Asia - South China Morning Post

South Korea’s growing role as a key arms supplier to the Philippines has taken another step forward, with Hanwha Systems set to provide the “brain” that will run two of the Philippine Navy’s next-generation warships.

The South Korean defence manufacturer said on Wednesday that it had secured a US$27.7 million contract to supply combat management systems (CMS) and tactical data links for two 3,200-tonne frigates being built for the Philippine Navy.

A CMS integrates a warship’s sensors, weapons...

Canada’s transport regulator has asked Air India to investigate an ‍incident of a pilot reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol and failing two breathalyser tests, a person familiar with the matter said.

The tests were conducted by Canadian police at Vancouver International Airport after the pilot was asked ⁠to leave the aircraft, the person said.

The incident was labelled as a “serious matter” by Transport Canada in a letter to Air India and authorities are likely to pursue...

After Singaporean singer JJ Lin seemingly soft-launched his romance with Chinese influencer Annalisa Qi Qi in a family photo posted on social media Instagram on Monday, internet users have been wasting no time hazarding guesses on the who, what, when, where and how of the 44-year-old’s love life.

Lin took to social media on Wednesday to provide a recap of an eventful 2025, including difficult moments where his private life was scrutinised.

He started by acknowledging the end of the year as well...

An appearance by the teenage daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at a sacred palace has renewed scrutiny on whether she is being groomed for succession in the secretive regime.

Kim Ju-ae, believed to be around 13 years old, made her first recorded visit on Thursday to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the holiest site in the country dedicated to its hereditary rule, sparking speculation she could receive an official title at a coming party congress.

While some observers see her prominent...

Malaysia welcomed 2026 with tougher anti-littering enforcement, as New Year’s Eve celebrations saw less waste in the capital amid expanded efforts to keep the country clean.

About 3.2 tonnes of rubbish were scooped up from three major hotspots in Kuala Lumpur – Dataran Merdeka, the KLCC area and Bukit Bintang – after the countdown, according to waste contractor Alam Flora.

The figure marked an 11 per cent drop from the 3.6 tonnes collected a year earlier, officials said.

Prime Minister Anwar...

Singapore’s pharmaceutical and electronic manufacturers powered the economy in the final three months of 2025, pushing full-year growth to the fastest since its rebound from the pandemic despite fears of a shock from President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Gross domestic product last quarter grew 5.7 per cent from the same period a year ago, according to an advance estimate on Friday from the Ministry of Trade and Industry. That compares with a 6.3 per cent median estimate in a Bloomberg survey and...

International visitors to Sabah found a treat waiting for them when they landed in Kota Kinabalu – Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) has kicked off.

Those interviewed expressed excitement at learning more about this campaign, which will see a host of festivals, concerts and international sporting events in the coming months.

A couple and their mother from Tianjin, China, were pleased to hear that 2026 is a special tourism year for Malaysia.

“We will check out what lies ahead in this Visit Malaysia...

In his new year message, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un praised troops fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine, a move observers said pointed to Pyongyang’s intention to sustain and deepen military cooperation with Moscow into 2026.

The emphasis on Russia came as Seoul and Beijing confirmed plans for a state visit next week, with analysts noting that North Korean state media played down Chinese President Xi Jinping’s new year greeting while highlighting Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s message in...

We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering global relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.

1. EU fears China’s role in Russia’s war on Ukraine is deepening

European officials were parsing evidence of an increase in battlefield weapons being shipped from China to Russia as Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine prepared to drag into its fifth year, adding to the well-documented flow of goods with...

A Thai fortune-teller was arrested in Pattaya on Thursday after being accused of telling a client she would soon face bad luck and lose a valuable possession on New Year’s Day, then allegedly making good on the prophecy by stealing her phone.

The suspect, identified by local media as Udomsap Mueangkaew, 38, allegedly denied the theft when confronted by the woman but told her the loss proved the accuracy of his fortune-telling.

Local news outlet Khaosod reported that Udomsap, shabbily dressed,...