China
U.S. and China hold ‘candid’ maritime military safety talks in Hawaii. Chinese and U.S. military officials held maritime safety talks in Hawaii to reduce the risk of unsafe encounters and keep communication channels open. The meeting followed the Xi-Trump summit and covered maritime and air security, freedom of navigation disputes, close-in reconnaissance, and ways to avoid misunderstandings between front-line forces. Yuanyue Dang, South China Morning Post, June 1
China patrols waters east of Taiwan in response to Japan, Philippine maritime border talks. China's Coast Guard conducted patrols east of Taiwan after Japan and the Philippines said they would begin maritime boundary talks. Taiwan condemned the move, said two Chinese vessels stayed outside restricted waters, and reaffirmed its sovereignty. Japan said any boundary agreement with Manila would not bind third parties. Joe Cash, Ben Blanchard, and Kantaro Komiya, Reuters, June 1
‘Seasoned China hand’ set to lead National Committee on U.S.-China Relations: sources. Sarah Beran, a former senior U.S. diplomat in Beijing and National Security Council China adviser, is expected to succeed Stephen Orlins as president of the National Committee on United States-China Relations. Sources said Orlins will retire after leading the track-two nonprofit since 2005 and remain in an advisory role. William Zheng, South China Morning Post, June 1
China opposes 'political suppression' of Xinhua reporter in U.S. China accused the United States of politically suppressing a Xinhua reporter working legally in the country, citing Washington's use of reciprocity over media access. Beijing linked the dispute to wider media tensions after The New York Times said one of its reporters was expelled from China following an interview with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te. Ryan Woo, Reuters, June 1
Japan
Japan rejects 'new militarism', accuses China of rapidly arming. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi rejected Chinese accusations of new militarism at the Shangri-La Dialogue and criticized China's opaque military expansion. He said Japan lacks nuclear weapons and strategic bombers, remains open to dialogue, and seeks stronger regional deterrence and defense equipment cooperation. Rae Wee, Jun Yong, Jun Yuan Yong, and Claire Fu, Reuters, May 31
Japan PM urges free passage through Hormuz in Iran president phone talks. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi urged Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to allow free and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, including for Japanese and Asian vessels. She also called for flexibility in peace talks, while Pezeshkian sought Japanese help securing essential goods through Iran's assets in Japan. Kyodo News, June 2
Chinese aircraft carrier held drills in east of Philippines, Japan says. Japan's defense ministry said China's Liaoning aircraft carrier and accompanying vessels conducted drills in the Pacific east of Luzon from May 26 to 28. Carrier-based aircraft and helicopters made about 170 takeoffs and landings as the fleet sailed near the western Pacific Rim amid deeper Japan-Philippines security ties. Kantaro Komiya, Reuters, June 1
South Korea
South Korea inflation hits two-year high, imminent rate hike in play. South Korea's consumer inflation rose 3.1% in May, the fastest pace since March 2024, as petroleum prices and airfares increased. The Bank of Korea said inflation may remain near 3% and pledged close monitoring. Economists said a July rate hike is likely if price pressure persists. Jihoon Lee, Reuters, June 1
National security adviser to meet U.S. under secretary of state. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac was set to meet U.S. Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker to discuss pending alliance issues. The talks were expected to cover South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine plan, uranium enrichment, spent fuel reprocessing, and wartime operational control transfer. Park Boram, Yonhap News Agency, June 2
PM reportedly preparing to offer resignation after local elections. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is reportedly preparing to offer his resignation after local elections to run for Democratic Party leader at the August convention. Reports said he would remain until a successor is ready, while officials cautioned that local elections are not over and resignation talk remains premature. Chang Jae Sun, Yonhap News Agency, June 1
Thailand
Pheu Thai set to submit charter reform bill. Pheu Thai will submit a constitutional amendment bill proposing a 100-member elected Constitution Drafting Assembly. The bill has support from 189 MPs and would create drafting and public participation committees. The proposal preserves Thailand's unitary state, monarchy, rule of law, equality, checks and balances, and decentralization. Bangkok Post, June 1
Philippines
Philippine senator Estrada detained in graft case. Philippine Senator Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada was detained after surrendering to police under an anti-graft court order in a plunder case. The Ombudsman accused him of taking illicit payouts worth 573 million pesos tied to a corruption scandal over flawed flood-control facilities. Estrada said he would defend himself in court. Mikhail Flores and Nestor Corrales, Reuters, June 1
Philippines, Vietnam upgrade ties, say South China Sea peace 'non-negotiable'. The Philippines and Vietnam elevated relations to an enhanced strategic partnership during To Lam's state visit to Manila. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said peace, stability, freedom of navigation, and freedom of overflight in the South China Sea are non-negotiable. The two sides signed agreements on defense, information technology, tourism, and education. Mikhail Flores, Nestor Corrales, and Khanh Vu, Reuters, June 1
VP Sara's lawyers seek impeachment case dismissal. Vice President Sara Duterte asked the Senate impeachment court to dismiss the case against her, calling the impeachment articles constitutionally infirm, procedurally defective, and substantially deficient. Her lawyers said the allegations failed to meet constitutional standards. House prosecutors said the trial should proceed to help voters judge her fitness for future office. Bernadette E. Tamayo and Reina C. Tolentino, The Manila Times, June 1
Marcos, Rubio discuss stronger PH-US alliance. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed regional and economic priorities, bilateral trade, South China Sea developments, and stronger alliance cooperation. Rubio reaffirmed U.S. support for the Luzon Economic Corridor, including infrastructure, supply chains, clean energy, agribusiness, and digital connectivity. Kristina Maralit, The Manila Times, June 1
Malaysia
Malaysia bars under-16s from signing up for social media. Malaysia began barring children under 16 from registering social media accounts, requiring platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to verify ages against government records. Noncompliant platforms face fines of up to 10 million ringgit, while existing user verification will be phased in over six months. Danial Azhar, Reuters, June 1
Taiwan
Taiwan opposition leader would be 'very willing' to meet Trump on US trip. KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun said she would be very willing to meet President Donald Trump during her two-week US visit. Cheng said she would meet anyone helpful to peace, defended dialogue with China, and said Taiwan's resilience depends on both military hardware and reducing the risk of conflict. Ben Blanchard, Reuters, June 1
Czech Senate president visits Taiwan to boost bilateral ties. Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil arrived in Taiwan with a 40-member delegation for a four-day visit focused on politics, business, education, and culture. He is scheduled to meet President Lai Ching-te, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, senior officials, party representatives, and business, academic, and cultural leaders. Wu Jui-chi and Wu Kuan-hsien, Focus Taiwan, June 1
Taiwan targets Beijing's grey-zone tactics near remote South China Sea islands. Taiwan's navy will support coastguard patrols around the Dongsha Islands after repeated Chinese coastguard activity near the atoll. Taipei said Chinese vessels appeared 39 times since February last year, including a recent 34-hour standoff, raising concerns that Beijing is testing Taiwan's responses and expanding grey-zone pressure. Lawrence Chung, South China Morning Post, June 2
India
India, US near trade pact as tariff terms hinge on Section 301 relief, source says. India and the United States are nearing a trade agreement as New Delhi seeks relief from Section 301-related tariffs. A U.S. delegation will hold three days of talks in New Delhi, with India seeking fair tariff terms and preferential treatment over competing manufacturing hubs in South and Southeast Asia. Shivangi Acharya, Manoj Kumar, and Sakshi Dayal, Reuters, June 1
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan-Iran agricultural trade surges 56%. Kazakhstan-Iran agricultural trade rose 55.8% to $342 million, making up 79% of total bilateral trade. Kazakhstan's agricultural exports to Iran nearly doubled to $238.5 million, while grain exports exceeded 1.1 million tons worth $225.3 million. Officials discussed expanding grain, beef, lamb, vegetable oil, logistics, processing, and agro-industrial cooperation. Dana Omirgazy, The Astana Times, June 1
Kazakhstan taking on lots of debt to China. Kazakhstan's debt to China rose sharply after more than $3.5 billion in new credit in 2025, bringing obligations to $12.87 billion. Astana launched yuan-denominated panda bonds in mainland China, opening a new borrowing channel as it seeks funding for digital transformation and broader economic projects. Sean Kearin, Eurasianet, June 1
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan seeks bigger counterterrorism role in Central Asia. Turkmenistan wants to host a United Nations counterterrorism program office in Ashgabat as a regional analytical and expert platform. Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov discussed the plan with UN official Alexandre Zouev during a U.S. visit. The office would support cooperation on online radicalization, Afghanistan-linked instability, repatriation, and regional information sharing. The Times of Central Asia, June 1
East Asia
Red Genes for June Fourth. Xi Jinping’s Children’s Day message in People’s Daily urges children to inherit “red genes” and follow the Party as China enters the Tiananmen crackdown anniversary week. Official media links childhood innocence to revolutionary inheritance while domestic coverage suppresses June Fourth remembrance. The language masks state violence against students and protesters in 1989, extends censorship across public memory, and frames resistance to enforced amnesia during a week of Party propaganda campaigns. David Bandurski, China Media Project, June 1
China’s bounded ambition as a multilateral architect. China seeks greater authority in multilateral bodies through new institutions, leadership campaigns, and rights discourse that prioritizes development, sovereignty, and noninterference. Its agenda reweights norms toward state primacy, infrastructure-led growth, and Global South representation. Institutional design, credit ratings, sovereign equality, and member interests constrain Beijing’s reach. The outcome is cumulative reform, with no rupture, as China aligns global governance with its values through bounded influence across established and new venues. Rosemary Foot, East Asia Forum, June 1
Time to Stop Forecasting China’s Surplus Away. The IMF has underestimated China’s surplus by forecasting declines despite a burst property bubble, a weaker real exchange rate, and a savings rate above 40 percent of GDP. China’s export growth has outpaced imports, global trade, and domestic demand, creating spillovers for manufacturing economies. Trading partners need a policy mix that supports Chinese consumption, reduces external imbalance, and limits supply chain dependence on Beijing across Europe and the United States. Council on Foreign Relations, June 1
China’s delivery drivers are its most obvious underclass. China’s delivery drivers face falling pay, long shifts, accidents, and weak protections as millions turn to gig work in a sluggish economy. Algorithms, customer bias, contractor arrangements, and local residency barriers leave couriers with little insurance or social support. New labor rules promise minimum wages and better dispatch systems, but weak enforcement, limited bargaining rights, and surplus labor keep drivers trapped in insecurity and exhaustion with no clear exit route. The Economist, June 1
Trump is turning Taiwan into a bargaining chip. Trump preserved strategic ambiguity and resisted Beijing’s demand that Washington oppose Taiwanese independence, but his comments cast Taiwan as leverage in U.S.-China talks. He described arms sales as a negotiating chip, blamed Taiwan for tensions, and linked U.S. attention to semiconductor value. Taipei seeks reassurance through trade, investment, and defense spending, yet Washington’s commitment appears tied to U.S.-China bargaining, not Taiwan’s democracy or security as a core principle for Taipei leaders. Derek Grossman, Nikkei Asia, June 1
Southeast Asia
Washington Wants Myanmar’s Minerals. Washington has moved from supporting democracy in Myanmar toward cooperation with the military regime for rare earth minerals. Trump-era cuts ended aid, refugee programs, media support, and legal protections, while business figures and lobbyists seek access to junta-linked mineral deals. Former officials warn that conflict zones, Chinese influence, checkpoints, and logistics make extraction for the United States impractical, yet opposition groups continue to seek Washington’s help and support through crisis. Michael Haack, Foreign Policy, June 1