Subsea Connectivity Boost: China Telecom has completed the landing of the Asia Link Cable (ALC) at Chung Hom Kok in Hong Kong, a 6,200km system linking Hong Kong/Hainan to Singapore and branching to the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia, with capacity above 325 Tbps—aimed to raise the Hong Kong–Singapore route’s bandwidth. ASEAN Energy Push: ASEAN’s Cebu summit kept momentum on energy security, including moves toward an ASEAN petroleum security agreement and talk of a regional fuel reserve—while airlines adjust to volatile jet fuel costs, with Cathay Pacific cutting surcharges from 16 May. Brunei-Linked Regional Ties: China signals deeper China–Brunei cooperation, including energy collaboration, as high-level visits continue. Regional Business Calendar: The Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship is set to be spotlighted at BusinessWorld Economic Forum 2026. Local Angle (Elsewhere): Malaysia’s growth outlook is projected at 4.4% in 2026, but risks from conflict and trade tensions remain.