China
Deputies, members to 2026 ‘two sessions’ depart for Beijing. Deputies to the 14th National People’s Congress and members of the CPPCC are prepared to depart for Beijing for the annual two sessions. Delegates carried out inspections and field visits to shape proposals on industrial development, rural revitalization, social welfare, and environmental protection. Meetings start March 4. Chen Qingqing, Global Times, March 2
China urges Gulf states to unite against external interference amid widening conflict. Wang Yi urged Gulf countries to unite against interference after U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran widened the conflict. In calls with Oman and Iran, he backed Gulf sovereignty and said Iran should address neighbours’ concerns while maintaining stability. Wang called for a ceasefire and talks. China said one citizen died in Tehran and over 3,000 Chinese nationals were evacuated. Beijing said it received no notice of the U.S. action. Xiuhao Chen, Yukun Zhang, Ryan Woo, Reuters, March 2
Language as a weapon? PLA academics push for training overhaul, cite Ukraine war. PLA academics are urging China to revamp defence language education, citing lessons from the Ukraine war where information and narrative shape outcomes. Lu Danyun of the National University of Defence Technology plans proposals for the two sessions after surveys across 50 units exposed uneven certification. Researchers call translators intelligence nodes and seek loyal, combat-ready language specialists. Proposed reforms include interdisciplinary study, AI-based battlefield simulations, and participation in international exercises. Xinlu Liang, South China Morning Post, March 3
Trump’s 2026 trade agenda sharpens push for ‘managed’ U.S.-China ties. Trump’s 2026 Trade Policy Agenda calls for managed U.S.-China trade focused on reciprocity and balance, while keeping tariff leverage and stronger enforcement. USTR Jamieson Greer told Congress the plan targets critical supply chain security, a USMCA review, and rule changes in global forums. The agenda says the U.S. goods deficit with China fell 32% in 2025 and pledges to monitor an October 2025 Busan deal while continuing Section 301 actions. Lucy Quaggin, South China Morning Post, March 2
U.S. advisory panel warns China is gaining in undersea warfare. U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission members warned that China is narrowing the gap in undersea warfare and called on the Pentagon to protect U.S. superiority. At a hearing, commissioners and witnesses cited investment in submarines, undersea cables, and sea-floor mining as risks to U.S. deterrence. Chair Randall Schriver said the domain must remain a strength, not a vulnerability. The panel, created by Congress in 2000, advises lawmakers on implications. Xinmei Shen, South China Morning Post, March 2
Japan
Japan watching markets with 'extremely strong' sense of urgency, finance minister says. In Tokyo, Japan’s finance minister Satsuki Katayama said authorities are in contact with overseas counterparts and monitoring markets amid volatility tied to the Middle East conflict. She cited a shared understanding with the United States from last year and said currency intervention remains an option. The yen traded near 157.3 per dollar after a drop linked to oil price concerns. Makiko Yamazaki and Chang-Ran Kim, Reuters, March 3
South Korea
South Korea's Lee holds summit with Singapore's Wong on AI, tech cooperation. Lee Jae Myung met Lawrence Wong in Singapore to expand cooperation on artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, quantum research, and space satellites. The leaders launched talks to upgrade the free trade agreement in force since 2006. Five memoranda covered small modular reactors and science collaboration. Temasek and Seviora Group will pursue investment work with the Korea Development Bank. The leaders discussed Middle East tensions and risks to security, energy, and supply chains. Joyce Lee, Reuters, March 2
Lee seeks Singapore’s support in S. Korea’s efforts to resume talks with N. Korea. President Lee Jae Myung asked Singapore to support South Korea’s push to reopen dialogue with North Korea and advance peace on the Korean Peninsula. At a state dinner at Capella Singapore, he noted the venue hosted the 2018 Trump-Kim summit on denuclearisation. Lee thanked Prime Minister Lawrence Wong for backing Seoul’s outreach. Pyongyang has ignored Lee’s call for talks, rejected engagement with Seoul, and signaled openness toward Washington negotiations. Kim Eun-jung, Yonhap News Agency, March 2
Lee heads to Manila for summit with Marcos after Singapore visit. President Lee Jae Myung will leave Singapore for Manila to meet Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr for summit talks on expanding bilateral cooperation. It will be their second meeting since talks at the APEC summit in October. The agenda includes defence industry projects, infrastructure, trade, nuclear power, shipbuilding, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence. Lee held talks with Singapore’s Lawrence Wong and joined the AI Connect Summit. He returns home on Wednesday. Kim Eun-jung, Yonhap News Agency, March 2
North Korea
Iran strikes spotlight chances for North Korea to resume nuclear talks with Trump. U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran shifted focus to North Korea’s nuclear stance and prospects for Kim Jong Un talks with Donald Trump. Experts said the operation reinforced Pyongyang’s belief that nuclear weapons deter attacks and regime change. Kim pledged more warheads while leaving room for talks if Washington changes course. Trump said he wants fresh talks, prompting speculation about a meeting. North Korea’s arsenal was estimated at 50 warheads. Heejin Kim, Sebin Choi, Reuters, March 2
Thailand
Police ask EC to back up poll complaint. The Central Investigation Bureau asked Election Commission officials to provide statements on allegations of interference during vote counting in Bangkok’s Khannayao revote on Feb 22. The commission reported that members of the public and media photographed QR codes on ballot papers, which it said disrupted its work. Commissioner Natthasak Chaowanasai said the photos are in the file and investigators will assess intent. Senator Nantana Natavaropas called the case a SLAPP. Wassayos Ngamkham and Aekarach Sattaburuth, Bangkok Post, March 3
Most voters reject four-party coalition. Nida polling found opposition to a Bhumjaithai-led coalition that includes Klatham, the Democrats, the People’s Party, and Pheu Thai. In a Feb 23 to 24 phone survey of 1,310 adults, 64.35% opposed Klatham joining, 58.24% opposed the Democrats, and 71.14% opposed the People’s Party. Pheu Thai drew 54.73% support. Nine Klatham MPs would back Anutin Charnvirakul, lifting the bloc to 300. Bangkok Post, March 2
Myanmar
Myanmar junta turns to China to prop up crisis-hit gemstone sector. Myanmar’s military government signed an MoU with Yunnan officials to stage a Myanmar gems exhibition in Jiegao, across from Muse, to revive jade and gemstone trade hit by sanctions, conflict, and weak demand. The deal targets trade cooperation, anti-smuggling steps, and environmental coordination. Chinese crackdowns on WeChat payments and border controls cut purchases, while fighting disrupted mines. Analysts say moving exhibitions to China shows deeper reliance on Beijing for revenue. Thurein Lynn, The Irrawaddy, March 2
Myanmar junta grants amnesty to over 7,000 convicted under terrorism law. Myanmar’s military government ordered the release of more than 7,300 prisoners convicted under laws banning financing or sheltering groups it labels terrorists. Authorities said the move marked a public holiday and cited humanitarian grounds. An AFP reporter saw about 300 people leave Insein Prison in Yangon. Separate notices said nearly 12,500 pending cases on the same charges will be dropped, alongside releases of 2,800 other inmates and 10 foreign nationals. The Irrawaddy, March 2
Philippines
Party-list groups eyed in political dynasties ban. Senator Francis Pangilinan filed Senate Bill 1907 to amend the Party-List System Act and bar political dynasty members from party-list posts. The ban would cover spouses and relatives within the fourth degree of incumbent national and local officials and of other nominees in the election. The bill seeks clearer sectoral representation rules and conflict safeguards, and would disqualify nominees and close relatives from holding interests in companies with government contracts. Bernadette E. Tamayo, The Manila Times, March 2.
2 impeachment complaints vs VP Sara sufficient in form. The Committee on Justice ruled that the third and fourth impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte meet form requirements and set a March 3 review of their substance. The Feb. 9 complaint, endorsed by Leila de Lima, cites misuse of confidential funds at the Office of the Vice President and the Education Department. A Feb. 18 complaint alleges graft. The panel set aside a filing under the one-year bar. Reina C. Tolentino, The Manila Times, March 2
Malaysia
Malaysia's parliament fails to pass bill limiting PM's tenure to two terms. Malaysia’s lower house rejected a constitutional amendment to limit any prime minister to 10 years. The bill drew 146 votes in favour, two short of the two-thirds majority required, amid abstentions. The plan was part of Anwar Ibrahim’s broader reform agenda. Law Minister Azalina Othman Said said term limits would strengthen integrity and keep the king’s power to appoint a premier. Parliament will debate the ombudsman and attorney general bills. Rozanna Latiff, Reuters, March 2
Singapore
Singapore to train 100,000 AI-savvy workers by 2029. Singapore will train 100,000 workers to become “AI bilingual” by 2029 under the new National AI Impact Programme starting in the first half of 2026. IMDA will expand the TechSkills Accelerator to include tailored courses for accountancy and law, built with professional bodies, covering AI use for reporting, compliance, research, document review, and contracts plus responsible AI and data governance. The programme aims to help 10,000 enterprises adopt AI tools. Lee Li Ying, The Straits Times, March 2
Singapore and South Korea launch AI alliance. Singapore and South Korea launched a Korea-Singapore AI alliance during President Lee Jae Myung’s visit, pairing joint research with business cooperation. South Korea will set up a $300 million AI fund in Singapore by 2030 under a cooperation framework. Seven MOUs cover autonomous driving and public safety. Leaders plan to upgrade their trade agreement. Singapore will invest over S$1 billion in AI R&D under its plan from 2025 to 2030. Natasha Ganesan, Channel News Asia, March 2
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan foreign minister discusses Middle East with regional ministers. Kazakhstan Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev spoke with ministers from Central Asia and Azerbaijan about events in Iran and the Middle East. They urged de-escalation, respect for international law, and a negotiated settlement. Kosherbayev thanked Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan for help with evacuations from Iran and said partners could coordinate departures. The call came as U.S. and Israeli air attacks against Iran widened, with strikes and retaliation affecting Lebanon and Gulf states. Reuters, March 2
East Asia
China’s ice-cold calculus over Iran. Chinese state media reported the airstrikes that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, but suppressed coverage of mass protests that threatened regime collapse, reflecting Beijing’s fear of popular movements. China’s leverage in the Middle East is limited, and it watched the operation from the sidelines. A drawn-out U.S. campaign would divert carriers and political attention from Asia, which suits China. Iran depends on China for oil sales, while China can shift among suppliers as electric vehicles curb demand growth. Beijing distrusts Tehran’s volatility and views an Iranian nuclear weapon as a risk that could weaken nuclear restraint in Asia. China prioritizes stable energy prices and protection of investors in Gulf partners, and it expects an opportunity in reconstruction if sanctions ease. The Economist, March 2
Why China stays measured on US-Israel strikes against Iran. China urged respect for Iran’s sovereignty and called for a halt to military operations, yet avoided direct condemnation of the US and Israel in public remarks at the UN. A neutral stance protects Beijing’s ability to work with any successor government in Tehran. Iran accounts for a small share of China’s foreign trade, while China relies on Iranian crude and has major exposure in energy and infrastructure that conflict or sanctions could disrupt. Escalation raises risks for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and pushes up import costs. A US focus on the Middle East could ease pressure on China in the Indo-Pacific and encourage renminbi energy settlement. Yu Zeyuan, ThinkChina, March 2
China’s Strategy in the Ukraine War and the Shaping of a Post-Conflict Order. China has an interest in a prolonged war that weakens Western focus while preserving its partnership with Russia, so its peace initiatives repeat legal principles and offer no settlement framework. Beijing’s stance aligns with Moscow through political support and economic assistance, plus dual-use supplies that sustain Russia’s war effort, which limits any leverage over Kremlin demands. China keeps trade links with Ukraine and pursues deals on agriculture and other exports, but political trust and civil society ties remain constrained, and EU accession rules narrow prospects for deeper alignment. Western sanctions are the main tool to pressure China’s trade with Russia, yet enforcement gaps blunt the impact, leaving Beijing positioned for postwar reconstruction and possible UN roles that Kyiv views with doubt. Pierre Andrieu, Asia Society Policy Institute, March 2
Is Now the “Best Window” for Military Unification with Taiwan? Some mainland analysts cite DPP electoral wins, stronger local identity, US commitments in Europe and the Middle East, and political division in Washington as factors that narrow prospects for peaceful reunification and weaken US response. They point to PLA gains in A2/AD systems, naval forces, and hypersonic weapons. Critics stress the complexity of amphibious invasion, leadership shakeups in the Central Military Commission, and economic strains that would meet Western sanctions and supply chain disruption. Regional deterrence has grown through Japan’s defense buildup, Philippine basing access, and AUKUS. The longer contest hinges on alliance cohesion, demographics, and technology, with semiconductors central and China prioritizing mature nodes. KS Liu, U.S.-China Perception Monitor, March 2
China’s AI Arsenal. PLA procurement requests from the past three years show a push for “intelligentization,” applying AI to automate operations and support decisions after gains in mechanization and informatization. Programs seek unmanned combat vehicle control, cyber intrusion detection, vessel tracking, target identification and strike support across land, sea, and space, plus tools for deepfake content and cognitive warfare. Work includes drone swarms, robotic dogs, humanoid systems, satellite targeting algorithms, antisatellite devices, autonomous underwater vehicles, and sensor networks to track submarines. Short timelines and incentives for civilian firms aim to speed iteration and fielding. AI decision aids may substitute for weak officer experience and raise miscalculation risk. Sam Bresnick, Emelia S. Probasco, Cole McFaul, Foreign Affairs, March 2
Fifteen years after Fukushima, Japan faces an energy dilemma. Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, the world’s largest nuclear station, restarted its first reactor after regulator and local approval, marking TEPCO’s first post-Fukushima restart and a test of public trust. Japan’s energy mix remains constrained by weak grid links, strict permitting, land rules, and reduced subsidies that have slowed wind and solar construction. The government targets 40–50% renewables by 2040 and 20% nuclear, yet the nuclear fleet is old and many units lack approval or local consent. Lifetime extensions to 60 years postpone retirements, but replacements face long timelines and fierce politics. Fusion, perovskite solar, hydrogen, and geothermal carry the burden if fossil fuels must keep filling gaps. The Economist, March 2
Southeast Asia
Thailand’s referendum victory keeps door to constitutional change open. Unofficial results from the 8 February 2026 referendum show 60 per cent support for changing the 2017 constitution, keeping open a parliament-led drafting process that Thailand has achieved in only two prior cases. The amendment effort has faced Constitutional Court barriers, party conflict, and Senate resistance, leaving one 2021 change that revised electoral rules. The campaign faced a short timeline, misinformation claims, and Election Commission actions that reduced participation. Youth groups iLaw and #ConforAll ran a nationwide drive with materials in 250 districts and over 800 events, and support spread across 288 districts with more than 70 per cent voting yes. Next steps require parliamentary agreement and two further referendums under a conservative-led government. Sarah Bishop, East Asia Forum, March 2