Asia Daily: April 22, 2025
China
China to retaliate with sanctions on U.S. officials, NGO leaders over Hong Kong issues. China announced sanctions targeting U.S. officials, lawmakers, and NGO leaders in response to Washington’s March sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong figures over alleged transnational repression. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun condemned U.S. interference and warned against further action on Hong Kong. The retaliation adds to escalating tensions, compounded by ongoing trade disputes. Kanis Leung and Tian Macleod Ji, Associated Press, April 21
Senior Chinese political advisor calls for closer cooperation with Africa. Hu Chunhua, vice chairman of China’s top political advisory body, led a delegation to Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, and Senegal from April 8 to 17, urging strengthened China-Africa ties. In meetings with senior officials, Hu promoted implementing outcomes from the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit in Beijing and deepening collaboration across sectors. Xinhua, April 21
China’s sixth-gen stealth fighter test flights reveal high-level manoeuvrability. China’s newly surfaced sixth-generation stealth fighters, the J-36 and J-50, have been observed performing advanced flight maneuvers in test videos released online, highlighting super-manoeuvrability enabled by tailless designs and advanced flight control systems. The J-36 features a distinctive tri-engine configuration and delta wing platform, while the J-50 shows articulated wingtips and a refined diverterless supersonic inlet. Liu Zhen, South China Morning Post, April 21
Japan
Japan, Netherlands leaders agree to deepen security, economic ties. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof committed to enhancing bilateral cooperation under a new action plan during talks in Tokyo. The leaders emphasized the inseparability of Indo-Pacific and European security, condemned unilateral actions to change the status quo, and reaffirmed support for peace in Ukraine. They also voiced concern over military ties between Russia and North Korea. Kyodo News, April 21
Japan to voice concern over U.S. trade deal inconsistency, PM Ishiba says. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Tokyo will continue raising concerns about the inconsistency between the 2019 bilateral trade deal with the U.S. and the Trump administration’s new 25% tariff on automobile imports. While the original deal excluded auto tariffs, assurances were given that additional duties would not be imposed. Leika Kihara, Reuters, April 21
Japan and Indonesia continue frigate talks, looking to boost defense-industrial ties. Japan and Indonesia are advancing discussions on jointly developing and producing customized Mogami-class frigates, with Jakarta seeking both warship co-production and access to Japanese defense technologies. The proposal includes building four frigates in each country and reflects Japan’s loosening of export rules. Talks will also explore submarine transfers, expanded military exercises, and a critical minerals deal to support battery supply chains. Gabriel Dominguez, The Japan Times, April 21
South Korea
South Korea acting president sees U.S. trade talks leading to beneficial solution. Acting President Han Duck-soo expressed optimism that upcoming trade talks with the United States would result in mutually beneficial outcomes. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun will meet with U.S. officials in Washington on April 24. While the agenda is still being finalized, media reports suggest discussions may include South Korea’s stance on China-related trade issues. Hyunsu Yim, Reuters, April 21
Lee Jae-myung pledges to eliminate 'Korea discount,' achieve 5,000-point Kospi. Presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung vowed to end South Korea’s chronic stock market undervaluation by enhancing corporate transparency and shareholder protections. He pledged reforms to governance laws, stricter monitoring of stock manipulation, and increased accountability for white-collar crimes. Lee also proposed dissolving underperforming companies and boosting dividend payouts. His plan aims to double the Kospi index to 5,000 points by 2030. Son Ji-hyoung, The Korea Herald, April 21
North Korea
China's envoy to N. Korea says 'blood-forged' bilateral friendship will reach new heights. Chinese Ambassador Wang Yajun reaffirmed the strength of China–North Korea relations during a Pyongyang art exhibition honoring Kim Il-sung’s birth anniversary. Marking the 76th year since Chinese forces entered the Korean War, Wang said the friendship between the two countries would be further developed under the leadership of Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un. Park Boram, Yonhap News Agency, April 22
School expenses spark rare public complaints from N. Korean parents. Parents in North Korea are voicing rare public discontent over rising school-related costs, challenging the state’s claims of free education. Despite government promises to provide uniforms at subsidized prices, actual costs surged tenfold due to salary-linked price hikes, leaving families financially strained. Schools have also demanded contributions for facility repairs and textbook access, with teachers reportedly punishing students from non-paying households. Jeong Seo-yeong, Daily NK, April 22
U.N. aviation agency voices grave concerns over N. Korea's GPS signal jamming. The International Civil Aviation Organization has condemned North Korea's GPS jamming activities, which disrupted thousands of flights across more than 20 countries between October and February. In a session held in Montreal, the agency urged Pyongyang to comply with international law and take steps to prevent future incidents. A formal letter will be sent to North Korea notifying it of the decision. Park Boram, Yonhap News Agency, April 21
India
Modi, Vance tout progress on India-U.S. trade deal. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. Vice President JD Vance underscored progress on a trade agreement during talks in New Delhi, seeking to finalize a deal before the expiration of a 90-day pause on U.S. tariffs. The discussions covered defense, energy, and strategic technology cooperation. India remains the U.S.'s top trading partner, with $129 billion in bilateral trade in 2024. Officials aim to conclude the first phase of the pact by autumn. Rajesh Prabhuswamy, Tanvi Mehta, Shivam Patel, Trevor Hunnicutt, David Brunnstrom and Steve Holland, Reuters, April 21
Thailand
Possibility of changes to cabinet ruled out. Thailand’s ruling Pheu Thai Party dismissed rumors of an impending cabinet reshuffle, emphasizing its focus on the 2026 budget bill. Party spokesman Danuporn Punakanta said Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra wishes to maintain cabinet stability. Despite public speculation and poll results favoring the replacement of certain ministers, senior officials reiterated that any reshuffle decision rests with the premier. Aekarach Sattaburuth, Bangkok Post, April 22
People's Party vows to press ahead with legal action against premier. Thailand’s opposition People’s Party announced it will pursue legal action against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over three alleged misconduct cases raised during a recent no-confidence debate. MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn cited concerns over a promissory note used in a multibillion-baht share acquisition, land title deed irregularities, and the premier’s response to her father Thaksin Shinawatra’s prolonged hospital stay. Chairith Yonpiam, Bangkok Post, April 21
Myanmar
Chinese monitors deployed to strategic Lashio as junta slowly retakes town. China has deployed ceasefire monitors to Lashio, northern Shan State, as the Myanmar junta gradually regains control of the strategic town from the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). Special Envoy Deng Xijun led the Chinese delegation facilitating the transition, with heavily guarded negotiations ongoing between the MNDAA and junta forces. A convoy marked “Ceasefire Monitoring Group” was seen in the area, underscoring Beijing’s central role in the process. Nora Pyae, Myanmar Now, April 21
Cambodia
PM rejects claims Cambodia is aligning with China over U.S. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet dismissed allegations that the country is shifting allegiance toward China at the expense of the United States, reaffirming a neutral foreign policy based on mutual respect and non-alignment. Speaking at a port inauguration, he rejected claims that a recent joint statement with China implied foreign control. Hun Manet emphasized Cambodia's right to cooperate with all nations, citing upcoming visits by warships from the U.S., Russia, India, and Vietnam. Torn Vibol, Khmer Times, April 22
China-Cambodia cooperation vital amid U.S. trade war, says envoy. Chinese Ambassador Wang Wenbin emphasized that deeper China-Cambodia ties are crucial to withstanding the effects of escalating U.S. tariffs, which have recently targeted both nations. Speaking after President Xi Jinping’s visit to Phnom Penh, Wang criticized U.S. trade policies as coercive and harmful to developing countries. He reaffirmed China’s role as Cambodia’s top economic partner and outlined expanded cooperation in infrastructure, aviation, trade, and agriculture. Ben Sokhean, Khmer Times, April 22
Philippines
Philippines, U.S. launch joint combat drills in 'full battle test'. Over 14,000 Filipino and American troops began the annual Balikatan military exercises on Monday, simulating full-scale combat scenarios amid regional security tensions, particularly in the South China Sea. The drills include live-fire missile tests, amphibious operations, and maritime strikes. U.S. and Philippine commanders emphasized deterrence, while China warned against provoking tensions over Taiwan. Mikhail Flores, Reuters, April 21
China says it 'warned off' PH navy frigate in Scarborough Shoal. China’s navy claimed it expelled a Philippine Navy frigate from waters near Scarborough Shoal, calling the patrol a serious breach of sovereignty. The Southern Theatre Command warned of consequences for future intrusions. The Philippine Navy rejected the claim, saying the BRP Apolinario Mabini was conducting a lawful patrol and accused China of spreading disinformation. Franco Jose C. Baroña, The Manila Times, April 22
Indonesia
China and Indonesia agree to boost maritime security cooperation in South China Sea despite tensions. China and Indonesia committed to strengthening maritime security cooperation following their first joint foreign and defense ministers’ meeting in Beijing. While longstanding disputes over China’s activities near Indonesia’s Natuna Islands persist, both sides signed a memorandum on maritime safety and law enforcement. Chinese and Indonesian officials also agreed to hold joint counterterrorism drills and deepen economic ties under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Christopher Bodeen, Associated Press, April 21
Malaysia
Malaysia says respects multilateralism, will continue to engage China, EU, U.S. Malaysia’s Trade Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz affirmed the country’s commitment to multilateralism and ongoing engagement with China, the European Union, and the United States. His comments followed warnings from China’s commerce ministry urging nations not to pursue deals with the U.S. that could harm Chinese interests. Danial Azhar, Reuters, April 21
Taiwan
Taiwan opposition summit aims to confront DPP ‘suppression’ amid recall battle. Leaders of Taiwan’s Kuomintang and Taiwan People’s Party will meet Tuesday to address what they call political persecution by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party amid escalating recall campaigns. The opposition claims prosecutors are targeting KMT-aligned activists while ignoring DPP abuses, and criticized the government's failure to address U.S. tariffs. Lawrence Chung, South China Morning Post, April 21
Cabinet to request unfreezing of all budget items. Taiwan’s Executive Yuan will ask the Legislative Yuan to unfreeze all 1,584 budget items totaling NT$138.1 billion, Premier Cho Jung-tai announced. The items fall into three categories, with varying requirements for written reports or special legislative reviews. Cho said the Cabinet would seek constitutional interpretations after lawmakers rejected its reconsideration requests. Sam Garcia, Taipei Times, April 22
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan and South Korea explore AI use in public sector. Kazakhstan and South Korea highlighted their efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into public administration during a seminar in Astana. Korean Ambassador Tae-ick Cho emphasized Korea’s global role in shaping AI governance and promoting inclusive, ethical ecosystems. Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister Dmitry Mun outlined the country’s AI architecture built atop over 400 government databases, now enabling proactive digital services. Fatima Kemelova, The Astana Times, April 21
Kazakhstan, Türkiye agree to expand interparliamentary cooperation. Kazakh and Turkish parliamentary leaders met in Ankara to strengthen legislative ties and discuss broader strategic cooperation. Yerlan Koshanov congratulated Numan Kurtulmuş on Türkiye’s National Sovereignty Day, emphasizing the deep historical and diplomatic bonds between the countries. Both sides agreed to boost collaboration in law-making and enhance coordination within multilateral platforms. Arailym Temirgaliyeva, Kazinform, April 21
Uzbekistan
Giorgia Meloni to visit Uzbekistan. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will make her first official visit to Uzbekistan on April 25–26, according to the Italian government. The visit will be followed by her participation in the inaugural “Italy — Central Asia” summit on April 27 in Astana, which will gather leaders from across the region. Meloni previously made a brief stop in Tashkent in July 2024, holding talks with Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. Uzbekistan Daily, April 21
Kyrgyzstan
President of Kyrgyzstan arrives in Bahrain for official visit. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov arrived in Manama for his first official visit to Bahrain, where he was received by Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani and other dignitaries. Talks are scheduled with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and top Bahraini officials to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation across trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian sectors. The visit is expected to conclude with the signing of several bilateral agreements aimed at strengthening Kyrgyz-Bahraini ties. Zhanna Nurmaganbetova, Kazinform, April 21
Northeast Asia
Asia’s developed economies must rise to fill the climate leadership vacuum. With the United States retreating from global climate commitments under President Trump’s renewed leadership—including its exit from the Paris Agreement and withdrawal of over US$7 billion in pledged funding—Asia’s developed economies are urged to fill the leadership void. Upholding the Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) principle, regional powers like China, Japan, and South Korea must strengthen domestic efforts and regional cooperation through platforms such as ASEAN and trilateral partnerships. China is advancing its Belt and Road Initiative with greener standards and leads in renewable investments. Financial institutions like the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are positioned to scale climate funding, though regional needs still exceed US$1.1 trillion annually. Intra-Asian technology sharing, exemplified by Japan’s Joint Crediting Mechanism, and regional carbon markets, like South Korea’s emissions scheme, offer pathways for integrated action. Engaging subnational actors and expanding transnational initiatives can further bridge the implementation gap. With coordinated leadership, Asia has the opportunity to preserve global climate ambitions and ensure that the burden of inaction does not fall disproportionately on developing economies. Joseph Negrine, East Asia Forum, April 21
Bringing AI Down to Earth. China’s AI development is being undermined by state-driven hype that favors spectacle over substance, warned Zhu Songchun, a leading AI scientist and dean at the Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence, during the Zhongguancun Forum. Zhu criticized inflated media narratives and superficial government policy-making that distort public understanding and hinder genuine innovation. He highlighted the disconnect between promoted achievements—such as overvalued AI start-ups and underused data centers—and on-the-ground realities, arguing that China’s fixation on mirroring Western AI models risks perpetual imitation. His remarks, absent from major state media like Xinhua, received limited attention in more independent outlets before a state-linked institution issued a “clarification,” suggesting official discomfort. Despite these warnings, Chinese media continue showing robotic novelties and overstated breakthroughs, prioritizing national image over critical reflection. Zhu advocates a change from headline-chasing to foundational research into intelligence itself, urging a reassessment of China’s strategy in AI development. Alex Colville, China Media Project, April 21
Ghosts of FDI Past: Rethinking Poland’s China Strategy. Poland’s evolving stance on Chinese foreign direct investment reflects a broader reassessment of economic security under its 2025 EU Council presidency. Once welcoming of Chinese capital as a catalyst for modernization, Poland now views such investment through a security lens, spurred by allies' warnings and incidents like Hutchison Ports’ 2024 blockade of a U.S. military vessel in Gdynia. Despite symbolic moves, such as reclassifying the terminal as critical infrastructure, Poland’s response to strategic risks remains largely reactive. The continued use of Huawei in telecoms and Nuctech’s security equipment, despite international bans, shows inconsistent oversight. Chinese FDI in Poland remains limited, yet even modest involvement raises concerns about dependency, technological control, and unclear national priorities. As Chinese firms eye new sectors like electromobility, Poland must reconcile economic opportunity with caution. Its EU presidency offers a platform to lead Europe’s investment screening and de-risking agenda, but thus far, focus has remained narrow. Without robust institutional mechanisms to monitor and guide foreign investment, Poland risks repeating past vulnerabilities—dependent on external pressure to act and lacking a proactive security vision. Joanna Nawrotkiewicz, China Observers in Central and Eastern Europe, April 21
China’s Open-Source Revolution in Generative AI: Policy and Business Implications for Southeast Asia. China’s release of open-weight large language models (LLMs), notably DeepSeek-R1, marks a transformative moment for Southeast Asia, offering governments and businesses affordable, customizable AI tools that can be tweaked to fit their local needs. These models reduce training costs by up to 90 per cent and support data autonomy, enabling localised deployment and post-training for regional languages and contexts. This empowers Southeast Asian countries to build sovereign AI capabilities, increase digital sovereignty, and reduce exposure to foreign data governance. However, the cultural and political biases embedded in Chinese or Western-trained models pose risks in the region’s diverse societies, making local adaptation crucial. Countries like Indonesia and Vietnam have already demonstrated advanced AI development, while initiatives like Singapore’s SEA-LION show growing regional capacity. To capitalise on this momentum, Southeast Asian nations must invest in infrastructure, local training datasets, and university-led research to ensure AI tools align with local values and empower communities. By embracing open-source LLMs, the region can foster innovation, safeguard autonomy, and shape a more inclusive digital future. Pieter E. Stek, Fulcrum, April 21
Southeast Asia
Indonesian democracy takes another hit. Revisions to Indonesia’s Armed Forces Law passed on March 20, 2025, expand the military’s role in civilian life, allowing active personnel to occupy positions in 14 ministries and broadening non-war operations to include areas like cybersecurity, disaster response, and education. The move reflects President Prabowo Subianto’s increasing militarisation of governance. Following the amendment, the military partnered with universities for defense training and intervened in student protests. Despite mass demonstrations in 72 cities, public resistance remains fragmented. Survey data reveal a complex relationship with democracy: while most Indonesians prefer democratic governance, many prioritize economic development and social stability over civil liberties. The military’s growing presence is not widely viewed as anti-democratic, and narratives framing militarisation as efficient governance have muted opposition. Recent surveys show continued public satisfaction with democracy, despite legislative shifts. As Parliament prepares more controversial bills, including expanding police powers, civil society efforts to educate the public persist, though sustained mobilisation remains uncertain. Fadhilah Primandari, East Asia Forum, April 22
US Tariffs and ASEAN Food Security: Turning Short-Term Pain into Long-Term Gain. The tariffs imposed by the United States on ASEAN agricultural exports, ranging up to 49 per cent, pose immediate threats to trade, production, and livelihoods across the region, particularly for over 100 million smallholder farmers. However, the disruption also presents a strategic opening for ASEAN to reduce its reliance on U.S. imports and create a more integrated regional market. With intra-ASEAN trade already significant and the U.S. accounting for just 10.9 per cent of exports and 9.9 per cent of imports in 2022, diversification is viable. ASEAN could improve regional food security by moving trade to stable partners, boosting production of key imports like soya beans and corn, and improving R&D through collaboration with countries like Japan and Australia. Eliminating internal trade barriers, such as Malaysia’s rice import tax, and encouraging cross-border investment in agrifood sectors could further strengthen resilience. ASEAN's focus should be on reducing external dependencies and leveraging regional strengths, rather than striving for full food self-sufficiency. A collective strategy could transform short-term trade setbacks into long-term regional stability and food security. Paul Teng, Fulcrum, April 21