but says there’s little he can do about it.

Malaysia will use Huawei tech ‘as much as possible,’ says Mahathir-Nikkei Asian Review  Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Thursday that Malaysia would continue to welcome Huawei Technologies, even as others shy away from working with the Chinese tech juggernaut.

Myanmar promises level playing field for all — Huawei included-Nikkei Asian Review  Minister says US-China trade war will ‘not really damage us economically.’

Thailand casts wide net for 5G partners amid Huawei concerns-Nikkei Asian Review  Thailand is opening its doors to all global 5G vendors at a time when the leader in the field, China’s Huawei Technologies, is being shut out of other markets as a security risk.

China-Vietnam Military Ties in the Headlines with Defense Ministers Meeting-Diplomat The interaction highlighted the ongoing activity in the security realm between the two sides in spite of significant lingering differences.

China polluting Vietnam’s border rivers, warns military general-VN Express Many rivers and streams along the Vietnam-China border are being polluted by China’s development activities, a senior military officer warned.

SOUTHEAST ASIA

Two big trade pacts offer antidote to tension, Brunei minister says-Nikkei Asian Review Two sweeping multilateral partnership agreements offer hope for furthering Asian economic integration and promoting cooperation amid the trade tensions and inward-looking policies gripping some governments, Brunei’s Second Finance and Economy Minister Amin Liew Abdullah said on Thursday.

What the Asean Single Window means for Cambodia-Southeast Asia Globe The ASEAN Single Window initiative promises to unite Southeast Asia as a truly integrated economic community through seamless cross-border trade and information sharing.

Cambodia’s PM Hun Sen Dismisses Calls For Resignation, Vows to ‘Wage War’ on Opposition-Radio Free Asia Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday brushed aside calls by members of the Cambodian diaspora in Japan to resign, pledging instead to “wage war” against his country’s banned opposition party and vowing to “destroy” its acting president, Sam Rainsy.

ADB To Provide Nearly US$1 Billion Loan to Cambodia-Agence Kampuchea Presse Through Country Operation Business Plan-COBP (2020-2022), ADB is planning to provide Cambodia nearly US$1 billion as loan to help achieve status as an upper-middle income country in 2030 and high-income country in 2050.

Related: US$3 Billion FDI Flowed to Cambodia Last Year+ -Agence Kampuchea Presse

Indonesia aims to attract foreign companies with new tax breaks-Nikkei Asian Review Indonesia is counting on new tax incentives and upgraded infrastructure to lure more global manufacturers to the country, as it strives to become a factory floor for the world amid the simmering U.S.-China trade war.

Indonesia’s Model Election Ends in Belated Violence-Asia Sentinel It was a sad end to a remarkably well run and peaceful election involving  190 million eligible voters spread over 17,000 islands for a multitude of posts ranging from president to legislators and city and local officials.

Malaysia’s New Illegal Fishing Task Force in the Spotlight-Diplomat A closer look at the role of the country’s newly formed task force in tackling a longstanding challenge.

Malaysia to let Lynas continue running rare earth plant: Mahathir-Strait Times Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Thursday (May 30) that Malaysia will allow Australian rare earth producer Lynas Corp to keep operating a processing plant in the country.

Myanmar Army Again Accused of War Crimes in Rakhine State-Radio Free Asia The Myanmar military has committed “war crimes” and other human rights violations against civilians in western Myanmar’s violence-ridden Rakhine state since early January when the government ordered its troops to crush a rebel ethnic armed group in the region, Amnesty International said in a new report released Wednesday.

Pheu Thai to parties: Reject pro-junta coalition offer-Strait Times Thailand’s main opposition Pheu Thai party has urged other parties that contested a March election to reject a coalition offer by a pro-army party seeking to keep the ruling junta chief as prime minister.

Related: Thailand’s Pro-Army Party Seeks Allies to Cement Power-Reuters Two Thai political parties have been invited to join a new government led by military junta chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha as prime minister, a pro-army party said on Monday, more than two months after a disputed election.

Thailand ranks higher for competitiveness-Bangkok Post Thailand has moved up five places, from the 25th from the 30th position, in a World Competitiveness ranking due to improved economic performance, government efficiency and infrastructure.

Cabinet gives nod to airport high-speed rail contract-Bangkok Post  The cabinet has given the green light to a draft contract for the 225-billion-baht high-speed rail project linking three major airports.

How Vietnam Plans to Prevent Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing-Diplomat IUU fishing is a pervasive problem in Southeast Asia.

Using Geospatial Technology and Earth Observations to Monitor and Forecast Drought in Vietnam and Address Agricultural Productivity Impacts-AgriLinks Droughts are slow-onset disasters that trigger significant environmental impacts, including loss in agricultural productivity across the globe.

Mekong governance needs community participation-Vietnam News Water officials in the Mekong Delta were facing increasing challenges that required joint efforts from all stakeholders, scientists have said.

This week’s news digest was curated by Anvy Tran.

Regional Round-up for Week of 5.24.19

EXSE FOCUS

Interview: China’s Mekong Dam-building Mindset ‘Exported Downstream’ to Cambodia and Laos-Radio Free Asia The Mekong River extends for thousands of miles through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, supporting more than 65 million people who depend on it for food, transportation, and commerce.//Upstream damming of the Mekong should be carefully considered as its repercussions affect livelihoods, the environment, and health. It is consequential on Cambodia’ fisheries and Cambodia and Vietnam’s agricultural productivity.   

A guide to renewable power in Cambodia-Southeast Asia Globe Cambodia has huge renewable energy potential in the form of hydropower, solar and wind. Hydropower is already an important part of the energy mix and attention is shifting towards other renewable energies, but many challenges lie ahead.//Cambodia must work through its regulations on feed-in tariffs and roof top solar panel restrictions. It should facilitate private sector investment in renewables as part of its strategy to meet Cambodia’s increasing energy demand.

Related: Bound by One Goal: Clean and Green Cambodia-Khmer Times

Saving our free-flowing rivers-Myanmar Times When it’s too late, we’ll realise the signs were obvious. We’ll look back at the staggering 83 percent decline in freshwater species populations – more than twice the rate of terrestrial and marine – and wonder why we didn’t act to safeguard the rivers and lakes in which these species thrive.//Damming of the world’s rivers for hydropower adversely impacts the environment and local downstream communities. By pursuing low-impact hydropower, solar, and wind energies, the demand for power can be met without wrecking unnecessary havoc on our ecosystems.

REGIONAL RELATIONS

Cambodia, Thailand agree on priorities for their flood and drought joint project-MRC Mekong Officials from National Mekong Committees and line agencies of Cambodia and Thailand agreed on key priorities for floods and drought mitigation measures for a joint project on Flood and Drought Management for Tonle Sap sub-basin (9C/9T) between Cambodia and Thailand.

Related: Joint efforts for the sustainable development of the Mekong River-MRC Mekong

Myanmar’s Rohingya Appeal to EU to Curtail Trade With Military-linked Businesses-Radio Free Asia The leaders of Rohingya and Myanmar Muslim groups have urged the European Union to take action on a call by a U.N. rights investigator to sanction businesses linked to the country’s powerful military, which continues to come under fire for a brutal crackdown on the minority group in 2017.

Thailand’s Tourism Could Benefit From US-China Trade Spat, Officials Say-Investvine Thailand’s tourism sector is expected to get a windfall from the ongoing China-US trade war as tourists from the mainland shorten their long-haul journeys to visit closer destinations instead.

Japanese food and drink container makers bet on Southeast Asia-Nikkei Asian Review Japanese companies are stepping up their business in Southeast Asia to cash in on the region’s growth. This time they are pouring investment into food and beverage containers.

US and Japan rethink supply chains as trade war widens-Nikkei Asian Review U.S. and Japanese companies are scrambling to overhaul their supply chains that include Chinese production in order to deal with the escalating trade war between Washington and Beijing as both announce more tariffs on each other’s goods.

SUSTAINABILITY AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Timber Company in Cambodia Continues to Collect Wood From Protected Forest Areas-Radio Free Asia A timber company in Cambodia is ignoring environmental protection laws by transporting felled trees by night from protected forests in the country, activists said on Monday.

Illegal plastic recycling factories booming in Penang-Strait Times The Penang authorities believe there are about 400 plastic recycling factories in Seberang Perai alone, but the number of illegal operators may easily outnumber these legal outfits.

Indonesia calls on palm oil industry, obscured by secrecy, to remain opaque-Mongabay Environmental activists in Indonesia have denounced a recent call by the government to keep data about oil palm plantations out of the public’s reach.

Vietnam salt farmers battered by imports, climate change-Strait Times  The salt farmers of Hon Khoi rise before dawn as they have for generations, fanning out across shallow seawater pools in southern Vietnam to harvest the precious mineral, hoping for a better season than the last.

CHINA

Chinese Casino in Cambodia Ignores Shutdown Orders from Local Government-Radio Free Asia A Chinese-backed casino in Cambodia’s southwestern city of Sihanoukville is still in business despite calls from the city to cease operations.

Malaysia Demands Belt and Road Transparency-Asia Sentinel Mahathir Mohamad came out of retirement, forged an alliance with a former deputy turned political foe, emerged triumphant in the May 2018 general election and took the oath of office as prime minister at age 93.

Gov’t Set to Ban Leasing of Land to Foreign Melon Growers-Irrawaddy The Union government will prohibit landowners from leasing out lands for melon cultivation to foreign individuals or groups as of the next growing season, according to Sagaing Region Minister for Agriculture Kam Za Mon.

Foreign Countries Behind Myitsone Dam Opposition: Chinese Ambassador-Irrawaddy Opposition to the controversial Chinese-backed Myitsone Dam was politically victimized by “some forces backed by foreign countries” in an effort to derail Myanmar’s democratic reform process and hinder China-Myanmar relations, the outgoing Chinese ambassador to Myanmar said.

Five Chinese Arrested for Trespassing, Illegal Immigration in Kachin-Irrawaddy Five Chinese employees were among 10 arrested on counts of trespassing in a protected area and illegal migration during a crackdown on controversial Chinese tissue-culture banana plantations in Kachin State on Sunday.

Philippines prefers China loans over US ‘strategic confusion’ in South China Sea-Bloomberg The US is projecting “strategic confusion” in the South China Sea, the Philippines’ top diplomat said, prompting the South-east Asian nation to deepen its ties with China.

Duterte’s China pivot transforms Philippines’ oldest conglomerate-Nikkei Asian Review Ayala connects with rising tech superpower for digital offensive.

Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Confirms China Will Halt Mekong Rapids Blasting-International Rivers Mr. Niwat Roykaew, founder of the Rak Chiang Khong Group in northern Thailand, has shared a letter he received on behalf of the Network of Thai People in Eight Mekong Provinces from Mr. Don Pramudwinai, the Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs, that confirms media reports in March of China’s agreement to halt the Mekong ‘rapids blasting’ project.

Southeast Asia Struggles with Trash Rejected by China-Radio Free Asia Southeast Asian nations are facing increased dumping of waste from industrialized nations, with Malaysia and the Philippines threatening to send back trash to countries of origin.

US-China trade war adds to headaches faced by palm oil industry–Strait Times When palm oil prices a decade ago were around twice what they are now, Ms Darsini and her husband wanted a piece of the action.

SOUTHEAST ASIA

Cambodia Cracking Down on Noodle Dinners Attended by Opposition Supporters-Radio Free Asia Authorities in Cambodia are cracking down on noodle dinners attended by supporters of the banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), in what analysts and rights groups say signals political paranoia on the part of Prime Minister and his ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).

Police in Myanmar Raid Village, Arrest Residents For Protest Against Cement Plant-Radio Free Asia Police on Tuesday raided a village in central Myanmar’s Mandalay region and arrested 13 residents along with a reporter for allegedly participating in a protest that turned violent against the Chinese operators of a coal-powered cement factory, a community resident said.

Indonesian troops flood Jakarta streets after post-election riots-Reuters Tens of thousands of Indonesian military and police were deployed on the streets of Jakarta on Thursday (May 23), as a deadline approached for a presidential challenger to file an appeal over claims of widespread cheating in last month’s election.

Indonesian opposition set to challenge election result in court-Channel News Asia Defeated Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto is set to lodge a challenge to the result of the Apr 17 election in the Constitutional Court on Friday (May 24) after complaining that the vote was rigged.

Canada Agrees to Take Back Trash Sent to Philippines Years Ago-New York Times The Canadian government said on Wednesday that it would take back tons of garbage sent to the Philippines several years ago, after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered that it be returned immediately.

Related: Philippine President Duterte loses patience, orders trash shipped back to Canada-Reuters

Thailand restores veneer of democracy as assembly reconvenes-Nikkei Asian Review Thailand convened its National Assembly for the first regular session in five years on Friday, signaling an end to military rule even though post-election maneuvering has likely cleared the way for junta leader and incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha to return to power.

Thailand’s Economy On Weaker Note In 2019-Investvine The Thai economy is likely to stay below the 3.5-per cent growth benchmark projected earlier for the first quarter of 2019 because of the global economic slowdown that weakened exports and ailing domestic consumption.

Minister to push for two more Mekong bridges–Bangkok Post  The Transport Ministry will push for a 4-billion-baht investment in two new bridges over the Mekong River linking Thailand with Laos.

Call for tourist limit on Koh Lan to solve garbage issue-The Nation An independent environmental health expert has called for the number of visitors to Koh Lan in Chon Buri to be less than 5,000 per day to tackle the overwhelming garbage problem.

Vietnam seizes 5.26 tonnes of pangolin scales hidden in cashew containers-Reuters  Vietnam has seized more than five metric tonnes of pangolin scales hidden in cashew nut containers shipped from Nigeria, the government said on Friday (May 24), in South-east Asia’s latest large-scale wildlife trafficking case.

Vietnam to Mobilize Military in Fight Against African Swine Fever-Reuters Vietnam said it will mobilize its military and police forces to help combat the outbreak of African swine fever that has already resulted in the culling of about 4 percent of the country’s pig herd.

Vietnam Intensifies Crackdown on Online Dissent: Amnesty Report-Reuters Vietnam has stepped up its imprisonment of political activists, Amnesty International said in a report on Monday, intensifying a crackdown that has seen the number of prisoners of conscience increase by almost a third since last year.

This week’s news digest was curated by Anvy Tran.

EXSE FOCUS

Connected & Flowing: A Renewable Future for Rivers, Climate, and People–World Wide Fund & The Nature Conservancy With thousands of hydropower dams planned across the globe, a new report from WWF and The Nature Conservancy demonstrates how we can solve the world’s climate and energy challenge without sacrificing our remaining free-flowing rivers and the diverse benefits they provide to people and nature.// To meet the world’s demand for energy while tackling greenhouse gas emissions, it is time to mainstream renewables into the energy mix. Better technology and falling prices in renewables have allowed for power systems that are low carbon, low cost, and low impact.

Related: A Joint Statement by Civil Society Organizations on occasion of the 2019 World Hydropower Congress in Paris

Shipping plastic waste to poor countries just got harder-National Geographic It just got more difficult for rich countries to ship their plastic waste to poor countries. On May 10, more than 180 nations agreed in Geneva to add mixed plastic scrap to the Basel Convention, the treaty that controls the international movement of hazardous waste.// This additional to the Basel Convention is a step toward protecting developing nations from the harmful waste of developed ones. After China’s implemented its ban on importing non-industrial plastic waste, Southeast Asian nations experienced a significant increase in plastics that overwhelmed their capacities to process.

Laos Dam Collapse Blamed on Substandard Construction-Radio Free Asia Poor construction methods, with soil used in place of concrete, are now being blamed for a fatal hydropower dam collapse last year in Laos in what has been called the country’s worst flooding in decades.// This case exemplifies the repercussions that inadequate construction standards can have on the livelihoods of vulnerable downstream populations. The dam collapse caused flash flooding that killed 40 people and displaced thousands.

REGIONAL RELATIONS

Myanmar to borrow more than 1.4 billion baht for more electricity-Myanmar Times The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw has approved the borrowing of 1.4 billion baht from Thailand’s Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) to supply more electricity in Yangon Region.

Singapore surpasses China as Myanmar’s biggest investor-Myanmar Times Singapore has overtaken China as the country’s main source of foreign investment in 2019, according to data from the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations.

B100bn plan to boost links with 6 nations–Bangkok Post  The government is now on track to turn Thailand into a transport hub for six countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), following a 100-billion-baht infrastructure development project in the Thai border provinces

SK Group to make $1bn push into Vietnam with Vingroup investment-Nikkei Asian Review South Korean conglomerate will become second largest shareholder.

Australia’s Labor plans foreign policy pivot to Southeast Asia-Nikkei Asian Review An expected win by the opposition Labor Party in Saturday’s general election is likely to bring about a pivot in Australia’s foreign policy to Southeast Asia and a softer line on China.

SUSTAINABILITY AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

In Indonesia, a flawed certification scheme lets illegal loggers raze away-Mongabay A massive series of seizures of timber from rare tree species has thrown into question the effectiveness of Indonesia’s existing mechanisms to tackle illegal logging.

The sad end of Lao’s elephants-ASEAN Post “Both populations are not sustainable and are actually declining. And the problems that each population faces are completely different,” said Anabel López Pérez, wildlife biologist with the Elephant Conservation Center.

Rolling blackout to continue until end of May: minister-Myanmar Times

The frequent power outages happening across Myanmar currently are due to electricity load reduction and the Ministry of Electricity and Energy says this will continue until the end of May.

Food Safety, Pollution Top Vietnam’s Latest Survey of Public Concerns-VOA The biggest worries among Vietnamese people are food safety, pollution, and corruption, according to a new survey that suggests not enough has been done about these issues since they were raised two years ago.

Mekong data and information system improvement receives Australian support-Mekong River Commission The Australian Government has provided funding of AUD 430,000 (approx. USD 300,000) to support the Mekong River Commission to implement its initiative in reinvigorating its data, modeling and information systems to provide enhanced and timely information to the public and MRC member countries.

Related: Can community research help address the Mekong water crisis?

Asian banks joining trend away from coal-Asia Times Asia has witnessed five major financial institutions announcing exit policies from coal-fired power plants over the last six weeks, signaling an acceleration away from coal financing into renewable-energy projects in the Asia-Pacific region.

CHINA

Southeast Asia and China’s Belt and Road Initiative–Diplomat A closer look at the dynamics behind the subregion’s continued management of the opportunities and challenges within the evolving initiative.

China To Revamp Cambodia’s Railway Systems-Investvine A team from China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) is in Cambodia and will soon begin a feasibility study on improving the country’s railways, Khmer Times reported on May 10.

Cambodia Downplays Criticism of Investment Amid Increased Crime by Chinese Nationals-Radio Free Asia Cambodia’s National Police published a report Tuesday which found that of 341 foreign nationals detained for criminal offenses occurring between Dec. 20, 2018 and March 19, 2019, 241 were Chinese nationals, followed by 49 Vietnamese, 26 Thais, four South Koreans, and three Americans.

Huawei to Supply Mandalay’s ‘Safe City’ Project with Cameras, Security Equipment-Irrawaddy Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei will provide surveillance cameras and other security equipment for use in Mandalay’s “Safe City” plan, according to a Mandalay regional government minister.

Emerging dynamics of the China-Myanmar economic corridor-Observer Research Foundation At the second Chinese Belt and Road Forum (BRF) attended by Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in April 2019, three MoUs were signed to strengthen cooperation on the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) integral to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This was the latest in a series of MoUs reached between China and Myanmar on the CMEC in recent years.

Related: China-Backed Muse-Mandalay Railway to Cost $9 Billion; Gov’t to Buy Electricity from China to Cover Shortfall; A Chinese Special Economic Zone is deepening conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State

Thailand To Get Hit By China-US Trade War, Vietnam To Benefit-Investvine Thai exporters will pay a heavy price due to the escalation of the US-China trade war, which will also have a negative impact on Thailand’s economy, according to experts.

Biofuel fails to make a difference in Vietnam, consumption drops-VN Express After being introduced as a more environmentally friendly option in late 2017, E5 biofuel consumption has fallen.

SOUTHEAST ASIA

Indonesia elections: Prabowo alleges fraud, says he will reject official vote tally-Strait Times Presidential hopeful Prabowo Subianto said on Tuesday (May 14) that he will reject the official vote count by the elections commission when it releases the result of the April 17 polls, setting the stage for a political standoff in Indonesia.

Indonesia proposes grand $564 billion plan to rebuild the country-Strait Times Indonesia is drafting ambitious plans for more than US$400 billion (S$547 billion) in building projects, from constructing 25 airports to developing new power plants, as the government seeks to stoke growth in South-east Asia’s largest economy, according to the country’s planning minister.

Indonesian President Says to Go All Out in Second Term to Boost Economic Reform-Reuters Indonesian President Joko Widodo pledged on Thursday to slim the government during his second term and cut red tape hampering investment to achieve an ambitious growth target in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy by 2045.

As Indonesia mulls moving the capital, indigenous groups fear another land grab-Mongabay In the wake of Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s announcement that he intends to move the nation’s capital from Jakarta, some have expressed concerns that the plan could result in the seizure of lands belonging to indigenous communities.

Lao Government Vows to Enforce Ban on Concessions for New Banana Plantations-Radio Free Asia The government of Laos has vowed to enforce a ban on the granting of land for new banana plantations and punish local officials who violate it, amid a controversy over the illegal overuse of pesticides that residents say are causing pollution and destroying their livelihoods.

Global investors have little patience with Malaysia, with equities worst hit-Strait Times A year after Malaysia’s historic election, public euphoria surrounding the new government has evaporated. And investors are losing patience too.

Malaysia’s economy slows as US-China trade war hits exports-Nikkei Asian Review GDP expanded 4.5% in first quarter, while growing tensions darken outlook.

Suu Kyi opposed release of Reuters reporters: Envoys-Strait Times The biggest obstacle to releasing two imprisoned Reuters reporters in Myanmar was not the country’s military, diplomats and others say, but its de facto civilian leader, Ms Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate and former political prisoner herself.

Parliament Approves $40M French Loan to Upgrade Hydropower Plants-Irrawaddy The Union Parliament approved on Thursday a €35.7-million (US$40 million or 60-billion kyats) loan from Agence Française de Développement (or the French Development Agency) to be used for major upgrades to five hydropower plants in four regions as Myanmar experiences country-wide waves of regular power cuts.

Nearly 20 Injured as Police Fire Rubber Bullets, Tear Gas at Protest of Myanmar Cement Plant-Radio Free Asia Nearly 20 people were injured Wednesday after police in central Myanmar’s Mandalay region fired rubber bullets and tear gas into a crowd protesting construction at a coal-powered cement plant that is operated as part of a joint venture between a local firm and a Chinese partner.

Philippines Recalls Its Ambassador to Canada in a Spat Over Trash-New York Times President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has recalled his country’s ambassador to Canada after Ottawa failed to take back tons of rubbish it had dumped in the Southeast Asian country, the Philippine foreign secretary said Thursday.

Philippine midterm polls marred by vote-buying-Strait Times Nearly 62 million Filipinos voted yesterday in midterm elections seen as peaceful but marred somewhat by vote-buying and faulty counting machines.

Duterte allies crush opposition in Philippine midterm elections-Nikkei Asian Review Senate candidates backed by President Rodrigo Duterte are on track to take over most of the 12 seats contested in the Philippines’ midterm elections, resulting in a crushing defeat for the country’s opposition.

Wheezing Thailand needs a clean-air act, government told-The Nation Environment campaigners have urged the government to approve a clean-air act to solve the country’s chronic smog problem and honour citizens’ right to breathe clean air.

Vietnam to Mobilize Military in Fight Against African Swine Fever-Reuters Vietnam said it will mobilize its military and police forces to help combat the outbreak of African swine fever that has already resulted in the culling of about 4 percent of the country’s pig herd.

Vietnam Intensifies Crackdown on Online Dissent: Amnesty Report-Reuters Vietnam has stepped up its imprisonment of political activists, Amnesty International said in a report on Monday, intensifying a crackdown that has seen the number of prisoners of conscience increase by almost a third since last year.

Long-awaited bridge in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta to be inaugurated this weekend-Tuoi Tre It is now only a few days to the inauguration of a long-awaited bridge in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, whose construction lasted more than five and a half years due to repeated delays.

This week’s new digest was curated by Anvy Tran.