China
Trump extends U.S. tariff truce with China, reports say. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order extending by 90-days the tariff ceasefire with China, averting an immediate escalation hours before its expiration. The move followed trade talks in Stockholm, where both sides signaled agreement on the pause, though no breakthroughs emerged. Trump urged Beijing to quadruple U.S. soybean purchases, while broader disputes over tariffs, export controls, and supply chains remain unresolved. Bochen Han and Luna Sun, South China Morning Post, August 12
CCG lawfully handles intrusion of Philippines coast guard and government vessels near China’s Huangyan. The China Coast Guard said it took necessary measures, including tracking, monitoring, blocking, and controlling, to drive away multiple Philippine coast guard and government vessels that entered waters near Huangyan Dao on Monday under the pretext of delivering supplies to fishing boats. Beijing reaffirmed the island as part of China’s territory and vowed to continue law enforcement to protect sovereignty and maritime rights. Global Times, August 11
China urges Israel to stop military operation in Gaza as Israel kills five Al Jazeera correspondents. China’s Foreign Ministry condemned an Israeli airstrike that killed five Al Jazeera correspondents, bringing the total number of journalists killed since the start of Israel’s large-scale operation to 237. Spokesperson Lin Jian urged Israel to halt its military campaign, restore humanitarian access, prevent a worsening crisis, and work to de-escalate the situation. Beijing also opposed all actions harming civilians and targeting journalists. Global Times, August 11
Japan
Komeito struggling after crushing Upper House election defeat. Komeito is grappling with its worst performance since 1998, winning only eight of the 14 seats it defended in last month’s Upper House election and losing in three constituencies. Proportional representation votes fell to 5.21 million from nearly 9 million previously. Leader Tetsuo Saito vowed reforms, but aging supporters and internal debate over abandoning costly constituency races pose challenges. Few expect Saito to resign due to limited leadership alternatives. The Japan Times, August 11
South Korea
South Korea, Vietnam leaders pledge closer ties as U.S. tariffs shake up trade. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Vietnamese Communist Party chief To Lam agreed to expand bilateral trade to $150 billion by 2030, signing 10 agreements on energy, finance, technology, and infrastructure, including nuclear and high-speed rail projects. Lam urged continued South Korean investment and warned against supply chain fragmentation. Jack Kim, Joyce Lee and Heejin Kim, Reuters, August 11
South Korean president to pardon former Justice Minister Cho Kuk. President Lee Jae Myung will grant a pardon to former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, restoring his eligibility for public office after a prison term for academic fraud and interference in a government inspection. The move, part of 2,188 pardons marking Liberation Day, drew criticism from conservatives and coincides with a drop in Lee’s approval rating. Joyce Lee, Reuters, August 11
North Korea
No signs of N. Korea further dismantling border loudspeakers, military says. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported no additional removal of North Korean border loudspeakers since some were dismantled last week, following Seoul’s complete removal of its own in a bid to ease tensions. The military said verification is needed to determine whether all units will be taken down, noting Pyongyang’s history of reinstalling them. Lee Minji, Yonhap News Agency, August 11
N. Korea holds firing drills ahead of planned S. Korea-U.S. joint military exercises. North Korea conducted artillery firing drills Monday to strengthen combat readiness, a week before South Korea and the U.S. begin their Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise on August 18. Overseen by Pak Jong-chon, the drills aimed to enhance warfighting capability and deter “military gangsters” near the border. Defense Minister No Kwang-chol warned Pyongyang would take “self-defense” measures against any provocation. Kim Soo-yeon, Yonhap News Agency, August 11
India
In India, Trump’s tariffs spark calls to boycott American goods. U.S. companies, including McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Amazon, and Apple, are facing boycott calls in India as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s supporters protest U.S. tariffs on Indian goods. The 50% levy has fueled anti-American sentiment, with groups linked to Modi’s party promoting local alternatives and organizing rallies. While no immediate sales impact is seen, the campaign underscores rising nationalist and protectionist sentiment in a key market for U.S. brands. Aditya Kalra, Reuters, August 11
India’s opposition parties protest against a controversial electoral roll revision. Opposition lawmakers and supporters rallied in New Delhi demanding the rollback of a massive voter list revision in Bihar state, warning it could disenfranchise millions ahead of November’s elections. The update requires strict documentation, excluding widely used Aadhaar cards, raising fears for vulnerable groups, particularly Muslims. Police briefly detained leaders, including Rahul Gandhi. Sheikh Saaliq, Associated Press, August 11
Thailand
China says Thai art show distorts its policies on Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong. China accused a Bangkok exhibition of promoting separatism in Tibet, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong, after artworks were removed or altered at the request of its embassy, according to the show’s co-curator. The foreign ministry said the display undermined China’s core interests and warned against using cultural exchanges for political interference. Ryan Woo and Yukun Zhang, Reuters, August 11
House called in to debate budget cuts. House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha has convened a special parliamentary session from Wednesday to Friday to deliberate the 3.78-trillion-baht 2026 budget after the review panel cut 8.92 billion baht and redirected funds to seven agencies. Major reductions include the Interior Ministry and parliamentary bodies, while state enterprises and ministries such as Finance and Labour received increases for key projects and events. Bangkok Post, August 11
Vietnam
Vietnam, RoK issue joint statement on deepening comprehensive strategic partnership. Vietnamese Communist Party chief To Lam and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung agreed to expand cooperation in defense, trade, energy, technology, and cultural exchanges during Lam’s August 10-13 state visit to Seoul. The two sides reaffirmed their $150 billion trade target by 2030, pledged closer security collaboration, and outlined initiatives in renewable energy, AI, infrastructure, education, and climate change. Vietnam News, August 11
NA Standing Committee opens 48th session. Vietnam’s National Assembly Standing Committee began its 48th session in Hanoi on Monday, aligning with preparations for the 80th anniversaries of the August Revolution, National Day, and the first general election. Law-making dominates the agenda, with 13 draft laws under review, including key judicial and education reforms. Vietnam News, August 12
Myanmar
Malaysia to lead ASEAN delegation to war-torn Myanmar. Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said he will head a regional mission to Myanmar on September 19, joined by his counterparts from Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, to assess political conditions ahead of a planned December election. The visit follows the junta’s lifting of its state of emergency in most areas, though 63 cities remain under emergency rule. Myanmar Now, August 11
Cambodia
Cambodia says Thailand’s planned military action violates ceasefire. Cambodia’s Defense Ministry condemned Thai 2nd Army Region Commander Lt. Gen. Boonsin Padklang’s announcement to seize Ta Krobey temple and close Ta Moan Thom temple, calling it a violation of the July 28 ceasefire and the August 7 General Border Committee agreement. Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata labeled the move a premeditated invasion of Cambodian sovereignty and urged Thailand to honor commitments to avoid troop movements and pursue peaceful dispute resolution. Khmer Times, August 11
Thailand rejects Cambodian claim of border provocation. Thailand’s Foreign Ministry denied accusations that a senior Thai military commander threatened to seize Cambodian territory, calling the claim a misrepresentation of his remarks. Bangkok reaffirmed its commitment to the August 7 General Border Committee agreement and urged Cambodia to avoid spreading false information that could undermine peaceful dialogue. Khmer Times, August 11
Philippines
Marcos says the Philippines will be pulled into any war over Taiwan, despite China’s protest. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned that the Philippines would inevitably be involved in a Taiwan conflict due to its proximity and the presence of about 200,000 Filipino workers there, despite China’s protest. Separately, on Monday, Chinese and Filipino vessels collided in the South China Sea after Chinese coast guard ships blocked and targeted Philippine ships near Scarborough Shoal, resulting in a collision between Chinese vessels. Jim Gomez, Associated Press, August 11
VP Sara says frustrated Filipinos, dad’s arrest reasons for trips abroad. Vice President Sara Duterte said her recent foreign trips aimed to meet Filipino communities frustrated with the country’s situation and to visit her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, detained at The Hague for crimes against humanity ahead of a September 23 confirmation hearing. Duterte has recently traveled to Melbourne, South Korea, Qatar, and Malaysia for engagements with overseas Filipinos. Catherine S. Valente, The Manila Times, August 11
Indonesia
Indonesia eyes ‘sovereign AI fund’ to drive development, document shows. Indonesia plans to establish a sovereign artificial intelligence fund managed by state wealth fund Danantara Indonesia, which controls over $900 billion in assets, to position itself as a regional AI hub. The proposal, outlined in a 179-page white paper, targets a 2027-2029 launch using a public-private financing model, alongside fiscal incentives for local AI investors. Stanley Widianto, Reuters, August 11
Indonesia, Peru sign free trade deal. Indonesia and Peru signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement to boost trade, investment, and cooperation in sectors including food, fishery, mining, energy transition, and defense. The pact expands market access, with Indonesia’s top exports gaining wider reach, while Peru secures greater opportunities to sell fresh fruits such as blueberries. In 2024, Indonesian exports to Peru totaled $331.2 million, with $149.6 million in imports. Stanley Widianto and Gayatri Suroyo, Reuters, August 11
Taiwan
Taiwan is continuing tariff negotiations with U.S., cabinet official says. Taiwan’s cabinet is pursuing better tariff rates after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 20% levy on the island, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun said, noting talks are ongoing and officials are ready to brief parliament. The negotiations run alongside a U.S. national security probe under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. Tariffs on semiconductors, electronics, and ICT products remain under discussion. Yimou Lee and Faith Hung, Reuters, August 11
Northeast Asia
Rare Earths: Europe, China, and the Risks of a One-Dimensional Decarbonization Agenda. Europe’s push toward climate neutrality faces a structural weak point: dependence on China for rare earths spanning extraction, processing, and magnet production, which Beijing underscored with 2024 export restrictions and a limited negotiation window. Current policies, including the Critical Raw Materials Act and the 2035 combustion-engine phaseout, risk locking mobility into a single technology and amplifying exposure to supply shocks. Resilience requires a tech-neutral portfolio: low-emission ICEs using e-fuels, hydrogen fuel-cell deployment, magnet-free motor designs, expanded recycling, and regional refining capacity. Such diversification aligns decarbonization with strategic autonomy and reduces leverage from a single supplier. Cristina Vanberghen, CHOICE, August 12
Trump-Putin summit: Is China nervous about a US-Russia deal? Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will meet in Alaska on 15 August, a potential reset watched closely in Beijing for its impact on China-Russia ties and a possible thaw in U.S.–Russia relations. Chinese commentary flags prospects for a Ukraine ceasefire, sanctions relief, and cooperation on Arctic energy and rare earths, but entrenched realities and European unease constrain outcomes. Kyiv rejects territorial concessions and a floated “territory swap.” Trump endorses trilateral talks yet may proceed with a bilateral framework first, then pressure partners to sign on. A Xi–Putin call sought to reassure Beijing; a ceasefire would lower risks of secondary sanctions, and a joint U.S.–Russia alignment against China appears unlikely. Yu Zeyuan, ThinkChina, August 11
Southeast Asia
50 years of Philippines–China relations offer lessons for engaging an indispensable power. 2025 marks half a century of ties shaped by three constants: Washington’s strategic pull, a steep power gap, and the sway of domestic politics. Manila’s alliance with the United States remains the main security anchor and deterrent, while liberal norms linked to the US presence reinforce caution toward Beijing. A stark asymmetry persists: Manila treats China as a prime concern; Beijing often sees the Philippines through a US lens. Elections drive swings between cooperation and confrontation. A steadier path calls for grasping China’s worldview, pairing legal claims with strategic understanding, hedging where prudent, and keeping policy consistent yet flexible to pursue shared interests. Enrico Gloria, East Asia Forum, August 11
Thailand’s Post-Authoritarian Praetorianism. Border clashes with Cambodia exposed enduring institutional imbalances: an elected cabinet too weak to direct the armed forces, and a security apparatus setting crisis terms and policy. After Bhumjaithai’s exit, the 1 July reshuffle left the defence portfolio open, effectively elevating Deputy Minister Nattaphon Nakphanit and consolidating uniformed control over border management. NSC orders empowered strict controls along the 798 km frontier, while meetings with Cambodian counterparts failed to settle deployments. A leaked Paetongtarn–Hun Sen call precipitated the premier’s suspension, further loosening civilian oversight. The SOC-TCBSM then centralized operations and messaging, imposed martial law in border districts, and harnessed media networks to shape public opinion; polling showed greater confidence in the army than in government amid #CambodiaFiredFirst narratives. Supalak Ganjanakhundee, FULCRUM, August 11
South Asia
The Dalai Lama’s succession and the geopolitics of faith. On 2 July, the 14th Dalai Lama affirmed reincarnation, ending speculation about discontinuing the institution and setting parameters for selection. He empowered the Gaden Phodrang Trust to identify his successor and said the child will be born in a free society, sharpening Beijing’s legitimacy struggle. China says reincarnations need central approval and is probing backchannel talks with the Central Tibetan Administration, though expectations are low. Bhutan’s clergy and state likely stay out; Nepal remains wary and restrictive; Mongolia’s Gelug hierarchy may resist even as Ulaanbaatar faces pressure. Japan’s openness offers Dharamshala an ally, yet visits by a successor would invite stronger Chinese pushback, signaling a prolonged fight for recognition. Amit Kumar, ThinkChina, August 11