China
Twelve Hong Kong activists appeal convictions in landmark '47 democrats' case. Twelve pro-democracy activists appealed their subversion convictions in Hong Kong’s largest national security trial. The case stems from a 2020 unofficial primary election seen by prosecutors as a plot to paralyze government. Appeals were also filed to overturn one acquittal. The hearing drew international attention amid a broader crackdown on dissent under China’s security law. Jessie Pang and James Pomfret, Reuters, July 14
Japan
Ruling LDP member quits as upper house panel chief over gaffe. Yosuke Tsuruho resigned as chair of Japan’s upper house Budget Committee after calling the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake “fortunate” for highlighting areas to improve public services. His remarks drew strong backlash from survivors and opposition lawmakers ahead of Sunday’s upper house election. While apologizing and retracting the comment, Tsuruho will remain a lawmaker. Kyodo News, July 14
Ruling parties could lose majority in Upper House election, poll suggests. A joint Mainichi Shimbun and JNN poll indicates Japan’s ruling LDP-Komeito coalition may fail to win a majority in Sunday’s Upper House election. Falling below 50 of the 125 contested seats would cost them control of both houses, potentially forcing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to resign. Meanwhile, major opposition parties are expected to hold or gain seats, with Sanseito projected to perform well. Eric Johnston, The Japan Times, July 14
South Korea
Special counsel team set to make 2nd attempt to bring in ex-President Yoon for questioning. South Korea’s special counsel will again try to bring former President Yoon Suk Yeol in for questioning Tuesday over his failed martial law bid. Yoon has refused repeated summonses since his second arrest last week. Investigators may indict him without further questioning if he continues to resist. Charges include document fabrication and violating Cabinet members’ rights. Lee Haye-ah, Yonhap News Agency, July 14
Controversy erupts over president's appointment of ex-defense lawyer to key post. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung named Cho Won-chul, his former defense attorney in a corruption case, to head the Ministry of Government Legislation, drawing criticism from the opposition. Cho, a former judge, represented Lee in a scandal involving the Daejang-dong development. Critics call the appointment political favoritism, while the presidential office insists Cho was selected for his qualifications. Park Ung, The Korea Times, July 14
North Korea
N. Korea’s underground economy crackdown intensifies. North Korea has launched a large-scale operation targeting Chinese-made mobile phone users near the border, intensifying surveillance and interrogations in regions like Hoeryong. State security agents are pressuring detained remittance brokers to identify others, severely restricting communications. Locals now avoid using phones or speak briefly before turning them off. Lee Chae Eun, Daily NK, July 14
Unification minister nominee says not see N. Korea as main enemy. South Korean Unification Minister nominee Chung Dong-young told lawmakers he does not view North Korea as the country's "main enemy," but rather as a "threat." At his confirmation hearing, Chung called for a pragmatic approach to inter-Korean relations, suggested renaming the ministry, and advocated restoring the 2018 military pact suspended by the Yoon administration. Kim Hyun-soo, Yonhap News Agency, July 14
Thailand
Suspended Thai PM Paetongtarn hit by ethics investigation, source and media say. Thailand’s anti-corruption body has launched an ethics probe into suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over a leaked call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The call, which included remarks seen as undermining Thai sovereignty, triggered public backlash and prompted a petition by 36 senators. Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um, Reuters, July 14
Hospital, prison staff to testify in Thaksin probe. Thailand’s Supreme Court will summon senior officials from the Corrections Department and prison hospital to justify former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s prolonged stay at Police General Hospital. The inquiry focuses on enforcement of his corruption sentence. Upcoming witnesses include PGH doctors and Medical Council experts. Hearings began in June and will conclude July 30 amid concerns over legal irregularities. Bangkok Post, July 14
Myanmar
Myanmar junta launches space agency with Russian help. Myanmar’s military government has established the Myanmar Space Agency under Min Aung Hlaing’s direct control, following his visit to Moscow where he signed agreements on space cooperation. Russia remains the sole foreign partner, aiding in satellite tech and establishing a satellite data center. Observers warn the agency could enhance military surveillance. Maung Kavi, The Irrawaddy, July 14
Cambodia
Cambodia will start military conscription next year as tensions with Thailand persist. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced that the country will implement military conscription in 2026 under a 2006 law, amid heightened border tensions with Thailand. The move follows a deadly clash in May and comes as Cambodia accuses Thailand of closing crossings unilaterally. Hun Manet, citing effectiveness, emphasized the need to upgrade military capability and called for increased defense spending. Sopheng Cheang, Associated Press, July 14
PM calls for amendment to raise military retirement age. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet proposed changes to the military retirement system to retain trained personnel and strengthen defense. Speaking in Kampong Chhnang, he criticized the current 12-tier system where promotion can lead to immediate retirement. He recommended reducing tiers to 2 or 3, citing examples from ASEAN countries with simpler structures. Khmer Times, July 14
Philippines
Philippine defense chief renounced Maltese citizenship before his appointment, department says. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. renounced his Maltese citizenship prior to assuming office and notified relevant authorities, according to the Department of National Defense. The disclosure counters allegations of dual allegiance. Teodoro obtained a Maltese passport in 2016 but surrendered it before a 2021 Senate bid. Jim Gomez, Associated Press, July 14
Govt pushed to petition house arrest for Duterte at The Hague. Three senators urged the Philippine government to request house arrest for former president Rodrigo Duterte, citing serious health issues during over 100 days of detention at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. While ICC doctors found him mentally fit, reports say his physical condition is deteriorating. His family and Vice President Sara Duterte have voiced concern. Javier Joe Ismael, The Manila Times, July 15
Indonesia
Trump's 32% tariff on Indonesia delayed for more talks: minister. Indonesia’s economic chief Airlangga Hartarto confirmed the postponement of a 32% U.S. tariff on Indonesian goods after meeting top American officials in Washington. Talks will continue over the next three weeks to finalize adjustments to Indonesia’s proposal. Discussions included non-tariff issues, critical mineral cooperation and economic security, with the U.S. showing interest in Indonesia’s nickel and cobalt reserves. ANTARA News, July 14
Taiwan
Paraguay president vows to defend Taiwan ties with all its strength. Paraguayan President Santiago Peña reaffirmed his commitment to Taiwan during a business forum in Asunción, calling the 68-year alliance a values-driven partnership. He rejected Chinese pressure to sever ties and emphasized sovereignty in foreign policy. Recent cooperation includes digital healthcare expansion and a zero-tariff pork export deal. Igor Patrick, South China Morning Post, July 14
Former military personnel call for recall vote support. Retired military officers, academics and pro-democracy groups urged the public to vote “yes” in the July 26 recall of pro-China KMT lawmakers, citing national security concerns. Hsu Pai-yueh said the movement is a fight to defend Taiwan’s sovereignty. Speakers warned of Chinese influence and described the vote as critical to resisting Beijing’s control. Chen Yu-fu and Jason Pan, Taipei Times, July 14
Kazakhstan
Trump's tariffs may hurt Kazakhstan's economy, expert warns. A 25% U.S. tariff on Kazakh goods, effective August 1, may discourage investment and damage Kazakhstan’s non-resource exports, according to economist Olzhas Baidildinov. Though key exports like oil and metals are exempt, Baidildinov said the unpredictability of future tariffs will deter production planning. He also questioned the tariffs’ compatibility with WTO rules and their fairness to Kazakh firms. Aliya Haidar, The Times of Central Asia, July 14
Northeast Asia
The Big Beautiful Bill Signals Congress Taking the Wheel on U.S.–China Trade. Signed on July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill enacts sweeping domestic reforms and marks a structural change in U.S.–China trade relations. Alongside tax cuts and deregulation, it repeals the de minimis exemption by 2027, halting duty-free imports under $800, thereby targeting low-cost supply chains. This legislation replaces failed executive attempts and reflects a broader effort by Congress to institutionalize economic decoupling from China, reducing presidential discretion. With restrictions on spending, outbound investment, and critical imports, the bill enshrines long-term competition in law, diminishing the executive branch’s flexibility and redefining trade policy as a legislative prerogative. Economic pragmatism is no longer a viable anchor in bilateral relations. Yilun Zhang, ICAS, July 14
What North Korea’s Health App Reveals About Domestic and Imported Pharmaceuticals. North Korea’s newly analyzed health app includes a pharmaceutical database of over 3,000 substances, combining domestic Koryo and imported Western medicines. Of the cataloged treatments, 59.1% are foreign-made, primarily from China, Japan, and Vietnam. Key medications for tuberculosis are absent, while treatments for hypertension and diabetes include internationally recognized drugs, often at significantly lower prices than in the U.S. Domestically produced drugs are also listed, but are typically priced in foreign exchange won, suggesting limited affordability. Koryo medicines dominate the listings but serve largely supportive roles. The app hints at expanding pharmaceutical access but reveals persistent gaps in critical drug availability and affordability. Heeje Lee and Angie Sohn, 38 North, July 14
Backyard Furnaces of Propaganda. Guangdong province has launched four digital platforms, IP Guangdong, INFO Guangdong, LIVE Guangdong, and GO Guangdong, framing them as tools for “citizen-based external propaganda” in response to central directives to globalize China's narrative. These portals aim to mobilize local creators and foreign residents as storytellers of the province, but remain tightly controlled by the provincial propaganda office. IP Guangdong seeks content submissions from global creatives, while INFO Guangdong targets foreign nationals to serve as inadvertent brand ambassadors. Despite appearances of decentralization, the initiative mirrors top-down mobilizations of the Mao era, prioritizing political utility over authentic communication. David Bandurski, China Media Project, July 15
The Invisible Risks of Insecure Chinese Surveillance Cameras. Chinese-made surveillance cameras from Hikvision and Dahua pose serious cybersecurity threats due to exploitable vulnerabilities and delayed patching. Despite making up just 5% of Enterprise IoT devices, they account for 33% of security issues. Risks include individual surveillance, national security breaches, and exploitation in cyberattacks. Confirmed incidents range from child exploitation streams to geopolitical espionage, as in the African Union headquarters case. Regulatory responses include bans and stricter cybersecurity laws, such as the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act and India’s mandatory source code evaluations. These measures aim to mitigate threats from devices that, though meant for security, often undermine it. Ausma Bernot, China Observers, July 15
Southeast Asia
Indonesia’s billion dollar fuel fraud exposes deep corruption crisis. A massive fuel fraud scheme involving Indonesia’s state-owned oil company Pertamina cost the state an estimated US$12.06 billion between 2013 and 2018. The Attorney-General’s Office named nine suspects in February 2025, including six Pertamina executives, for manipulating tenders, forcing imports, and adulterating fuel. This scandal echoes historic patterns of corruption dating back to Pertamina’s founding. The fraud’s impact extends to public trust and vehicle damage, disproportionately affecting lower-income citizens. It also highlights systemic flaws in state-owned enterprises (SOEs), now shielded by new legal protections under President Prabowo’s administration. The prosecution bypassed the weakened Corruption Eradication Commission, raising concerns of politicized justice and elite impunity. Raisa Annisa and Elisabeth Kramer, East Asia Forum, July 15
How BYD became the leading EV brand in Southeast Asia. BYD's dominance in Southeast Asia stems from its vertical integration model, massive R&D investments, and strategic localization. Founded by battery expert Wang Chuanfu in 1995, BYD began producing EVs in 2009 and prioritized commercial deployment to build consumer trust. The firm’s Thailand factory, operational since mid-2024, produces 150,000 vehicles annually and anchors regional growth. In 2024, BYD led EV sales in Thailand and Malaysia, and nearly 20% of new car registrations in Singapore in early 2025 were BYD models. Expansion continues in Cambodia and Laos, supported by infrastructure and training initiatives. BYD’s regional success reflects broader trends in supply chain reorganization and the push for green mobility. Huang Jiayi, ThinkChina, July 14
Caught in the Crossfire: Vietnam and the Chinese Transshipment Dilemma.
President Trump’s July 2025 announcement of a 20% tariff on Vietnamese exports and 40% on transshipped goods has raised concerns in Hanoi, particularly over ambiguous definitions of ‘transshipping.’ If narrowly defined as simple relabelling of Chinese goods, the impact on Vietnam would be minimal. However, a broader interpretation, penalizing Vietnamese-made products containing Chinese inputs, could severely disrupt Vietnam’s export economy and strain ties with China. Vietnam’s reliance on U.S. markets and Chinese components leaves it vulnerable in this U.S.–China trade conflict. Avoiding economic harm hinges on reaching a narrowly defined agreement and diplomatic restraint from both Washington and Beijing. Le Hong Hiep, FULCRUM, July 14
South Asia
Major Power Rivalry and Domestic Politics in South Asia. A new analytical framework reveals how major power rivalries intersect with domestic politics in South Asia's swing states through five political trajectories: insulation, consolidation, contestation, polarization, and fragmentation. The study identifies three key mechanisms driving this interaction: ideological alignment, political embedding, and distributional incentives. Nepal shows persistent contestation with changing alliances and inconsistent foreign alignments. Sri Lanka oscillated between consolidation and insulation, with foreign ties shaped by economic crises. Bangladesh has entered contestation after the 2024 overthrow of Sheikh Hasina, with emerging anti-India sentiment and recalibrated external outreach. The report advises nuanced U.S. engagement that respects local contexts and avoids aligning too closely with India to retain influence in the region. Paul Staniland, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, July 14
Simultaneous elections could silence India’s regional voices. India’s proposed ‘One Nation, One Election’ reform seeks to synchronize national, state, and local elections by 2029, citing cost savings and administrative efficiency. However, it threatens India’s federal balance by centralizing power and marginalizing regional voices. Empirical evidence shows that simultaneous elections favor national parties. The reform’s constitutional amendments bypass state ratification, eroding cooperative federalism. Smaller parties may lose visibility in nationalized campaigns, while concerns grow over delimitation and representation disparities, particularly for southern states. The reform risks prioritizing uniformity over diversity, potentially curbing democratic pluralism and weakening accountability mechanisms. Shreya Borah, East Asia Forum, July 14