The Unusual Appointment of Vietnam’s New Minister of Industry and Trade
Le Hong Hiep
Nguyen Hong Dien’s personal links and his expected support for General Secretary Trong’s agendas may explain his rise to the top of the economic super-ministry.
Articles
Vietnam’s State Reshuffles: Subtle Appointments
Ha Hoang Hop|Lye Liang Fook
The 11th plenary session of Vietnam’s 14th National Assembly has largely re-affirmed the outcomes of the 13th Party Congress. There are, however, subtle appointments that are worthy of note.
Singapore Businesses In Myanmar: Navigating the Choppy Waters of Political Turmoil
Su-Ann Oh
The coup in Myanmar has compounded problems for Singapore firms operating there. But they appear to be battening down the hatches to ride out the political storm.
Free Falling, Myanmar’s Post-coup Economy
Romain Caillaud
Myanmar’s military presented the 1 February coup as good for business, but the opposite is true.
Bon Voyage, Maybe: An ASEAN Digital Vaccine Passport
Giselle Lee|Quah Say Jye
ASEAN plans for a digital vaccine passport will likely fall flat without institutional adjustment, while sub-regional alternatives could hurt ASEAN unity.
Facing the Ire of 1.4 Billion Chinese Consumers: Cottoning on to Supply Chain Risks
Xiaojun Li
Chinese consumers’ boycott of Western fashion brands for their position on cotton sourced from Xinjiang is a sequel to a long-running series of actions against foreign companies. Southeast Asian firms should take note, and act accordingly.
International Law Matters in the South China Sea
Aristyo Rizka Darmawan
China is trying to rewrite international law in the South China Sea.
Myanmar’s Armed Groups and the Military Coup: Involvement or Not?
Andrew Ong
Despite calls for them to get involved in a wider resistance against the Tatmadaw, Myanmar’s ethnic armed groups are not casting their lots in yet. They have ample reasons for not doing so.
Covid-19 and ASEAN: Facilitating Trade in Perishable Goods
Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy
Fulfilling their WTO obligations will expedite perishable goods trade among ASEAN member states.
Jokowi Speaks Out on Myanmar
Leo Suryadinata
In response to Myanmar’s coup, the Jokowi administration is reverting to Indonesia’s traditional leadership role in ASEAN.