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East Timor

East Timor
The latest news, analysis and opinion on East Timor. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Japanese-American artist Ei Arakawa-Nash holds two of the 208 baby dolls that are part of their exhibition “Grass Babies, Moon Babies” at the 2026 Venice Biennale’s Japan Pavilion. Photo: Uli Holz
Art

How Asian artists at the 2026 Venice Biennale are making their voices heard

Using everything from baby dolls to tapestries, Asian artists’ perspectives are strongly reflected in a number of memorable exhibitions.

Indonesia

Police raids reveal Indonesia as new hub for scam, gambling syndicates

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Myanmar

‘Tentative step’: Asean weighs bringing Myanmar back into the fold

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Myanmar

East Timor triggers Asean first, accuses Myanmar of war crimes

East Timor’s laws allow its domestic courts to investigate and potentially prosecute serious international crimes regardless of where they were committed.

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East Timor’s President Jose Ramos-Horta during an interview with The Associated Press in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 27 last year. Photo: AP
Asean

Just 1 visa to rule them all? How European-style pass could help Asean tourism

While Asean members such as Malaysia and Vietnam have shown strong post-pandemic growth, tourist numbers have lagged in the Philippines.

Asean

Asian Angle | To win the future, Southeast Asia must rewrite its industrial rule book

Success relies on five key pillars, including deeper regional coordination and targeted industrial upgrading.

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Asean

Opinion | In its year under Malaysia, Asean tried to set systemic reform in motion

Despite grumbles about loss of focus and misgivings about the longevity of new networks, Malaysia, ironically, perhaps didn’t go far enough.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hands the gavel over to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr at the closing ceremony of the 47th Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 28. The Philippines takes over as Asean chair on January 1. Photo: Xinhua
Asean

Asean unifies under single extradition treaty to fight organised crime

The treaty is expected to plug major cooperation gaps by creating uniform rules across a region struggling with cybercrime and trafficking.

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Thailand

Exclusive | Thailand’s top diplomat calls for Asean to rethink non-interference principle

In an exclusive interview, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow argues Asean’s consensus model needs reform amid US-China rivalry.

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Asean

Opinion | East Timor’s membership marks a new chapter for Asean

Dili can bolster Asean’s diplomatic outreach and action on shared concerns, while other members can lend a hand in East Timor’s development.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Indonesia

Outcry as Suharto named Indonesia’s national hero despite rights abuse claims

The new title has sparked wider concerns about historical revisionism in the country under Suharto’s former son-in-law, Prabowo.

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Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (right) gives a placard to Suharto’s daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana and son Bambang Trihatmodjo. Photo: EPA
Asean

Philippines courts East Timor as new South China Sea ally in Asean

Next year’s Asean chair has shown interest in formalising defence cooperation with the latest member of the 11-nation bloc.

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Asean

Opinion | Manila’s biggest challenge as next Asean chair? Staying neutral

The Philippines’ challenge, given its assertive South China Sea policy, is to keep the bloc out of great power politics.

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Asean

Opinion | How China and Asean can ensure their upgraded pact is truly win-win

Beijing must assuage Southeast Asian concerns about its power while Asean leaders can benefit from a more multidimensional view of China.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Indonesia

Indonesia’s surprise Portuguese push: diplomatic ploy or educational priority?

Some say Portuguese learning ‘makes sense’ near East Timor, but experts warn that rolling it out nationwide could take over a decade.

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Children waves national flags as Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (right) and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto arrive at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on October 23. Photo: Ricardo Stuckert/Pr/Agencia Brazil/dpa
Asean

Editorial | East Timor’s journey to Asean membership can be source of inspiration

Asia’s youngest country has come a long way from war and occupation to increased investment and strong relationships with its neighbours.

Asean

Could East Timor be new ally for Philippines as Manila prepares to chair Asean?

Dili and Manila could work together in trade, infrastructure development, conservation and the maritime Code of Conduct, analysts say.

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Asean

‘This is history’: tears as East Timor completes journey into Asean

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao called Dili’s inclusion ‘a powerful affirmation of our journey, marked by resilience and hope’.

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East Timor’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao (centre) is presented with a document stating that his country has joined Asean by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (left) and the bloc’s Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn during a summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Asean

Thailand, Cambodia sign ceasefire pact as Trump hails his peacemaking skills

Host Malaysia signs deal granting US access to rare earths, while American president tells Asean he is with the bloc ‘100 per cent’.

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Asean

Trump jets in to preside over Thai-Cambodia peace deal spectacle at Asean summit

Observers warn the US president’s focus on the spectacle of the ‘Kuala Lumpur Accords’ risks impeding their lasting implementation.

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Asean

Exclusive | From ‘hell’ to Asean: East Timor’s president talks growth, China and the future

Jose Ramos-Horta on Asean accession, geopolitical ‘war’ and the ‘nonsense’ claims of Chinese control over East Timor’s largest port.

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East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta during his interview with This Week in Asia at the presidential palace in Dili on Thursday. Photo: Lirio Da Fonseca
Asean

5 things to look out for as Trump jets in for Asean summit

Asean leaders will seek to extract trade and security commitments from Trump, whose unpredictable presence could liven up proceedings.

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US President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One en route to Washington at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on October 19. Photo: Reuters
SCMP Highlights

Evangelista’s wealth under fire, Singaporeans flock to Johor: 7 Asia highlights

From Diwali’s dented gold demand to Asia’s youngest nation poised to join Asean, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Asean

Asia’s youngest nation nears the end of its epic quest to belong

With East Timor finally poised to join the Asean family, its leaders and people are clear-eyed about the hard work ahead.

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Asean

Opinion | Asean’s newest prospective member confronts a Chinese triad threat

A senior official’s claims, backed by a UN report, allege triad gangs from China and Southeast Asia are corrupting East Timor’s democracy.

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Former guerrilla forces hold Timorese flags during a ceremony in 2002 marking East Timor’s independence. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Exclusive | East Timor steps into Asean spotlight amid US-China rivalry

East Timor set to become newest member of Asean bloc, but can it balance relations with its neighbours while safeguarding its own interests?

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and East Timor President José Ramos-Horta (second to left) inspect the honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in July 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE
Asean

Why East Timor is changing its tune on Myanmar’s military junta

East Timor’s diplomatic U-turn comes ahead of an Asean summit next month, where the junta had threatened to block its membership bid.

Asean

Asian Angle | What can East Timor bring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations?

The newest member of the Asean bloc could be its most optimistic, bringing a renewed focus on international law and unity.

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