US-China trade war, sea row in ASEAN summit spotlight

13 Sept 12:24 Key points summarised by AI

ASEAN leaders commit to finalizing a major regional trade pact (RCEP) this year, aiming to counter the economic risks posed by the protracted US-China trade war and rising protectionism.
The summit will intensely focus on South China Sea territorial disputes, especially after a Chinese vessel sank a Philippine boat, prompting Philippine President Duterte to challenge China's expansive claims.
Discussions will also address the complex issue of repatriating over 700,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees, a crisis that has drawn significant criticism regarding ASEAN's effectiveness.

Detained Suu Kyi receives UK royal package: Myanmar govt

Today 03:08 Key points summarised by AI

Myanmar's detained Nobel laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, received a package from Britain's King Charles III, which included two gardening books, a sealed envelope, and diplomatic communication.
The event marked the first release of images of Suu Kyi in two months and saw Myanmar authorities describe her as a "special female prisoner" for the first time.
Suu Kyi, who was deposed in a 2021 military coup that triggered an ongoing civil war, remains under house arrest on charges that rights groups contend are politically motivated.