China
China targets face of international space cooperation in corruption crackdown. Senior defence industry official Bian Zhigang, deputy head of SASTIND and deputy director of the China National Space Administration, is under investigation for suspected “serious violations of discipline and law.” His profile was removed from official websites, making him the latest defence and space-sector figure caught in Beijing’s anti-corruption campaign. Albee Zhang, South China Morning Post, June 24
U.S. delegation snubs Apec meeting in Macau due to China visa requirements row. The U.S. declined to send high-level officials to an Apec tourism ministerial meeting in Macau, citing Chinese visa requirements for American diplomats providing consular services. Washington said Beijing rejected proposals to address the issue, while the State Department maintained a Level 3 travel advisory for Macau. Yuanyue Dang, South China Morning Post, June 24
U.S. targets Cuba mining sector in move with implications for China-linked supply chains. The Trump administration sanctioned Cuba’s state-owned GeoMinera and other entities tied to mining, finance and logistics, including companies linked to the military-run GAESA conglomerate. GeoMinera oversees foreign-backed mineral ventures, some involving Chinese engineering and financing, while Havana condemned the measures as Washington intensified pressure on Cuba’s economy. Teresa Elena Frontado, South China Morning Post, June 23
China says it has a right to target people overseas with new ethnic unity law. Vice Justice Minister Hu Weilie defended a new ethnic unity law allowing legal action against people abroad accused of undermining ethnic unity or inciting separatism. The law takes effect July 1 and has raised concern in Taiwan and among rights groups, while Beijing said the overseas clause is lawful, necessary and consistent with international practice. Reuters, June 24
Chinese FM calls for early normalization of shipping through Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz should resume quickly to protect global industrial and supply chains. In a call with Pakistan’s Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Wang urged consolidation of the Iran-U.S. ceasefire, support for continued negotiations and regional efforts to build a new Middle East security architecture. Xinhua, June 24
Japan
Constitutional debates intensify in Japan parliament over emergency clause. Diet commissions are intensifying constitutional revision talks, with Lower House lawmakers examining an emergency clause that could extend legislators’ terms during disasters, unrest, infectious disease outbreaks, or armed attacks. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi wants the Diet ready to initiate revision procedures within a year, though requirements, duration limits and Upper House constituency issues remain unresolved. The Japan Times, June 24
New entity mulled to push production, exports of defense equipment. Japan is considering a new government-involved entity to strengthen defense equipment production and exports, support conflict readiness and incorporate advanced technology. The proposal could create a government-owned, contractor-operated model and a Japanese version of the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, with related legislation planned for next year’s ordinary Diet session. Mizuki Sato and Rintaro Sakurai, The Asahi Shimbun, June 24
South Korea
Ballot shortage reignites debate over early voting as PPP pushes to scrap system. South Korea’s ballot shortage controversy has revived debate over early voting after PPP lawmaker Park Dae-chul proposed abolishing it, extending election-day voting to two days and restoring absentee voting. The DPK rejected links between the shortage and early voting, while analysts described the problem as election mismanagement and warned that reforms need a broad consensus. Bahk Eun-ji, The Korea Times, June 24
Election officials raided over ballot shortage in June 3 local elections. A joint police-prosecution team raided the offices of 12 election officials from Seoul and Songpa election commissions over ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections. Investigators are tracing how shortages were reported, what directives were issued and whether the National Election Commission reduced printed ballots too hastily and failed to respond effectively. Kim Seonghun, Yonhap News Agency, June 24
S. Korea aims to host Interpol’s drug response center. South Korea will seek to host an Interpol drug response center to help counter transnational narcotics crimes, aiming for a launch around the 2029 Interpol General Assembly in Seoul. Officials cited the need for an international control tower to block the Golden Triangle region, which they said produces 70% of drugs worldwide. Chang Jae-sun, Yonhap News Agency, June 24
North Korea
N. Korea commissions 5,000-ton destroyer; Kim expects dramatic boost in naval power. North Korea commissioned the 5,000-ton destroyer Choe Hyon at Nampho, with Kim Jong-un saying the navy’s combat capability would rise dramatically. Kim said the ship strengthens nuclear deterrence, will join the West Sea Fleet and should be followed by two Choe Hyon-class or larger surface combatants each year, including 10,000-ton cruisers. Oh Seok-min, Yonhap News Agency, June 24
Vietnam
Vietnam Coast Guard's visit strengthens maritime ties with Malaysia. Coast Guard vessel CSB 8005 made its first official visit to Malaysia’s Pahang state from June 22-25, following the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two sides discussed search and rescue, IUU fishing, operational procedures, UAVs, search-planning software, a 24/7 hotline and a future maritime law enforcement memorandum. Vietnam News, June 24
Myanmar
Min Aung Hlaing regime eyes full electric-vehicle production in Myanmar. Min Aung Hlaing ordered ministers to pursue full domestic EV production after visiting Chinese manufacturer Leapmotor, even as Myanmar lacks independent design and manufacturing capacity. His children dominate the EV import market, while industry sources warn charging shortages, blackouts, scarce parts and limited repair capacity could undercut the push. Maung Kavi, The Irrawaddy, June 24
Laos
Japan approves USD 2.3 million scholarship grant for Lao civil servants. Japan approved JPY 378 million, or USD 2.3 million, for postgraduate scholarships for Lao government officials under the JDS program. The funding supports studies at Japanese universities in public administration, economics, international relations, agriculture and environmental management, while reinforcing Laos-Japan cooperation under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Phoudasack Vongsay, The Laotian Times, June 24
Cambodia
Hun Sen to visit China to cement ironclad friendship. Hun Sen will visit China from June 25-27 to reinforce Cambodia-China ties, shared future and cooperation across sectors. He is expected to meet Xi Jinping, Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, while also visiting King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk in Beijing. Analyst Seng Vanly linked the trip to financial support, scam crackdowns and tourism recovery. Teng Yalirozy, Cambodianess, June 24
Philippines
House prosecutors: open box of VP’s tax records. House prosecutors asked the Senate impeachment court to unseal Vice President Sara Duterte’s tax records during pretrial exhibit marking, saying an inventory would prevent surprises and streamline proceedings. Leila de Lima said clearance must come from the impeachment court, while clerk Renato Bantug said only senator-judges can decide whether to open and premark the contents. Kenneth Christiane Basilio and Tina G. Santos, Philippine Daily Inquirer, June 25
Indonesia
Indonesia considers expanding visa-free travel to drive tourism growth. Indonesia’s Tourism Ministry is pushing to expand its visa-free visit policy to improve competitiveness and boost arrivals by up to 32.4%. The ministry cited prior visa-free access for 169 countries, regional competition from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, and studies linking simplified entry rules to stronger arrivals, tourist spending, employment and local economic gains, while emphasizing security and reciprocity. ANTARA News, June 24
Malaysia
Malaysia to ramp up support for ringgit as foreign outflows, Fed rate outlook weigh. Bank Negara Malaysia said it would increase support for the ringgit after a June slide of more than 4%, citing foreign investor caution and expectations of higher U.S. interest rates. Planned steps include attracting foreign funds and encouraging state-linked firms and companies to repatriate overseas earnings. Shivangi Lahiri and Sameer Manekar, Reuters, June 24
Singapore
Mark Lee succeeds Teo Siong Seng as Singapore Business Federation chairman. Mark Lee was elected Singapore Business Federation chairman for a two-year term from 2026 to 2028, succeeding Teo Siong Seng. Lee, CEO of Sing Lun Holdings and a Nominated Member of Parliament, said his priorities include competitiveness, resilience, innovation, internationalisation and regional integration ahead of Singapore’s 2027 ASEAN chairmanship. Ng Hong Siang, Channel News Asia, June 24
Taiwan
VP Hsiao reaffirms commitment to status quo, calls Taiwan ‘stabilizer’. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to maintaining the Taiwan Strait status quo, calling peace and stability essential to global prosperity. She said the Taiwan-U.S. security partnership has helped preserve that status quo, described Taiwan as a “stabilizer” and “peace builder,” and dismissed Beijing’s separatist label and sanctions as intimidation. Wen Kuei-hsiang, Yeh Su-ping and Shih Hsiu-chuan, Focus Taiwan, June 24
Taiwan could draw lessons from U.S.-led Pacific exercises: minister. Defense Minister Wellington Koo said Taiwan should closely monitor U.S.-led multinational exercises in the Western Pacific as it conducts its own drills. He identified Resolute Dragon and Valiant Shield as especially relevant, citing their focus on forward deployments, island-chain operations and broader Indo-Pacific coordination, while saying their strategic focus was “unequivocal.” Sean Lin, Focus Taiwan, June 24
Taiwan says warning time for any China attack is shortening. Defence Minister Wellington Koo said Taiwan’s military must test an immediate wartime response because warning time for a Chinese attack is shrinking. The island is holding five days of readiness drills focused on rapid transition from peacetime to combat status, while President Lai Ching-te urged military transformation and higher defence spending. Ben Blanchard, Reuters, June 24
Kazakhstan
Tokayev’s Brussels visit brings aviation pact, visa progress and $12 billion business package. Kazakhstan and the EU signed an aviation agreement, completed negotiator-level talks on easier short-stay visas, backed road and mineral projects and endorsed an Air Astana order worth €7.145 billion. Tokayev said the Brussels business program produced more than $12 billion in commercial agreements and memoranda, with transport connectivity and critical minerals central to the agenda. Stephen M. Bland and Askar Kubaizhanov, The Times of Central Asia, June 24
Tajikistan
Tajikistan to receive $20 million Kuwait Fund loan for schools. Tajikistan will receive a concessional Kuwait Fund loan of 6 million Kuwaiti dinars, or about $20 million, for a School Development project. The funds will build and equip schools in multiple regions, with Tajikistan adding $4.5 million in financing as authorities seek to expand education infrastructure and improve general education quality. Vagit Ismailov, The Times of Central Asia, June 24
East Asia
China’s De-Dollarization Drive Has Hit a Wall. China has built financial tools to reduce dollar dependence, including yuan trade settlement, CIPS clearing, and the digital yuan, but adoption remains limited. Capital controls, thin offshore yuan deposits, narrow direct CIPS access, SWIFT reliance, and weak e-CNY demand constrain Beijing’s reach. Foreign users turn to Chinese channels mainly under pressure, as Russia did after sanctions, while dollar-linked stablecoins show stronger market demand. Agathe Demarais, Foreign Policy, June 24
Xi visits Pyongyang and China rehabilitates North Korea. Xi Jinping’s 2026 state visit to Pyongyang signaled Beijing’s effort to restore influence over North Korea after years of strained ties. China views Pyongyang as vital to counter US alliances with Japan and South Korea, while Russia’s growing bond with Kim Jong-un has added pressure. Trade, food, fuel, and security dependence keep Beijing central to North Korea’s survival. Andrew Scobell, Merics, June 24
The Mirage of China’s Military Edge. China cannot conquer Taiwan in the near term despite a major military buildup. Amphibious lift gaps, weak integration, corruption, and limited maritime command experience constrain Beijing’s options. Strikes, blockades, island seizures, or decapitation plots would fail to secure reunification and invite sanctions. US, Taiwanese, Japanese, and Philippine investments in missiles, drones, basing, and coordination strengthen deterrence and preserve a stable military stalemate. Dennis Blair, Foreign Affairs, June 23
China–Pakistan diplomacy is moving beyond bilateralism. China and Pakistan are extending their partnership into selective third-party formats involving Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Gulf, and multilateral bodies. The approach, described as China-Pakistan Plus, uses bilateral ties as a platform rather than a new alliance. Trilateral talks keep channels open with Kabul, while Bangladesh and Middle East coordination test wider reach. Security threats, financing constraints, Pakistan’s instability, and third-party caution limit durability. Hao Nan, East Asia Forum, June 24
Mongolia's risky fuel strategy gamble. Mongolia’s fuel dependence leaves its mining economy exposed to price shocks, supply pressure, and Russian leverage. Transport relies on imported fuel, with most supplies from Russia and some from China. A refinery funded by India may reduce imports after 2028, but financing gaps remain. Electrification, grid upgrades, Chinese investment, and incentives for electric vehicles offer a path toward stronger energy security. Telmen Altanshagai, East Asia Forum, June 24
How Taiwan overtook China as Singapore’s top trading partner. AI demand pushed Taiwan ahead of mainland China as Singapore’s largest trading partner in 2025. Bilateral trade rose through semiconductor demand, higher chip prices, and complementary production links. Taiwan’s front-end foundry strength and Singapore’s packaging, testing, equipment, and re-export roles created repeated cross-border shipments. Growth may continue through 2026, though input disruptions, energy needs, and delayed data-center spending pose risks. Lewis Ong Yong Huat, ThinkChina, June 24
Southeast Asia
Russia Makes Inroads in Southeast Asia. Russia used the ASEAN-Russia summit in Kazan to deepen ties with Southeast Asia as energy insecurity raised its regional value. Leaders discussed oil, gas, nuclear power, maritime cooperation, and trade, with the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Singapore engaging Moscow in varied ways. ASEAN’s stance toward Russia has softened since 2022, with Singapore remaining the only member imposing sanctions. Joseph Rachman, Foreign Policy, June 24
How Vietnam Is Personalising To Lam Without Building a Personality Cult. Vietnam’s propaganda system is reshaping To Lam’s public image around reform, technology, delivery, and national renewal while avoiding open personality-cult politics. State media, short videos, influencers, and managed online narratives present Lam as attentive and results-focused. Collective leadership norms, Ho Chi Minh’s unique symbolic status, elite bargaining, and recent sensitivities over exalted language keep personalization within guarded party limits. Dien Nguyen An Luong, Fulcrum, June 24