News
US ambassador Nicholas Burns says Beijing making US-China exchanges ‘impossible’. US Ambassador Nicholas Burns accused Beijing of hindering US-China ties by intimidating Chinese participants in embassy events and fueling anti-American sentiment. Burns reported that Chinese officials pressured citizens to avoid public events organized by the embassy and conducted late-night interrogations of attendees. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the transparency surrounding an incident involving an attack on American instructors in China. These actions, Burns stated, contradict Beijing's stated goal of reconnecting the populations of both nations. South China Morning Post, June 25
British King welcomes Japan's imperial couple on state visit. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan are visiting the United Kingdom from June 25 to 29 at the invitation of King Charles III. The visit includes a welcoming ceremony at Buckingham Palace, meetings with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and a dinner hosted by London Mayor Sadiq Khan. The couple will also visit the University of Oxford, where both studied, and engage in events promoting UK-Japan relations. This marks their first visit to the UK since attending Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022. Kyodo News, June 25
UN condemns looting and burning of WFP warehouse by Myanmar junta in Rakhine. The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) condemned the looting and burning of its warehouse in Maungdaw, Rakhine State, by Myanmar junta soldiers. The warehouse, holding 1,175 tonnes of food supplies, was looted and set on fire during an attack by the Arakan Army. The incident hampers WFP's efforts to support conflict-affected populations. The UN called for respect and protection of humanitarian facilities under international law. The Irrawaddy, June 25
S. Korea, U.S. sign MOU on diplomatic intelligence cooperation. South Korea and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance cooperation in exchanging diplomatic intelligence analyses. Park Jang-ho, South Korea's director general for diplomatic intelligence, and Brett Holmgren, U.S. assistant secretary of state for intelligence and research, signed the MOU in Washington. This agreement aims to establish a framework for collaboration, including joint analysis reports on diplomatic situations, and follows commitments made during the 2023 summit between Presidents Yoon Suk Yeol and Joe Biden. Song Sang-ho, Yonhap News Agency, June 24
Laos begins comprehensive review of 2015 constitution for major amendments. Laos has started a comprehensive review of its 2015 constitution to make significant revisions. The National Committee for the Amendment of the Constitution aims to draft the changes by mid-2025. The review will consider the past decade's constitutional implementation and address economic and social changes. Public opinion will be gathered through social media, and discussions will focus on Party organizations, social and economic affairs, state powers, and national defense. Phontham Visapra, The Laotian Times, June 25
Pheu Thai says no plan to scrap electoral system. Thailand’s ruling Pheu Thai Party denies rumors of plans to eliminate the party-list electoral system to counter the growing popularity of the Move Forward Party (MFP). Pheu Thai MP Noppadon Pattama stated that the party never discussed such a plan and is focused on amending the constitution to establish a charter drafting assembly. He emphasized that any proposal to scrap the party-list system would face strong opposition and has not been considered. Chairith Yonpiam, Bangkok Post, June 25
US welcomes Vietnam minister for economic talks days after Putin visits Hanoi. The U.S. welcomed Vietnam's Planning and Investment Minister Nguyen Chi Dung for talks on economic cooperation, covering topics such as economic security, semiconductors, digital economy, and energy. This comes shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Hanoi, which drew U.S. criticism. U.S. Under Secretary Jose Fernandez highlighted the strong bilateral ties and emphasized the need for a favorable regulatory environment for investors. The U.S. is set to decide on Vietnam's market-economy status by July 26. Simon Lewis and David Brunnstrom, Reuters, June 25
N. Korea sends trash-carrying balloons for 2nd straight day. North Korea launched balloons carrying trash towards South Korea late Tuesday, following a similar launch the previous day. The Joint Chiefs of Staff reported the balloons were traveling southeast from northern Gyeonggi Province. The public is advised not to touch the balloons and to report them. Since May 28, North Korea has sent over 2,000 trash-carrying balloons. This action follows North Korea's reaction to anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent from South Korea by defectors and activists. Lee Minji, Yonhap News Agency, June 25
US says Japan still has work to do in combating human trafficking. The U.S. State Department's 2024 Trafficking in Persons report states that Japan needs to enhance its efforts to combat human trafficking. While recognizing Japan's increased measures against trafficking, the report highlights issues such as inadequate victim identification and insufficient legal action against forced labor and sex trafficking. Japan remains on the Tier 2 Watch List for not fully meeting the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking. Kyodo News, June 25
Parliamentary friendship group to work for stronger Vietnam-RoK ties. Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyễn Thị Thanh, also Chairwoman of the Vietnam - Republic of Korea (RoK) Parliamentary Friendship Group, met with group members in Hanoi to discuss enhancing cooperation. They aim to boost locality-to-locality collaboration, legislative ties, and people-to-people exchanges. The group plans to coordinate celebrations for bilateral anniversaries, facilitate high-ranking exchanges, and strengthen connections in trade, investment, healthcare, and education. Vietnam News, June 25
New generation of judges and prosecutors highlight Cambodia’s judicial reforms. Cambodia's Justice Minister Koeut Rith announced the launch of the 12th training session for judges and prosecutors and the ninth for clerks at the Royal Academy of Justice. This marks a milestone in judicial reforms, with 160 trainees selected through a transparent process. The program aims to enhance human resources in technical, ethical, and disciplinary areas. The training spans over two years and three months for judges and prosecutors, and one year for clerks. Hong Raksmey, The Phnom Penh Post, June 25
Laos begins comprehensive review of 2015 constitution for major amendments. Laos has started a comprehensive review of its 2015 constitution to make significant revisions. The National Committee for the Amendment of the Constitution aims to draft the changes by mid-2025. The review will consider the past decade's constitutional implementation and address economic and social changes. Public opinion will be gathered through social media, and discussions will focus on Party organizations, social and economic affairs, state powers, and national defense. Phontham Visapra, The Laotian Times, June 25
Turkmenistan province bans child labor in cotton harvesting. The governor of Turkmenistan's Lebap Province has banned the use of child labor in cotton harvesting. During a meeting with agricultural association leaders, the governor warned that those allowing children in the fields would be held accountable. The province is implementing measures to ensure compliance, including encouraging families to form brigades for agricultural tasks and offering compensation for fertilizer purchases. The Times of Central Asia, June 24
Hong Kong court edges closer to sentencing democracy activists involved in unofficial primary. A Hong Kong court began mitigation hearings for pro-democracy activists convicted under a national security law, facing up to life in prison. The activists, including Benny Tai, Au Nok-hin, Andrew Chiu, Ben Chung, and Gordon Ng, were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion for their roles in an unofficial primary election. The hearings will continue until early August. This case, involving 47 democracy advocates, has drawn international concern over judicial independence and the harshness of the national security law. Kanis Leung, AP News, June 25
Taiwan to ease foreign student work restrictions. Taiwan will relax work restrictions for foreign and overseas compatriot students by the end of August, allowing them to work in mid-level skilled positions in the travel and hospitality industry after graduation. The change addresses an estimated worker shortage and aims to attract talent in areas like room attendants and receptionists. The Ministry of Labor will also remove the quota limiting the number of students who can work under the scoring criteria system. Esme Yeh, Taipei Times, June 25
Long Form
Japan: No Indo-Pacific Order Without International Order. Japan asserts that a stable Indo-Pacific order requires a broader international order, emphasizing its proactive role in this framework. Prime Minister Kishida Fumio stressed the importance of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and the necessity for shared international leadership, particularly with the U.S. Kishida's vision builds on former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo’s policies, integrating regional security with global rule of law. Jagannath Panda, Julie Yu-Wen Chen, and Richard Ghiasy, The Diplomat, June 25
Can Indonesia Actually Raise Its Debt to GDP Ratio to 50 Percent? Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto aims to increase public spending by raising the debt-to-GDP ratio to 50%. Despite concerns, his team clarified there are no concrete plans yet, stressing fiscal prudence. High U.S. interest rates, not local policies, are the main cause of rupiah depreciation. Legally, Indonesia can run higher deficits, but the effectiveness depends on spending efficiency. Prabowo’s approach aligns with developmentalism, echoing his father’s economic philosophy. James Guild, The Diplomat, June 25
What South Korea Needs Post-Russia-North Korea Mutual Defense Treaty. Russia's recent mutual defense treaty with North Korea complicates its relations with South Korea. This new alliance, reviving a 1961 agreement, includes military support against armed provocations. South Korea must now bolster cybersecurity in collaboration with the U.S. and U.K. to counter potential cyberattacks. This may lead to increased provocations from North Korea and challenges to the stability of Northeast Asia. Jong Min Lee, The Diplomat, June 24
Patriotism and Patriarchy on Chinese Social Media. A tragic incident involving a man's suicide in China ignited gender tensions online, showing the clash between feminists and anti-feminists. Patriotic rhetoric often intertwines with anti-feminist sentiment, complicating the state's support for women's rights. Feminists use patriotic arguments to counter anti-feminist views and gain institutional support. The Chinese state struggles to balance formal gender equality policies with underlying social tensions. Jiannan Luo, East Asia Forum, June 25
South Korean and Japanese universities under pressure to lift tuition fees. South Korean and Japanese universities face financial pressures due to prolonged tuition freezes and demographic challenges. In South Korea, a 15-year tuition freeze has led to financial difficulties, prompting some universities to raise fees. In Japan, the University of Tokyo’s proposed tuition hike has sparked opposition amid concerns about accessibility for lower-income students. Both countries grapple with balancing affordability, quality, and financial sustainability in higher education. Kyuseok Kim, East Asia Forum, June 25
China must not choose the next Dalai Lama. China is positioning itself to select the next Dalai Lama after the current one, Tenzin Gyatso, passes away. This follows a history of Chinese interference, including the 1995 abduction of the Panchen Lama. The international community, particularly the U.S. and India, should prevent China from controlling the succession to maintain the spiritual leader's independence and preserve Tibetan cultural identity. Brahma Chellaney, The Japan Times, June 24
New Caledonia: France’s way or the Pacific way? France's recent transfer of New Caledonian detainees to metropolitan France has intensified ethnic and political tensions. The move, part of a pattern of legally justified but destabilizing actions, follows violent protests by pro-independence groups. These actions undermine local stability and reflect broader conflicts over voter eligibility reforms and independence movements, challenging France's approach to governance in the Pacific region. Denise Fisher, Lowy Institute, June 26
Myanmar's Junta Is Increasingly Isolated. Myanmar's military junta faces growing isolation as international support dwindles and local resistance strengthens. With traditional allies like Russia preoccupied and China hedging its bets, the junta's control over the country is weakening. This has significant implications for the region's stability and the ongoing conflicts within Myanmar. Joshua Kurlantzick, Council on Foreign Relations, June 24
US Engagement in the Indo-Pacific: Don’t Trade Away Trade. The United States must balance its geopolitical strategies in the Indo-Pacific with robust economic engagement, especially trade. The Biden administration has focused on security and diplomatic alliances, but economic initiatives are lagging. Strengthening economic ties, particularly through trade agreements, is crucial to counter China's growing influence. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework needs substantial economic incentives to attract regional partners and reinforce the U.S. presence. Jennifer Kavanagh and Mariano-Florentino (Tino) Cuéllar, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, June 25