China
Trump says tariffs talks with China moving along well. U.S. President Donald Trump said trade negotiations with China were “moving along well” and predicted the two sides would reach a “very fair deal.” He made the comments after a bill-signing ceremony, offering no details on whether the ongoing pause in tariffs would be extended. Delegations concluded a third round of talks in Stockholm, with expectations of a three-month truce extension ahead of the Aug. 12 deadline. Frank Chen, South China Morning Post, July 30
China announces joint Pacific naval exercise with Russia in August. China and Russia will conduct their 11th “Joint Sea” naval exercise in August near Vladivostok, followed by a joint maritime patrol. The Chinese defense ministry stated the drill is part of an annual cooperation plan and not aimed at any third party. The announcement coincides with the U.S.-led “Resolute Force Pacific 2025” drill involving 12,000 troops and 400 aircraft. Liu Zhen, South China Morning Post, July 31
China has granted visa‑free access to citizens of 75 countries: NIA. China’s National Immigration Administration announced that 75 countries now enjoy either unilateral visa‑free entry or mutual visa exemption under measures adopted during the 14th Five‑Year Plan. The agency also expanded the number of nations eligible for visa‑free transit to 55 and increased entry ports to 60 across 24 provinces. Visitors transiting through China can now stay up to 240 hours without a visa, reforms aimed at boosting tourism, business exchanges and people‑to‑people ties. Xinhua, July 30.
Japan
Japan–South Korea top diplomats’ meeting shows ties on solid footing. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun reaffirmed bilateral cooperation during their first meeting in Tokyo, signaling continued stability in relations despite prior concerns over President Lee Jae Myung’s stance on Japan. The ministers addressed North Korea’s military cooperation with Russia and emphasized the importance of trilateral coordination with the U.S. Jesse Johnson, The Japan Times, July 30
South Korea
Special counsel files for detention warrant for ex-President Yoon. South Korea’s special counsel team filed for a warrant to forcibly bring in former President Yoon Suk Yeol after he ignored a second summons for questioning over election interference allegations. Yoon, currently detained over a failed martial law attempt, cited ongoing health issues. The probe involves claims he and his wife accepted free opinion polls in exchange for political favors and made false statements about her role in a stock manipulation case. Lee Haye-ah, Yonhap News Agency, July 30
Trump says trade deal agreed with South Korea at 15 % tariff rate. U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States and South Korea had reached a last‑minute deal cutting planned tariffs to 15 %. He claimed Seoul would invest $350 billion in America and purchase $100 billion of U.S. energy products while opening its market fully to American goods. Trump said the lower levy would replace the 25 % tariff due to take effect on Aug. 1, although details of the agreement were not immediately verified. Trevor Hunnicutt and Ju-min Park, Reuters, July 31
North Korea
N. Korean assembly chief claims U.S., S. Korea preparing to ‘actualize’ nuclear war. North Korea’s Supreme People’s Assembly Chairman Pak In-chol accused the United States and South Korea of advancing preparations for nuclear conflict, calling the situation a critical stage requiring strong defensive measures. Speaking at the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, Pak defended Pyongyang’s nuclear program as vital for sovereignty and denounced the U.S. and allies for global instability. Kim Seung-yeon, Yonhap News Agency, July 30
Pyongyang intensifies monitoring with written pledges for informants. North Korea plans to increase surveillance personnel overseeing overseas workers, potentially quadrupling current levels in Russia and China, amid growing concerns over defections and exposure to foreign information. The Ministry of State Security has also revised monitoring regulations, expanded punishable behaviors, and begun requiring written loyalty pledges from informants. Lee Ho Jin, Daily NK, July 31
Thailand
Thailand and Cambodia trade accusations but fragile truce holds. Thai and Cambodian forces held a second day of uneasy calm along their disputed border while trading allegations of ceasefire violations and illegal detention of soldiers. Troops remained massed on each side and both governments claimed the other side laid landmines or fired across the frontier. Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu Wongcha-um, and Martin Petty and Devjyot Ghoshal, Reuters, July 30
Parliament president blasts Cambodia for ‘fake claims.’ Thailand’s National Assembly president Wan Muhamad Noor Matha denounced accusations by Cambodia’s parliament speaker that Thai forces had violated a ceasefire and targeted civilians. Wan said the allegations were baseless and contradicted evidence that Cambodia repeatedly breached the truce. He urged the ASEAN chair Malaysia, as well as the United States and China, to send observers to verify the situation and stressed Thailand’s commitment to the UN Charter and humanitarian law. Aekarach Sattaburuth, Bangkok Post, July 30
Vietnam
Party chief urges swift finalisation of draft documents for 14th National Party Congress. Vietnam’s Party General Secretary To Lam chaired a meeting to review draft documents for the 14th National Party Congress. He said the drafts covering the political report, a 40‑year review of economic reforms and a report on internal regulations were ready to be sent to local Party congresses and asked committees to finalise them quickly. Vietnam News, July 30
Myanmar
Myanmar junta imposes death sentence to crush election dissent. Myanmar’s military regime introduced a new electoral law imposing severe penalties, including the death sentence, for disrupting its planned December election. The law mandates 3–5 years in prison for sabotage, up to life for group offenses, and execution if an offense results in death. Critics say the law mirrors past efforts to cement military rule and will be used to suppress widespread opposition to the vote. Maung Kavi, The Irrawaddy, July 30
Laos
Lao president reaffirms commitment to deepening ties with Russia ahead of official visit. Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith highlighted the long history of Lao‑Russian friendship ahead of his official visit to Moscow. He noted that Russia supported Laos’ independence struggle and provided economic and humanitarian assistance after the civil war. The two countries will hold joint military exercises and celebrate the 65th anniversary of relations. Thongsavanh Souvannasane, The Laotian Times, July 30
Cambodia
Cambodia highlights despicable truce violation by Thai military. Cambodia accused Thailand of violating the July 28 ceasefire by detaining about 20 Cambodian soldiers near the Choam Te border area in Preah Vihear province. The detentions occurred during a goodwill exchange and allegedly involved two deaths. Cambodian officials briefed diplomats from 13 countries, calling Thai actions provocative and in breach of agreements. Ben Sokhean and Nop Sreymao, Khmer Times, July 30
Cambodia, Thailand reaffirm commitment to ceasefire agreement at trilateral meeting with China. Cambodia and Thailand reiterated their pledge to uphold the July 28 ceasefire during a trilateral meeting with China in Shanghai. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong hosted the talks, described as frank and friendly. China praised for its role in calming tensions, emphasized continued diplomatic efforts through shuttle diplomacy and ASEAN coordination. Khmer Times, July 30
Philippines
Duterte thanks defense team, petitioners after impeachment complaint junked by court. Vice President Sara Duterte thanked her legal team and the petitioners who challenged the fourth impeachment complaint against her, which the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional. The Court barred the Senate from proceeding with a trial based on the House-passed complaint. She vowed to continue resisting leaders she claimed threaten the nation. Red Mendoza, The Manila Times, July 30
Indonesia
Indonesia plans fresh stimulus for Xmas, New Year holidays. Indonesia is preparing a new economic stimulus package for the Christmas and New Year season, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati announced. The government has already disbursed Rp57.4 trillion (US$3.5 billion) across two stimulus rounds this year, supporting electricity bills, VAT exemptions, job loss insurance, and transport fare discounts. ANTARA News, July 31
Malaysia
Malaysia reaffirms role as mediator in Thai-Cambodian border conflict. Malaysia’s Chief of Defence Force, General Datuk Mohammad Nizam Jaffar, confirmed the country’s readiness to act as a neutral mediator in upholding the Thai-Cambodian ceasefire. During meetings with Thai army commanders, he outlined plans for a Foreign Defence Attaché Team and an ASEAN Monitoring Team. Thailand affirmed adherence to the ceasefire, which followed a July 29 agreement brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Kenny Teng Khoon Hock, BERNAMA, July 31
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan opens first university in Russia, showcases its work. Kazakhstan inaugurated a branch of Al‑Farabi Kazakh National University at Omsk State University, the first Central Asian university campus in Russia, during a delegation visit led by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Kazakh education minister Sayasat Nurbek. The branch offers programs in the Kazakh language and literature, customs affairs, and international law, and plans to enrol 200–250 students in 2025. Aiman Nakispekova, The Astana Times, July 30
Kazakhstan and Turkey tighten ties amid shifting Caspian dynamics. Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara to co-chair the fifth Kazakhstan–Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council amid rising regional tensions. Tokayev invited Turkish investment in energy and infrastructure and proposed expanding oil exports via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. The leaders also discussed defense cooperation, Caspian shipping, and the Middle Corridor. Andrei Matveev, The Times of Central Asia, July 30
Kyrgyzstan
As sanctions hamper Kyrgyz banking sector, crypto trading booms. Western sanctions and Kyrgyzstan’s banking restrictions are constraining traditional transactions, but ruble-pegged cryptocurrency A7A5 is surging through local exchange Grinex, with over $1 billion traded daily. Following U.S. and U.K. sanctions on Keremet Bank, 13 of 16 Kyrgyz banks cut ties with Russian institutions. Eurasianet, July 30
Northeast Asia
China’s July Politburo Meeting: Transcript and Readout. The Politburo set October’s Fourth Plenum to craft the 15th Five‑Year Plan and called for stronger yet targeted macro‑support. Measures include a 3,600‑yuan childcare subsidy, anti‑involution campaigns to curb cut‑throat work culture and high‑quality urban renewal. Leaders emphasised boosting service consumption and long‑term domestic growth over ad‑hoc tariff responses, signalling policy recalibration to restore public confidence. Fred Gao, Inside China, July 30
How China Sees AI Safety. New Cyberspace Administration rules require AI firms to run red‑team tests, filter data and ensure outputs uphold “core socialist values.” Risk assessments and algorithm filings embed censorship in technical standards, placing political security above open innovation. By endorsing global AI‑safety talks while tightening domestic control, Beijing seeks to influence international governance and entrench Party oversight of emerging technologies. Alex Colville, China Media Project, July 30
Agricultural Trade Could Alter China’s Terms of Trade in Sino‑US Tensions. Rising meat demand intensifies China’s reliance on imported soybeans, maize and sorghum, mostly from the United States. To cut vulnerability, Beijing courts Brazilian growers, invests in overseas farmland and promotes domestic feed substitutes. Diversifying grain supplies may change leverage in broader Sino‑US trade relations, but lasting security needs biotech innovation, supply‑chain resilience and policy reform. Jane Du, SOAS China Institute, July 30
To Ease Costs, China Launches First Nationwide Childcare Subsidy. China will pay parents 3,600 yuan per child under three each year, prorated for toddlers born before 2025. Funded by a 90 billion‑yuan central grant, the program replaces patchy local schemes and opens for applications in late August. Officials expect over 20 million families to benefit. A recent survey found more than 70 percent of young couples deem subsidies helpful, though middle‑class urbanites say the sum barely dents child‑rearing costs. Demographers see the cash transfer as part of a broader fertility push amid demographic decline and soaring childcare and education expenses. Fan Yiying, Sixth Tone, July 30
China’s Drone Training Boom Takes Off. Licences for non‑commercial drone pilots are suddenly coveted as Beijing promotes a “low‑altitude economy.” Nearly 1.9 million drones are registered, yet only about 225,000 operators hold Civil Aviation Administration certificates. Intensive, costly courses draw students and career‑changers seeking jobs in mapping, farming, logistics, rescue, and entertainment. Aspirants view licensing as an entry to a nascent industry where government policy, commercial demand, and personal passion intersect. Lü Xiao, Sixth Tone, July 30
How China Is Reshaping Africa’s Information and Media Landscape. Chinese state media and telecom firms spread influence across Africa via training schemes, content‑sharing and digital infrastructure. Partnerships offer affordable technology but embed censorship tools and surveillance capabilities, raising concerns over press freedom and political autonomy. Observers warn that exporting China’s media model may entrench authoritarian governance and narrow civic space across the continent.
Daouda Cissé, SOAS China Institute, July 30
Leadership Infighting Emerges in Chinese Military Mouthpiece. A spate of PLA Daily commentaries warns cadres to purge “poisonous influences,” praises generals who challenged Mao and omits Xi Jinping, hinting at rifts atop the Central Military Commission. Reports of Admiral Miao Hua’s removal and General He Weidong’s disappearance fuel talk of a faction led by General Zhang Youxia. The unusual rhetoric suggests ideological struggle and possible power realignments within China’s military leadership. Asia Sentinel, July 30
Southeast Asia
Why Students from China Are Picking Malaysia over Traditional Destinations. Malaysia now hosts 38 percent of its international students from China. Lower tuition, proximity, cultural familiarity, and eased visas lure families wary of Western costs, stringent screenings and anti‑Chinese sentiment. English‑medium programs, rising university rankings, and ventures like Xiamen University Malaysia increase academic appeal, while cheaper living expenses and short flights home seal the deal for China’s expanding middle class. Koh Sin Yee, Fulcrum, July 30
Musa Aman Redux: Disquiet and Apathy in East Sabah. Former chief minister Musa Aman’s return as Sabah’s ceremonial governor revives memories of patronage politics. Residents in East Sabah lament poor roads, schools and water while elites trade party loyalties for positions. Many expect renewed “party‑hopping” but feel powerless; apathy mixes with resentment as basic services remain tied to political favour rather than need, entrenching cynicism toward state governance. Vilashini Somiah, Fulcrum, July 30
ASEAN+3 in an Age of Global Uncertainty. AMRO trimmed its 2025 GDP outlook for ASEAN+3 to 3.8 percent as export front‑loading fades and protectionism rises. Ageing populations, climate shocks and tightening global finance threaten longer‑term growth. Deeper integration through RCEP, cross‑border digital payments and an open, rules‑based trading order is urged to bolster resilience and sustain prosperity amid mounting headwinds. Yasuto Watanabe, China‑US Focus, July 30
Central Asia
Kazakhstan’s Mountain Cluster Under the Spotlight Again. Authorities revived plans for a ski‑resort network across Kok Zhailau and nearby valleys outside Almaty, proposing 65 kilometres of slopes, cable cars and hotels. Environmentalists warn of damage to Ile Alatau National Park and decry scant public consultation. Critics argue the luxury project favours wealthy tourists and diverts resources from social needs, reigniting debates over conservation versus development. Olga Loginova & Akbota Uzbekbay, Vlast, July 30
South Asia
Trilaterals in Testing Times? The Pakistan‑Afghanistan Dynamic and China’s Diplomatic Calculus. China hosted a May trilateral meeting restoring ambassador‑level ties between Pakistan and the Taliban and floated extending the China‑Pakistan Economic Corridor into Afghanistan. Objectives include countering TTP, ETIM and ISKP, improving border management and funding roads, railways and hydropower. Beijing seeks stability for Xinjiang and new trade routes; Pakistan hopes trilateral cooperation eases a two‑front security dilemma while unlocking infrastructure investment. Afeera Firdous, South Asian Voices, July 30
Oceania
Australia’s New China Playbook: Engagement without Illusion. Anthony Albanese’s July visit thawed trade ties. Beijing scrapped remaining import bans and both sides pledged to modernise ChAFTA while signing deals on customs, agriculture and green steel. Two‑way trade topped A$312 billion last year, yet Canberra still counters coercion through AUKUS, the Quad and tighter foreign‑interference laws. Ongoing frictions over port leases, human rights and influence operations underline a strategy of economic engagement backstopped by diversified security partnerships. Genevieve Donnellon‑May, ThinkChina, July 30