LANGKAWI, Malaysia (Reuters) - The regional bloc ASEAN and China should make headway on a protracted code of conduct for the South China Sea by tackling thorny "milestone issues", including its scope and if it can be legally binding, the Philippines' top diplomat said on Saturday.

Southeast Asian foreign ministers are gathering for their first meeting this year under the regional bloc’s new chair, Malaysia, seeking a breakthrough over Myanmar’s drawn-out civil war and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

LANGKAWI, Malaysia -- Claims that Donald Trump and key aides have little interest in Southeast Asia are "speculation", the Philippine Foreign Secretary has said in a bid to dampen anxiety in the region two days ahead of the American president-elect's return to the White House.

During the confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for Secretary of Defense, Sen. Tammy Duckworth asked the nominee for factual details about the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including its membership and the U.S.'s relationship with member countries.

The Philippines hopes Asean will put a focus on disaster management and climate change initiatives, as the region grapples with increasing vulnerabilities to natural disasters. Philippine foreign secretary Enrique Manalo said his country was open to discussing Asean mechanisms for disaster response “because on our own,

Singapore’s foreign affairs minister was speaking after the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Langkawi on Jan 18 and 19, the first high-level meeting hosted by Malaysia as the bloc’s 2025 chair.

Manila, Philippines -The vibrant shelves of Filipino grocery stores are set to become even more diverse as Malaysian grocery products rise in popularity.

In a heated Senate confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth, Sen. Tammy Duckworth grilled the proposed defense secretary over the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, asking him if he could name one m

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, was questioned about ASEAN during a heated Senate confirmation and struggled with his response.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since 2021 when its military overthrew the government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

Malaysia hosts first ministerial meeting as ASEAN chair Says hopes should be managed on Myanmar, maritime code ASEAN committed to helping Myanmar find peace, official says LANGKAWI, Malaysia — Southeast Asian foreign ministers hold a closed-doors retreat in Malaysia on Sunday,

Southeast Asian nations told Myanmar's military government on Sunday its plan to hold an election amid an escalating civil war should not be its priority, urging the junta to start dialogue and end hostilities immediately.