China
China confirms it is talking to U.S. about Trump visit as trade truce stays on the cards. China said it is talking with Washington about an April visit by Donald Trump. Spokesman Lin Jian said Xi Jinping repeated the invitation in a phone call last week. Sources said both sides expect to extend the October trade truce for up to a year. Khushboo Razdan, Xinmei Shen, Dewey Sim and Mark Magnier, South China Morning Post, February 11
State firms in China buy foreclosed properties to slow downturn. Chinese state-owned companies bought foreclosed property projects through online auctions at deep discounts. Analysts said the buys can cushion home price falls and reduce the housing slump's drag on growth. They warned the deals can delay a bottom as distressed assets trade hands instead of being written off. Liangping Gao, Marius Zaharia and Xiuyuan Ning, Reuters, February 12
Japan
Takaichi may visit South Korea in March. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may visit South Korea in March for talks with President Lee Jae Myung. Officials framed the trip as shuttle diplomacy as ties improve. Seoul or Andong is under review, but Japan’s budget debate may disrupt timing. The Japan Times, February 13
Japan says issues remain in finalizing first deals under U.S. trade package. Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa called for faster talks with the United States on initial projects in a $550 billion investment package. He cited unresolved coordination on projected interest rates and other metrics for each project. State agencies JBIC and NEXI would provide equity, loans and loan guarantees. The Asahi Shimbun, February 13
Survey: 93% of election winners favor revisions of Constitution. A survey of Feb. 8 election winners found 93% support revising Japan’s Constitution, up from 67% in 2024. Approximately 80% favored explicitly stating the Self-Defense Forces in the charter. The Liberal Democratic Party secured a two-thirds Lower House majority to initiate amendments. Yoshiyuki Komurata and Daiki Koga, The Asahi Shimbun, February 12
South Korea
Parliamentary committee meeting on U.S. investment bill halted amid partisan clash over judicial reform bills. A committee to fast-track a bill on South Korea's investment pledges to the United States ended its first meeting early. The People Power Party protested two judicial reform bills, including plans to add Supreme Court justices. Chair Kim Sang-hoon said he will put the investment bill to a vote by March 9. Yi Wonju, Yonhap News Agency, February 12
Gov’t task force labels Yoon’s martial law bid ‘insurrection from above’. A task force called Yoon Suk Yeol’s 2024 martial law bid an “insurrection from above.” Investigators found efforts to keep martial law after the National Assembly voted to lift it. Officials sought discipline in 89 cases and referred 110 for probes. Yi Wonju, Yonhap News Agency, February 12
Lee’s planned luncheon with rival party leaders canceled after PPP chief’s abrupt boycott. President Lee Jae Myung canceled a luncheon with party leaders after People Power Party chief Jang Dong-hyeok pulled out. Jang cited judicial reform bills that allow constitutional appeals and add Supreme Court justices. Lee replaced the meeting with lunch near Cheong Wa Dae with aides and journalists. Park Boram and Kim Eun-jung, Yonhap News Agency, February 12
North Korea
North Korea says South Korea should take steps to prevent violation of its sovereignty. Kim Yo Jong said South Korean authorities should prevent a repeat of a drone entering North Korean airspace, KCNA reported. She called Unification Minister Chung Dong-young's expression of regret sensible behavior. South Korea's unification ministry said it would work to prevent any recurrence. Heejin Kim and Joyce Lee, Reuters, February 12
N. Korea in process of designating leader’s daughter Ju-ae as successor: NIS. Lawmakers said the National Intelligence Service (NIS) now assesses Kim Ju-ae as in a successor designation stage. The agency cited her appearances at major events and signs that she has voiced views on state policy. The NIS said it will watch whether she attends a party congress late this month. Yi Wonju, Yonhap News Agency, February 12
Vietnam
Vietnam’s To Lam expected to attend Board of Peace meeting in US next week, sources say. Vietnam leader To Lam will travel to the United States next week for a Board of Peace meeting, sources said. A U.S. official said the leaders session is Feb. 19 in Washington. Sources said the trip would include aviation deals as Vietnam seeks a trade agreement after U.S. tariffs. Phuong Nguyen, Khanh Vu and Francesco Guarascio, Reuters, February 12
Thailand
Pheu Thai backs new charter drive. Pheu Thai urged parties, lawmakers, civil society and the public to turn a referendum yes vote into a new constitution. With 94% counted, about 19.9 million backed drafting a new charter, and the tally was expected to top 20 million. Leaders said broad participation is needed before parliament forms a charter drafting assembly and holds another referendum. Aekarach Sattaburuth, Bangkok Post, February 13
Anutin rejects election fraud claims. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul denied claims that the Interior Ministry interfered in the Feb. 8 election. He said only the Election Commission can decide on a nationwide recount and it remains within its certification deadline. He warned that extra procedures could delay clarified results and keep the cabinet in caretaker status longer. Author, Bangkok Post, February 12
Philippines
The Philippines rebukes China over travel ban on Kalayaan officials. China's embassy said 16 Kalayaan officials were barred from entering China, Hong Kong and Macau. Philippine foreign affairs spokeswoman Angelica Escalona said the ban was unhelpful for bilateral ties. Kalayaan passed resolutions declaring ambassador Jing Quan unwelcome and citing a 2023 water-cannon incident at Second Thomas Shoal. Vanessa Cai, South China Morning Post, February 12
ICC allows additional evidence, gets 227 more victim applications in case vs. Duterte. The ICC authorized Rodrigo Duterte’s defense to add 78 items and prosecutors to add two. Judges cited relevance and no objections and ordered updated evidence lists by Feb. 13. The court also received 227 new victim applications, bringing the latest transmission total to 500. Franco Jose C. Baroña, The Manila Times, February 12
PH, China hold talks on easing tensions, peace and order. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla met Ambassador Jing Quan to outline policing cooperation and cultural exchanges to ease tensions. Remulla said the talks focused on peace and order and Chinese safety, not the Kalayaan islands. Protesters rallied at the embassy over West Philippine Sea harassment and urged diplomacy under international law. Franco Jose C. Baroña, The Manila Times, February 13
PH could have ‘broken govt’ by 2028 - Sara. Vice President Sara Duterte warned the Philippines could face a broken government before the 2028 election. She cited trash, floods, weak indicators and corruption, and said her 2028 decision comes by year-end. Duterte said the 2028 polls might not happen and rebuked Palace spokeswoman Clarissa Castro for calling her a liar. Red Mendoza, The Manila Times, February 13
Indonesia
Indonesia says ‘no ties normalization’ as Israel joins Gaza board. Indonesia said joining the Trump-led Board of Peace on Gaza alongside Israel does not normalize ties. Spokesman Vahd Nabyl A Mulachela said the role protects civilians, enables aid and supports reconstruction under a 2025 U.N. Security Council resolution. President Prabowo Subianto plans to attend the board’s Feb. 19 Washington meeting after Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu joined. Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta Globe, February 12
Malaysia
Malaysia's top graft buster under fire over allegations of agency misconduct, rules breach. Azam Baki faced calls to resign after reports of misconduct at Malaysia's anti-corruption commission. Bloomberg cited a filing showing he held 17.7 million shares worth 800,000 ringgit, above a 100,000 ringgit limit. He said he declared and sold them last year, while Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim rejected calls to fire him. Ashley Tang, Danial Azhar and Rozanna Latiff, Reuters, February 12
Malaysia forms special committee to probe anti-corruption chief, says communications minister. Malaysia will form a special committee to investigate allegations against MACC chief Azam Baki after a Bloomberg report. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said Chief Secretary Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar will lead the panel and report to the cabinet. Bloomberg cited a filing listing 17.7 million shares worth 800,000 ringgit, and Azam said he welcomed a fair probe. Danial Azhar and Ashley Tang, Reuters, February 13
Taiwan
U.S., Taiwan finalise deal to cut tariffs, boost purchases of U.S. goods. U.S. officials confirmed a 15% tariff on Taiwanese imports under a reciprocal agreement. Taiwan will lower or eliminate tariffs on most U.S. goods and drop some farm duties. Taiwan also pledged higher U.S. purchases through 2029, including energy and aircraft. David Lawder and Ben Blanchard, Reuters, February 12
Bangladesh
Bangladesh BNP wins parliamentary election. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party won 151 seats, crossing the 150-seat majority line. Ekattor TV reported the tally as ballots were counted in the 300-seat parliament race. The vote was expected to restore political stability after months of turmoil. Krishna Das and Tora Agarwala, Reuters, February 12
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan approves feasibility study for Trans-Afghan railway. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev approved an agreement with Afghanistan and Pakistan to develop a feasibility study for the Trans-Afghan railway. The Naibabad-to-Kharlachi line would run from Termez through Maidan Shahr and Logar and connect to Pakistan’s rail network. Uzbek officials estimate a 647-kilometer build at $6.9 billion and say freight could reach Karachi, Gwadar and Qasim. Sadokat Jalolova, The Times of Central Asia, February 12
Tajikistan
Foreign capital inflows to Tajikistan jump by one-third, approaching $7 billion. Tajikistan said foreign inflows reached $6.925 billion in 2025, up 35.1% from 2024. Post-Soviet states provided $3.031 billion, or 43.8%, while other countries supplied $3.894 billion, or 56.2%. Officials credited regulatory changes, including a May 2025 investment law update, and said a Dushanbe Invest forum signed $4.1 billion in agreements. Vagit Ismailov, The Times of Central Asia, February 12
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan moves to purge allies of ousted security chief. Parliament speaker Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu resigned after Kamchybek Tashiev’s dismissal. Authorities detained five Tashiev supporters and rapidly restructured the security services. Tashiev called the ouster unexpected and urged supporters to obey the law. Aigerim Turgunbaeva and Felix Light, Reuters, February 12
East Asia
America and China at the Edge of Ruin. Washington and Beijing have built national security strategies that treat the other as a threat to values, legitimacy, and vital interests, producing arms competition and a high risk of accidents such as air collisions or embassy strikes. Economic ties now look like vulnerability, with export controls, industrial policy, and supply chain changes, plus weaker travel and academic exchange and a 27% fall in F-1 visas for Chinese students from 2024 to 2025. A window for stabilization exists after the October 2025 Xi-Trump meeting in Busan and steps on trade and chips. A new normalization would start with Taiwan assurances, consulate reopenings, tariff cuts, restored exchanges, and military talks. David M. Lampton and Wang Jisi, Foreign Affairs, February 12
Don't expect China's property downturn to end anytime soon. China’s property downturn has lasted five years and has cut household and investor confidence. Leadership's talk about stabilizing expectations has raised hopes of a rescue, but policy steps remain small and leave sales and prices weak. Expectation management reflects Xi Jinping’s 2016 line that housing serves living needs, not speculation, after leverage, land sale dependence, and oversupply created risk. Beijing prefers a housing system tied to welfare and affordability, not a new credit surge. Cyberspace regulators have targeted posts that distort policy intent, including claims of sweeping stimulus and price rebounds. A large glut, heavy developer debt, and macro anxiety point to a long adjustment. David Tingxuan Zhang, Nikkei Asia, February 12
Trump is mistaken: China is a wind power giant. China holds the largest installed wind capacity, produces most wind turbines, and builds wind farms at an unmatched scale, with large bases in the Three North region and offshore projects on the eastern coast. Total wind capacity reached 640 GW by the end 2025, with 76 GW added in 2024, and wind supplied 16% of electricity generation. The Jiuquan Wind Power Base exceeds 7,000 turbines and 10 GW. Grid limits, weak transmission, coal sector interests, and central local frictions drive curtailment and uneven policy delivery. Plans for 2026 to 2030 target 120 GW of new wind each year and 1,300 GW by 2030, with ultra high voltage lines, storage integration, and governance reform. Chen Gang, ThinkChina, February 12
From Beijing to Strategic Autonomy: How Carney’s China Agreement Revives the Third Option. Canada cut its tariff on Chinese electric vehicles from 100% to 6.1% in exchange for China cutting canola tariffs from 84% to 15% by March 1, 2026, with expectations of $3 billion in new agricultural exports and EV assembly in Canada within three years. The deal revives Pierre Trudeau’s 1969 Third Option goal of reducing dependence on the United States, which saw U.S. trade share rise from 67.9% to 78.8% and direct investment grow from $22 billion to $66 billion. Mark Carney links autonomy to material strength before diversification, backed by energy, critical minerals, AI, and defense spending doubled by 2030 plus a $1 trillion investment plan. Reduced fear of Chinese retaliation could support Southeast Asia security and coalition work. Xiaolong (James) Wang, Sino-Southeast Initiative, February 12
The world’s most powerful woman. The Liberal Democratic Party won a snap election on February 8, taking almost 70% of lower house seats and giving Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae 316 of 465 seats, a two-thirds majority. The mandate supports faster defense change through higher spending, innovation, intelligence, and fewer limits on the defense industry, while keeping the United States close under Donald Trump. Japan can lead trade diplomacy by linking the CPTPP with the European Union. Domestic priorities include social security reform, job-based employment, removal of family law and tax barriers that hold women in low paid work, and a change toward migrant attraction. Risks include a Yasukuni Shrine visit, anti-foreigner politics, and costly promises such as a food sales tax suspension without new debt. The Economist, February 12.
Japan eyes lethal weapons exports. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government plans to remove most remaining restrictions on lethal weapons exports, extending a decades-long loosening of postwar bans. Coalition change after Komeito’s exit enabled alignment with the Japan Innovation Party, which supports lifting limits that confined exports to five categories of non-lethal equipment. Existing exemptions for international joint development already allow Patriot PAC-3 missile exports to the United States and deals such as Mogami class frigates for Australia and the fighter jet program with Italy and the United Kingdom. Expanded exports could include Official Security Assistance and potential sales to the Philippines, while raising oversight risks. Defense industry capacity, labor shortages, and domestic procurement needs constrain impact. Paul Midford, East Asia Forum, February 12
Southeast Asia
Indonesia’s economy needs credible policy, not quixotic targets. Indonesia entered 2025 under President Prabowo Subianto amid lingering effects of pandemic disruptions and renewed trade uncertainty after US tariff measures. Regional growth diverged, with Indonesia near 5 per cent while Vietnam exceeded 8 per cent through manufacturing and exports. Indonesia saw an 8.9 per cent year-on-year decline in foreign direct investment as regulatory uncertainty and weak demand prospects delayed projects, while domestic investment moved toward low spillover sectors. Fiscal credibility weakened as major programs expanded alongside weak revenue, cancellation of a planned VAT increase, and deficits nearing the 3 per cent ceiling. Rate cuts had limited effect because uncertainty restrained firms. Durable growth depends on deregulation, predictable rules, streamlined imports and logistics, and consistent enforcement. Arianto A Patunru, East Asia Forum, February 12
Establishment Forces Prevail as Thailand’s Progressives Fall Short. Bhumjaithai won 193 of 500 House seats on February 8, keeping Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirikul in office and delivering the first conservative majority of the 21st century. The progressive People’s Party fell from 151 to 118 seats with 94% of votes counted, despite winning 10 million party list votes to Bhumjaithai’s 6 million, because constituency contests allocate 80% of seats. People’s Party swept Bangkok’s 33 districts, while Bhumjaithai used rural patronage networks and recruited defectors from Pheu Thai. Nationalist campaigning over the Cambodia dispute helped Bhumjaithai, while People’s Party softened plans to change lèse majesté laws. The Constitutional Court charged 44 People’s Party MPs under lèse majesté provisions, while a referendum showed 60% support for constitutional amendments drafted after the 2014 coup. Bryanna Entwistle, Asia Society, February 12