The Asia Cable | Nick Ayrton (孔澜岳) | Substack

Asia Daily

Asia Daily: January 28, 2026

China and Russia to bolster defense ties to counter risks.

7 hrs ago • Alex Gintz (林大可） and Nick Ayrton (孔澜岳)

Asia Daily: January 27, 2026

China close to opening $10 billion canal linking heartlands to Southeast Asia.

Jan 27 • Alex Gintz (林大可） and Nick Ayrton (孔澜岳)

Asia Daily: January 26, 2026

China probes senior military officials Zhang Youxia, Liu Zhenli for suspected serious discipline, law violations.

Jan 26 • Alex Gintz (林大可） and Nick Ayrton (孔澜岳)

Asia Daily: January 23, 2026

Xi signs order to promulgate regulations on military theory work.

Jan 23 • Alex Gintz (林大可） and Nick Ayrton (孔澜岳)

Asia Daily: January 22, 2026

Chinese goods pour into Africa, widening trade gap to record $102 billion amid U.S. pressure.

Jan 22 • Alex Gintz (林大可） and Nick Ayrton (孔澜岳)

Asian Affairs

Chinese Counterterrorism Diplomacy in Afghanistan: Cooperation or Coercion?

How Beijing uses investment, recognition, and security demands to shape Taliban behavior after the U.S. withdrawal.

Jan 6 • James Andrew Calderon

Voices From Expo 25: Inside an Imperfect Showcase

With outages, infestations, and language gaps, Expo 25 wavers between mismanagement and marvel, its promise kept alive by people who still show up.

Nov 6, 2025 • Nattan Casey Plewissara

Hello From Expo 25: Connection, Culture & Co-Being

A World Expo is a place where all nations come together and present their latest innovations and celebrate their cultural uniqueness.

Oct 6, 2025 • Nattan Casey Plewissara

Governing AI in a Fractured World: The U.S.-China Trust Dilemma

Mistrust between Washington and Beijing leaves global AI risks unchecked.

Sep 12, 2025 • Liam Kierans

China Labels Qatar Ties “Golden” Despite Regional Constraints

Qatar's peculiar position in Gulf affairs keeps China ties practical rather than strategic.

Aug 11, 2025 • Alex Gintz (林大可）

Perspectives

Examining the Saudi-Pakistan Defense Pact

A symbolic move against Washington without genuine mutual defense.

Dec 17, 2025 • Sapna

Where Is the China-GCC Free Trade Agreement?

China’s pursuit of a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council is in its third decade, and Beijing is ramping up calls for Gulf states to…

Dec 15, 2025 • Alex Gintz (林大可）

The Myth of Benevolent French Colonial Rule in India

India’s overlooked colonizer wasn’t as gentle as remembered.

Oct 24, 2025 • Sapna

The Art of Living With Uncertainty in Taiwan

As tensions with China persist, Taiwan’s people are finding their own balance between preparedness and peace of mind.

Oct 23, 2025 • Liam Kierans

An Opportunity for South Korean Economic Diversification

The great power narrative is misguided.

Oct 15, 2025 • Griffin Grubb

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