Asia Daily: March 26, 2025

China

Trump-battered Europe eyes China with launch of diplomatic flurry to Beijing. Top European officials are launching a coordinated diplomatic push in Beijing to recalibrate ties amid uncertainty over Donald Trump’s U.S. presidency. EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic will seek improved market access, while French minister Jean-Noel Barrot aims for trade gains and pressure on China regarding Russia. Leaders from Italy, Portugal, and Spain will follow with similar missions. The visits reflect Europe’s growing division on how to manage economic and geopolitical relations with China. Finbarr Bermingham, South China Morning Post, March 25

China poses biggest military, cyber threat to US, intel chiefs say. U.S. intelligence agencies identified China as the top national security threat, citing advances in AI, hypersonic weapons, and cyber capabilities aimed at targeting U.S. infrastructure and seizing Taiwan. Officials warned China is developing disinformation tools and remains reluctant to curb fentanyl precursor exports. The report also noted Beijing’s strategic interests in the Arctic and warned of broader coercive tactics. Michael Martina, Patricia Zengerle and Erin Banco, Reuters, March 25

Taiwan Affairs Office launches column for reporting malicious acts of ‘Taiwan independence’ henchmen. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office created an online reporting column for individuals to submit claims against those accused of supporting Taiwan independence and persecuting pro-mainland voices. The platform targets Democratic Progressive Party authorities, civil servants, and influencers, accusing them of silencing dissent and threatening political opponents. Submissions will be handled confidentially and may lead to public exposure or punitive action. Global Times, Global Times, March 26

Japan

Court in Japan orders the dissolution of the Unification Church. A Tokyo court ordered the dissolution of the Unification Church in Japan following a government petition citing extensive and ongoing harm caused by the group’s manipulative fundraising and recruitment tactics. The ruling, based on over 5,000 pieces of evidence and testimony from 170 individuals, revokes the church’s legal status and tax benefits. Officials said victims were coerced into excessive donations, with settlements exceeding ¥20 billion. The church, linked to former PM Shinzo Abe’s assassination, plans to appeal. Mari Yamaguchi, AP News, March 25

Japan PM Ishiba to adopt strong measures to counter rising prices, coalition partner says. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told Komeito party leader Tetsuo Saito he would implement strong steps to address inflation. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi later clarified this referred to mobilizing policies in the current and upcoming budgets, not new spending. The remarks come as Japan’s government faces pressure to tackle rising living costs ahead of the new fiscal year. Kaori Kaneko, Kantaro Komiya and Kiyoshi Takenaka, Reuters, March 25

LDP faces headwinds in Tokyo assembly election. The Liberal Democratic Party is struggling ahead of Tokyo’s June 22 Metropolitan Assembly election due to political funds scandals. The party, currently holding 30 seats, risks losing ground, which could impact its alliance with Komeito and Tomin First no Kai. A weakened showing may hurt Governor Yuriko Koike, who relies on their support. The Democratic Party for the People is gaining traction, while Shinji Ishimaru’s new party plans to contest all 42 districts. The Japan Times, March 25

South Korea

DPK pressures for ‘double impeachment’ just 1 day after PM’s return. The Democratic Party of Korea warned Acting President Han Deok-soo of dismissal if he fails to appoint Constitutional Court nominee Ma Eun-hyeok immediately, citing a recent court ruling. The party also plans to impeach Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, advancing a “double impeachment” strategy despite internal dissent. Some lawmakers criticized the leadership’s timing as economic tensions mount ahead of new U.S. tariffs on April 2. Ahn Kyu-young, The Dong-A Ilbo, March 26

Court set to rule on opposition leader's appeal in election law violation case. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung will receive a ruling Wednesday in his appeal over charges of making false statements during the 2022 presidential campaign. A lower court previously handed him a one-year suspended prison sentence for denying ties to a Seongnam land scandal. If upheld by the Supreme Court, the ruling would cost Lee his parliamentary seat and block him from running for office for a decade. Lee Haye-ah, Yonhap News Agency, March 26

Acting President Han, Alaska Gov. discuss energy cooperation. Acting President Han Duck-soo met with Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy to discuss expanding cooperation in energy and other sectors. The meeting followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s push for South Korea and Asian partners to join a stalled $44 billion U.S. LNG pipeline project. Han noted South Korea is Alaska’s top trading partner and expressed interest in shipbuilding collaboration. Dunleavy voiced support for further engagement on the LNG initiative. Kim Eun-jung, Yonhap News Agency, March 25

North Korea

N. Korean leader has 'no intention' of negotiating away nukes, seeks tacit recognition: US. A U.S. intelligence report concluded that Kim Jong-un aims to retain North Korea’s nuclear arsenal as a strategic guarantor and seeks tacit recognition as a nuclear state. The report warned of a possible imminent nuclear test and deepening military cooperation with Russia. Pyongyang is also expected to escalate asymmetric threats if it perceives U.S. or South Korean actions as undermining its sovereignty. Song Sang-ho, Yonhap News Agency, March 26

Thailand

Paetongtarn smoothly sails through no-confidence vote: 319–162. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra survived a no-confidence vote with 319 in favor, 162 against, and 7 abstentions out of 493 MPs. Her 11-party coalition, including Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai, held a majority of 322 seats. The opposition, led by the People’s Party with 143 MPs, failed to gather enough support. Four Democrat Party MPs abstained despite the party’s resolution, raising concerns over future cohesion in coalition lawmaking. The Nation, March 25

Paetongtarn lays down tax challenge. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said she welcomes scrutiny over allegations that she avoided 218.7 million baht in inheritance tax after receiving 4.43 billion baht in shares from family. She challenged the opposition to file a complaint with the Revenue Department. Officials clarified that taxes apply when cash from promissory notes is paid, not when issued. The notes specify repayment in 2026, aligning with existing tax law. Mongkol Bangprapa and Aekarach Sattaburuth, Bangkok Post, March 25

Vietnam

Singaporean PM arrives in Hanoi, beginning official visit to Vietnam. Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong arrived in Hanoi for an official visit aimed at advancing the countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The visit comes shortly after Vietnamese Party chief To Lam’s trip to Singapore, with both sides moving to implement bilateral agreements. Discussions will focus on boosting resilience, economic cooperation, and regional stability. VnExpress, March 25

Press cooperation helps boost Vietnam-China relations. Vietnamese Politburo member Nguyen Trong Nghia met with People's Daily Editor-in-Chief Chen Jianwen in Hanoi, calling for stronger media cooperation to deepen the strategic partnership between Vietnam and China. Nghia urged press agencies to share experience on Party building and ideological work, contributing to political trust and bilateral progress. Vietnam News, March 25

Myanmar

Chin resistance group seizes properties of Myanmar junta member Dr. Hmuh Thang. The Chinland Defence Force (CDF) Thantlang announced it has confiscated the properties of Dr. Hmuh Thang, a member of Myanmar’s military junta, in Thantlang Township. The action follows the earlier seizure of his home in Hakha and is meant to hold him accountable for siding with the regime. CDF stated that despite his past service to the community, his continued loyalty to the junta justifies the move. Myanmar Now, March 25

Myanmar junta boss brands global reports of civilian slaughter ‘fake news’. Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing denounced international and local media coverage of regime atrocities as distorted during a Naypyitaw forum aimed at reshaping Myanmar’s global image. The event followed deadly regime airstrikes that killed 41 civilians in Shan and Mandalay regions. Foreign experts at the forum were kept from conflict zones and escorted on curated tours. Independent media remain targeted by the regime’s post-coup repression. Maung Kavi, The Irrawaddy, March 25

Cambodia

Japan signs off on $18M in grants for water, surveying. Japan approved nearly $18 million in grants to Cambodia to expand Phnom Penh’s water supply and develop a land registration network. A $13.3 million grant will fund a new treatment facility under the Phum Prek Water Supply System, expected to process 45,000 cubic meters daily. Another $4.32 million will establish a nationwide CORS network for accurate land surveying. Officials emphasized the projects reflect enduring Japan-Cambodia cooperation. Niem Chheng, The Phnom Penh Post, March 26

Philippines

House cites Senate inquiry in request to summon VP Duterte. Impeachment prosecutors asked the Senate to summon Vice President Sara Duterte earlier than scheduled, citing a March 20 Senate hearing as evidence that the chamber remains active despite congressional recess. House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan and Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez filed a motion urging Senate President Francis Escudero to require Duterte to respond to the complaint within 10 days. Jeannette I. Andrade, Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 26

Duterte's admissions to hurt his defense. Former Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio said former president Rodrigo Duterte’s public admissions, including statements about ordering extrajudicial killings, will strongly support the International Criminal Court's case against him. Duterte has repeatedly accepted legal and moral responsibility for killings during his anti-drug campaign, including claiming to have led a death squad. Carpio noted Duterte is unlikely to receive bail or return to the Philippines before the trial ends. Franco Jose C. Baroña, The Manila Times, March 26

Indonesia

Indonesia, China to strengthen AI, smart city cooperation. Indonesia’s Communication Minister Meutya Hafid met with Nanning Party Secretary Nong Shengwen to boost collaboration in AI and smart city development. Hafid highlighted China’s leading role in Indonesia’s digital infrastructure expansion, particularly through 4G and 5G in remote regions. She expressed interest in tapping Nanning’s expertise and startup ecosystem to grow Indonesia’s AI sector, targeting nine million skilled professionals by 2030. ANTAR News, March 25

Indonesia decides to join BRICS' New Development Bank. Indonesia has officially joined the BRICS-led New Development Bank (NDB) following a meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and NDB President Dilma Rousseff. Prabowo stated that the decision supports Indonesia’s transformation goals. The NDB, with $100 billion in authorized capital, has approved $39 billion in financing to date, mostly for early BRICS members. Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta Globe, March 25

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz president ratifies border deal with Tajikistan. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov ratified a long-awaited border agreement with Tajikistan, finalizing a deal signed with President Emomali Rahmon on March 13 in Bishkek. The nearly 1,000-kilometer boundary had been a persistent source of deadly clashes, including violence in 2021 and 2022 that killed over 150 people. The new law aims to enhance security, stability, and cross-border cooperation, especially in conflict-prone regions. Burc Eruygur, Anadolu Agency, March 26

Northeast Asia

Pen Names, Stern Warnings. A forceful warning against inefficient local government investments was issued in a Sunday commentary in the Economic Daily, a central-level newspaper under the State Council. Using the pen name “Jin Guanping” — a homophone for “Economic Daily’s observational commentary” — the article served as a proxy for an institutional stance, criticizing “grandiose plans” that led to “massive debts” while yielding minimal economic returns. It cited alarming data showing China’s incremental capital output ratio rising from 2.84 in 2008 to 9.44 in 2023, indicating a sharp decline in investment efficiency. The piece discussed structural inefficiencies and condemned vanity projects pursued for political gain. The use of such official pen names, common in Party-state media, serves as an internal coding system to convey authoritative viewpoints without direct attribution. Historically used for signaling high-level consensus or critique, these pseudonyms offer insight into the seriousness of policy messaging. The timing and tone of the commentary suggest elevated concern within the central government about unsustainable local investment practices amid China’s efforts to boost domestic demand and revitalize economic growth. David Bandurski, China Media Project, March 25

How the United States and South Korea Can Bolster Maritime Security.
The United States and South Korea are expanding their maritime security cooperation to address increasing regional threats, particularly from North Korea and China. Efforts include joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and the deployment of advanced naval assets in sensitive waters. The two allies are emphasizing domain awareness, including real-time tracking and coordination in the East China Sea and Yellow Sea. Washington and Seoul are also exploring collaboration with other regional partners like Japan and Australia to form a broader maritime security network. These initiatives aim to uphold freedom of navigation, deter provocations, and maintain regional stability amid evolving geopolitical tensions. Terrence Matsuo, Korea Economic Institute, March 25

Cutting through the narrative: What China’s deep-sea cable-cutter really signals. China’s unveiling of a deep-sea cable-cutting device, capable of operating at depths up to 4,000 meters, appears more symbolic than technically groundbreaking. Submarine cables at such depths are typically unarmoured and thin, relying on their remote location for protection. The dramatic framing of China’s capability serves strategic, not operational, purposes — projecting maritime power, reinforcing nationalist narratives, and subtly deterring geopolitical rivals. The announcement, amplified through global media, exemplifies strategic communication aimed at unsettling adversaries and shaping global perceptions. Beyond deterrence, the move may provoke overreactions from Western states, potentially leading to costly and unnecessary infrastructure changes that could inadvertently benefit China’s cable industry. The episode demonstrates how China blends technological signaling with psychological influence in an era of maritime infrastructure competition. Amid shifting global alliances and increased undersea vulnerability, countries like Australia must prioritize rational, evidence-based policy responses over reactionary measures. Power now lies not only in hardware but in the manipulation of narratives — and China is demonstrating its proficiency in both domains. Cynthia Mehboob, Lowy Institute, March 25

Quick Take: Construction Activity on North Korean Side of Sino-North Korea Bridge. Recent satellite imagery from March 2025 reveals renewed construction activity on the North Korean side of the long-stalled New Yalu River Bridge connecting Dandong, China, with Sinuiju, North Korea. Visible progress includes the addition of access ramps, new roads, and clearing of adjacent land, suggesting a push to operationalize the bridge after more than a decade of delays. The bridge, completed on the Chinese side in 2014, has remained unused due to incomplete infrastructure on the North Korean end. This activity signals potential economic or diplomatic shifts, possibly aimed at improving trade connectivity with China or responding to broader regional developments. Iliana Ragnone, 38 North, March 25

Southeast Asia

Tentative steps forward in legislation for Indonesian families. Indonesia continues to face serious maternal and child health challenges despite decades of economic growth, with high maternal mortality and widespread child stunting. The 2024 Maternal and Child Health (KIA) law extends maternity leave and introduces limited paternity leave while outlining comprehensive parental responsibilities. However, the law falls short in addressing gender inequality and excludes women in informal employment, who represent over 64 percent of the female workforce. President Prabowo Subianto’s Free Nutritious Lunch Program, launched in January 2025, has faced criticism due to implementation issues, including food poisoning cases, corruption allegations, and military involvement lacking legal justification. Budget reallocations to fund the program have led to major cuts to key women and children’s rights institutions, with the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection facing a 53 percent cut and the National Commission on Violence Against Women expecting a 75 percent reduction. These cuts undermine the effectiveness of the KIA law and contradict the government's stated welfare goals. Without proper regulation, inclusive policy design, and support mechanisms, these programs risk serving as superficial efforts rather than substantive improvements. Addressing entrenched gender norms and ensuring employer participation in parental leave implementation remain essential for sustainable progress. Laras Susanti, East Asia Forum, March 25

From ICC to Indo-Pacific: The Philippines’ strategic bargaining against superpower rivalries. The Philippines’ decision to surrender former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court marks a historic precedent and highlights the country’s renewed commitment to international law, despite its 2018 withdrawal from the ICC. This shows Manila’s evolving role as a defender of a rules-based order, exemplified by its earlier legal challenge against China in the South China Sea. Under President Marcos Jr, the Philippines is pursuing a “multi-aligned” foreign policy, balancing its relationship with the United States while deepening ties with middle powers like Japan, Australia, India, and European allies. Amid concerns over U.S. reliability, especially under the Trump administration’s neo-isolationist posture, Manila is modernizing its military and diversifying defense partnerships. The nation’s recent defense cooperation agreements, procurement of advanced missile systems, and diplomatic overtures to partners such as France and Canada reflect a strategy aimed at resisting the ambitions of revisionist powers like China and Russia. The Philippines is positioning itself as a proactive regional actor seeking to influence global power dynamics through “minilateral” cooperation, leveraging its strategic importance to demand greater equity and predictability in its alliances.
Richard Javad Heydarian, Lowy Institute, March 25

ASEAN Can Help to Address Brain Drain in Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia faces a persistent brain drain challenge, with skilled workers increasingly seeking better opportunities abroad due to limited career advancement, low wages, and unstable political environments in their home countries. While national policies have attempted to stem the outflow, ASEAN can play a larger role by promoting regional talent mobility, mutual recognition of professional qualifications, and inclusive economic development. Initiatives like the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework and Mutual Recognition Arrangements offer foundational mechanisms but require stronger implementation and harmonization. Increased intra-regional cooperation, investment in education and training, and the creation of high-quality jobs are essential to retain talent and foster regional competitiveness. Melinda Martinus, Fulcrum, March 25

Johor’s Data Centres: Implications for the Talent Landscape. The rapid expansion of data centers in Johor, driven by demand from Singapore’s digital economy and international tech firms, is reshaping the local talent landscape. Major investments from companies like Microsoft and Nvidia signal Johor’s emergence as a regional digital hub. However, the sector’s specialized skill requirements pose challenges for the existing workforce, with a pronounced shortage in areas such as data engineering, cybersecurity, and infrastructure management. To meet industry demands, stakeholders must improve technical and vocational training, align academic curricula with market needs, and attract skilled professionals. Strategic workforce development is essential for Johor to sustain its data center growth and competitiveness. Sara Loo, Fulcrum, March 25

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