China
CPC issues revised regulations on its working bodies. The revised regulations implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and subsequent plenary sessions, consolidate achievements from reforms of Party and state institutions, and tighten political requirements on working bodies. They also standardize how these bodies are set up and operate, with Party committees urged to strengthen leadership, publicity, supervision and inspection to ensure full implementation. Global Times, December 5
China’s official media calls for end to name-and-shame campaign against grass-roots cadres. State media and provincial propaganda organs are urging disciplinary watchdogs to stop branding low-level officials with mocking labels such as refrigerator or lipstick cadres, warning the practice is sensationalist and undermines morale. Recent commentaries say such shaming ignores heavy workloads and rigid hierarchies, after viral TV segments in Sichuan and other cities publicly paraded underperforming grassroots staff. William Zheng, South China Morning Post, December 6
Trump unveils strategy to prevent China conflict over Taiwan. President Donald Trump’s new National Security Strategy frames deterring conflict with China over Taiwan as a priority by preserving U.S. and allied military overmatch across East Asia. The document devotes expanded language to Taiwan, calls on partners like Japan and Southeast Asian states to spend and do more for collective defense, and seeks to balance deterrence with Trump’s outreach to Xi Jinping. Trevor Hunnicutt, Reuters, December 5
Hong Kong faces low election turnout as residents mourn deadly fire. Turnout for Hong Kong’s “patriots only” Legislative Council election is expected to be low as residents mourn a blaze that killed 159 people at a Tai Po housing estate and injured dozens. Volunteers report little interest in campaigning, while angry locals blame substandard renovation materials. Authorities urge voters to participate and have arrested several people for inciting boycotts. Laurie Chen, Joyce Zhou and Jessie Pang, Reuters, December 5
Japan
Chinese jets point radar at Japanese aircraft, Japan says. Japan said Chinese fighter jets aimed radar at its military aircraft in two dangerous encounters near Okinawa, calling the moves a threatening act and lodging a protest with Beijing. China accused Japanese planes of disrupting previously announced carrier drills, while Australia voiced deep concern as tensions spiked over Taiwan and recent Chinese deployments across regional waters. Tim Kelly, Kiyoshi Takenaka and David Kirton, Reuters, December 6
Chinese carrier conducting intense air operations near Japan, Tokyo says. A Chinese carrier strike group sailing near Japan conducted intense air operations as it moved into the Pacific east of Okinawa, with aircraft making about 100 takeoffs and landings over the weekend, Japan’s Self Defense Forces said. Tokyo accused fighters from the Liaoning of aiming radar at its jets, summoned China’s ambassador and warned of serious run-ins as tensions rise over Taiwan. Tim Kelly, Chang-Ran Kim and Ben Blanchard, Reuters, December 8
South Korea
Special counsel indicts PPP lawmaker Choo over alleged martial law role. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk’s team indicted former People Power Party floor leader Choo Kyung-ho without detention over allegations he helped former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law bid by repeatedly changing an emergency party meeting venue so PPP lawmakers skipped a vote to lift the decree. Choo denounced the decision as political persecution, as ex-Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn was charged with inciting insurrection. Park Boram, Yonhap News Agency, December 7
Top judges nationwide voice concern over DP-led judicial reform bills. Top judges across South Korea warned that two Democratic Party judicial reform bills are likely unconstitutional, saying they threaten trial neutrality, public trust and the right to a fair trial. At a Supreme Court meeting, they criticized plans for a special insurrection tribunal and a new legal distortion crime as rushed moves driven by politics. Chae Yun-hwan, Yonhap News Agency, December 5
North Korea
S. Korea not mulling joint drills as leverage for inter-Korean talks: official. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Seoul is not considering using South Korea-U.S. joint drills as a bargaining chip to resume dialogue with North Korea, despite exploring other options. He acknowledged limited progress in inter-Korean ties but vowed continued efforts, and dismissed concern that North Korea’s absence from Washington’s new National Security Strategy reflects U.S. indifference. Kim Eun-jung, Yonhap News Agency, December 7
Vietnam
Vietnam’s trade surplus with U.S. hits record as exports surge despite tariffs. Vietnam’s trade surplus with the U.S. hit $121.6 billion in the first 11 months, a record as exports shrugged off 20% Trump tariffs imposed in August. Exports to the U.S. jumped 22.5% in November year on year but have fallen month on month for four straight months. The trade deficit with China widened to $104.3 billion while FDI inflows rose 8.9% to $23.6 billion. Khanh Vu and Francesco Guarascio, Reuters, December 6
Lawmakers to approve many important laws, resolutions in 10th session’s last working week. Lawmakers in Hanoi are set to pass a wide slate of amended and new laws on taxation, population, public health, cybersecurity, defence industry, education and more during the final week of the 15th National Assembly’s 10th session from Dec. 8-11. They will also vote on major resolutions covering land law implementation, energy, airports, rail and multiple national target programmes. Vietnam News, December 7
Thailand
Thailand launches air strikes at Cambodia as border tensions reignite. Thailand launched air strikes along its disputed border with Cambodia after both sides accused each other of violating a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, killing one Thai soldier and wounding four. Cambodia says its troops have not fired back after Thai aircraft hit several areas. The clashes follow a July five-day war that left 48 dead and 300,000 displaced, with 385,000 Thai civilians now ordered to evacuate. Devjyot Ghoshal, Reuters, December 8
Pheu Thai asks court to rule on gov’t ‘ethical breaches’. The opposition Pheu Thai Party plans to petition the Constitutional Court over alleged ethical violations by ministers in Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s government before filing a no-confidence motion. Lawmaker Sutin Klungsaeng cites controversial budget allocations and SEA Games management, accusing the government of threatening House dissolution to evade scrutiny while insisting Pheu Thai is ready for an election. Aekarach Sattaburuth, Bangkok Post, December 8
Myanmar
Thai foreign minister expresses hope Myanmar junta’s vote will begin political transition. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told Myanmar’s military leaders he hopes the upcoming election will mark a political transition within a broader peace process. On a visit to Naypyitaw with senior Thai officers, he discussed bilateral ties, border security and development, cooperation against drugs and online scams, and invited a Myanmar representative to an anti-scam conference in Thailand on Dec. 17-18. The Irrawaddy, December 8
Cambodia
Thailand claims F-16s deployed to strike Cambodian positions after attack on Anupong base, Cambodia rejects accusation. Thailand says it deployed F-16s to strike Cambodian artillery positions near Preah Vihear after shelling allegedly killed one Thai soldier and wounded two at Anupong base. Cambodia denies firing into Thailand, accuses Bangkok of unprovoked attacks on several sites in Preah Vihear province, and says it has stuck to the U.S.-brokered ceasefire while alerting ASEAN observers. Analysts warn the escalating border clashes could widen. Khmer Times, December 8
Philippines
Colmenares pushes Marcos Jr. to admit ICC cooperation in Duterte’s arrest. Former lawmaker Neri Colmenares urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to publicly acknowledge his administration’s cooperation with the International Criminal Court in the March arrest of Rodrigo Duterte on drug war charges. He said citing Interpol protocols hides quiet coordination with the ICC and contradicts Manila’s official stance of noncooperation, arguing victims’ families deserve clarity about the government’s role and Duterte’s efforts to delay trial. Franco Jose C. Baroña, The Manila Times, December 7
Chinese forces fire flares at Philippine plane in South China Sea. Chinese forces fired three flares from Subi Reef toward a Philippine fisheries patrol plane during a routine surveillance flight over the West Philippine Sea, but the aircraft completed its mission without incident, the Coast Guard said. The crew spotted a Chinese hospital ship, coast guard vessels, suspected militia ships and a navy ship that repeatedly issued radio challenges. The Manila Times, December 7
Indonesia
Indonesia plans to buy 200 helicopters for defense, disaster response. President Prabowo Subianto announced plans to procure up to 200 helicopters next year to strengthen Indonesia’s defense posture and disaster response, citing high disaster risk in the Pacific Ring of Fire and ongoing floods and landslides in Sumatra. He said 50 helicopters already deliver aid and argued such purchases prevent scrambling for aircraft once a disaster or war erupts. ANTARA News, December 6
Indonesia’s President Prabowo to visit Pakistan, says embassy. Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto will visit Islamabad on Dec. 8-9 at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a trip marking 75 years of diplomatic ties. He is expected to meet President Asif Ali Zardari and military leaders and sign cooperation memorandums on trade, investment, defense and other sectors. ANTARA News, December 8
Taiwan
Chinese coastguard conducts first rescue drill in Taiwan Strait’s strategic choke point. Mainland China’s coastguard held its first search and rescue drill in the Taiwan Strait’s Taiwan Shoal, a hazardous chokepoint for global shipping, deploying giant patrol ships Haixun 06 and Haixun 0802, a rescue vessel, drones and over 100 personnel under Fujian’s maritime safety authority. Taiwan tracked the ships west of the median line and accused Beijing of obscuring the operation’s location amid rising regional tensions. Zhao Ziwen, South China Morning Post, December 8
U.S. Congress revises bill allocating Taiwan security funding. U.S. lawmakers released a compromise National Defense Authorization Act draft that keeps up to US$1 billion in 2026 funding for Taiwan-related security cooperation while dropping language inviting Taiwan to join RIMPAC. The bill orders rapid fielding of uncrewed systems, Coast Guard training and planning, and requires a Taiwan security assistance roadmap and reports on Indo-Pacific operations. Chung Yu-chen and James Thompson, Focus Taiwan, December 8
India
Putin, Modi agree to expand and widen India-Russia trade, strengthen friendship. Russian President Vladimir Putin offered India uninterrupted fuel supplies as he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed on an economic cooperation program through 2030 to diversify and rebalance trade. India welcomed long-standing ties but stayed cautious on oil imports amid U.S. tariffs and sanctions, while the two sides signed deals on labor, fertilizers, energy and joint production of defense equipment in India. Shivam Patel and YP Rajesh, Reuters, December 5
Kazakhstan
Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian to pay official visit to Astana this week. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian will visit Astana on Dec. 10–11 for talks marking a new stage in Kazakh-Iranian cooperation across key strategic sectors. The program centers on negotiations to expand bilateral partnership, focusing on trade, economic ties, transport and logistics connectivity, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges, with the visit expected to boost long-term collaboration. Fatima Kemelova, The Astana Times, December 8
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan UN Security Council bid gains backing from Central Asian neighbors. Kyrgyzstan’s bid for a 2027-28 non-permanent UN Security Council seat has won unified backing from all Central Asian presidents, who urged member states to support it at a UN briefing in New York. Kyrgyzstan’s campaign stresses conflict prevention, sustainable development for landlocked and mountainous nations, nuclear disarmament and UN reform, while civil society critics highlight shrinking media freedoms and a new “foreign agents” law. Stephen M. Bland, Times of Central Asia, December 5
East Asia
China’s Next Move: Economic Priorities and Policy Shifts for 2026. China enters the 2025 Central Economic Work Conference with growth near target yet weak domestic demand, property stress, local fiscal strain, and deflation risk. The meeting links short-term stabilization with the 15th Five-Year Plan by favoring expansionary fiscal policy, tighter control of local debt, and higher spending on health, education, childcare, and eldercare. Policy guidance supports consumption, targeted property relief, greener industry, and an upgraded industrial system that promotes advanced manufacturing, strategic emerging sectors, and “new quality productive forces.” Success depends on revived private sector confidence, coordination of fiscal and monetary tools, and better social protection. Unresolved tensions include state direction versus markets, industrial overcapacity versus weak demand, and ambitious central plans versus uneven local execution. Lizzi C. Lee and Jing Qian, Asia Society, December 5
How should Europe position itself for systemic rivalry with China? Europe faces China as a competitor of systems, with limited space for cooperation and rising economic and security pressures. China undercuts European prosperity through subsidies, overcapacity, and a dual circulation strategy that deepens dependence on Chinese supply chains while eroding European industry. Beijing weaponizes trade, critical raw materials, and support for Russia to challenge European security and the regional order. Europe must defend its social contract, forge a new public-private economic compact, and strengthen alliances and EU tools to manage this rivalry. Abigaël Vasselier and Tara Varma, Brookings, December 5
Escalating Japan-China Tensions: Insights from the Past and Prospects for the Future. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks linking a Taiwan conflict to a survival-threatening situation for Japan triggered intense Chinese criticism and a coordinated diplomatic campaign, with limited economic and military steps so far. Beijing frames Japan as a resurgent aggressor and questions Takaichi’s fitness to lead, while officials signal scope for further coercion and activity around Taiwan and the Senkaku Diaoyu area. Past crises in 2010 and 2012 raised long-term tension and normalized Chinese patrols. Current domestic politics and Taiwan’s central place in Chinese interests make de-escalation harder and push Japan toward stronger self-defense and reduced dependence on China. Bonny Lin and Kristi Govella, CSIS, December 5
Southeast Asia
Beyond ASEAN, Southeast Asia reasserts its Global South identity. Multipolar conditions and pressure from the United States, Europe, and China push Southeast Asian states to revive a Global South identity beyond ASEAN structures. Engagement with BRICS and other platforms widens diplomatic space, supports calls for global governance reform, and fits traditional preferences for autonomy and inclusive multilateralism. Indonesia’s full BRICS membership and partner status for Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam reflect efforts to diversify ties and reduce strategic vulnerability. Regional leaders use Global South language to frame cooperation with Latin America, Africa, and the Gulf. Yet Global South coalitions remain fragmented, and ASEAN depends on advanced economies for security and technology, which keeps ASEAN centrality intact under most scenarios. Sarang Shidore and Joanne Lin, Nikkei Asia, December 7
The ART of the deal lost in US Malaysia pact. The ART accord between the United States and Malaysia emerged from Trump’s visit to the 2025 ASEAN Summit but reflects coercive bargaining, rushed talks, and sharp unequal obligations on Kuala Lumpur. The pact contains dozens of clauses that bind Malaysia, few that bind Washington, no dispute settlement, and tight links between Malaysian trade policy, US security interests, and a punitive tariff agenda. Limited tariff relief and modest openings for standards, labour, and environmental reforms sit beside constraints on digital agreements and regional flexibility. This path weakens ASEAN cohesion, undermines Malaysia’s long-standing open trade stance, and risks lasting damage to its reputation as a reliable economic partner. Stewart Nixon, East Asia Forum, December 6