Rex Tillerson, the nominee for United States Secretary of State and former ExxonMobil CEO, has made statements suggesting a potential blockade of Chinese access to artificial islands in the South China Sea, which could be interpreted as an act of war by China. This stance reflects a possible hardline approach by the incoming Trump administration towards China, including skepticism towards the 'One China Policy'. The article discusses the implications of such a conflict, noting the economic ties between ASEAN countries and both the US and China, and the potential for regional or wider military engagement. It also highlights the urgency to finalize the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a trade agreement that could counterbalance the economic uncertainties posed by the Trump administration's policies and the demise of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

The article discusses the military capabilities of ASEAN nations, with a focus on Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Singapore. It references the Global Firepower 2016 Ranking, which assesses countries based on various factors such as manpower, equipment, and budget. Indonesia is highlighted as the most powerful military force in ASEAN, surpassing even Australia in the rankings. The article details Indonesia's modern weaponry, including Russian Sukhois and German tanks. Vietnam's military, with its large reserve force and aging Soviet-era equipment, is also discussed, as is Thailand's unique position of having an aircraft carrier without aircraft. Cambodia and Laos are noted as having the weakest military forces in the region. Singapore is mentioned as the top defense spender in ASEAN. The article also touches on historical conflicts and current defense spending among the ASEAN nations.

The article discusses the development of three submarine fibre optic cable projects in five ASEAN member countries, aimed at improving internet speeds and reliability. The projects include the Malaysia-Cambodia-Thailand (MCT) cable, the Singapore-Malaysia-Indonesia SeaX-1 system, and the SEA-US cable connecting Southeast Asia to the United States. The MCT project, a partnership between Ezecom, Telekom Malaysia, and Symphony Communications, will benefit Cambodia significantly by providing high-speed internet. The SeaX-1 project, constructed by Huawei Marine Works and operated by Super Sea Cable Networks, will cater to the increasing bandwidth demand. The SEA-US cable, involving multiple companies including PT. Telkom and Globe Telecom, will be the first direct link between Indonesia and the US. Additionally, PT. Telkom has contracted NEC for the Indonesia Global Gateway Cable System to connect Indonesian cities and Singapore. The article also provides a snapshot of the current internet landscape in the ASEAN region, noting improvements in internet speeds and access.

The Philippines is poised to become a significant producer of energy-efficient trains with the development of a hybrid electric train by the Department of Science and Technology’s Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC). The train, which began development in 2013 and costs P120 million (US$2.5 million), is more fuel-efficient than traditional diesel trains and has been tested at the PNR Tutuban station. It is expected to service the PNR Southrail route after further testing. The DOST has previously developed other train projects, and local companies, including PNR and MRail, have shown interest in the hybrid electric train. Southeast Asia has limited train manufacturing capabilities, with most countries importing from China, Germany, or forming joint ventures. The Philippines, with increased infrastructure spending and the potential for local train production, could join the ranks of ASEAN train producers.