News
Vietnam: President Vo Van Thuong resigns after a year in office. Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong has resigned after just one year, marking the second such resignation in over a year amidst corruption scandals. His departure, attributed to violations of party rules and negative impacts on the Communist Party's reputation, follows a crackdown on corruption. This upheaval hints at potential political motives behind the investigations and raises questions about Vietnam's political stability and its impact on foreign investment. Jonathan Head, BBC News, March 21
Officials in China’s Guizhou face corruption investigation weeks after launch of probe into arrest of businesswoman. Two officials in China's Guizhou province are under investigation for corruption linked to a state-run resort's financial irregularities, weeks after probing the arrest of a businesswoman who contested unpaid project fees. The move follows allegations and a legal battle involving millions in unpaid debts by the government to the businesswoman, leading to her contentious detention under broad charges. This case unfolds amidst China's intensified crackdown on corruption. Phoebe Zhang, South China Morning Post, March 20
Kyrgyzstan: Reshuffle at news outlet offers fresh hints of media scene decline. Kyrgyzstan's 24.kg news agency faces leadership changes, suggesting a decline in the media landscape. The shift follows the detention of editorial staff by security services, raising concerns about freedom of the press. This turbulence comes amidst allegations of war propaganda and a complex ownership saga, underscoring the challenges faced by media outlets in Kyrgyzstan. Ayzirek Imanaliyeva, Eurasianet, March 20
Taiwan to stage offshore live-fire military drills at Quemoy and other islets after several recent incidents in area. Taiwan plans live-fire military drills around its offshore islets, including Quemoy, in April. These exercises, deemed routine and not facing the mainland coast, aim to enhance combat readiness amid recent maritime incidents and heightened cross-strait tensions. The drills involve a variety of weapons, emphasizing Taiwan's strategic defensive capabilities in the region. Lawrence Chung, South China Morning Post, March 20
Pheu Thai firms ties with CPP. The Pheu Thai Party has proposed establishing a joint committee with the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) to enhance border trade development. This collaboration aims to boost the economic value for ASEAN and turn border provinces into thriving marketplaces, targeting a financial goal for Thailand-Cambodia border trading. This move reflects a strengthening of relations between Thailand and Cambodia, with discussions also covering political management and the seamless tourism project "6 Countries, 1 Destination." Aekarach Sattaburuth, Bangkok Post, March 20
Dollar advances vs. yen to 4-month high near 151 line in New York. The dollar reached a near four-month high against the yen in New York, spurred by expectations that the Bank of Japan will continue its accommodating monetary stance. Despite ending its negative interest rate policy, the central bank anticipates maintaining accommodative conditions, contrasting with higher interest rates in the U.S. and Europe aimed at curbing inflation. The divergence in monetary policies underscores the significant movement in currency values. The Mainichi, March 20
Japan, Pacific islands begin second defence ministerial talks in Tokyo. Japan has initiated its second ministerial-level defense meeting with Pacific island nations in Tokyo, focusing on countering China's military expansion and ensuring a free, open maritime order. Discussions will include cooperation in information operations, maritime security, and climate change impacts, with representatives from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and other nations attending. This meeting underscores Japan's strategic engagement in the Pacific amid rising regional tensions. PINA, March 20
US, PH alliance more than rock-solid – Blinken. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted the strength of the US-Philippines alliance as "more than rock-solid" during his visit to the Philippines, marking it as a crucial aspect of President Joe Biden's foreign policy priorities. His remarks were made in a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., reinforcing the longstanding partnership between the two countries. Catherine S. Valente, Bernadette E. Tamayo, Agence France-Presse, The Manila Times, March 20
PM, CPP president congratulate Putin on landslide election win. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and CPP President Hun Sen congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election. Putin won 87.3% of votes, marking his fifth term. This underscores the longstanding Cambodia-Russia relations based on mutual respect and shared interests, hinting at deeper cooperation ahead. The leaders' messages reflect Cambodia's commitment to maintaining robust relations with Russia, amidst a complex global geopolitical landscape. Sok Raksa, Phnom Penh Post, March 20
India's Modi shows confidence about elections; asks ministries for 5-year goals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed all ministries to outline annual objectives for the next five years, demonstrating his optimism for the upcoming general election. This initiative is part of Modi's vision to elevate India to a fully developed country by 2047. The strategy includes a focus on agriculture, rural economy, employment, and education, aiming to address key challenges like farm income and unemployment. Sarita Chaganti Singh, Reuters, March 20
U.S. officials say pact with Pacific island nations underscores American commitment. U.S. officials have announced a new agreement providing significant funding to three Pacific island nations, demonstrating a strong commitment to their strategic partnerships. This move, aimed at countering China's influence in the region, ensures the continuation of economic aid and military cooperation with the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. The funding is critical for these nations' budgets and development projects. PINA, March 20
Long Form
Xi-Putin honeymoon at risk as Chinese flood into Russia. The strong alliance between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin faces potential future challenges, particularly from the dynamics in Russia's Far East. An influx of Chinese farmers into the region, engaging in large-scale agriculture, has sparked concerns among locals about economic and territorial influence. This situation, combined with historical complexities, suggests a nuanced future for Sino-Russian relations and regional stability. Katsuji Nakazawa, Nikkei Asia, March 21
Toyota testing scandals underscore rising stakes around emissions. Toyota and its affiliates face scrutiny over regulatory cheating, including manipulated safety and emissions data. This scandal highlights concerns about the automotive industry's environmental impact and the integrity of corporate sustainability reporting. As global regulations tighten on emissions disclosure, Toyota's recent efforts to improve reporting accuracy reflect industry-wide challenges in aligning public statements with actual environmental footprints. Ben Scott, Nikkei Asia, March 21
Gaokao Gateway: How First Academic Degrees Shape Careers in China. In China, the emphasis on one's first academic degree, largely determined by gaokao scores, significantly impacts career prospects, overshadowing higher degrees and international experience. This practice, known as "first-degree discrimination," raises debates on social equality and talent evaluation, prompting calls for reform towards a more holistic assessment approach. The debate intensified following a proposal at the National People's Congress to abolish this discrimination. Li Xin and Ding Xiaoyan, Sixth Tone, March 21
The U.S. Election and South Korean Anxieties. South Korean concerns about the U.S. election focus on its implications for the bilateral relationship, including security and North Korea policy. The depth of alliance cooperation is likely to endure any potential strains. South Korea is keenly observing the election's impact on geopolitical dynamics and investments, given the strategic significance of its partnership with the U.S. Scott A. Snyder, Council on Foreign Relations, March 20
China and Russia: Exploring Ties Between Two Authoritarian Powers. The China-Russia relationship, characterized by mutual interests in countering U.S. influence, involves significant trade and defense cooperation. Their partnership, while deepening, especially in the context of Russia's actions in Ukraine and shared views on Taiwan, stops short of a formal alliance. This relationship is closely watched for its impact on global geopolitics. Clara Fong and Lindsay Maizland, Council on Foreign Relations, March 20