China
China and Saudi Arabia pledge deeper hi-tech cooperation despite U.S. pressure. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said Saudi Arabia will deepen cooperation with China in oil and gas, new energy, artificial intelligence and high technology, according to China’s foreign ministry, despite rising U.S. scrutiny. China’s Middle East role, including brokering Saudi-Iran ties, has complicated Washington’s efforts to keep Riyadh aligned as U.S.-Saudi relations cooled over arms limits and Gaza war disputes. Zhao Ziwen, South China Morning Post, December 15
China accuses Philippines of ‘premeditated’ provocations near Sabina Shoal. China said Manila organized vessels to stir trouble near Sabina Shoal and accused Philippine personnel of threatening Chinese coast guard officers with knives after a Friday confrontation. The Philippines said Chinese ships used water cannon, cut anchor lines, injured three fishermen and damaged two boats. China criticized US statements, while Washington condemned China’s actions. Vanessa Cai, South China Morning Post, December 15
Jimmy Lai remains beacon of Hong Kong press freedom, say ex-colleagues awaiting his sentencing. Former Apple Daily journalists said Jimmy Lai’s national security conviction deepened fears of a heavy sentence and intensified self-censorship in Hong Kong newsrooms after the 2021 raid and the paper’s closure. Some former staffers moved abroad and launched diaspora outlets, while others left journalism as media options narrowed under the 2020 security law and related prosecutions. Jessie Pang, James Pomfret, and Angie Teo, Reuters, December 15
Japan
Bank of Japan to take interest rates to 30-year high. The Bank of Japan is expected to raise its short-term policy rate to 0.75% from 0.5% at its Dec. 19 meeting and signal further hikes tied to economic conditions, as inflation stays above 2% and wage gains persist. Policymakers are weighing US tariff headwinds and yen weakness that lifts import costs and broadens price pressures. Leika Kihara, Reuters, December 15
South Korea
‘We’re screwed because of you’: Kim Keon Hee told Yoon Suk Yeol after martial law, probe finds. A special counsel team said testimony shows ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol argued with his wife, Kim Keon Hee, after his December 2024 martial law declaration, with Kim blaming him for derailing her plans. Assistant special counsel Park Ji-young said investigators found no evidence Kim played any role in the decision or preparations. Shin Ji-hye, The Korea Herald, December 15
Top security adviser to discuss with U.S. about S. Korea’s push to build nuclear-powered subs. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said he will consult U.S. counterparts on Washington’s preparations for approving South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine plan, including issues such as uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing. Seoul has formed three task forces for the talks and will also raise Korean Peninsula security and dialogue with North Korea. Kim Eun-jung, Yonhap News Agency, December 16
S. Korea, Laos agree to upgrade ties, cooperate on transnational crimes. President Lee Jae Myung and Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith agreed to upgrade relations to a comprehensive partnership and signed treaties on mutual legal assistance and extradition to combat transnational crimes such as online scams. They also agreed to set up a hotline between Korean diplomats and Lao police. Kim Eun-jung, Yonhap News Agency, December 15
Vietnam
Election preparations on track ahead of upcoming polls: NA Chairman. National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, who also heads the National Election Council, said agencies are following statutory procedures and meeting tight requirements as Vietnam restructures parts of its political system and local administration. He cited early personnel work, proactive security planning and wider information-technology use aligned with population data systems. The council also approved several election-related resolutions. Vietnam News, December 15
Thailand
Thailand to go to polls on Feb. 8, election commission says. Thailand’s election commission set Feb. 8 for parliamentary elections after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dissolved parliament following a split with the opposition People’s Party. Voters will elect 500 lawmakers, and parties may nominate up to three prime ministerial candidates. Official results are due by April 9, with the new parliament convening within 15 days to choose speakers and a prime minister. Chayut Setboonsarng and Panu Wongcha-um, Reuters, December 15
Thailand cuts Laos fuel route as Cambodia border conflict deepens. Thailand stopped fuel shipments through the Chong Mek checkpoint into Laos after intelligence indicated supplies were being diverted to Cambodian forces, as fighting entered a second week with at least 38 dead and more than 500,000 displaced. Thailand said clashes continue at multiple sites, and Cambodia accused Thai forces of drone attacks, artillery fire and F-16 strikes deep inside its territory. Panu Wongcha-Um, Reuters, December 15
Myanmar
‘For all I know, she could be dead’ says son of Myanmar’s Suu Kyi. Kim Aris said he has not heard from his mother, detained since the 2021 coup, and has only secondhand reports of heart, bone, and gum problems. He said the junta’s phased election from Dec. 28 could create an opening for release or house arrest and urged Japan and other governments to increase pressure and reject the vote. John Geddie, Reuters, December 15
China and Myanmar junta warn against ‘foreign meddling’ in scam crackdown. Chinese official Liu Zhongyi met junta Home Affairs Minister Tun Tun Naung in Naypyitaw to coordinate raids on Myawaddy scam hubs and reject outside involvement as the US forms a multi-agency strike force and sanctions junta-linked groups. The junta admitted officials’ complicity but blamed Thailand and the KNU. Maung Kavi, The Irrawaddy, December 15
Myanmar junta hits back at criticism of military-run poll. At a Yangon news conference, spokesman Zaw Min Tun dismissed criticism that elections starting Dec. 28 will be neither free nor fair, saying the vote is for Myanmar. He said critics can complain but the junta will pursue a multiparty system. He suggested Min Aung Hlaing could lead after the poll. The Irrawaddy, December 15
Laos
Laos, South Korea leaders move to deepen cooperation on crime, economy, security. Presidents Thongloun Sisoulith and Lee Jae Myung met in Seoul and agreed to upgrade ties to a comprehensive partnership. They signed extradition and mutual legal assistance treaties to tackle online fraud, illegal gambling and drug trafficking and renewed Laos’ participation in South Korea’s employment permit system program. Phontham Visapra, The Laotian Times, December 15
Philippines
Philippines to protest China’s actions that injured Filipino fishermen in South China Sea. The Philippines said it will file a diplomatic protest and a demarche after Chinese coast guard ships used water cannon, dangerous maneuvers and cut anchor lines near Sabina Shoal, injuring three fishermen and damaging two boats. Manila called the actions unjustified and urged China to prioritize safety at sea, while the United States condemned the tactics. Mikhail Flores, Reuters, December 15
DPWH wants P54B that Senate cut from budget restored. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon asked senators to restore P54 billion removed from the House-approved DPWH budget, separate from a P255 billion agency cut after a flood-control bribery scandal. He said the Senate relied on material price estimates without full engineering review, risking miscosted projects and delays. Malacañang warned that nearly 10,000 projects could be affected. William B. Depasupil and Kristina Maralit, The Manila Times, December 15
ICI holds final hearing on flood control project anomalies for 2025. The Independent Commission for Infrastructure heard AGAP Rep. Nicanor Briones and Budget acting Secretary Rolando Toledo on alleged irregularities in planning and funding flood-control projects. Briones requested an executive session, citing reputational harm and sensitive disclosures, while permitting the release of his sworn statement and exhibits. Franco Jose C. Baroña, The Manila Times, December 15
Indonesia
Amendments to Whistleblower Protection Act to be tabled next year, says PM Anwar. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 will go to Parliament next year to distinguish genuine whistleblowers from criminals who try to use the law to evade prosecution. He said protection remains guaranteed for whistleblowers and families, and “no one is above the law.” He cited RM15.5 billion in enforcement seizures, forfeitures and penalties. The Star, December 16
Singapore
DBS appointed as Singapore’s second renminbi clearing bank. DBS was named Singapore’s second RMB clearing bank during a Chongqing bilateral meeting that produced 27 agreements, adding to ICBC’s existing role since 2013. MAS said the move supports offshore RMB growth and wider RMB use for trade and investment. Separate deals include a pilot for Singapore travelers to open and top up digital RMB wallets and an over-the-counter bond market arrangement. Jun Yuan Yong, Reuters, December 15
Singapore, China leaders hail growing ties, sign 27 agreements at annual apex meeting to deepen cooperation. Singapore and China signed 27 agreements at the 21st Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation meeting in Chongqing, covering finance, green and digital development, and education. Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said the deals aim to help firms navigate geopolitical uncertainty, while both sides set new directions for the Chongqing connectivity initiative and expanded trade and RMB cooperation. Bong Xin Ying, Channel News Asia, December 15
Taiwan
Taiwan premier refuses to enact opposition-passed spending plans. Premier Cho Jung-tai said he will not enact opposition-backed amendments to a revenue allocation law that shift more funds to local governments, arguing they would force unsustainable borrowing of T$264.6 billion next year. He invited lawmakers to pursue a no-confidence vote, while the KMT and TPP accused the government of acting dictatorially and undermining the rule of law. Ben Blanchard and Jeanny Kao, Reuters, December 15
Taiwan’s global credibility on the line with disputed laws, president says. President Lai Ching-te urged parliament to withdraw opposition-backed laws that his government says are fiscally unsustainable, including changes to revenue allocation for local governments and a rollback of 2018 pension reforms. Premier Cho Jung-tai refused to enact the financing law, drawing opposition accusations of authoritarianism and ignoring the elected legislature. Ben Blanchard, Reuters, December 16
Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan economy grew 5.4% in third quarter of 2025. Official data showed Sri Lanka’s economy expanded 5.4% in Q3 2025 after 4.9% growth in Q2, led by 8.1% industrial growth, 3.6% agriculture growth and 3.5% services growth. Authorities warned Cyclone Ditwah killed 643 and damaged infrastructure and farms, with analysts expecting a 0.5%–0.7% contraction and slower 2026 growth. Uditha Jayasinghe, Reuters, December 15
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan proposes creation of UN water agency to tackle global resource challenges. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev urged creating a specialized UN water agency at an Ashgabat forum, arguing UN-Water lacks an independent mandate, budget and enforcement power. He proposed turning UN-Water into a full agency to manage water and sanitation, support Sustainable Development Goals and address Central Asia’s water stress. Dmitry Pokidaev, The Times of Central Asia, December 15
Kazakhstan, EU expand cooperation in critical minerals and connectivity. Kazakhstan and the European Union marked the 10th anniversary of their Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement at a Dec. 12 event in Brussels hosted by Kazakhstan’s embassy with support from Eurasian Resources Group. Speakers cited $50 billion in 2024 trade, more than $200 billion in EU investment since 2005, and cooperation on the Middle Corridor and critical minerals. Nargiz Raimbekova, The Astana Times, December 15
East Asia
Mediation with Chinese characteristics in the 2025 Thailand–Cambodia border crisis. Thailand and Cambodia signed a Joint Peace Statement on October 26, 2025 after a July 24 border clash that killed at least 38 people and displaced over 300,000 civilians. Malaysia, as ASEAN chair, convened talks on July 28 and brokered an initial ceasefire, but enforcement required help from China and the United States. China worked through consultations and official channels, including a July 30 trilateral meeting in Shanghai and follow-up diplomacy by Wang Yi and envoy Deng Xijun. The United States pushed rapid de-escalation through visible pressure, while China focused on trust, process, and ASEAN mechanisms, with a call for greater transparency to reduce fears of backroom deals. Bo Ma and Zining Xu, East Asia Forum, December 15
China’s AI Chip Deficit: Why Huawei Can’t Catch Nvidia and U.S. Export Controls Should Remain. On December 8, the Trump administration announced plans to loosen U.S. export controls by approving sales of Nvidia H200 chips to China. Public performance data and company roadmaps show the best U.S. AI chips deliver five times the total processing performance of Huawei’s best chips, with a gap of seventeen times by the second half of 2027. Huawei’s roadmap lists the Ascend 950PR and Ascend 950DT in 2026 with lower total processing performance than the Ascend 910C, which could indicate limits in domestic fabrication as SMIC remains at 7nm under equipment controls. Under high output assumptions, Huawei produces 5 percent of Nvidia’s aggregate AI computing power in 2025 and 2 percent in 2027. Large H200 sales could give China more AI computing power than domestic production until 2028 or 2029 and support major data centers in China and overseas. Chris McGuire, Council on Foreign Relations, December 15
Why China isn’t rushing to buy Nvidia’s H200 AI chip. U.S. approval for Nvidia’s H200 exports to China drew a muted official response, and Chinese authorities have not approved procurement licenses. China seeks wider U.S. high-tech exports but wants any chips to meet security standards and avoid disrupting domestic chip self-sufficiency. China also plans a funding program of up to 500 billion RMB to support domestic chip manufacturing, while firms such as Alibaba and ByteDance have contacted Nvidia about H200 purchases. Public concern frames renewed Nvidia access as a “sugar-coated bullet” that could weaken domestic suppliers as Huawei scales Ascend 910C shipments and other local firms expand localization paths. Yu Zeyuan, ThinkChina, December 15
India and China in deep water over Himalayan hydropower. India launched a US$77 billion drive to build more than 200 hydropower dams in the northeast, including Arunachal Pradesh, with a planned capacity of 75 GW and a flagship 11 GW Upper Siang project. China’s Great Bend mega-dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo is projected at 67 to 80 GW and costs exceeding US$160 billion, which India views as strategic leverage. With no water-sharing treaty, fears of hydro-leverage intersect with data sovereignty as China links dams to an AI-driven smart grid and India ties hydropower to AI-enabled monitoring and modeling. AI-based controls create cyber vulnerabilities where intrusion or malfunction could trigger crisis. Jianli Yang, East Asia Forum, December 15
Tracking North Korea’s Ninth Party Congress Preparations. North Korea’s year-end Workers’ Party plenum on December 9 to 11 reviewed 2025 and set 2026 tasks while leaving Ninth Party Congress timing and substance undefined. The WPK Charter defines the Party Congress as the party’s supreme leadership organ, held every five years to review Central Committee work, revise programs and rules, decide key policy lines, and elect leadership. A June plenum decided to convene the Ninth Party Congress without a date, and the latest plenum cited pending issues and early-stage preparations. Preparations include forming a committee, organizing sector panels, drafting rule amendments, reviewing party bodies, and electing delegates. The Eighth Congress timeline suggests several weeks of work and possible Politburo updates before any announcement. Rachel Minyoung Lee, 38 North, December 15
Why has the border between the Koreas fallen silent. South Korea stopped loudspeaker broadcasts of K-pop and news toward North Korea after President Lee Jae Myung took office in June, and North Korea shut off its own broadcasts in response. Leaflet launches by activists paused. South Korea’s intelligence agency ended radio transmissions into North Korea for the first time since 2010, and outside programming entering the country fell by 80% since May. Activist groups broadcast shortwave from other countries, but South Korea bars transmission from its territory. The steps cut access to uncensored information that North Korea punishes with prison terms and executions. Lee hopes the gesture can support talks with Kim Jong Un. The Economist, December 15
Southeast Asia
Thailand Calls a Snap Election During a Border War: What It All Means. Thailand dissolved parliament and moved elections to February 8, 2026 as interim Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul faced a no-confidence vote led by the People’s Party. Corruption allegations tied to Cambodia raised pressure on Anutin, while the campaign pits the pro-military Bhumjaithai Party against the reformist People’s Party. Fighting with Cambodia has intensified despite mediation efforts, driving nationalist sentiment that boosts Bhumjaithai and complicates the People’s Party platform on military and monarchy reform. The conflict has changed voter perceptions of the army, reduced United States leverage, and set conditions for a Bhumjaithai-led coalition while peace prospects remain low before the vote. Joshua Kurlantzick, Council on Foreign Relations, December 15
Momentum or Mirage? Anutin’s Risky Road to Re-Election. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dissolved Thailand’s House on December 12 to avert a no-confidence vote and trigger an early 2026 election tied to the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute. The move came before a no-confidence motion could strip him of dissolution power under the constitution. Early steps included technocrats in cabinet and the Khon La Khrueng co-payment scheme, which lifted polling. Bhumjaithai relies on provincial patronage networks and alliances with powerful local factions that can deliver constituency seats. Flood mismanagement and allegations linked to scam networks and cross-border deals hurt credibility. A hard line at the border may lift support, but unmet nationalist expectations or escalation that brings economic costs could spark backlash and leave coalition rule fragile. Napon Jatusripitak, FULCRUM, December 15
South Asia
Leveraging Taiwan: India’s strategic counterbalance to China. India and Taiwan trade passed US$10 billion in 2024, alongside new deals that link semiconductors, technology, artificial intelligence, industry, and supply chains. Taiwan has invested US$4.5 billion in India since February 2024, supporting Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy and India’s Act East and Make in India policies. India does not recognise Taipei but maintains expanding unofficial ties through the India–Taipei Association and Taiwan’s TECC. Chinese protests followed episodes such as Modi’s June 2024 outreach to Lai Ching-te and the October 2024 TECC opening in Mumbai, with another dispute in August 2025 over claims about India’s One China position. Shanthie Mariet D’Souza, Lowy Institute, December 15
Can Bangladesh, with an average age of 26, spur growth and social change in ‘26. Bangladesh heads to a February 2026 election after the 2024 uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina and caused 1,400 deaths. The interim government under Muhammad Yunus faces protests and high expectations. A proposed July Charter seeks a new political model built on institutional integrity and citizen agency. Past gains came from land reform, microcredit, garments exports, and remittances, but governance capture weakened accountability and raised youth unemployment. Growth sits at 3% to 4% amid uncertainty, weak investment, and energy limits. Rebuilding the judiciary, parliament, public administration, energy, and finance will shape the next cycle. Zahid Hussain and Tom Felix Joehnk, Nikkei Asia, December 15