China
PLA’s Type 076 drone carrier on fast track to deployment with apparent second sea trial. A large vessel believed to be the Type 076 Sichuan left Hudong–Zhonghua shipyard for a second sea trial two weeks after its first. The ship features an electromagnetic catapult for uncrewed aircraft such as the GJ-11 and could commission by late next year. Reported roles include amphibious operations and power projection amid rising regional tensions. Amber Wang, South China Morning Post, December 2
Senior Chinese diplomat takes swipe at U.S. over deep-sea mining strategy. China’s vice-foreign minister Hua Chunying criticized U.S. deep sea mining plans, saying unilateral regulations erode the “common heritage of humankind” and threaten maritime peace. She urged adherence to international law and Unclos, noting seabed exploitation should await an ISA mining code. Fan Chen, South China Morning Post, December 1
UK’s Starmer warns China poses security threats but urges deeper business ties. Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned China poses ‘national security threats’ to Britain while defending deeper engagement, arguing closer business ties serve the national interest. He called for a ‘serious approach’, neither golden age nor ice age, pledging not to trade security for market access while encouraging exports where risks are limited. Andrew Macaskill, Reuters, December 1
Macron heads to China as Europe walks tightrope between rivalry and reliance. Emmanuel Macron travels to Beijing and Sichuan on Dec. 3–5 to push market access for European firms while Europe weighs tougher trade tools. The trip comes amid Chinese exports pressuring industry, EV tariff fights, and a brandy dispute. Advisers say he will back Taiwan’s status quo. An Airbus mega order appears unlikely during the visit. Michel Rose, Reuters, December 2
Japan
Nippon Steel sees U.S. Steel weak performance as temporary, executive says. Nippon Steel views U.S. Steel’s weak performance as temporary and will proceed with $11 billion in investments to lift the unit’s underlying profit contribution to about ¥250 billion by 2028, vice chairman Takahiro Mori said. The company widened its FY2024 net loss forecast to ¥60 billion after cutting U.S. Steel’s expected profit to zero, citing low prices, a coke works blast and high variable costs. Yuka Obayashi, Katya Golubkova and Ritsuko Shimizu, Reuters, December 1
Japan ruling bloc agrees to cut single-seat constituencies in Lower House. Japan’s ruling LDP and junior coalition partner Japan Innovation Party agreed to cut seats from both single-seat districts and proportional representation, targeting a 10% reduction in the Lower House. They will submit a bill in the current extraordinary session through Dec. 17. A draft plan would trim 25 constituency seats and 20 proportional seats, with automatic enactment if broader electoral reforms stall within a year. Kyodo News, December 1
Japan defense firms saw sales boom in ‘24 as Tokyo eyes end of more export curbs. Sales by Japan’s top defense firms rose 40% in 2024 as Tokyo considers scrapping more curbs on lethal equipment exports to build its defense industrial base. SIPRI said global arms revenues hit $679 billion, up 5.9% year on year. Five Japan based firms MHI, Kawasaki Heavy, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi Electric and NEC posted $13.3 billion in combined arms sales. Jesse Johnson, The Japan Times, December 1
South Korea
South Korea headline inflation at 2.4% y/y, bolstering case for rate pause. Consumer prices rose 2.4% in November from a year earlier, driven by higher food and services costs, keeping inflation above the 2% target for a third month and reinforcing expectations the Bank of Korea will hold rates. The CPI fell 0.2% from October. Agricultural and fishery prices jumped 5.6% as fresh produce surged. Core inflation increased 2.0% year on year. Cynthia Kim, Reuters, December 1
U.S. Commerce chief confirms South Korea’s 15% tariff rate retroactive to November 1. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said tariffs on South Korean imports, including autos, drop to 15% effective Nov. 1 after Seoul introduced legislation tied to $350 billion in U.S. investments. The U.S. will remove airplane-parts tariffs and align Korea’s reciprocal rate with Japan and the EU. Prior duties were 25%. Caps on future chip and pharma tariffs are set at 15%. David Lawder, Reuters, December 1
Lee calls for stronger penalties, punitive damages amid Coupang data breach. President Lee Jae Myung called for tougher penalties and a punitive damages system after the Coupang breach that stole data on nearly 34 million customers. He ordered swift cause finding, strict accountability and full measures to prevent secondary harm, noting the company missed the breach for five months. Police are tracking a former employee suspect, a Chinese national who left Korea. Lee Haye-ah, Yonhap News Agency, December 2
Thailand
Thailand floods hit PM Anutin’s popularity ahead of snap polls. Deadly floods in southern Thailand have killed at least 176 people and exposed a slow government response, battering Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s standing ahead of expected snap polls. A Suan Dusit poll found support dropping to 23% from 48% during the crisis after 630 mm of rain inundated Hat Yai. Anutin apologized for flaws and promised faster recovery efforts. Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chayut Setboonsarng, Reuters, December 1
Pheu Thai denies plan for Dec 11 no-confidence motion. Pheu Thai denied it will file a no-confidence motion on Dec. 11, saying the government should focus on flood relief. Leader Julapun Amornvivat said reports did not originate from the party and any future debate would cover the flood response. A UTN MP dismissed dissolution rumors, and an analyst said dissolution is unlikely during the Dec. 10–11 charter session, suggesting a January Section 152 debate. Aekarach Sattaburuth, Bangkok Post, December 2
Myanmar
Junta sets up committee to expedite China-backed Muse–Mandalay railway. Myanmar’s junta created a 19-member Project Steering Committee on Aug. 30 to accelerate the China-backed Muse–Mandalay railway, a key BRI/CMEC link to the Indian Ocean. Chaired by transport minister Mya Tun Oo, the body will craft negotiation frameworks, court investors, secure concessional financing, form an SPV, and vet agreements, reporting to cabinet. Maung Kavi, The Irrawaddy, December 1
Junta-aligned Karen militia relocating Chinese scam workers to Myanmar cities. Thousands of Chinese nationals linked to online scam syndicates fled Myawaddy to Yangon and Mandalay with assistance from Karen groups BGF, DKBA and KNLA-PC. The junta said it sealed 101 of 135 Shwe Kokko buildings, detained over 2,000 foreigners, and seized computers and phones, and demolished 270 of 635 at KK Park. The Irrawaddy, December 1
Cambodia
Kingdom urged to prepare for ‘war-economy’ challenges. Deputy Prime Minister Vongsey Vissoth said Cambodia must build resilience and diversify partners as great-power rivalry, sanctions, climate shocks and supply-chain weaponisation reshape the global economy. He identified vulnerabilities in geopolitics, economic dependence, technology and multilateral protections, and called for strategic hedging, credible deterrence, and adherence to international law. Ben Sokhean, Khmer Times, December 1
Philippines
Malacañang defends Marcos amid scandals, asserts anti-corruption progress. Malacañang refuted claims Marcos is at his weakest amid corruption scandals. Press Officer Claire Castro said he orders investigations, holds officials accountable, and will face the Independent Commission for Infrastructure if required. She said any move to implicate him must present clear evidence. The Palace pointed to arrests and charges in flood control cases as anti corruption progress, following his directive to probe anomalies. Catherine S. Valente, The Manila Times, December 1
Govt to equip fisherfolk with devices for West Philippine Sea monitoring. The government will provide communication devices to fisherfolk to enable real time reporting of incidents in the West Philippine Sea. Maritime official Andres Centino said limited Navy and Coast Guard assets require community support. The National Maritime Center has begun distributing radios with USAID Fish Right. A wider rollout will cover high tension areas while officials reject claims of militarizing civilians. Franco Jose C. Baroña, The Manila Times, December 1
DPWH exec in flood control mess pleads not guilty. Department of Public Works and Highways Mimaropa maintenance division chief Juliet Calvo pleaded not guilty to graft before the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division over an alleged anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro. The court recorded a P90,000 cash bond. Eight co-accused earlier entered not guilty pleas. All will face separate arraignment for malversation before the Sixth Division. Faith Argosino, Philippine Daily Inquirer, December 2
Indonesia
Indonesia to Invest $1 Billion in BRICS-Backed Bank NDB. Indonesia will invest $1 billion in the BRICS-backed New Development Bank to secure membership and access development financing, a senior minister said. Airlangga Hartarto told business leaders the government approved the contribution and will move quickly on accession. He noted new entrants can pay capital in installments over seven years. The NDB has financed energy and transport projects and is expanding membership. Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta Globe, December 2
Malaysia
Intel to invest additional $208 million in Malaysia, PM says. Malaysia said Intel will invest an additional 860 million ringgit ($208 million) to expand assembly and testing operations, following Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting with Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan. The announcement adds to Intel’s 2021 plan to build a $7 billion advanced packaging plant in Malaysia. Officials said the move reinforces the country’s role in global chip supply chains. Danial Azhar, Reuters, December 2
Malaysia police to review procedures after arrests over same-sex activities lead to no charges. Malaysian authorities will review procedures after releasing 171 people without charge following a Kuala Lumpur raid that detained 208 on suspicion of same sex activities. Police chief Fadil Marsus said the goal is to avoid inadmissible evidence. Rights groups said many detainees were held unlawfully and nearly all foreigners were freed. Homosexuality remains criminalized under civil and Islamic law. Danial Azhar, Reuters, December 1
Singapore
Singapore to open embassy in Mexico next year. Singapore will open an embassy in Mexico in 2026, its first in the Spanish speaking world and second in Latin America. President Tharman announced the move during his state visit, citing deepening ties. Both sides affirmed plans to ratify the Pacific Alliance Singapore FTA, signed two MoUs on coral reef restoration and development cooperation, and encouraged Singapore investment under Mexico’s Plan Mexico. Daphne Yow, Channel News Asia, December 2
Taiwan
Taiwan airline seeks role in ‘whole of society’ defence with surveillance flights to counter China. Small carrier Apex Aviation is pitching radar-equipped patrol flights to feed ship tracking data to Taiwan’s military and coast guard as Taipei integrates civilian firms into defence. The Tecnam P2012 conversion cost over T$400 million and follows a June encounter with Chinese jets near Kinmen. Officials are cautious but open, amid plans to lift defence spending to 5% of GDP. Yimou Lee, Fabian Hamacher and Ann Wang, Reuters, December 1
No room for compromise on Taiwan’s security, president tells reservists. President Lai Ching-te told army reservists there is no room for compromise on Taiwan’s security and that freedom and democracy are core values. He said China’s coercion requires higher defense spending and stronger preparedness, following his $40 billion supplementary budget proposal. Training reforms expanded reserve drills and conscription already runs one year. Ann Wang and Ben Blanchard, Reuters, December 2
Uzbekistan
President approves artificial intelligence development strategy through 2030. Uzbekistan approved an AI strategy to 2030, prioritizing infrastructure, talent and deployment across sectors. A center under the Digital Technologies Ministry and a supercomputer project with Nvidia are underway. Five healthcare pilots reportedly cut diagnosis times by 80% and will expand. Schools and universities will add AI curricula. Plans include traffic enforcement, rail monitoring, and the Samarkand-2028 remote-sensing satellite program. Uzbekistan Daily, December 1
Kyrgyzstan
OSCE observers say Kyrgyzstan election was efficient but freedoms increasingly limited. OSCE observers said Kyrgyzstan’s snap parliamentary election was efficiently run but constrained by a restrictive campaign environment, with fundamental freedoms increasingly limited. Allies of President Sadyr Japarov won most seats amid tightened control over candidate access and media. The watchdog cited fear of retribution dampening engagement. Felix Light, Reuters, December 1
Kyrgyzstan early parliamentary elections see 36.9% voter turnout. On Nov. 30, Kyrgyzstan held early parliamentary elections with 36.9% turnout from 4.29 million registered voters, the CEC said. Voting used an automated system with mandatory manual counts. Authorities logged 269 campaign-related complaints and equipment glitches yet declared the vote valid. All seats were contested in single-mandate districts. Japarov praised digital passports and expanded overseas voting at 100 sites worldwide. Anton Chipegin, The Times of Central Asia, December 1
Kyrgyzstan election delivers wins for women and the president’s allies. Kyrgyzstan’s Nov. 30 snap parliamentary election recorded 36.9% turnout under a new system of 30 three-member districts requiring at least one woman winner. Results produced one female deputy per district, mostly third-place finishers; veteran Elvira Surabaldiyeva topped District 23. Shairbek Tashiyev won 56.63% in District 11, and many incumbents returned. Bruce Pannier, The Times of Central Asia, December 1
East Asia
Why Hong Kong universities are heading north for mainland Chinese collaborations. Beijing Normal Hong Kong Baptist University marked 20 years as Hong Kong universities expand north into Greater Bay Area campuses to overcome land shortages low birth rates and a narrow industrial base. Integration offers space and joint research such as BNBU’s School of AI and Liberal Arts. Hong Kong has five top 100 universities but needs follow through to build a regional education hub. Yu Shiying, South China Morning Post, December 2
China’s assertiveness towards Tokyo, Washington and Taipei is not working. After Japan’s Taiwan remarks, Beijing summoned diplomats, cancelled flights, warned tourists, banned seafood and sent coast guard patrols near the Senkakus, yet Tokyo and Taipei did not bend. Support for Prime Minister Takaichi rose, Japan advanced Yonaguni missile plans and held drills with U.S. forces. Taiwan’s president pledged 5% of GDP defense and a US$40 billion supplement. A tactical U.S.-China detente may hold into 2026. Drew Thompson, ThinkChina, December 1
Why xenophobia won’t solve South Korea’s China problem. Anti-China marches, voter ID checks and “no Chinese customers” policies have spread in South Korea, but targeting Chinese individuals does not reduce Beijing’s power. Effective responses include tighter screening of students and sensitive-sector workers, diversifying trade and rare-earth dependencies, strengthening the U.S. alliance, expanding cooperation with like-minded partners, and pursuing strategies to deter coercion while engaging North Korea to limit China’s leverage. Dylan Motin, The Interpreter, December 2
Southeast Asia
Myanmar’s election: Beijing plans, ASEAN stalls, youth pay the price. China tacitly backs Myanmar’s planned election to secure energy routes, protect investments and curb cross-border crime, while India raises no clear objections. Analysts describe a stalemate in which the military, opposition and ethnic armies cannot prevail. ASEAN’s leverage has weakened. On the ground, youth face conscription, displacement and economic hardship. The first phase begins Dec. 28. Tan Jet Min and Zhou Yifei, ThinkChina, December 1
Asian firms steer off the Trump trail. A July 2025 GLG survey of 300+ Asian executives found half shifting focus away from the United States, with over 25% raising prices, cutting headcount, or moving production toward non-US markets. In China, 66% target alternative markets, over 70% citing ASEAN. Automotive and aerospace firms are relocating output, while new deals like EU–Indonesia CEPA signal broader diversification. Jayant Menon, East Asia Forum, December 1
Indonesia’s Problematic Criminal Procedure Code Revision. Indonesia’s parliament passed a sweeping KUHAP overhaul set to take effect on Jan. 2, 2026. The code designates police as primary investigators, places ministry investigators under police coordination, and curtails prosecutorial investigative powers while expanding police authority over detention, searches, surveillance and wiretaps. Civil society decried opaque passage and urged a Perppu to revoke the law, though the government backs it. Made Supriatma, Fulcrum, December 2
Accountability washed away in Philippine flood control corruption. The Philippines has lost an estimated 42.3 to 118.5 billion pesos a year from flood control corruption since 2023, involving DPWH engineers, contractors, lawmakers and a COA commissioner. Substandard or non-existent projects and restricted access to officials’ asset statements weakened oversight, while a whistleblower was killed. Recent moves reopened disclosures, probed illegal donors and recommended charges, amid demands to recover funds and convictions. Cleo Anne Calimbahin, East Asia Forum, December 2