China
China steps up economic monitoring, looking to head off worst-case scenarios. China’s top economic planner is enhancing early-warning systems and refining monitoring indicators to manage global volatility and trade pressures as it prepares the 2026–2030 development blueprint. The government resumed rare earth exports to the U.S. and eased tech import restrictions following a framework deal with Washington. Xinyi Wu and Luna Sun, South China Morning Post, July 8
China expands visa-free entry to more than 70 countries. China now allows citizens from 74 countries to enter visa-free for up to 30 days, doubling 2023 figures as part of efforts to boost tourism and global engagement. Most European nations are included, along with several in Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. The policy has sharply increased bookings and is expected to expand to 75 countries by July 16. Fu Ting, Associated Press, July 8
China places export controls on eight Taiwanese firms citing dual-use tech concerns. China’s commerce ministry added eight Taiwanese companies to its export control list, citing national security concerns over their involvement in dual-use technologies. The affected firms operate in Taiwan’s aerospace, shipbuilding and tech sectors. The move escalates cross-strait tensions amid growing scrutiny of Taiwan’s industrial capabilities. Joe Cash, Reuters, July 8
Japan
Japan’s emperor meets with Mongolian president to boost democratic ties in authoritarian region. Emperor Naruhito met with Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh in Ulaanbaatar to strengthen ties between the two democracies amid regional influence from Russia and China. The visit marks 80 years since WWII’s end and included a tribute to Japanese POWs once held in Mongolia. Japan aims to deepen trade and democratic cooperation as Mongolia continues balancing relations with powerful neighbors. Associated Press, July 8
Premiums and wages at heart of social security debate ahead of Upper House vote. Political parties in Japan’s July 20 Upper House election are pledging to reduce social security premiums and raise wages for medical and nursing care workers as costs rise with an aging population. The ruling LDP proposes increasing official service prices, while opposition parties suggest capping expenses or cutting hospital capacity. The Japan Times, July 9
South Korea
Trump says South Korea should be paying for its own defense. President Donald Trump said South Korea must increase its financial contribution to support U.S. troops stationed on its soil, calling the current arrangement unfair. He claimed past efforts secured $3 billion and proposed a $10 billion annual payment. Trump also linked defense costs to broader trade negotiations. South Korea hosts about 28,500 U.S. troops under a longstanding defense alliance. Andrea Shalal and David Brunnstrom, Reuters, July 8
Ex-President Yoon set to attend court hearing on his potential arrest. Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will appear in court on July 9 for a hearing on a special counsel’s request to arrest him over his failed martial law attempt. Charges include forging documents, obstructing investigators and abusing executive powers. Yoon denies all allegations. A decision is expected by Thursday, and he remains at Seoul Detention Center pending the ruling. Lee Haye-ah, Yonhap News Agency, July 8
India
X says Indian government ordered it to block Reuters News accounts in India. X said India ordered the platform to block over 2,000 accounts, including @Reuters and @ReutersWorld, under Section 69A of the IT Act, risking criminal liability for non-compliance. The accounts were briefly suspended but later restored following public outcry. India’s government denied issuing a new order and claimed it had urged X to reinstate the accounts. Aditya Kalra, Munsif Vengattil and Aftab Ahmed, Reuters, July 8
In show of unity against Trump, Brazil and India vow to triple trade flows. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva pledged to triple bilateral trade during Modi’s state visit, rejecting U.S. tariff threats targeting BRICS countries. Agreements were signed to expand Mercosur ties, with a goal of reaching $20 billion in trade. Lula condemned Trump’s threats and called for diversification away from U.S.-centric trade. Khushboo Razdan and Igor Patrick, South China Morning Post, July 9
Thailand
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham says he can dissolve House. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai dismissed the Council of State’s opinion that he lacks authority to dissolve Thailand’s House of Representatives, calling it just one legal view. His remarks follow Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s suspension amid an ethics probe. With the government’s slim majority at risk, Phumtham also supported proposals for list-MPs serving as ministers to resign and restore quorum. Mongkol Bangprapa, Bangkok Post, July 8
Cambodia
SCC rallies behind decision to take border disputes to ICJ. All 30 political parties on Cambodia’s Supreme Consultative Council endorsed the government’s decision to bring territorial disputes with Thailand before the International Court of Justice. Prime Minister Hun Manet chaired the meeting, which also addressed military welfare and revoking citizenship for traitors. Delegates emphasized unity in defending national sovereignty over contested areas including Mom Bei and several temple sites. Torn Vibol, Khmer Times, July 9
Philippines
Philippines summons Chinese envoy over sanctions against former senator. The Philippines summoned China's ambassador to protest Beijing’s sanctions against former senator Francis Tolentino, who was barred from China, Hong Kong and Macau for conduct deemed harmful to bilateral ties. Tolentino supported maritime laws China opposed and accused Beijing of spreading disinformation. Manila called the sanctions inconsistent with sovereign respect. Mikhail Flores, Reuters, July 8
Reuters NEXT: Prospect of war in region remote and not imminent, says Philippine defence secretary. Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said war in the region is unlikely, noting China’s assertive actions are driven by its leadership, not U.S. politics. Speaking at the Reuters NEXT Asia summit, Teodoro called China’s South China Sea claims a key security concern and reaffirmed the Philippines’ opposition to Beijing’s maritime stance, citing the 2016 international tribunal ruling. Mikhail Flores and Raju Gopalakrishnan, Reuters, July 8
Indonesia
Indonesia marks diplomatic milestone with first-ever participation as full BRICS member. Indonesia formally joined the BRICS bloc during the 2025 summit in Rio de Janeiro, with President Prabowo Subianto attending and delivering a speech. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya highlighted the swift approval by existing members and emphasized the bloc’s growing influence, now representing nearly half the global population and 35% of global GDP. Jakarta Globe, July 8
Malaysia
U.S. tariffs to take centre stage as ASEAN meets in Malaysia. ASEAN foreign ministers are gathering in Kuala Lumpur to address new U.S. tariffs of up to 40% on six Southeast Asian countries, with top diplomats from major powers also attending. Only Vietnam has secured a reduced rate. ASEAN’s draft communique warns tariffs risk deepening global fragmentation. Territorial tensions between Thailand and Cambodia and Myanmar’s civil war add to regional strain. Rozanna Latiff, Reuters, July 8
Taiwan
Taiwan launches annual war games with simulated attacks against military command. Taiwan began its largest-ever Han Kuang military exercises with simulations of command and infrastructure attacks, testing decentralization in the face of a Chinese assault. The 10-day drills involve 22,000 reservists, HIMARS systems, Sky Sword missiles and expanded civil defense. Aimed at deterring Beijing, the exercises signal Taiwan’s readiness to defend its sovereignty amid increasing PLA pressure. Yimou Lee, Reuters, July 9
Taiwan yet to receive U.S. tariff letter. Taiwan has not received a U.S. tariff notification letter, unlike 14 other countries, as Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun and Minister Without Portfolio Yang Jen-ni continue trade talks in Washington. The U.S. previously announced a 32% tariff on Taiwan, now under a 90-day negotiation window. Officials say discussions are progressing positively. Lery Hiciano, Huang Ching-hsuan and Chung Li-hua, Taipei Times, July 8
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan faces new U.S. tariff measures under Trump’s executive order. President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25% reciprocal tariff on Kazakh exports starting August 1, down from the 27% rate announced in April. While most strategic goods including oil, uranium, and silver remain exempt, Kazakhstan is preparing for talks to protect its trade interests. The U.S. cited long-term trade imbalances and national security concerns in justifying the move. Fatima Kemelova, The Astana Times, July 8
Northeast Asia
China’s New Nationalistic Diplomacy Wins Over Southeast Asia. President Xi Jinping’s April 2025 tour of Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia marked a pivot toward nationalistic diplomacy aimed at consolidating influence amid rising US tariffs. Abandoning confrontational “wolf-warrior” tactics, Xi invoked shared revolutionary heritage and anti-colonial sentiments to appeal to Southeast Asian identity and pride. Malaysia, facing 24% US tariffs and holding ASEAN’s chairmanship, and Vietnam and Cambodia, hit with even steeper tariff hikes, responded with warm gestures and symbolic recognition. Xi’s rhetoric emphasized “Asian values” and opposition to Western hegemonism, resonating with local leaders like Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim. Beyond rhetoric, China secured agreements spanning infrastructure, AI, and agriculture. This nuanced blend of nationalism and regionalism reflects a change in China’s diplomatic posture, positioning it as a reliable partner amid regional anxieties about economic order instability. Shenghua Zhang, East Asia Forum, July 8
North Korea’s Revised Radio Wave Control Law. North Korea has expanded its Radio Wave Control Law to regulate a wider range of digital technologies, including computers and smartphones, showing heightened efforts to block foreign information flows. The 2023 revisions introduce mandatory inspections, registrations, and certifications for all electronic devices, even those incapable of receiving foreign signals. The law now bans unauthorized use of foreign networks within the country and requires radio and TV equipment to be permanently fixed to receive only state-approved channels. Sellers and service providers must obtain government approval, and devices must include anti-broadcasting blocking features. The law explicitly supports jamming of “enemy broadcasts” and details penalties ranging from fines to forced labor. These changes align with broader information control campaigns following the 2022 Anti-Reactionary Thought Law. Martyn Williams, 38 North, July 8
Forbidden Banquet: China’s Crackdown on Official Dining. China has intensified its crackdown on improper official dining, enforcing stricter rules that ban gourmet food, alcohol, and even casual meals perceived as forming cliques. A nationwide campaign is reinforcing the “eight-point rules,” with public officials now subject to a 24-hour alcohol ban and restrictions limiting work meals to three participants. Authorities cite recent cases, such as client managers fined for accepting modest lunches, to underscore the policy's seriousness. These measures have sparked public anxiety, with viral survival guides urging officials to scrutinize dining companions, venues, and payment records. The campaign risks overcorrection, stifling normal social interactions, and weakening consumer confidence amid economic recovery efforts. Despite good intentions to curb “gourmet graft,” the policy reflects a pendulum swing in governance between laxity and paralysis. Yang Danxu, ThinkChina, July 8
Southeast Asia
From Rhetoric to Realignment? Anwar Ibrahim and the BRICS Question. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s vocal support for BRICS as a “new frontier” for Malaysia shows an ambition to align with emerging global powers, yet institutional hesitancy signals a more cautious approach. While Anwar has consistently advocated for multipolarity and challenged Western dominance, Malaysia’s current “partner country” status offers limited influence without full membership. Ministries insist on cost-benefit evaluations, wary of geopolitical risks including potential US tariffs and entanglements with contentious BRICS members like Iran. Domestically, Anwar’s unity government faces pressure to deliver concrete economic results amid fiscal strain, tempering bold foreign policy moves. Malaysia’s strategy is a balancing act, engaging BRICS pragmatically while upholding ASEAN centrality and avoiding disruptions to critical ties with the West. Ilango Karuppannan, RSIS, July 8
The Divorce Debate in the Philippines: Why Not a People’s Referendum? The Philippines remains the only country outside Vatican City without legal divorce, a situation attributed to the powerful influence of religious institutions, especially the Roman Catholic Church. Despite congressional efforts like House Bill 9349, divorce legislation faces persistent roadblocks in the Senate and lacks presidential prioritization. Pro-divorce advocates argue for individual rights, secular governance, and social welfare, while anti-divorce coalitions invoke constitutional protections of family sanctity and warn of adverse societal impacts. With 57% of Filipinos reportedly opposing divorce in 2024, the issue has become politically sensitive. A national referendum is proposed as a democratic solution, empowering citizens to decide directly, removing elite gatekeeping, and ensuring broader societal voices are heard in shaping this contentious policy. Dennis Blanco, FULCRUM, July 9
Beyond FDI: Vietnam’s Moment for Tech Upgrading. Vietnam’s rapid rise as a key electronics manufacturing hub, driven by foreign direct investment and global supply chain change, now faces a critical turning point. While FDI has fueled export growth, notably in electronics, much of the production remains in low-margin assembly. Vietnam’s dependence on imported components, limited domestic innovation, underdeveloped supporting industries, power grid instability, and a severe shortage of skilled semiconductor engineers hinder its ambitions for high-tech advancement. Despite efforts like passing the Law on Digital Technology Industry and expanding FTAs, true technological upgrading demands investment in education, energy, and local firm capacity. Without strategic reforms, Vietnam risks stagnation as a second-tier player in global value chains. Xu Jingzhi, FULCRUM, July 8
Oceania
Trump’s America First Leaves Australia Behind. Donald Trump’s revived ‘America First’ strategy has fractured traditional alliances and placed Australia in a precarious strategic position. Despite its trade deficit with the United States, Australia now faces tariffs and erratic leadership that undermine both diplomatic ties and economic interests. Australian policymakers remain reluctant to confront Washington’s unilateralism, even as it violates international norms and launches military actions, such as attacks on Iran, without credible justification. Domestically, political leaders avoid dissent to prevent being politically outflanked, especially on security. This silence erodes credibility and suppresses essential debate on recalibrating Australia’s foreign policy. With favourable geography and abundant resources, Australia could pursue deeper regional engagement, reduce dependency on the U.S., and adopt a hedging strategy similar to Southeast Asia’s. Mark Beeson, East Asia Forum, July 9