Maria Siow: Latest Articles, Analysis and Profile | South China Morning Post
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Maria Siow
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Senior Correspondent, Asia
Maria Siow is a long-time China-based correspondent and analyst with keen interest in East Asia. Maria has a masters degree in international relations.
Maria Siow is a long-time China-based correspondent and analyst with keen interest in East Asia. Maria has a masters degree in international relations.
Areas of Expertise:Chinese foreign relations, Asian affairs, China’s public diplomacy
Languages Spoken: English, Mandarin
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Why Ukraine’s Patriot missile request may be a step too far for Japan
Agreeing to Kyiv’s co-production proposal risks triggering a backlash from Beijing and Moscow, analysts say.
17 Jul 2026 - 7:00AM
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Australia, Fiji and now New Zealand: a new Pacific alliance takes shape
Wellington’s bid to join the pact flags a hard-security pivot, but analysts ask if such treaties serve Pacific societies’ best interests.
15 Jul 2026 - 3:45PM
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Malaysia’s US$500 million warship set for delivery, minus the missiles
The navy’s first littoral combat ship is arriving later this year without the anti-ship missiles meant to give it offensive teeth.
15 Jul 2026 - 2:56PM
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Pakistan rattles India with new Chinese-built stealth submarine
Half a century after a bruising naval defeat, Pakistan is signalling it can again challenge India on its eastern flank.
28 Jun 2026 - 12:00PM
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‘Senseless’: US military command rebrand risks damaging India ties
Eight years after ‘Indo’ was added to signal India’s importance, analysts say its removal points to a shift in Washington’s priorities.
24 Jun 2026 - 7:30PMvideocam
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How Japan seeks to win over allies by refuting China’s claims of militarism
Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi questions the accuracy of China’s military spending data, contrasting it with Japan’s transparent approach.
23 Jun 2026 - 4:47PMvideocam
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Did Myanmar-China talks spawn a more emboldened junta?
China and India have been jostling for influence in Myanmar as the Asean member remains embroiled in civil war.
22 Jun 2026 - 6:35PM
Trump called Canada a freerider. This Pacific naval push is Ottawa’s reply
Ottawa is fielding its largest military contingent in years at the Rimpac drills. Whether it can sustain the commitment is another matter.
22 Jun 2026 - 8:01AMvideocam
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3 killed, no apology: the strike straining India-US relations
Instead of showing remorse, Washington ordered New Delhi to obey its blockade, stoking public outrage.
17 Jun 2026 - 4:19PMvideocam
Takaichi’s G7 mission: bridge Trump-bloc divides, polish ‘Iron Lady’ image
The Japanese leader also proposed a strategic mineral stockpiling plan during the summit to counter China and boost Tokyo’s global role.
16 Jun 2026 - 5:38PMvideocam
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Japan adds Indonesia to its ‘network of navies’ after Australia, Philippines
By exporting warships, analysts say Tokyo is sidestepping military pacts to bind partners through shared hardware.
14 Jun 2026 - 8:17AM
Why Bangladesh’s new PM is visiting Malaysia and China before India
Analysts view the decision to prioritise Kuala Lumpur and Beijing as practical rather than a direct snub of New Delhi.
13 Jun 2026 - 1:30PMvideocam
As Putin courts Southeast Asia, does ‘Russia need Asean more’?
Southeast Asia needs energy. Russia needs friends. Next week’s summit in Kazan could offer opportunities for both sides.
9 Jun 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam
Past failures haunt the Quad’s US$20 billion critical minerals push
The initiative aims to break China’s near-monopoly, but private-sector caution and a history of unfulfilled pledges stand in the way.
6 Jun 2026 - 1:00PMvideocam
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Quad’s proposed port project in Fiji risks being ‘another empty promise’
Analysts warn that a lack of commitment by the four-member bloc on the project could open the door for China to expand its economic clout.
5 Jun 2026 - 5:58PM
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Is New Zealand a ‘freeloader’? Wellington rebuffs Hegseth’s Shangri-La remark
Analysts say the US defence secretary’s taunts ring hollow given Washington’s own record of undermining alliance obligations.
3 Jun 2026 - 4:44PM
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Why India is rolling out welcome mat for Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing
The military leader’s first presidential trip to New Delhi signals pragmatic engagement as India moves to counter rising Chinese influence.
2 Jun 2026 - 8:12AM
Myanmar’s China-backed mega dam revival risks Kachin rebel backlash
Restarting the shelved US$3.6 billion Myitsone Dam project could ultimately come down to Beijing’s ‘risk tolerance’.
1 Jun 2026 - 8:00AM
Russia’s military activity has Japan fearing a dual-front war
Japan scrambled its fighter jets 448 times in nine months last year. Most of the intercepts involved Russian or Chinese aircraft.
30 May 2026 - 11:25AMvideocam
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Marcos’ historic Japan trip: what will Philippine leader seek from Takaichi?
Japan is a key counterweight for the Philippines to deal with its maritime challenges in the South China Sea, analysts say.
26 May 2026 - 6:23PMvideocam
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Budget cuts leave Thailand’s twin-sea navy at risk of falling behind
With submarine projects stalled and frigate funding cut, Thailand’s fleet risks being outpaced by regional rivals.
24 May 2026 - 8:00AM
Japan, South Korea hone diplomatic ‘muscle memory’ amid Taiwan worries
Energy security and supply chains topped the summit’s formal agenda. The subtext was a fear of ‘alliance abandonment’, analysts say.
21 May 2026 - 6:50AMvideocam
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Did US restrictions sink Malaysia’s US$147 million Norway missile deal?
Analysts say US-controlled parts may have been a factor in Norway’s revoked export licences, underscoring risks for Asian defence buyers.
21 May 2026 - 3:24PM
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Indonesia’s oil hub pitch collides with Asean’s trust deficit
Joint energy security is easy to endorse in principle, yet the bloc has a stubborn record of leaving its emergency frameworks untouched.
19 May 2026 - 3:13PM
Bangladesh turns to China for Teesta river project, testing India ties
Bangladesh’s new prime minister has formally asked China to help with a long-delayed river project near the sensitive Siliguri Corridor.
16 May 2026 - 1:30PM
Philippines pitches Asean maritime hub despite ‘big red elephant in the room’
Can a Philippine-led maritime hub succeed? Observers say the plan touches on a dispute other members are loath to broach.
13 May 2026 - 4:14PMvideocam
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‘Tentative step’: Asean weighs bringing Myanmar back into the fold
Virtual talks may offer a ‘sensible middle ground’ for reconciliation after Myanmar’s years in the political wilderness, analysts say.
12 May 2026 - 5:07PMvideocam
Myanmar’s military rulers hire Trump ally for US$50,000 a month to lobby Washington
Roger Stone has been commissioned to rebuild relations with the US, though analysts doubt Myanmar can escape its pariah status.
7 May 2026 - 4:13PM
Vietnam, India seek closer ties to hedge against dependence on superpowers
President To Lam’s agenda during his visit to New Delhi is expected to include a deal for Vietnam to buy India’s BrahMos missiles.
7 May 2026 - 4:35PM
Bound by anxiety: Japan and Australia deepen ties for an uneasy age
Shared concerns about trade coercion and energy shocks are driving the two middle powers to ‘institutionalise’ their partnership.
6 May 2026 - 12:25PM
Related Topics
South China SeaAseanSouth KoreaMyanmarJapanMalaysiaThe PhilippinesIndonesiaIndiaNew Zealand