ASEAN Monitor (2/2025). During the visit of the New Zealand Prime Minister to Hanoi, the status of bilateral relations was raised to a comprehensive strategic partnership. In the context of Vietnam, it is also worth noting the approval by the parliament of a plan to build a railway line to China worth over USD 8 billion, which will be partially financed by Chinese loans. The first decisions of the Donald Trump administration were met with concern from Vietnam and Thailand in the context of the specter of imposing new tariffs that will reduce the American trade deficit. In turn, Malaysia and Indonesia have announced their opposition to the US president's plans for the Gaza Strip. Download the entire February briefing along with commentary here.
ASEAN Monitor (1/2025). One of the most high-profile events in early 2025 was Indonesia joining BRICS, becoming the first Southeast Asian country in the group. Everything indicates that Malaysia and Thailand may soon join as well, as they expressed such a desire in 2024. From a Polish perspective, an event worth noting was the first visit of the Prime Minister of Vietnam since 2007, which took place on the occasion of the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of official diplomatic relations. Also noteworthy is the continued escalation of tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, despite the holding of the 10th meeting of the bilateral cooperation mechanism. Download the entire January news release along with commentary here.
