China
China hands life sentence to former justice minister over bribery. A Chinese court sentenced former justice minister Tang Yijun to life in prison for bribery. Judges said Tang illegally accepted more than 137 million yuan in property and abused his position over many years. He was stripped of political rights for life and had his assets confiscated. Ethan Wang and Ryan Woo, Reuters, February 2
Hong Kong business confidence rises despite U.S.-China tensions, survey notes. Business optimism in Hong Kong improved for 2026 despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. More than half of surveyed executives reported a positive outlook for the next year. Respondents still cited U.S.-China tensions and regulatory pressures as top challenges. Devika Nair, Reuters, February 2
Zhang Youxia investigation to end ‘watered-down’ capability of China’s military: PLA Daily. China’s military said anti-corruption probes into senior generals, including Zhang Youxia, will strengthen combat readiness. A PLA Daily editorial said corruption had weakened capability and morale. The campaign was described as essential to building a stronger and more disciplined force. William Zheng, South China Morning Post, February 2
Japan
UAE president reportedly cancels Japan visit amid Iran tensions. UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed canceled a planned state visit to Japan amid rising Middle East tensions linked to Iran. Japanese officials cited domestic circumstances as the reason. The decision followed warnings of escalation involving Iran and the United States. Patrick Sykes, The Japan Times, February 2
Survey: Most LDP candidates open to coalition with DPP. A survey found 94% of Japan’s ruling LDP candidates support or are open to a coalition with the Democratic Party for the People. The finding reflects concern over securing an Upper House majority. Responses were collected from more than 1,100 candidates nationwide. Yoshiyuki Komurata and Daiki Koga, The Asahi Shimbun, February 2
Japan’s ruling LDP set to win majority in lower house contest: Kyodo poll. Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is projected to win a lower house majority, a Kyodo News poll showed. The party could secure 233 or more seats under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Smaller parties were forecast to gain limited ground. Kyodo News, February 3
South Korea
PM says S. Korea, U.S. making progress on tariff issue. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Seoul and Washington are advancing talks on tariffs. He cited a direct hotline with U.S. Vice President JD Vance. Kim said multiple channels helped clarify intentions after President Donald Trump’s warning. Lee Haye-ah, Yonhap News Agency, February 2
U.S. to host 1st ministerial meeting on critical minerals this week. The United States will host an inaugural ministerial meeting to strengthen critical minerals supply chains. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will convene allies in Washington. South Korea’s foreign minister plans to attend the talks. Song Sang-ho, Yonhap News Agency, February 2
S. Korea, Poland agree on need to bolster info sharing on Korean Peninsula at 1st security talks. South Korea and Poland launched their first security strategy dialogue in Warsaw. Officials agreed to expand consultations and information sharing on the Korean Peninsula. The sides cited growing security links between Europe and Northeast Asia. Kim Seung-yeon, Yonhap News Agency, February 3
Prime minister says Korea activated hotline with Vance after Trump’s tariff warning. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Seoul activated a hotline with Vice President JD Vance after a tariff warning. He said the channel helped assess Washington’s position. Kim rejected claims of diplomatic failure. Bahk Eun-ji, The Korea Times, February 2
North Korea
U.N. special rapporteur on N.K. human rights vows efforts for engagement with Pyongyang. U.N. special rapporteur Elizabeth Salmon pledged to support dialogue and engagement with North Korea. She made the remarks during talks with South Korea’s second vice foreign minister in Seoul. Salmon said she will continue contributing to international efforts while preparing reports for U.N. bodies. Oh Seok-min, Yonhap News Agency, February 2
Thailand
Anutin says election win within reach. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the Bhumjaithai Party is positioned to win the most seats in Thailand’s general election. He said the party aims to finish first nationally or at least lead its political bloc while acknowledging tougher races in urban areas. Anutin said the party is prepared for multiple coalition scenarios depending on seat outcomes. Mongkol Bangprapa, Bangkok Post, February 3
Natthaphong says support climbing, calls on voters to break old cycle. People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said support is rising sharply ahead of the Feb. 8 election. He urged voters to turn out and break long-standing patterns of old-style politics. The party plans nationwide small rallies and campaign caravans through election day. The Nation, February 2
Myanmar
Myanmar junta pounds Thai border to secure trade routes for new regime. Myanmar’s military intensified operations along the Thai border to secure key trade routes ahead of a planned political handover. Fighting escalated in Myawaddy Township as junta forces, backed by airstrikes, targeted Karen armed groups controlling strategic areas. The moves aim to consolidate control before a new parliament convenes and a government forms. The Irrawaddy, February 2
Myanmar, China launch investment body under junta cronies’ oversight. Myanmar and China launched a new investment and trade body overseen by prominent junta-linked tycoons. The association aims to attract up to $500 billion in Chinese investment by 2030 following the junta-backed election. Analysts said the move signals deeper economic ties under the incoming military-aligned government. The Irrawaddy, February 2
Philippines
Philippine economy to rebound in 2026 with at least 5% growth, says minister. The Philippine economy is expected to grow at least 5% in 2026 after missing official targets last year. Finance Secretary Frederick Go said inflation remains contained and credit ratings are stable. He cited remittances and business process outsourcing as key growth drivers. Mikhail Flores, Reuters, February 2
Philippine VP Sara Duterte faces new impeachment complaints. Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte faced fresh impeachment complaints from civil society groups and activists. The filings accuse her of corruption, misuse of public funds and betrayal of public trust. Duterte’s lawyer said she is prepared to confront the allegations through constitutional processes. Mikhail Flores, Reuters, February 2
Philippines ramps up preparations for 2026 ASEAN Summit hosting. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led an interagency meeting to accelerate preparations for hosting the 2026 ASEAN Summit. Agencies outlined plans focused on job creation, small business support, improved digital services and people-centered programs. Officials stressed coordination to ensure secure and smooth hosting while delivering regional economic benefits. Kristina Maralit, The Manila Times, February 2
Indonesia
Indonesia’s January inflation highest in almost 3 years. Indonesia’s annual inflation rose to 3.55% in January, the fastest pace since May 2023. Officials attributed the increase partly to base effects from prior electricity subsidies. Strong December exports and imports helped lift the 2025 trade surplus to $41 billion. Gayatri Suroyo and Fransiska Nangoy, Reuters, February 2
Malaysia
Foreign minister heads to Washington to attend U.S.-hosted critical minerals meeting. Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan will visit Washington from Feb. 3 to 4 to attend the U.S.-hosted Critical Minerals Ministerial. The visit aims to strengthen Malaysia-U.S. cooperation on critical minerals, supply chains and technology development. Officials said the talks will build on a bilateral partnership elevated in October 2025. Malay Mail, February 2
Taiwan
Registration for new Legislative session starts amid budget dispute. Registration opened for Taiwan’s new legislative session as lawmakers clashed over a stalled central government budget. A ruling party legislator urged placing a proposed NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget on the agenda. Opposition lawmakers raised concerns over fraud and accused the government of mismanagement. Liu Kuen-ting, Lin Ching-yin and Evelyn Kao, Focus Taiwan, February 2
Taiwan’s KMT stresses ‘family’ ties with mainland China as vice-chair begins Beijing visit. Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang reaffirmed its view of mainland China as family as a senior delegation traveled to Beijing. Vice Chairman Hsiao Hsu-tsen said the visit aimed to promote peace and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait. The trip drew criticism from the ruling party amid heightened cross-strait tensions. Lawrence Chung, South China Morning Post, February 2
India
US to cut tariffs on India to 18%, India agrees to end Russian oil purchases. The United States agreed to lower tariffs on Indian goods to 18% under a new trade deal. India committed to halting Russian oil purchases and reducing trade barriers. The agreement followed talks between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. David Lawder and Aftab Ahmed, Reuters, February 2
Bangladesh
Hasina and her niece, British lawmaker Tulip Siddiq, sentenced in graft case. A Bangladeshi court sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in prison in a corruption case. Her niece Tulip Siddiq, a British lawmaker, received a four-year sentence over the same land allocation scheme. The verdicts came ahead of national elections under an interim government. Julhas Alam, Associated Press, February 2
Kazakhstan
Experts highlight trade, transit focus ahead of Tokayev’s Pakistan visit. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will visit Pakistan on Feb. 3-4 for talks with top leaders and a business forum. Experts said discussions will prioritize trade expansion, transit routes and regional connectivity linking Central and South Asia. Planned agreements and logistics cooperation aim to support Kazakhstan’s access to seaports and raise bilateral trade. Aiman Nakispekova, The Astana Times, February 2
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan seeks talks with EU over report that bloc considers sanctions over Russia trade. Kyrgyzstan said it is seeking discussions with the European Union after reports of possible sanctions. Officials denied wrongdoing while acknowledging scrutiny over trade flows linked to Russia. The country has become a key transit hub amid Western sanctions on Moscow. Felix Light, Reuters, February 2
East Asia
Xi the Destroyer. Xi Jinping removed Zhang Youxia from the Central Military Commission in a public purge that emphasized zero tolerance even for long-standing allies and reinforced that there are “no off-limit zones” in the armed forces. The stated rationale of corruption and “political” problems aligned with a wider campaign to break the People's Liberation Army’s insularity, cull a leadership generation, and tighten party control as the ultimate guarantor of regime security. With the commission’s ranks largely cleared, sweeping reappointments, or even added civilian seats, became possible ahead of the next Party Congress. Cross-strait calm created space to rebuild command reliability while keeping options for coercion around Taiwan. Jonathan A. Czin and John Culver, Foreign Affairs, February 2
China’s opacity brings Pekingology back into vogue. Elite politics in China have become harder to read under Xi Jinping, reviving “Pekingology” methods that scrutinize wording and imagery for clues. The purge of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli illustrated the pattern: early signals included their absence from state television coverage, followed by an official investigation announcement, and analysts debated possible visual hints from earlier appearances. Text analysis focused on accusations that they “seriously trampled” the chairmanship system that cements Xi’s authority over the People's Liberation Army. The approach carries high risk of over-interpretation and is difficult to validate, but careful attention to small changes in official language can still help frame better questions. The Economist, February
China pushes ahead in 2026 as Trump plays catch-up. Beijing enters 2026 expecting a capricious but transactional Donald Trump and aims to avoid escalation while pressing claims in the South China Sea and sustaining pressure around Taiwan, underscored by late-2025 exercises. Tariff exchanges in 2025 ended in limited deals after China used leverage from rare-mineral exports, while side agreements with partners like the European Union helped sustain a record US$1 trillion trade surplus. Domestic economic strains persist, but China anticipates more space to bargain as US hawks recede. The new Five-Year Plan prioritizes an “innovative and high-quality” economy and technological self-reliance in AI, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, backed by scale, supply chains and STEM talent. Party Congress manoeuvring for 2027 begins, with succession questions lingering. Kerry Brown, East Asia Forum, February 2
The PBOC, The State Banks, and Backdoor Intervention. China’s reported FX settlement shows the banking system, state banks plus the People’s Bank of China, bought about US$100 billion of foreign currency in December, rising to roughly US$120 billion when adjusted for forwards, alongside a US$110 billion increase in state banks’ net foreign assets. Heavy state-bank dollar buying fits a pattern of leaning against yuan strength within the daily trading band while the PBOC’s own foreign-currency balance sheet stays unusually stable, implying “backdoor” intervention through banks and other opaque channels. Gaps in official data persist, including how reserve interest income and domestic foreign-currency assets such as entrusted loans and co-investment funds are recorded. The US Treasury’s January 2026 report signals closer scrutiny of informal intervention and warns that limited transparency will not prevent a future designation. Brad W. Setser, Council on Foreign Relations, February 3
Why South America’s Right Won’t Align With Trump on China. A right-wing electoral wave in Latin America has not translated into support for Trump’s push to disengage from China, because trade, investment, and export markets tie much of South America to Beijing. Washington’s strategy frames the region as a source of energy and critical minerals and seeks help on migration and drugs, but economies further south depend on China’s demand for commodities and capital inflows. Mexico took costly steps under U.S. pressure, including steep tariffs on Chinese imports and a tougher stance on investment, yet China remains central to the region’s growth model. In Brazil, even a Trump-aligned leader expanded economic links with China. In Argentina, Javier Milei curbed some China-facing projects but kept key ties, while trade with China accelerated. Eduardo Porter, Foreign Policy, February 2
Taiwan’s expanding spy web: China’s post-reunification strategy. Taiwan faced a widening People's Republic of China infiltration model that reached beyond soldiers to journalists and civilians, using intermediaries, social media, and digital data to map relationships for “post-reunification governance.” Prosecutors linked alleged payments and coordination to a CTi News reporter, while recent cases showed rank-and-file servicemen were offered cash or virtual currency to film pro-Chinese Communist Party videos, pledge allegiance, or leak information. Official figures cited 159 espionage-related indictments from 2020 to April 2025, with active or retired military personnel forming about 60 percent. Data-harvesting through mainland apps and AI services increased targeting risks, deepening anxiety and distrust that could erode democratic resilience. Miao Zong-Han, ThinkChina, February 2
Party Congress Preparations in Pyongyang. Commercial satellite imagery dated February 2 showed hundreds of soldiers drilling at Mirim Parade Training Ground, including formations of the hammer, sickle and brush emblem of the Workers' Party of Korea, indicating parade rehearsals for the upcoming Ninth Party Congress. The Congress—typically held about every five years—sets the country’s agenda via a new five-year plan through 2031, but the opening date remained unannounced. State media reported city and county party conferences on January 24 as the first two delegate-election phases, followed by a January 30 conference of the WPK Central Committee Headquarters; provincial and sectoral meetings, including those tied to the military and government, had not yet been publicized. A continued run of project-completion ceremonies and weapons showcases could delay convening. Martyn Williams and Rachel Minyoung Lee, 38 North, February 2
Southeast Asia
Five years after the coup, where does Myanmar find its future? Completion of the third phase of the junta’s staged election on 25 January is meant to signal normalization, but armed resistance, public anger and ongoing attacks on civilians keep the country in crisis. Economic activity that is expanding, drugs, scams, smuggling, extortion and nightlife, offers no durable recovery, and rebuilding after the March 2025 earthquake remains slow. Young people face poverty, inequality and shrinking prospects, driving outward migration to avoid conscription and conflict. Regional diplomacy is divided, with some ASEAN members tolerating a managed electoral façade, even as Aung San Suu Kyi remains imprisoned. China and Russia provide support, and Trump-era volatility leaves room for disruptive initiatives amid a likely grinding impasse. Nicholas Farrelly, East Asia Forum, February 2
South Asia
What We Know About the India-U.S. Trade Deal. Donald Trump and Narendra Modi announced a trade agreement via social media after months of negotiations. The terms Trump listed included India stopping purchases of Russian oil and buying more from the United States and possibly Venezuela, after Washington imposed an additional 25 percent tariff tied to those oil purchases. Trump also claimed India would invest more than $500 billion in U.S. industries and, in return, face a reduced 18 percent tariff on goods entering the United States. Modi’s post highlighted the 18 percent tariff and broader cooperation, while details on zeroing tariffs and non-tariff barriers remained unclear. Rishi Iyengar, Foreign Policy, February 2