Sup-SEAkers April #3 – A weekly roundup of news from different regions

Author: Ms. Reaksa Pin, Research Lead, TYS Cambodia
Media Coordinator: Mr. Bun Vattana HENG, Media and Digital Communications Officer, TYS Cambodia

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the People’s Action Party’s awards and convention on Nov 5, 2023. (Credits: CNA)

Lee Hsien Loong to step down as Singapore prime minister in May

After 20 years in office, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long will step down this May 15 to pave way for the fourth generation or “4G” leadership of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP). The PM announced on Monday that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Lawrence Wong, who co-chaired Singapore’s multi-ministry task force tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, will be his successor, and will lead the party into the November 2025 general election.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi is visiting Australia and New Zealand for high-level meetings with officials in both countries. (Credits: Bloomberg)

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi to push belt and road during visits to Indonesia, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, from April 18 to 23, Minister Wang Yi will be on a six-day visit to Indonesia, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea for high-level meetings to step up BRI diplomacy amidst growing strategic competition with the U.S. in the region. Referred to as China’s “good friends and good partners,” China is a top trading partner and source of foreign investment for the three countries. China-Indonesia, and China-Cambodia relationship statuses are at the high level of building a “community of shared destiny;” whereas, China-Papua New Guinea relations have reached the “comprehensive strategic partnership” level.

President Joe Biden and President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines greet Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan in the Blue Room, Thursday, April 11, 2024, before their trilateral meeting in the East Room of the White House.(Credits: The White House)

Philippines says decision to strengthen ties with Japan, US a ‘sovereign choice’

During last week’s trilateral summit at Washington D.C., leaders of the Phillippines, U.S., and Japan jointly expressed their “serious concerns” over China’s actions in the South China Sea, which promoted strong opposition from China as clinging to “the Cold-War mentality,” and “forming exclusive circles” to “stoke tensions.” On Thursday, the Phillippines’ Foreign Ministry released a statement asserting that its decision to strengthen ties with allies was a “sovereign choice” to promote peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, and that China should reflect on its “execessive maritime claims and aggressive behavior.”

Myanmar’s then leader Aung San Suu Kyi delivers a speech during a meeting on implementation of Myanmar Education Development in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, Jan. 28, 2020. (Credits: AP News)

Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi reportedly moved from jail to house arrest

According to VOA’s report, the military government of Myanmar has relocated pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, 78, and former President Win Myint, 72, on Tuesday from prisons in Naypyitaw and Taungoo to house arrest. The government spokesperson said it is to protect their aging health from the scorching heatwave, which is around 40 C. Observers see the move as an attempt to appease the public amidst increasing attacks by armed rebel forces.

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Sup SEAkers is a weekly roundup of news from different regions that aims to inform and educate the general public. Follow us every Sunday to stay updated about what happens in our region. This week, we are highlighting four major news that happened in ASEAN.