China’s construction on islands in disputed East Sea areas is “unwarranted provocation”, Malaysian armed forces chief Zulkefli Mohd Zin said at a security forum in Beijing on October 18.
A runway China built illegally on the Fiery Cross Reef in the East Sea (Photo: AFP)
China’s construction on islands in disputed East Sea areas is “unwarranted provocation”, Malaysian armed forces chief Zulkefli Mohd Zin said at a security forum in Beijing on October 18.
He said China gave assurances that the construction was for civilian purposes and maritime research and to facilitate safe navigation, but time would tell what China’s intentions really were.
On October 17, Malaysian news agency Bernama quoted the country’s Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein as saying at the sixth Xiangshan Forum in Beijing that Malaysia remained convinced that a Code of Conduct (COC) was the best way to govern competing territorial claims over the East Sea.
He called for intensified consultations to ensure the expeditious establishment of an effective COC, adding that such efforts would be essential when ensuring proper management of vital sea lanes and open skies.
He also reiterated Malaysia’s viewpoint that problems in the East Sea should be resolved peacefully through multilateral platforms.-VNA
The Vietnam Embassy in New Zealand and the Centre for Defence and Security Studies under the University of Massey co-organised a talk on the tension in the East Sea in Wellington on October 12.
China’s activities in the so-called Sansha city have no legal foundation and do not change the fact that Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago belongs to Vietnam.
Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh said ASEAN and China should put in place cooperative mechanisms to realise their commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea and in the region.
Recent tensions in the East Sea, disputes over sea and island sovereignty, and the employment of international law were discussed at a recent seminar in Lorient, in France’s Bretagne region.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.
VAMAF President Datuk Shaharuddin Omar shared the plan at the association’s 103rd anniversary ceremony, noting support from the Vietnam Veterans Association. The initiative is expected to open new markets for Malaysian Halal products and improve livelihoods for its members.
A runway China built illegally on the Fiery Cross Reef in the East Sea (Photo: AFP)
