U.S. should ‘steal’ China’s best AI talent to keep pace, Senate hears. A U.S. Senate panel discussed luring China’s top AI engineers to American universities to counter Beijing’s tech rise. Atlantic Council’s Melanie Hart argued the U.S. should attract Chinese scientists by ensuring their safety. Lawmakers debated concerns over espionage and Beijing’s influence on overseas researchers. The hearing followed the rise of Chinese AI firm DeepSeek, which shook global markets. Bochen Han, South China Morning Post, January 31
Japan PM Ishiba eyes U.S. visit for summit with Trump on Feb. 7. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is preparing for his first in-person meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Feb. 7. The talks will focus on strengthening the bilateral alliance, enhancing Indo-Pacific cooperation, and addressing economic concerns, including Biden’s blocked Nippon Steel acquisition. Ishiba hopes to frame stronger ties as a "win-win" and reassure business leaders about trade stability. Kyodo News, January 30
Philippines president plans to meet Trump to discuss immigration policy. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss immigration policies affecting Filipinos in the United States. Marcos did not specify a date but hopes to influence policymaking. An estimated 300,000 undocumented Filipinos live in the U.S., with nearly 2 million total migrants. Marcos also said he would return a U.S. Typhon missile system if China ceases aggressive actions in the South China Sea. Karen Lema and Mikhail Flores, Reuters, January 30
Acting president orders extra vigilance on U.S. policy uncertainty. Acting South Korean President Choi Sang-mok urged agencies to maintain heightened market monitoring amid uncertainties over U.S. economic policies under President Donald Trump. During a macroeconomic meeting, officials discussed risks posed by U.S. interest rates and financial volatility. The Bank of Korea and financial regulators emphasized the need for close surveillance. Choi announced an investor relations session to reassure markets and sustain South Korea’s credit rating. Oh Seok-min, Yonhap News Agency, January 30
Kazakhstan secures 11 billion cubic meters of irrigation water from Central Asian neighbors. Kazakhstan will receive 11 billion cubic meters of irrigation water by April under an agreement with Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The water will flow into the Shardara Reservoir, with 1.6 billion cubic meters allocated to the Aral Sea. Water Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov emphasized the deal’s importance for agriculture in southern Kazakhstan, where irrigation demand is high. Regional water management remains critical for economic and political stability. Sergey Kwan, The Times of Central Asia, January 30
Qatar keen to build housing for Indonesia’s lower middle class. Qatar has signed an agreement to fund one million homes for low-income Indonesians under a government-to-government scheme. The deal, witnessed by President Prabowo Subianto, makes Qatar the first foreign investor in his housing initiative. Land for the project will be provided by state institutions, focusing on urban areas. Minister Maruarar Sirait stressed collaboration, tax incentives, and streamlined licensing to ensure efficiency and meet construction targets. Antara News, January 30
Philippine president offers a deal to China: Stop sea aggression and I’ll return missiles to US. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he would remove a U.S. missile system if China halts aggressive actions in the South China Sea. The U.S. deployed the Typhon system in April, drawing criticism from Beijing. A Philippine official confirmed the missiles were recently repositioned closer to conflict zones. China condemned the move, while Philippine officials rejected calls for removal. Jim Gomez, AP News, January 30
Yoon's defense team to request bail after holiday. President Yoon Suk Yeol, detained on insurrection charges, spent the Lunar New Year at the Seoul Detention Center, marking a first in South Korean history. His legal team will request bail, but if denied, he could remain in custody for six months. His impeachment trial continues, with hearings scheduled multiple times a week. Key political allies and officials are planning visits following the lifting of visitation restrictions. Anna J. Park, The Korea Times, January 30
China’s aerospace force reveals long-range radar in message to Xi Jinping. China’s military aired rare footage of a strategic long-range radar in a state broadcast linked to President Xi Jinping’s Lunar New Year address. Analysts say the phased-array system enhances early missile threat detection and may track hypersonic weapons. The footage signals China’s push to strengthen missile defense amid growing regional tensions. Experts compare it to U.S. PAVE PAWS radar technology. Hayley Wong, South China Morning Post, January 30
Listing of conscription-age women spreads across Myanmar. Myanmar’s junta is compiling lists of women eligible for military conscription despite publicly denying plans to draft them. Families report being contacted by officials, with some attempting to pay to remove names from the list. The move follows an update to the Conscription Law, which mandates service for unmarried women aged 18-27. Data collection has expanded to Yangon and rural areas, raising fears among residents. Hein Htoo Zan, The Irrawaddy, January 30
‘We shut down everything,’ Marcos says if SC rules vs 2025 budget. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned that the government would shut down if the Supreme Court invalidates the 2025 General Appropriations Act. Petitioners, including former officials, claim the budget law violates the Constitution due to blank items in the spending plan. Marcos dismissed concerns, asserting the government’s legal position is strong. Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra will argue its constitutionality before the court. Luisa Cabato, Philippine Daily Inquirer, January 30
Thailand's economy may underperform with consumption weak, warns central bank chief. Thailand’s economy could grow below the projected 2.9% in 2025 after a weaker fourth quarter, says central bank chief Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput. A government cash handout failed to boost spending as expected, with many using it to repay debt. The Bank of Thailand expects 1.1% inflation and remains cautious about currency volatility. Sethaput also expressed skepticism about cryptocurrency as a payment system. Orathai Sriring, Thanadech Staporncharnchai and Devjyot Ghoshal, Reuters, January 30
Protesters pelt Malaysian embassy with eggs over Indonesian migrant worker shooting. Nearly 100 protesters in Jakarta threw eggs at Malaysia’s embassy after a Malaysian maritime agency fatally shot an Indonesian migrant worker on Jan. 24. Four others were injured when authorities opened fire on their boat for alleged trespassing. Indonesia’s government has demanded an investigation into possible excessive force. Advocacy group Migrant Care says at least 75 similar killings have occurred since 2005. Niniek Karmini & Fadlan Syam, AP News, January 30
China, Thailand pledge joint action on Myanmar cyber scam centres, human trafficking. China and Thailand agreed to crack down on cyber scam gangs in Myanmar and related human trafficking, including creating a joint coordination centre. China identified 36 major scam operations in Myanmar’s Myawaddy region, where over 100,000 people run phone fraud schemes. Many victims, mostly Chinese, were trafficked or coerced into working for these gangs. Meredith Chen, South China Morning Post, January 30
Kazakhstan intent on going full-on nuclear. Kazakhstan is accelerating plans to develop nuclear energy, with the government preparing agreements for two reactors. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev aims to establish a nuclear cluster to reduce reliance on coal and support economic growth. A recent referendum approved nuclear expansion, though concerns remain over Russian firm Rosatom’s potential involvement. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is also pursuing shale oil extraction to boost its energy sector. Eurasianet, January 30
Bangladesh minority rights group accuses interim government of failing to protect minorities. Bangladesh’s largest minority rights group says the interim government has failed to prevent attacks on religious and ethnic minorities. The group claims 2,010 incidents of communal violence occurred in August and 174 more followed, killing 23 people. The government, led by Muhammad Yunus, denies the allegations, calling them politically motivated. Tensions with India have risen over its support for exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Julhas Alam, AP News, January 30
Japan's emperor, empress to visit Mongolia in early July. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will make an official weeklong visit to Mongolia in July, marking their third goodwill trip since his accession. The emperor last visited Mongolia in 2007 as crown prince. The trip aims to strengthen diplomatic ties, following previous visits to Indonesia and Britain. During his 2007 visit, Naruhito attended the Naadam festival and honored Japanese detainees who died after World War II. Kyodo News, January 30
Bolivia treasures friendship, cooperation with Vietnam: president. Bolivian President Luis Arce affirmed Bolivia’s commitment to strengthening ties with Vietnam, highlighting cooperation in trade, investment, and energy. At a credential ceremony for Vietnamese Ambassador Bui Van Nghi, Arce praised Vietnam’s development and expressed interest in expanding economic partnerships. Bolivia seeks Vietnamese investment in mining and infrastructure while offering exports like soybeans and beef. Vietnam News, January 30
Tajikistan and Russia discuss resuming rail and bus routes. Tajikistan and Russia are negotiating the resumption of passenger train service between Dushanbe and Moscow, which was suspended due to COVID-19. Tajik Transport Minister Azim Ibrohim said discussions with Russian officials were productive, with a final decision expected soon. Bus routes from Khujand to Russian cities have already resumed. If approved, the restored rail and bus links will boost travel and trade between the two nations. Sadokat Jalolova, The Times of Central Asia, January 30
Trying times for Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea faced a tumultuous 2024, marked by civil unrest, natural disasters, and political instability. Riots erupted in January after a payroll glitch reduced public servant wages, causing AUD$160 million in damage and 20 deaths, while ethnic tensions led to mass killings in Enga and Sepik. A May landslide devastated Mulitaka, cutting access to the Porgera mine. Political instability persisted with repeated no-confidence motions against Prime Minister James Marape, but none succeeded. Infrastructure failures, including power and fuel shortages, compounded challenges. Despite setbacks, economic boosts came from the reopening of the Porgera mine and ExxonMobil’s LNG project, while diplomatic engagements with China, Indonesia, Australia, and the Vatican show PNG’s strategic importance. Bougainville’s independence talks continued amid growing frustration, though the appointment of a mediator shows progress. Ronald J. May, East Asia Forum, January 31
China versus America on global trade. With Donald Trump’s return to the White House, another US–China trade war appears imminent. Recent data show China has expanded its trade dominance, with 145 economies—70% of the world—trading more with China than the United States, and over half trading twice as much. While China’s exports surged by US$1 trillion post-pandemic, weak domestic demand has kept imports low, leading to a near US$1 trillion goods trade surplus. Despite protectionist efforts from the US and Europe, China’s exports remain resilient, but a more aggressive Trump administration may implement harsher trade measures. Roland Rajah and Ahmed Albayrak, Lowy Institute, January 31
The practical effect of a constitutional ban on war. Several countries, including Japan, Italy, and Ecuador, have incorporated constitutional bans on war, though their effectiveness varies. Japan’s Article 9 formally prohibits armed forces, yet its Self-Defence Forces rank among the world’s largest military expenditures. Italy rejects war for aggression but maintains military service and has supported Ukraine under UN collective self-defense. Ecuador’s ban led to the closure of a US base in 2009, though a new base is now planned. While San Marino has remained neutral, other states like the Philippines and Bolivia have avoided international conflicts despite internal security challenges. These constitutional provisions, though sometimes symbolic, serve as commitments to peace and may influence future constitutional drafting in places like Bougainville and Armenia. Sheridan Ward, Lowy Institute, January 31
Mitigating the New Politics of Zero-Sum. Major political developments at the end of 2024 have ushered in new unpredictability in the US-South Korea relationship for 2025. First came the re-election of Donald Trump in the United States, followed by dramatic events in South Korea that are still evolving after President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived declaration of martial law. Deep political division is a powerful undercurrent contributing to both these developments, the aftermath of which will play out in unique and uncertain ways in each country over the course of 2025. Michael Beeman, Korea Economic Institute of America, January 30
Kenya's E-Bike Revolution: How KIRI EV is Powering Change with Chinese Tech. KIRI EV, a Nairobi-based startup, is leading Kenya's electric vehicle transformation by assembling e-bikes using Chinese technology. These e-bikes offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional motorcycles, reducing emissions and operational costs for users. The collaboration with Chinese partners has enabled KIRI EV to leverage advanced technology and cost-effective manufacturing, accelerating the adoption of electric mobility in Kenya. This initiative addresses both environmental concerns and also promotes sustainable economic growth through job creation and technological innovation. Njenga Hakeenah, China Global South Project, January 30
China Urges Rwanda to Heed Calls to End Support for M23. In a rare rebuke, China has called on Rwanda to cease its support for the M23 rebel group in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This appeal aligns with international concerns over Rwanda's alleged backing of the rebels, which Kigali has consistently denied. The United Nations peacekeeping force in the DRC has warned of escalating violence in the region, attributing it to external support for armed groups. China's stance reflects its growing involvement in African security issues and its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC. Agence France-Presse, China Global South Project, January 29
Thai High-Speed Rail Project Set For Completion in 2030, Government Says. Thailand's government anticipates that its segment of the high-speed railway connecting Bangkok to China via Laos will be operational by 2030. Construction of the initial phase between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima is approximately 36% complete, with an expected completion by 2027. The design for the second phase, extending the line to Nong Khai on the Laos border, has been finalized and awaits cabinet approval. Once finished, the 609-kilometer railway will link Bangkok to the China-Laos Railway, facilitating direct train travel from Bangkok to Kunming in China's Yunnan province. Despite delays since construction began in 2017, including disputes over costs, loan terms, and the COVID-19 pandemic, officials assert that the project will improve Thailand's role as a regional logistics hub. Sebastian Strangio, The Diplomat, January 30