China
China’s Inner Mongolia chairwoman Wang Lixia under investigation for corruption. Wang Lixia, chairwoman and deputy Communist Party chief of Inner Mongolia, is under investigation for “serious violations of discipline and laws,” according to China’s top anti-corruption agencies. The probe is part of a broader crackdown in the region, where nearly 1,200 individuals have already faced scrutiny since 2020. Wang is the fourth senior official from an autonomous region investigated this year. Xinlu Liang, South China Morning Post, August 22
Xi to attend SCO Tianjin Summit, host relevant events. President Xi Jinping will chair the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the “SCO Plus” Meeting in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1. He will deliver keynote speeches and host a welcome banquet and bilateral meetings with attending leaders, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. Global Times, August 22
Japan
Japan's Ishiba, South Korea's Lee agree closer cooperation before Lee meets Trump. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung agreed to strengthen cooperation in defense, economic security, and artificial intelligence during Lee’s visit to Tokyo. Both leaders reaffirmed their trilateral alliance with the United States and pledged unified action against North Korean threats. Tim Kelly and Joyce Lee, Reuters, August 23
Ishiba Cabinet support rate rises to 35%, majority say PM not need to quit. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s Cabinet approval rating climbed to 35.4% from a record-low 22.9%, with 57.5% of respondents saying he should remain in office despite recent election setbacks. A Kyodo News poll found declining pressure within the LDP for his resignation and noted Sanae Takaichi leads in public preference as the next party president. Kyodo News, August 24
South Korea
South Korea special prosecutors seek to detain former PM Han over martial law crisis. Special prosecutors in South Korea have filed a court request to detain former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, accusing him of abetting ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempt to impose martial law and of committing perjury. Han briefly served as acting president following Yoon’s impeachment and later withdrew from a presidential bid. Yoon is currently on trial for insurrection. Ju-min Park, Reuters, August 24
Lee's envoys meets China's FM, deliver personal letter for Xi. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s envoys met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing to deliver a personal letter to President Xi Jinping, reaffirming Seoul’s commitment to restoring stable bilateral relations. The delegation emphasized pragmatic diplomacy and invited Xi to the APEC summit in Gyeongju. Kim Soo-yeon, Yonhap, August 24
North Korea
North Korea leader Kim oversees firing of new air defence missiles, KCNA says. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the testing of new air defense missile systems designed to respond rapidly to threats such as drones and cruise missiles, according to state media KCNA. The event occurred just ahead of the U.S.–South Korea summit and follows Kim’s denunciation of joint military drills between the allies, vowing to accelerate nuclear development. Ju-min Park, Reuters, August 23
UNC says around 30 N. Korean troops crossed inter-Korean border recently, triggering S. Korean warning shots. Approximately 30 North Korean soldiers crossed the Military Demarcation Line during a border construction project, prompting warning broadcasts and shots from South Korean forces, according to the U.N. Command. The U.N. Military Armistice Commission is investigating the incident. Song Sang-ho, Yonhap, August 24
India
India says U.S. trade negotiations are still going on as fresh tariffs loom. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar confirmed that trade talks with the U.S. are ongoing despite the cancellation of a planned negotiating visit and the looming imposition of up to 50% tariffs on Indian goods over Russian oil purchases. He emphasized defending national interests, particularly for farmers and small producers, and criticized perceived double standards in U.S. policy. Jayshree P Upadhyay, Reuters, August 23
Thailand
Thai court acquits former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of royal defamation charge. Thailand’s criminal court acquitted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra of lese majeste, citing weak evidence and possible political bias from witnesses. Freed earlier this year after receiving a royal pardon, Thaksin has resumed public life amid fresh legal scrutiny and political tensions involving his daughter, suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul and Grant Peck, Associated Press, August 22
Suspended Thai PM Paetongtarn set to submit closing statement to court. Paetongtarn Shinawatra will submit her final defense to Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Monday regarding a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. Pheu Thai leaders express confidence she will be cleared and return to office, warning against undue pressure on the judiciary. Bangkok Post, August 24
Vietnam
Vietnam island building in Spratlys may soon surpass China's, report says. Vietnam has expanded land reclamation across all 21 of its occupied features in the Spratly Islands, with new dredging at eight previously untouched reefs and expansions at several existing sites. A CSIS report based on satellite imagery states Vietnam has reached 70% of China’s total artificial land in the region and is on track to surpass it. David Brunnstrom, Reuters, August 22
PM urges prompt actions to facilitate grassroots administrative system. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called for accelerated unification of infrastructure, technology, and standards across commune-level administrations to implement Vietnam's two-tier government model. Over 94,000 officials have been downsized, and 4.4 million dossiers processed, 75% online. Vietnam News, August 23
Myanmar
Myanmar’s anti-junta groups condemn regime’s election. The National Unity Consultative Council and Ta’ang Land Council denounced Myanmar’s planned December election as illegitimate, accusing the junta of using it to entrench military rule and escape accountability for war crimes. The groups urged domestic and international rejection of the vote, citing ongoing violence, political repression, and the exclusion of opposition voices. The Irrawaddy, August 23
Cambodia
Cambodia welcomes diplomatic corps’ appeal for full ceasefire implementation. Cambodia’s foreign ministry welcomed appeals from the diplomatic corps supporting the July 28 ceasefire with Thailand, reaffirmed during visits to Oddar Meanchey province. Officials from Japan, the U.S., and the EU stressed peaceful resolution, with Japan offering humanitarian support and the U.S. confirming President Trump and Secretary Rubio are monitoring developments. Khmer Times, August 24
Philippines
Duterte’s defense team outlines ICC strategy. Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s legal team submitted a plan to contest charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court, focusing on disputing the prosecution’s legal basis and personal liability claims. The defense will challenge whether the alleged extrajudicial killings during his anti-drug campaign meet international thresholds for such crimes. The confirmation hearing is set for September 23. Franco Jose C. Baroña, The Manila Times, August 24
PH, Australia, Canada hold maritime drills in West Philippine Sea. The Philippine Navy conducted a joint maritime exercise with Australian and Canadian forces under Exercise Alon in the West Philippine Sea, near El Nido, Palawan. Warships performed helicopter landings, personnel transfers, and interoperability drills to reinforce freedom of navigation and regional security. The Manila Times, August 24
Taiwan
Taiwanese opposition survives another recall vote, and referendum on nuclear power fails. Opposition lawmakers in Taiwan, including seven from the Kuomintang, retained their seats in a second round of recall votes, thwarting the Democratic Progressive Party’s attempt to regain legislative control. A referendum to revive nuclear power fell short of the required 25% voter threshold despite a strong majority in favor. Associated Press, August 23
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka ex-president Wickremesinghe hospitalised after arrest, media says. Former Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe was hospitalized with dehydration, diabetes, and high blood pressure one day after his arrest on allegations of misusing public funds. He had been taken into custody over a controversial UK trip linked to his wife’s honorary professorship. Swati Bhat, Reuters, August 24
Tajikistan
Five-year plan for food independence in Tajikistan faces tough questions. Tajikistan’s government has launched a $41.6 million food security plan for 2026–2030, aiming to achieve self-sufficiency and reduce import reliance by 2030. While agricultural output has grown and food self-sufficiency rose to 80%, the country remains dependent on key staples. Most funding comes from international donors. Vagit Ismailov, Times of Central Asia, August 22
Kyrgyzstan
Tokayev in Bishkek: deals, diplomacy, and a golden bridge. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited Kyrgyzstan for high-level talks, culminating in a Supreme Interstate Council session and unveiling of the “Golden Bridge of Friendship” with President Sadyr Japarov. The visit emphasized deepening bilateral ties through new consular and educational infrastructure, expanded trade targets, and energy cooperation. Both sides aim to solidify a $3 billion trade goal. Stephen M. Bland, Times of Central Asia, August 22
Asia
Asia’s response to a leaderless trading system. Elevated policy uncertainty and renewed U.S. trade actions are suppressing long-horizon investment, pushing Asian governments to seek resilience without a hegemonic sponsor. Modeling shows April 2025–style U.S. tariffs would directly cut ASEAN real GDP by 2.3%, with a 15% global tariff contagion slashing output by over 11%; full RCEP implementation can offset losses and yield a 1.9% gain through intra-regional substitution. Regional authorities have deployed fiscal and monetary support and avoided retaliation, while prioritizing deeper RCEP and CPTPP processes and plurilateral cooperation on green growth and resilience. Sam Hardwick, East Asia Forum, August 24
Powering the green transition through EU–Asia Pacific partnerships. The EU and Asia Pacific account for nearly 70% of emissions, making Climate and Energy Partnerships central to decarbonization, finance mobilization, and clean-energy deployment. The EU’s domestic transition features a 37% emissions drop since 1990 and renewables nearing half of electricity, while external tools align trade and environmental goals. JETPs pledge US$20 billion for Indonesia and US$15.8 billion for Vietnam, though disbursement lags. Green alliances and Global Gateway projects can scale cross-border infrastructure and carbon markets, but debt and security distractions risk dilution. Prioritizing high-impact areas and coupling obligations with incentives is recommended. James Correia, East Asia Forum, August 23
East Asia
Why are Chinese Students Choosing Higher Education in Asian Countries? Chinese outbound enrolment is moving toward Asian destinations. Western “big four” universities still draw a majority but their share has fallen, while Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea report sharp increases since 2019–2022. Pull factors include lower tuition and living costs, proximity, safety, linguistic comfort, and expanded recruiting by Asian universities, including bilingual offerings and China-friendly application and payment channels. A broader applicant pool and Belt and Road–linked scholarships also raise flows. Graduates seek postgraduate credentials amid domestic competition, yet host systems must manage quality and local concerns rather than treat enrollees as cash cows. Koh Sin Yee, FULCRUM, August 22
China Issues Approved News Source List. China’s Cyberspace Administration released its 2025 roster of republishable online news outlets, listing 1,456 state-linked sources and reinforcing controls that bar platforms from distributing content from unapproved domestic or foreign publishers. The system, launched in 2015 and tightened in 2021, formalizes CCP dominance over digital news by licensing eligible central, provincial, and government-platform media while excluding others such as Caixin. The update reflects steady growth in provincial and government accounts and codifies the “add, verify, eliminate” management approach to sources. David Bandurski, China Media Project, August 24
Can Xi and Trump Strike a Beautiful October Deal? Recent steps include a 90-day partial U.S. tariff suspension, Chinese countermeasure cuts, and easing around rare earth flows and export controls, alongside signals on Nvidia and AMD sales into China. Talks extended another 90 days aim at a framework pairing wider Chinese market access with mutual tariff reductions and calibrated U.S. chip control relaxations, possibly timed to a late-October summit; TikTok U.S. divestiture and algorithm licensing remain variables. Beijing seeks relief on advanced HBM memory, which appears unlikely, though a downgraded Blackwell-based chip could proceed. Sourabh Gupta, ICAS, August 22
The Cost of Disengagement: How Serbia Became China’s Strategic Win in Europe. Serbia leveraged Chinese loans, FDI, and a recent free trade pact to deepen ties beyond economics into political, security, and digital domains amid uneven Western attention. Reduced U.S. and EU engagement created opportunity for Beijing’s influence, with risks of corrosive financing, weaker accountability, and strategic realignment. Viable democratic alternatives and accessible development support to counterbalance China’s appeal in vulnerable peripheries are needed. Stefan Vladisavljev, U.S.-China Perception Monitor, August 22
Why a Legal Clarification on Social Security Shook China’s Public Debate. China’s Supreme People’s Court confirmed that any agreement to skip social-insurance contributions is void, directed courts to back worker claims, and let repaying employers reclaim cash allowances. Officials framed the move as standardizing rulings rather than creating new duties, since law already requires participation. Small firms facing weak demand and high nonwage costs fear added strain. Debate centers on uneven pensions and a pay-as-you-go system strained by aging. Beijing has cut rates, allowed 2022 deferrals, transferred SOE shares to social funds, and begun flexible retirement-age reform, yet trust gaps persist. The interpretation takes effect September 1 and tightens compliance while highlighting needs for deeper structural fixes. Zichen Wang,
, August 24