South East Asia

by Lisa Bongiovanni | CAMBODIA

For Prime Minister Hun Manet, it is a ‘significant gift’ from Cambodia to the world and a symbol of ‘memory, reconciliation and justice’. The sites include the M-13 prison, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) and the Choeung Ek Genocide Centre. The decision was taken during the 47th session of the Committee in Paris.


The government has approved a plan to cap rail fares at 20 baht (US$ 0.60) in the capital's metropolitan area. The aim is to encourage motorists to use public transport. The price applies only to Thai citizens, not foreigners. This represents savings of just under US$ 310 million.

| 08/07/2025
| THAILAND
by Gregory

The World Bank has forecast a 2.5% contraction in GDP, while direct damage is estimated at billion. Religious groups continue to bring aid to the population, but poverty, already over 30% before the quake, is likely to increase further. The testimony of those who lost their homes and continue to live in tents.

| 07/07/2025
| MYANMAR

In the second quarter of 2025, Vietnam's GDP grew by 7.96 per cent thanks to booming exports. The new trade agreement with the US has improved the climate of confidence, but transhipped goods from China risk affecting the entire regional production chain.

| 05/07/2025
| VIETNAM – UNITED STATES – CHINA

An investigation by Finance Uncovered has revealed that almost US$ 40 million from state development funds from the United Kingdom, Norway and Denmark have been invested in a company that operates digital surveillance infrastructure and technologies in Myanmar. The accusations involve software developed in China used to intercept communications, block VPNs, and monitor users. After the 2021 coup d'état, these systems have allowed the military to expand its control over the Internet.

| 04/07/2025
| MYANMAR
by Joseph Masilamany

At least 36 men between the ages of 25 and 35 have been arrested in a series of operations against the terrorist network launched in April in the country. The militants recruited new recruits via WhatsApp, with rituals and oaths.

| 04/07/2025
| MALAYSIA - BANGLADESH

The promoters of the moralising campaign are Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman and Kidapawan Mayor Jose Paolo ‘Pao’ Evangelista. The bans concern the use of promoting one's image on projects and initiatives financed with public funds. A ‘no gifts’ policy has also been applied in government offices.

| 03/07/2025
| PHILIPPINES
Editor's choices
 
by Dario Salvi
The founder of the Religious Freedom Data Center views settler attacks as a “disturbing development”. Israeli ministers and police legitimising it is worrying. A Judeo-centric ideology has “taken root”, but minority rights are ...
| 10/07/2025
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE
 
In the Upper House elections scheduled for 20 July, the ultra-nationalist party founded by Kamiya Sohei is trailing just behind the Liberal Democrats in the polls, who are at risk of losing their majority. Anti-globalists, opposed to LGBTQ+ rights and ...
| 10/07/2025
| JAPAN
 
According to anonymous sources, the dissident who publicly challenged "dictator Xi Jinping" in October 2022 and inspired the "blank paper" protest against the zero-COVID policy has been tried and convicted. Human rights groups are calling on Beijing ...
| 09/07/2025
| CHINA
 
The 62-year-old missionary in Bangladesh was elected this morning by the General Assembly underway in Rome. For the next six years, he will lead the institute founded by Bishop Angelo Ramazzotti, now present with 400 missionaries in 20 countries around ...
| 07/07/2025
| ITALY
 
by Alessandra De Poli
Four years after the death of the Jesuit who dedicated his life to defending the land rights of India’s indigenous peoples, the Bagaicha centre, which he founded in the State of Jharkhand, continues to fight for the poor. Despite threats and continuous ...
| 05/07/2025
| INDIA
 
An investigation by Finance Uncovered has revealed that almost US$ 40 million from state development funds from the United Kingdom, Norway and Denmark have been invested in a company that operates digital surveillance infrastructure and technologies ...
| 04/07/2025
| MYANMAR
 
In the anniversary of the former British colony's transition to the People's Republic, the Hong Kong Democracy Council takes stock of the repression. Of the 161 convicted, 102 are still serving prison sentences. On 14 August, Jimmy Lai's ...
| 01/07/2025
| HONG KONG
 
by mons. Pierre Suon Hang Ly *
The new coadjutor apostolic vicar of the Cambodian capital, appointed yesterday by Pope Leo, tells AsiaNews about the challenges facing the tiny local Church reborn after the persecution of the Khmer Rouge, who fifty years ago also killed Msgr. Samar, ...
| 29/06/2025
| ECCLESAI IN ASIA
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”