Vietnam has shown a major upgrade programme involving the development of artificial islands in the Spratly archipelago. Hanoi has been reclaiming vast expanses of land and developing its outpost in the disputed waters at a speedy pace, a satellite imagery report by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) has found on May 8.
Author: Jonathan Kay
Research Assistant at CSIS Indonesia
Philippine president urges ASEAN to revive stalled Myanmar process
On May 8, during the ASEAN Summit, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated ASEAN’s commitment to accommodate the Myanmar government by showing recognition to accelerate its normalisation process, stressing that “Myanmar is part of the ASEAN family and it is a tragedy when a family member is left out of the family for whatever reason,” he stated during the summit’s Retreat Session.
Philippine president hosts Cambodia–Thailand talks to ease border tensions
On the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Summit, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. convened a trilateral meeting with the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, aiming to ease tension between Thailand and Cambodia.
Vietnam’s Tô Lâm visits India, marks 10 years of strategic partnership
Vietnamese President and the General Secretary of the Communist Party Tô Lâm began a three-day state visit to India on May 6—coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
ASEAN chair seeks access to Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi amid house arrest
The 2026 ASEAN chair, the government of the Philippines, formally requested a “brief access” to Aung San Suu Kyi on May 6, following a report on her transfer to house arrest.
Singapore and New Zealand deepen CSP with trade, defence deals
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid a three-day visit to Singapore from May 3 to 5, meeting Singaporean Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong on May 4 for their inaugural Annual Leaders’ Meeting.
Malaysia condemns Israeli interception of Gaza flotilla
Malaysia strongly condemned the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0—a multinational humanitarian convoy of 70 ships—in international waterways by Israeli authorities on April 29, reaffirming the mission’s primary aims to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza to deliver food and medical supplies.
Southeast Asia Energy Security Series: #1 Indonesia
This content is restricted.
President Prabowo holds a closed cabinet meeting on education, labour and geopolitics
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto summoned ministers and security officials to his private neighbourhood in Hambanlang, Bogor, for a restricted meeting on May 2.
Japan’s PM Takaichi visits Vietnam, deepens strategic partnership
Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae commenced her three-day visit to Hanoi on May 1 at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng.