Southeast Asia • Table.Briefings

December 18th, 2025

Southeast Asia: Chinese automakers expand

Chinese automaker Xpeng Motors is setting up local production in Malaysia. In addition, the autonomous driving start-up Momenta is continuing its expansion across Southeast Asia.

By Leonardo Pape

Interview | History

December 15th, 2025

Ideology: ‘Xi Jinping wants to go back to the international order of the year 1945’

In the current conflict with Japan, the Chinese leadership is repeatedly drawing links to World War II. One reason for this is the Treaty of San Francisco signed in 1951, says Japanese China studies expert Chisako Masuo.

By Angela Köckritz

Feature | Technology

December 9th, 2025

Semiconductors: How China's corporations are relocating their AI training to Southeast Asia

To gain access to powerful chips, Chinese AI companies are training their models in Southeast Asia. The region benefits from technology restrictions against China. But now the USA is easing the export ban on advanced Nvidia chips.

By Jörn Petring

Opinion | ASEAN

November 11th, 2025

Geopolitics: ASEAN’s moment of truth

Southeast Asia is at a turning point: For decades, integration into global trade was the driving force behind growth and development. Today, it makes the region vulnerable – to trade wars, sanctions and geopolitical power games.

By Tan Sri Rebecca Fatimah Sta Maria and Mari Elka Pangestu

News | Southeast Asia

November 4th, 2025

De-escalation: Thailand and Cambodia agree to withdraw heavy weapons

Thailand and Cambodia are working on de-escalating their border conflict. The withdrawal of heavy weapons should take place by the end of the year.

By Redaktion Table

Feature | ASEAN

October 27th, 2025

ASEAN Summit: EU competing for economic partnerships in Southeast Asia

The opportunities for closer cooperation between the EU and countries of Southeast Asia have never been better. At the ASEAN Summit, however, the Europeans are just one partner among many. EU investment in the region is stagnating.

By Leonardo Pape

News | ASEAN

October 26th, 2025

ASEAN summit: USA concludes trade agreements with four Southeast Asian countries

On the fringes of the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, the USA concluded trade agreements with four countries in the region. The heads of state of Thailand and Cambodia signed an extended ceasefire agreement in the presence of Trump.

By Leonardo Pape

Interview | Southeast Asia

October 26th, 2025

Michael Kretschmer: “Germany is tied to the ground like Gulliver”

In this interview, Saxony’s minister president talks about his impressions of his trip to Asia and the lessons learned from the TSMC project in Dresden.

By Fabian Peltsch

Talk of the town | ASEAN

October 23rd, 2025

Summit in Kuala Lumpur: How the trade dispute reveals ASEAN’s fragmentation

The ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur provides a stage for global leadership meetings. However, internal coordination on trade issues is likely to become even more difficult with Trump’s visit. The agenda also includes updating the ASEAN-China trade agreement.

By Leonardo Pape

News | India

October 7th, 2025

Report: World Bank warns of slump in growth in South Asia

The World Bank has lowered its growth forecast for South Asia in 2026 to the lowest level in 25 years. Reasons include the US tariffs on Indian exports. The effects of AI on the labor market are also a factor.

By Fabian Peltsch