The varying levels of US tariffs could see investors move away from the likes of Vietnam and Cambodia and turn to countries like Singapore and Philippines, economists told CNA.

In many ways, this ought to be Indonesia’s moment. Against a backdrop of escalating geo-economic competition between the US and China, Southeast Asia’s biggest economy has longstanding ties to America and more recently has welcomed large-scale Chinese investment.

Indonesia is preparing to begin shipping durians to China, the world’s largest market for the fruit where Vietnam and Thailand are currently the top suppliers.

The legal changes are a sign of Jakarta’s increasing concern about the potential for conflict in the region, especially over Taiwan.

The potential purchase of F-16 jets by the Philippines from the United States does not harm the interests of any third party, including China, a Philippine security official said on Thursday. National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan Malaya assured China the planned acquisition is not intended as a threat to any nation and is merely part of the Philippines' efforts to modernize its military.

Indonesia wants to construct a giant sea wall that stretches 700 kilometers along the coast of Banten to East Java’s Gresik.

Beijing’s outreach builds relationships with prominent Muslim organizations, while influencing the narratives about China’s treatment of its own Muslim minorities.