China
Fifth-generation fighters make cameo appearance as China unveils production facilities. China publicly revealed its fifth-generation J-35 stealth fighters at Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, indicating mass production and carrier readiness. The aircraft, shown during a state TV segment, are expected to deploy aboard the Type 003 Fujian carrier. The J-15T multirole fighter was also highlighted. Hayley Wong, South China Morning Post, July 10
Rubio to meet China's Wang Yi in Malaysia amid trade tension. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will hold his first in-person meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday during ASEAN events in Kuala Lumpur. The talks come amid escalating trade tensions, with China facing renewed U.S. tariffs unless a deal is reached by August 12. Daphne Psaledakis, Reuters, July 10
China likely to strengthen backing for Iran as it looks to secure strategic interests. Beijing is expected to deepen its partnership with Tehran following Israeli and U.S. strikes, reinforcing Iran’s regime and expanding infrastructure and energy ties under a 25-year deal. Analysts warn China must balance this support to avoid alienating Arab states. Efforts may include extending rail links and boosting oil imports while steering clear of endorsing a nuclear-armed Iran. Laura Zhou, South China Morning Post, July 10
Japan
Japan urges China to stop flying fighter jets too close to Japanese military aircraft. Japan protested after Chinese JH-7 fighter-bombers flew within 30 meters of Japanese surveillance aircraft on two occasions in international airspace over the East China Sea. Tokyo issued a warning to Beijing over collision risks, with Vice Minister Takehiro Funakoshi summoning China’s ambassador. Similar incidents occurred in June. China has not officially responded. Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press, July 11
Survey: 63% of LDP candidates open to coalition with the DPP. A joint survey by The Asahi Shimbun and the University of Tokyo found 63% of Liberal Democratic Party candidates consider a coalition with the Democratic Party for the People possible after the July 20 Upper House election. While a grand coalition with the CDP was rejected by most, both ruling and opposition parties are eyeing smaller blocs like the DPP and Nippon Ishin. Yuta Ogi and Daiki Koga, The Asahi Shimbun, July 10
South Korea
Arrested ex-President Yoon fails to appear for questioning by special counsel. Former President Yoon Suk Yeol did not appear for scheduled questioning Friday, citing health issues, after being jailed over his failed martial law attempt. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk’s team is investigating allegations including fabrication of documents, illegal orders to security services, and obstruction of justice. Lee Haye-ah, Yonhap News Agency, July 11
Lee completes nomination of all Cabinet posts with culture, land minister nominees. President Lee Jae Myung finalized his Cabinet by naming Rep. Kim Yun-duk as land minister and Chae Hwi-young as culture minister. Kim, a three-term lawmaker, is expected to tackle real estate issues with a practical approach. Chae, CEO of Nol Universe, was chosen for his private-sector experience to lead cultural policy. Parliamentary hearings are required but not binding. Kim Eun-jung, Yonhap News Agency, July 11
North Korea
South Korea, U.S. and Japan hold aerial drill in demonstration of strength against North Korea. Top military officers from South Korea, the U.S. and Japan conducted a joint aerial exercise near Jeju Island on Friday using advanced aircraft, including a U.S. B-52H bomber, to strengthen deterrence against North Korea. The trilateral meeting in Seoul addressed North Korea’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine and warned of technology transfers. Hyung-jin Kim, Associated Press, July 11
N. Korea receives US$2.38 mln in int’l aid this year, all from Switzerland. North Korea has received $2.38 million in international aid so far in 2025, entirely from Switzerland, according to U.N. data. The funds include $1.1 million via UNICEF and the rest from Swiss development agencies. Aid sharply declined during the pandemic but has modestly recovered. North Korea reopened its borders in 2023, and Switzerland named a new ambassador in February. Park Boram, Yonhap News Agency, July 11
Thailand
MPs take up amnesty proposals. Thailand’s House of Representatives began debating five amnesty bills aimed at fostering political reconciliation. The People's Party bill avoids fixed cutoffs and delegates case vetting to a central committee, targeting misuse of laws like Section 112. Opponents, including Bhumjaithai Party, oppose pardons for lese-majeste offenders, citing risks of renewed unrest. Some lawmakers support partial amnesty as a step toward broader social harmony. Aekarach Sattaburuth, Bangkok Post, July 10
Thaksin ‘secret deal’ with Cambodia suspected. Political activist Jatuporn Prompan raised suspicions that former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra may have orchestrated recent public moves—including a severed relationship with Hun Sen and the withdrawal of a casino bill—as part of a covert agreement with Cambodia. He questioned whether the timing of these actions was coincidental or part of a broader strategy to protect Thaksin’s daughter. Chairith Yonpiam, Bangkok Post, July 11
Vietnam
Vietnam plans new penalties for illegal transshipments after Trump deal, documents show. Vietnam will introduce stricter penalties to curb trade fraud and illegal transshipments, particularly of Chinese goods, following a tariff deal with the U.S. lowering duties on Vietnamese exports to 20% but imposing 40% on misclassified items. A new decree will intensify inspections and origin verification to maintain compliance. Francesco Guarascio, Reuters, July 10
Myanmar
Myanmar junta chief asks Trump for sharp reduction in 40% tariff rate. Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing requested that President Donald Trump lower the new 40% U.S. tariff on Myanmar exports to between 10% and 20%, according to state media. He offered to reduce Myanmar’s tariffs on U.S. imports to as low as zero and proposed sending a delegation to Washington for negotiations. Shoon Naing, Reuters, July 10
Myanmar junta deploying conscripts in major push to reclaim lost territory. Myanmar’s military has drafted nearly 70,000 conscripts under a 2024 law and is deploying them in offensives to retake areas lost to resistance forces. Many are being sent directly into battle with minimal training. The junta’s conscription program faces widespread resistance and has triggered a wave of defections. Officials admit conscripts form a large part of current combat units. Myo Pyae, The Irrawaddy, July 10
Cambodia
NA passes law to strip Cambodian citizenship of those who conspire with foreigners to destroy the nation. Cambodia’s National Assembly unanimously approved an amendment to Article 33 of the Constitution, allowing authorities to revoke citizenship from individuals who conspire with foreign entities to undermine national security. Justice Minister Koeut Rith defended the change as necessary to protect sovereignty. Torn Vibol, Khmer Times, July 11
Philippines
Philippines concerned over higher U.S. tariffs, will continue to negotiate, minister says. The Philippines expressed concern over the 20% U.S. tariff on its exports but remains committed to negotiations aimed at securing a bilateral economic deal or free trade agreement, Economic Secretary Frederick Go said. Talks are set for next week in Washington. The U.S. accounted for 16% of Philippine exports in early 2025. Karen Lema and Mikhail Flores, Reuters, July 10
Trump to host Philippine president to discuss trade and security in Asia. President Donald Trump will host Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Washington this month to deepen defense and economic ties. The meeting follows expanded U.S.-Philippine military exercises and growing trilateral coordination with Japan. Officials will discuss deterring China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea and enhancing regional partnerships. No exact date has been set. Associated Press, July 11
Indonesia
Indonesia stresses worker protection in talks with Qatar. Indonesia emphasized migrant worker safety in talks with Qatar, with Minister Abdul Kadir Karding underscoring protection as the ministry’s core principle. Qatar, the only Middle Eastern nation to ratify ILO conventions, was praised for its labor standards and treatment of foreign workers. Discussions also focused on data integration and placements in health, hospitality and tech sectors. ANTARA News, July 10
Malaysia
Malaysia says China ready to sign SEA nuclear weapons-free treaty. China has agreed to sign the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone treaty once documentation is finalized, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan announced. The treaty, in effect since 1997, prohibits nuclear arms in the region. China reaffirmed support for the pact, emphasizing its commitment to peaceful regional security. Ahmad Luqman Ismail, Liz Lee and Colleen Howe, Reuters, July 10
Singapore
Singapore trade minister to discuss pharma tariff concessions during US trip in July. Singapore Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong will travel to the U.S. this month to negotiate tariff concessions on pharmaceutical exports, currently facing a 10% levy despite an existing free trade deal. Broader U.S. tariffs on semiconductors and copper are under consideration. Gan warned of slowing economic growth and signaled semiconductor talks would follow the pharmaceutical discussions. Jun Yong and Xinghui Kok, Reuters, July 10
Taiwan
Taiwan shows off new U.S. tanks amid annual war games. Taiwan showcased U.S.-made M1A2T Abrams tanks during live-fire drills in Hsinchu as part of its annual military exercises, with President Lai Ching-te praising their power and role in bolstering national security. Four tanks fired at moving and static targets, demonstrating capabilities ahead of full commissioning later this year. Greg Torode and Fabian Hamacher, Reuters, July 10
KMT expected to hinder budget. Taiwan’s KMT caucus plans to block the NT$410 billion special budget, demanding NT$230 billion more for universal cash handouts. The Executive Yuan warned this would strain finances and cause inflation. The original budget includes NT$93 billion for economic resilience and NT$150 billion for societal defense. Debate also centers on a NT$100 billion subsidy to Taipower, which faces heavy losses. Liu Wan-li, Hollie Younger and Shih Hsiao-kuang, Taipei Times, July 11
Bangladesh
Bangladesh tribunal indicts ousted Prime Minister Hasina over deaths of protesters. A special tribunal indicted Sheikh Hasina on five charges of crimes against humanity for her role in a crackdown that killed hundreds of students during last year’s protests. Former officials Asaduzzaman Khan and Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun were also charged. Hasina, in exile, is accused of ordering the violence. The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, has requested her extradition. Julhas Alam, Associated Press, July 10
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s leader tells Trump that he hopes for compromise on new U.S. tariffs. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev told President Donald Trump in a letter that Kazakhstan is ready for dialogue to resolve trade tensions after the U.S. imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff effective August 1. Exemptions apply to key exports like oil, uranium and silver. Tokayev expressed optimism about reaching a compromise. Mariya Gordeyeva and Lucy Papachristou, Reuters, July 10
Kazakhstan and China boost rail trade via Middle Corridor agreement. Kazakhstan and China signed a renewed strategic deal to expand freight volumes and rail connectivity along the Middle Corridor, replacing a 2014 framework. Cargo volumes reached 14.2 million tons from January to May, with grain exports rising 46%. A new container terminal in Almaty will serve as a key logistics hub. The initiative strengthens regional supply chains and trade diversification. Sergey Kwan, The Times of Central Asia, July 10
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyz president visits Tajikistan, opening new era of friendship. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov concluded a two-day state visit to Tajikistan, marking a significant thaw in relations following deadly border clashes in 2021 and 2022. He and President Emomali Rahmon signed 14 agreements spanning trade, mining, tourism and more. Trade between the two nations rose fifteenfold year-on-year. Bruce Pannier, The Times of Central Asia, July 10
Northeast Asia
Why land and property remain at the core of China’s economic transition Land income is shrinking and home prices easing, yet municipal budgets, employment and investment hinge on the property industry employing over 50 million workers and feeding extensive supply chains. Beijing moves focus to green infrastructure, stricter land auctions and affordable housing pilots, while state-owned firms buy unwanted plots to steady prices. Alternatives such as property tax, local consumption levies, REITs remain stalled or marginal, so cities recycle off-budget borrowing through local SOEs. Housing demand bifurcates: Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen stay resilient, many secondary markets sag, more families favor long leases or small businesses. Reform proceeds piecemeal; land and property now act less as engines and more as ballast for an economy searching for new lift. David Tingxuan Zhang, South China Morning Post, July 10
Visualizing Power in China’s Press. Despite international speculation about Xi Jinping’s waning influence, data from China’s state media show he remains overwhelmingly dominant in visibility and political signaling. An analysis of People’s Daily headlines and images over 2023–2025 reveals a minor decline in Xi’s appearances, but his media presence still exceeds Premier Li Qiang’s by over 230 percent. The drop aligns with expected fluctuations following key CCP events, such as the 20th National Congress, rather than signaling political vulnerability. Visual coverage further shows Xi’s primacy; even when absent from major events like BRICS 2025, coverage of substitutes like Li is minimal and visually subordinated. In China’s tightly controlled press system, genuine power is inseparable from public visibility. Alex Colville, China Media Project, July 10
Southeast Asia
The Enduring Shadow of Extremism: Tackling Radicalisation in the Bangladeshi Diaspora. Recent arrests in Malaysia reveal the growing threat of radicalization among Bangladeshi expatriates, driven by socioeconomic alienation, homeland instability, and online extremism. A militant network of Bangladeshi nationals raised funds digitally for ISIS and plotted attacks. Vulnerable workers, particularly in low-wage sectors, are targeted, while political turmoil in Bangladesh weakens its law enforcement and emboldens extremist outreach. Recruitment now includes professionals and students, with global issues like Gaza deepening grievances. Traditional religious groups lack effective counter-radicalization narratives, and digital platforms amplify extremist content. Bangladesh must improve transparency, international collaboration, digital literacy, and religious reform to combat the diaspora’s radicalization risks. Iftekharul Bashar, RSIS, July 10
Thailand’s refugee system puts publicity over protection. Thailand’s National Screening Mechanism (NSM), introduced in 2023, has granted protection to only seven people, showing its symbolic rather than substantive function. Lacking commitment to international refugee conventions and governed by the 1979 Immigration Act, Thailand labels asylum seekers as illegal migrants, exposing them to detention and deportation. The NSM avoids using terms like “refugee,” allowing the state to bypass legal obligations. NGOs and rights advocates argue that the process is slow, lacks transparency, and puts national security over humanitarian concerns. The initiative increases Thailand’s image abroad while reinforcing domestic control, especially under a military-led government focused on public image amid political unrest. Kate Coddington, East Asia Forum, July 10
Thailand’s Climate Change Law Should Be Fortified Before It is Enacted. Thailand’s draft Climate Change Act, expected to pass by 2025, marks a step in environmental governance but remains structurally weak. Proposed mechanisms such as a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), and a Climate Fund are ambitious but undercut by bureaucratic inefficiency, vague regulations, and entrenched industrial opposition. The law risks being ineffective without clearer climate targets, stricter enforcement, and stronger public oversight. Although public concern and political interest have risen, fossil fuels still dominate the energy mix, and big business continues to exert undue influence. Strengthening the law’s provisions and institutions is essential for real climate resilience. Paul Chambers and Watcharapol Supajakwattana , FULCRUM, July 11
The 2025 Bangsamoro elections will make or break political stability. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will hold its first parliamentary elections in October 2025, marking a critical juncture in a fragile peace process. While the region has seen increased political engagement, with a record 82.3% voter turnout in recent midterms, it also faces persistent violence. BARMM accounted for 38% of election-related attacks. Private armed groups remain influential, undermining disarmament efforts and fueling factional conflict. The return of political dynasties and uneven implementation of peace accords have deepened Moro Islamic Liberation Front dissatisfaction, threatening institutional legitimacy. Without urgent reforms, the elections risk becoming a flashpoint rather than a milestone for lasting peace. Reemar B Alonsagay, East Asia Forum, July 11
Data Centres, Energy Demand and Sustainability: Can Malaysia Strike the Right Balance? Malaysia’s drive to become a digital hub has spurred over US$43 billion in data center investments since 2021, yet the sector’s explosive growth poses major sustainability risks. AI data centres consume immense energy, up to 5,000 MW by 2035, or 40% of Peninsular Malaysia’s current capacity, raising fears of higher electricity tariffs for consumers. Policy efforts focus on incentivizing energy efficiency through metrics like Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), but enforcement remains weak. Despite rhetoric on renewables, most data centres still rely on fossil fuels, with solar capacity and storage lagging far behind demand. Critics warn of greenwashing and unsustainable expansion. Sara Loo, FULCRUM, July 10