Asia Daily: January 31, 2025
Gov't demands parliamentary reconsideration of bill on special counsel probe into Yoon. South Korea’s Cabinet has called for a parliamentary review of a bill seeking a special counsel investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed martial law attempt. Acting President Choi Sang-mok argued the probe is unnecessary as Yoon is already indicted on insurrection charges. The bill, pushed by the opposition, was vetoed due to concerns over constitutionality and state secrets. The opposition-controlled parliament may attempt to override the veto. Kim Han-joo, Yonhap News Agency, January 31
Reacting to DeepSeek, U.S. Senate bill would separate U.S. and China efforts to develop AI. The U.S. Senate is considering a bill that would ban AI technology imports from China, restrict U.S. investment in Chinese AI firms, and prohibit AI research collaborations. Proposed by Senator Josh Hawley, the bill comes amid concerns over China’s DeepSeek AI models, which disrupted global markets. Lawmakers are also pushing for limits on AI chip exports to China. Bochen Han, South China Morning Post, February 1
Criminal Court permits Thaksin to travel abroad. Thailand’s Criminal Court has approved former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s request to leave the country, requiring a 5-million-baht surety for his return. Thaksin, who will travel to Malaysia for a meeting, must report back within three days of returning. His request was supported by Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and official documents from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Authorities ordered him to notify immigration upon reentry. Wassayos Ngamkham, Bangkok Post, January 31
Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Russia, and Iran to boost cargo transport along North-South corridor. Railway officials from the four nations met in Almaty to improve freight transport along the corridor, which links Russia and Belarus to Iran’s Persian Gulf ports. The group discussed tariff reductions and expanding cargo capacity from 10 million to 20 million tons by 2030. Kazakhstan's Bolashak rail station handled 1.6 million tons in 2024. Sergey Kwan, The Times of Central Asia, January 31
Indonesian and French defense ministers agree to deepen cooperation to maintain regional stability. Indonesia and France have agreed to enhance defense cooperation, focusing on technology exchange and joint military efforts. French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu met with Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in Jakarta, coinciding with France’s first carrier strike group deployment to Indonesia. France has sold Indonesia Rafale fighter jets, submarines, and radar systems amid rising tensions in the South China Sea. Edna Tarigan, AP News, January 31
U.S. envoy calls China's presence around Panama Canal a security concern. U.S. Special Envoy for Latin America Mauricio Claver-Carone warned that China’s growing presence around the Panama Canal poses a security threat, ahead of Senator Marco Rubio’s visit to the region. He criticized past Panamanian governments for allowing Chinese influence to expand and urged current President Jose Raul Mulino to address the issue. Rubio, who plans to visit multiple Latin American nations, accused Beijing of having a contingency to block the canal in a conflict. Simon Lewis and Michael Martina, Reuters, January 31
Indonesia, UAE seek to strengthen economic partnership. Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati met with UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei to discuss expanding cooperation in defense, energy, infrastructure, and digital education. Indrawati emphasized that these partnerships align with President Prabowo Subianto’s development vision. She also met with World Bank officials to update Indonesia’s Country Partnership Framework to address geopolitical and economic challenges. ANTARA News, January 31
UN probe warns Myanmar violence may worsen, four years since coup. UN investigators say Myanmar’s military has committed serious international crimes since its 2021 coup, with violence expected to escalate unless perpetrators face justice. The junta’s suppression of opposition has led to mass displacement, unlawful imprisonment, and indiscriminate attacks on civilians. While the ICC has sought an arrest warrant for junta chief Min Aung Hlaing over crimes against the Rohingya, no prosecutions have begun for post-coup atrocities. The Irrawaddy, January 31
Wang suggests Japan PM Ishiba's China visit in February. China's top diplomat Wang Yi informally proposed that Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visit China for the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, but scheduling conflicts with Ishiba’s planned U.S. visit may prevent the trip. Chinese Premier Li Qiang also expressed willingness to visit Japan for a trilateral summit with South Korea. Kyodo News, January 31
China urges Japan to rethink planned hi-tech export bans. China criticized Japan’s decision to sanction 18 Chinese firms over alleged support for Russia, warning of countermeasures to protect its interests. Tokyo’s sanctions freeze assets and impose export bans on semiconductor materials and aerospace components. Beijing condemned the move as an unjustified economic attack that threatens global trade and supply chains. Analysts view Japan’s decision as aligning with U.S. efforts to curb China’s tech sector. Enoch Wong, South China Morning Post, January 31
Taiwan says government departments should not use DeepSeek, citing security concerns. Taiwan's digital ministry has banned government use of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek over data security risks. Officials warn that the service involves cross-border data transfers and potential leaks. Taiwan has long restricted Chinese tech due to Beijing’s sovereignty claims. South Korea and several European nations are also investigating DeepSeek's data practices. The AI platform recently overtook ChatGPT in downloads, contributing to a historic stock loss for Nvidia. Ben Blanchard, Reuters, January 31
Kazakhstan’s energy minister discusses construction of three CHP plants with Russian participation. Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliev confirmed progress on three combined heat and power plants in the Akmola, East Kazakhstan, and Abay regions, with Russia’s involvement. Feasibility studies for the Semey and Ust-Kamenogorsk plants will be completed this spring, while construction has begun at Kokshetau. Kazakhstan is negotiating financing, primarily through a Russian government loan. Vagit Ismailov, The Times of Central Asia, January 31
Leaders of N. Korea, Vietnam exchange messages to mark 75th anniv. of diplomatic ties. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Vietnamese President Luong Cuong exchanged congratulatory messages to commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations. Both leaders declared 2025 a "year of friendship" and pledged to strengthen bilateral ties. Relations, once strained after Vietnam’s 1992 diplomatic shift toward South Korea, have improved since Kim’s 2019 visit to Hanoi for talks with then-U.S. President Donald Trump. Kim Soo-yeon, Yonhap News Agency, January 31
UK extends post-LDC graduation preferential trading to Cambodia. The UK has extended Cambodia’s membership in the Developing Countries Trading Scheme for three years beyond its 2029 graduation from Least Developed Country status. The decision, confirmed during a meeting between Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and UK Ambassador Dominic Williams, aims to ensure a smooth economic transition. Discussions also covered Cambodia’s Green Special Economic Zone and increasing British tourism. Niem Chheng, Phnom Penh Post, January 31
Thanks for the insights! You caught datapoints that I had missed. Hope you have a great day ahead.