China
Trump's China visit likely won't yield breakthrough, aims to maintain stability. A Trump-Xi summit this month is expected to focus on keeping ties stable, not resetting business and investment relations. Sources said China is frustrated by late U.S. planning and that no clear progress has emerged on Chinese investment protections or a CEO delegation. Talks may still produce soybean and Boeing deals. Officials from both sides are preparing for the visit as tariffs and rare earth supplies remain key pressure points. Laurie Chen and Michael Martina, Reuters, March 8
Trump’s China visit limited to Beijing due to tight schedule and security needs, sources say. Donald Trump will visit only Beijing during his late March trip to China because his schedule is tight and security arrangements require extra care, according to people familiar with the planning. U.S. advance teams arrived in Beijing in early March and summit preparation entered its final stage. Chinese officials had explored adding Shanghai, but the plan was dropped. Sources said the Iran conflict had only a limited effect on preparations. William Zheng, South China Morning Post, March 9
China to take necessary measures to safeguard energy security: FM on reported G7 oil reserves release. China said it will take necessary steps to protect its energy security as reports said G7 finance ministers would discuss a coordinated oil release through the International Energy Agency. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said energy security is vital to the world economy and that all parties share responsibility for a stable, unimpeded supply. He directed questions on specific arrangements to the relevant Chinese authorities. Global Times, March 9
China’s top court says it treats AI cases with care without stifling growth or innovation. China’s top court said it wants to support artificial intelligence growth while policing harms. Its annual report said courts handled AI disputes by allowing a margin for error in innovation, citing a case where a generative AI mistake was not deemed infringement because the developer exercised due diligence and caused no actual harm. The court also promised firm regulation of rights violations and disorder tied to AI. Yuanyue Dang, South China Morning Post, March 9
Japan
Japan urges Iran to exercise restraint over war with U.S., Israel. Japan urged Iran to exercise restraint in a phone call between their foreign ministers as fighting with the United States and Israel escalated. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi called for early de-escalation, asked Iran to stop attacks on civilian facilities in Gulf states, and urged an end to threats to ships in the Strait of Hormuz. He also sought the release of two detained Japanese nationals. Kyodo News, March 9
Japan should use nuclear plants to offset Iran crisis, opposition party head says. Yuichiro Tamaki, head of the Democratic Party for the People, said Japan should run all available nuclear plants to blunt the impact of the Iran war on power bills. Japan depends on the Middle East for most oil and part of its liquefied natural gas, much of it via the Strait of Hormuz. Only 15 of 33 operable reactors have restarted since the Fukushima disaster. Kantaro Komiya and Katya Golubkova, Reuters, March 9
China condemns ‘evil designs’ of Taiwan premier’s Japan visit. China condemned Premier Cho Jung-tai’s visit to Japan, calling it an example of “evil designs” despite Cho’s description of the trip as private and tied to Taiwan’s baseball team. Taiwanese media said it was the first visit to Japan by a premier since formal ties ended in 1972. Beijing used especially strong language against Cho as it denounced overseas trips by Taiwan leaders. The Japan Times, March 9
Japan prepares for deployment of its first home-developed long-range missile. Japan will deploy upgraded Type-12 land-to-ship missiles at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto by the end of March as it expands offensive capability amid regional tensions. Residents protested the secretive arrival of launchers and equipment, while local officials complained of no prior notice. The missile’s range reaches about 1,000 kilometers, extending Japan’s strike reach toward mainland China as Tokyo strengthens defenses near Taiwan. Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press, March 9
South Korea
South Korea parliament committee backs bill to enable $350 bln U.S. investment. A South Korean parliamentary committee approved the final wording of a special bill that would enable $350 billion in U.S. investment under a bilateral trade deal. The bill is headed for a March 12 plenary vote. It would create an investment vehicle and a risk management committee. Seoul said projects will reflect commercial feasibility and foreign exchange conditions amid concern about pressure on the weak won. Joyce Lee, Reuters, March 9
Investors dump Seoul stocks as oil prices surge, won weakens. Seoul stocks tumbled as crude climbed above $100 a barrel during the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. The KOSPI fell 5.96% and the Kosdaq dropped 4.54%, triggering trading curbs. The won closed at 1,495.5 per dollar, its weakest level in nearly 17 years. Foreign and institutional investors led selling, while analysts warned that prolonged conflict could damage both markets and the wider economy. Yi Whan-woo, The Korea Times, March 9
PPP adopts resolution opposing ex-President Yoon’s political comeback. South Korea’s main opposition People Power Party apologized for Yoon Suk Yeol’s 2024 martial law declaration and pledged to sever ties with him before the June 3 local elections. The resolution, backed by attending lawmakers, rejected calls for Yoon’s return as the party struggles with falling support and internal division. Some members want a clean break, while others support the so-called Yoon Again movement. Oh Seok-min, Yonhap News Agency, March 9
U.S. begins large military drill with South Korea while waging war in the Middle East. The United States and South Korea began Freedom Shield, a major joint exercise involving about 18,000 South Korean troops, as Washington fights in the Middle East. Officials denied any serious effect on combined defense despite reports of U.S. assets moving toward Iran. North Korea is expected to protest the drills, which Seoul and Washington call defensive, while some observers see reduced field training as an opening for diplomacy. Kim Tong-hyung, Associated Press, March 9
North Korea
N. Korea to hold congress of largest youth organization next month. North Korea will convene a congress of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League in late April in Pyongyang as a follow-up to the recent Workers’ Party congress. State media said the meeting aims to mobilize young people nationwide, strengthen youth groups, and carry out party decisions. The congress is also expected to choose new leadership as Pyongyang pushes ahead with new five-year goals. Park Boram, Yonhap News Agency, March 9
N. Korea’s Kim reaffirms relations with China in letter with Xi Jinping: KCNA. Kim Jong-un reaffirmed North Korea’s commitment to deepen ties with China in a reply to a letter from Xi Jinping, according to KCNA. Xi had congratulated Kim on his reelection as general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Kim said advancing traditional friendship remains a firm stance of the party and government and said cooperation will grow on a shared socialist path. Park Boram, Yonhap News Agency, March 9
N. Korea cancels int’l marathon due to some reasons: tour agency. North Korea canceled the 2026 Pyongyang International Marathon, which had been set for April 5, according to Beijing-based Koryo Tours. The agency said the DPR Korea Athletics Association communicated the decision and confirmed it as final, but gave no reason. The race began in 1981, was halted for five years during the pandemic, and resumed last year as a source of foreign currency. Park Sang-soo, Yonhap News Agency, March 9
Vietnam
Vietnam to remove fuel tariffs amid supply disruption due to Iran war. Vietnam plans to remove fuel import tariffs through the end of April to protect supplies after the Middle East conflict disrupted oil markets. Domestic fuel prices have risen 21% to 32% since the war began. The government said the move would cut revenue by 1.02 trillion dong, but help firms secure supply, stabilize the petroleum market, and protect energy security. Khanh Vu, Reuters, March 9
Budget revenue from foreign trade rises 12.3% in Jan-Feb. Vietnam collected VNĐ70.085 trillion in state budget revenue from import and export activities in the first two months, equal to 15.5% of the annual target and up 12.3% from a year before. Trade turnover reached $155.73 billion, led by foreign-invested firms. Customs reported more smuggling and trade fraud cases and said it will tighten inspections, valuation controls, and enforcement. Vietnam News, March 10
NA, Government’s Party committees discuss agenda for 16th legislature’s first session. Vietnam’s National Assembly and Government party committees set the agenda for the 16th legislature’s first session, scheduled in two phases from April 6 to April 25. Lawmakers will review personnel, legislative work, supervision, socio-economic development, and the state budget. Pham Minh Chinh and Tran Thanh Man told ministries to finish dossiers on time and said only vetted, high-quality proposals should reach the session. Vietnam News, March 10
Vietnamese, Kuwaiti PMs hold phone talks. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held phone talks with Kuwait’s prime minister on the Middle East conflict and bilateral ties. He urged restraint, de-escalation, and peaceful solutions under international law, and asked Kuwait to protect Vietnamese citizens and support evacuation if needed. Kuwait agreed on safety measures, said it would consider sustaining crude supply for Vietnam, and backed stronger cooperation in energy, food security, halal industry, and tourism. Vietnam News, March 10
Thailand
Government prepares gradual petrol price rise as oil crisis deepens. Thailand’s government is preparing to raise petrol prices in stages if the Middle East conflict keeps driving oil costs higher. Diesel will shift to a B7 blend on March 14, LPG prices will stay frozen until May, and officials will widen the E20 discount to promote fuel switching. Authorities also suspended most oil exports and raised reserve requirements to extend domestic supply. The Nation, March 9
Bhumjaithai unveils stability strategy. Bhumjaithai presented a “10 Plus” strategy to help Thailand manage shocks from global conflict and economic strain. The package includes debt relief for low-income households, elderly people, and small businesses, plus investment in green industries. Ministers said the government is preparing plans on oil supply, prices, trade, and foreign policy, while working to curb hoarding, protect supply chains, and maintain public confidence. Bangkok Post, March 9
Ex-Move Forward MP sentenced to jail for election fraud. Rayong Provincial Court sentenced former Move Forward MP Nakhonchai Khunnarong to one year in prison for running in the 2023 election while disqualified and for giving false information to an election official. The court imposed a 20-year voting ban, ordered repayment of 402,055 baht in salary and benefits, and granted 150,000 baht bail pending appeal. Wassayos Ngamkham, Bangkok Post, March 9
Myanmar
Myanmar junta chief’s family cash in as fuel restrictions spark EV frenzy. Myanmar’s fuel shortages and odd-even driving limits sent electric vehicle prices sharply higher, benefiting import businesses tied to Min Aung Hlaing’s children. EVs are exempt from the new restrictions and enjoy tax breaks, while fuel vehicles face operating limits. Dealers reported surging demand and scarce supply, even as charging stations remain limited and blackouts raise doubts about wider EV use. The Irrawaddy, March 9
Cambodia
Prak Sokhonn to pay official visit to Singapore. Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn will visit Singapore on March 10 and 11 at Vivian Balakrishnan’s invitation in his first trip there this year. He will call on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and hold talks with Balakrishnan on strategic cooperation and regional and international issues. The visit follows discussions in January and comes as both sides seek to deepen ties after marking 60 years of diplomatic relations. Meng Seavmey, Cambodianess, March 9
Philippines
Marcos in New York for UN engagements. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in New York for a two-day working visit focused on UN discussions about the Middle East, women’s rights, and the Philippines’ role in multilateral diplomacy. He will attend the opening of the Commission on the Status of Women, meet Secretary-General António Guterres, push the country’s bid for a UN Security Council seat, and hold meetings with American business leaders. Kristina Maralit, The Manila Times, March 9
Senate to prioritize emergency powers for Marcos amid oil supply crisis. Senate leaders said bills granting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emergency powers to suspend excise taxes on fuel will get priority as oil costs rise. Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the measures could move to committee and pass before the March 21 break. The push followed Marcos’ request for authority if crude prices climb above $80 a barrel. Keith Clores, Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 10
Singapore
Singapore to deploy RSAF aircraft to evacuate Singaporeans from Saudi Arabia on March 10. Singapore will send an RSAF A330 MRTT to Riyadh on March 10 to evacuate Singaporeans in Saudi Arabia because commercial options remain scarce and Gulf departures are needed for citizens across Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. A second Saudi flight is planned for March 12. The aircraft can carry about 200 passengers. Two earlier flights from Muscat brought home about 317 Singaporeans and dependents. Channel News Asia, March 9.
Singapore Exchange to launch Asian government bond futures amid geopolitical turmoil. Singapore Exchange will launch Asian government bond futures in the coming weeks as investors seek tools to hedge interest rate risk during bond market stress tied to the Middle East conflict and inflation fears. CEO Loh Boon Chye said demand is clear as conditions shift in markets such as Japan and Australia. SGX reported its highest half-year profit since listing, helped by strong trading volumes and an active IPO pipeline. Anirban Sen, Pritam Biswas, Reuters, March 9
Taiwan
Taichung mayor to embark on 11-day U.S. visit Wednesday to boost ties. Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen will visit the United States from March 11 to 21, covering five states, mainly on the East Coast, to deepen city ties and engage Taiwanese expatriates. She plans meetings with U.S. House members and will sign an MOU with the Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce of North America. Lu said she wants to speak up for Taiwan and protect its interests. Hao Hsueh-ching and Evelyn Kao, Focus Taiwan, March 9.
Gas supply to be stable through April: minister. Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin said Taiwan has secured 20 of 22 LNG shipments needed for March and April and expects the remaining two soon. He said shortages are impossible, household gas uses less than 5%, and supply is diversified, with about one-third from Qatar and most of the rest from other sources. The government will keep watching May conditions and prices. Taipei Times, March 9
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan, Finland foreign ministers discuss partnership. Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov met Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen to review bilateral ties and future cooperation. The talks focused on positive momentum in relations and room to expand economic and investment partnerships. The ministers also discussed coordination on regional issues, cooperation on international platforms, and upcoming joint initiatives and events aimed at strengthening ties. Uzbekistan Daily, March 9
Uzbekistan and Egypt discuss preferential trade agreement to boost commerce. Uzbekistan and Egypt are negotiating a preferential trade agreement to expand trade and deepen economic ties. Ambassador Mansurbek Qilichev said relations entered a new phase after President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s 2023 visit to Cairo, with more than 30 meetings held in 2025 across trade, investment, healthcare, education, culture, and tourism. Bilateral trade passed $47 million by the end of 2025, with further potential in logistics, manufacturing, agriculture, energy, and textiles. Дониёр Тухсинов, Kun Uz, March 9
Tajikistan
Moody’s upgrades Tajikistan’s credit rating to B2, citing economic improvements. Moody’s raised Tajikistan’s long-term sovereign rating from B3 to B2 with a stable outlook, citing sustained growth, better fiscal management, structural reforms, lower public debt risks, and improved public financial management. The National Bank said the move reflects ongoing reforms and stronger macroeconomic stability. Moody’s said the rating signals moderate creditworthiness and manageable medium-term risks. Vagit Ismailov, The Times of Central Asia, March 9
East Asia
China Is Running Multiple AI Races. China’s AI sector is pursuing efficiency, adoption, and physical integration instead of focusing on a single race to artificial general intelligence. Firms are improving model performance with sparse architectures, quantization, and other methods that cut memory use and compute costs. Open-source models from Alibaba, DeepSeek, and others are gaining global traction because they are strong, cheap, and easy to adapt. Chinese companies are also embedding AI into cars, smartphones, wearables, robotics, robotaxis, and delivery systems. Export controls, weaker access to advanced chips, and state policy have pushed this path. U.S. strategy should place more weight on open-source models, standards, and a broader mix of AI investment. Kyle Chan, Brookings, March 9
Can China Win the AI Race With Cheap Power? China is building AI data centers around low-cost electricity, green energy projects, and national planning that links demand in the east with power resources in the west. Cheap electricity and strong grid expansion give China an edge over the United States in supporting compute growth. That advantage is checked by a chip bottleneck. Chinese-made chips lag top U.S. standards in process and data transfer speed, and many firms still depend on stockpiled Nvidia hardware or larger clusters of less efficient domestic chips. Many centers are built by local governments, use the wrong hardware mix, and fail to match real demand, which leaves expensive capacity idle. Liu Sha, ThinkChina, March 9
China Is Learning the Lessons of Hard Power. U.S. strikes on Iran are presented in Beijing as proof that economic weight and political ties do not protect overseas interests without credible military force. Iran is not described as a close ally, yet it remains a key part of China’s Middle East strategy and a test of China’s standing with states that want room from U.S. dominance. Beijing is expected to avoid direct military defense of Iran while helping preserve Iran’s economic space, contesting U.S. actions in diplomatic forums, protecting sea lanes, and raising costs for Washington in other arenas. The crisis is framed as a lesson that China needs stronger power projection, sanction resilience, and deterrent capacity to support partners and secure its interests. Deng Yuwen, Foreign Policy, March 9
China’s selective anti-scam campaign poses a paradox for Southeast Asia. China has stepped up its efforts against scam networks in Southeast Asia through extraditions, joint operations, public pressure, and digital tools such as the National Anti-Fraud Centre app. She Zhijiang’s extradition from Thailand to China marked a new phase that tied anti-scam enforcement to diplomacy and security ties. Chinese authorities report large case totals and repatriations, but the campaign has drawn scrutiny over surveillance risks and pressure to install the app in sensitive regions. Enforcement centers on scams that target Chinese citizens, which lets criminal networks move toward victims in other countries. Lasting progress requires regional cooperation that addresses finance, technology, and governance, not fear and selective crackdowns. Junqing Zhang, East Asia Forum, March 9
North Korea Is Getting Serious About Space Weapons. North Korea’s new five-year defense plan names assets for attacking enemy satellites in emergencies, marking its first top-level commitment to counterspace weapons. Pyongyang could pursue a direct-ascent anti-satellite missile or a nuclear weapon detonated at high altitude to disable satellites across low Earth orbit. The move appears tied to U.S. plans for Golden Dome, whose space-based sensors and interceptors would threaten North Korea’s nuclear deterrent. A nuclear anti-satellite strike could cripple missile defence and wider allied military operations. Russian technology transfers, satellite cooperation, and North Korea’s growth in electronic warfare could lower barriers to this effort. Missile tests to orbital altitudes and gains in tracking and guidance would signal progress. Ankit Panda, Foreign Policy, March 9
Southeast Asia
ASEAN’s incremental diplomacy in the South China Sea. The Philippines seeks to finish talks on a South China Sea Code of Conduct during its ASEAN chairmanship, but ASEAN’s strength lies in small steps that fit its limited capacity and divided maritime interests. Manila has pushed new maritime initiatives to sustain talks, yet unresolved disputes, implementation gaps, and Timor-Leste’s integration are stretching ASEAN’s process. The Code of Conduct cannot settle sovereignty disputes or restrain China through enforcement. A stronger ASEAN position depends on communication, information sharing, coordination at sea, and a shared operational picture. Progress should focus on trust-building measures, incident prevention, and practical cooperation, not on a breakthrough that ASEAN lacks the capacity to secure. Pheng Thean, East Asia Forum, March 9
Enhancing ASEAN–EU Cooperation on Subsea Cable Security. Subsea fibre-optic cables carry about 99 per cent of intercontinental data traffic, yet repeated disruptions, legal gaps in UNCLOS, and US-China rivalry have turned them into a security concern for ASEAN and the EU. A split cable market could shrink supplier choice, raise costs, and limit policy space for Southeast Asian states. The EU has built stronger regulatory and funding tools, while ASEAN has focused on resilience guidelines and coordination without a joint response mechanism. Their different approaches create room for cooperation on rules, threat assessment, repair capacity, supply chains, and incident response. The main task is to convert plans and statements into concrete legal and operational commitments. Barbora Valockova, FULCRUM, March 9
Thailand's royalist establishment wins the battle but not the war. Thailand’s royalist establishment secured an electoral victory through Bhumjaithai after two decades of coups, court rulings, party dissolutions, and rivalry with Thaksin Shinawatra’s network and reformist parties backed by younger voters. Border clashes with Cambodia, nationalist messaging, and palace support helped drive the result. Bhumjaithai carries the burden of reviving an economy growing below 2% and easing household debt near 92% of GDP while reducing corruption and political division. The electorate backed a referendum for a new constitution, showing support for stability alongside structural change. The People’s Party remains a strong opposition force with control of all Bangkok constituency seats and the largest party-list vote share. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Nikkei Asia, March 9