Cambodia increases power import capacity in order to improve flexibility
Cambodia's energy minister said that the country plans to increase its capacity to import cleaner power from Laos and Vietnam, as well as Thailand, by more than 600 Megawatts. This is a 50% increase over current agreements. Keo Rottanak noted that the move could boost interconnections in Southeast Asia and provide more options for diversifying power supply in the face of rising hydropower volatility due to weather-related interruptions.
ASEAN Adopts Oil Spill Contingency Plan
International Maritime Organization (IMO) technical assistance and institutional support has been instrumental in the recent adoption of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan.IMO said that the plan was adopted by the 24th ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting, held in Bangkok, Thailand (8 November). The Regional Oil Spill Contingency Plan…
Petronas Sets Up Team for Renewables Push
Malaysian state-owned oil and gas firm Petroliam Nasional Berhad, or Petronas, has set up a new business within the group to make a push into renewable energy, the head of the new venture said on Tuesday.Petronas has expressed interest over the last year to diversify into renewables amid low oil prices. In March, Chief Executive Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin said Petronas will explore new…
Gunvor Executive Charged by Chinese Prosecutors
Chinese prosecutors have charged an employee of Swiss commodity trader Gunvor Group who has been held for a year for allegedly smuggling fuel and evading taxes on sales from the Philippines, according to a legal document viewed by Reuters. In May last year, Chinese authorities seized a tanker and detained several people as part of a probe into suspected tax evasion on imported oil.
China Won't Cease Building on S. China Sea Isles
China said on Sunday it will continue to build military and civilian facilities on its artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea and the United States was testing it by sending warships through the area. "Building and maintaining necessary military facilities, this is what is required for China's national defence and for the protection of those islands and reefs," Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told a news conference in Kuala Lumpur.
U.S.: Stronger Response in South China Sea Needed
By releasing video of Beijing's island reclamation work and considering more assertive maritime actions, the United States is signaling a tougher stance over the South China Sea and trying to spur Asian partners to more action. The release last week of the surveillance plane footage - showing dredgers and other ships busily turning remote outcrops into islands with runways and harbors…
U.S., China clash over disputed South China Sea
The United States and China clashed over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea on Saturday, as China's foreign minister asserted its sovereignty to reclaim reefs saying its determination to protect its interests is "as hard as a rock". After a private meeting with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi showed no sign of backing down despite Kerry urging China to take action to reduce tension in the South China Sea.
Vietnam, Australia Call for South China Sea 'Restraint'
Vietnam and Australia called on Wednesday for "self-restraint" in the South China Sea and warned against the unilateral use of force, an obvious reference to China's increasingly aggressive presence that has stirred concerns across the disputed region. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met Australian counterpart Tony Abbott in Canberra, where they will sign a deal on issues including security and climate change.
China Coal Tariff Sends Message to Cut Supply
The Australian coal industry response to China's decision to impose tariffs on imports was rapid and predictable, and ultimately shows the sector is still suffering from reality denial. The decision by Beijing to levy a duty of 6 percent on thermal coal and 3 percent on coking coal imports from Oct. 15 certainly is yet another blow to Australia's already beleaguered coal miners. They will suffer disproportionately as the tariffs won't affect shipments from rival Indonesia…
Prices Fall as China Announces Import Levies
China import levies to start Oct. 15; Newcastle November coal down $1.10 at $64.50. Thermal coal prices fell on Thursday after China announced it will impose a levy on coal imports from next week. Australian cargoes for delivery from its Newcastle terminal in November were trading at $64.50 a tonne on Thursday afternoon, down $1.10 since their last close and near to five-year lows.
Manila Urges Unity in China Sea Dispute
The Philippines is pushing for a meeting among four Southeast Asian nations with conflicting claims to waters in the South China Sea so that they can hammer out a common stand in dealings with China, Manila's foreign minister said on Friday. Manila is waging a territorial dispute with China over the Spratlys and the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, an area believed to be rich in oil and natural gas deposits as well as fisheries resources.
White House Urges Dialogue, Not Intimidation In China Rig Dispute
The White House said on Wednesday that a dispute between China and Vietnam that erupted within days of President Barack Obama's visit to Asia to address regional tensions needs to be resolved with dialogue, not intimidation. While the United States was not a party to the dispute, White House spokesman Jay Carney said Obama had repeatedly stressed on his trip last month the need for peaceful dialogue on various disputes involving China and the South China Sea.
Sea Row Not A Problem Between China And ASEAN Says Beijing
The South China Sea dispute is not a problem between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China opposes certain member states trying to use it to sow discord, its foreign ministry said. Southeast Asian foreign ministers voiced "serious concerns" on Saturday over naval clashes between Vietnam and China as the regional group's top official urged Beijing to step up efforts to advance talks on maritime security.
