News
U.S. seeks talks with N. Korea to reduce risk of inadvertent conflict: NSC spokesperson. The United States is pursuing dialogue with North Korea, focusing on preventing unintended conflicts on the Korean Peninsula, while maintaining its commitment to the peninsula's complete denuclearization. This approach includes considering "interim steps" to encourage North Korea's denuclearization efforts. The initiative aims to engage in substantive discussions on managing military risks and fostering lasting peace in the region. Song Sang-ho, Yonhap News Agency, March 5
U.N. chief appoints new resident coordinator for N. Korea. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointed Joe Colombano as the new U.N. resident coordinator for North Korea, a move welcomed by Pyongyang. Colombano's role will focus on supporting North Korea's commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with an emphasis on food security, social services, resilience, and sustainability. His extensive experience at the U.N. and in international relations marks a hopeful step towards reopening North Korea to international U.N. staff and agencies. Song Sang-ho, Yonhap News Agency, March 5
Malaysia’s prime minister resists US pressure and says Malaysians don’t have a problem with China. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, speaking at the ASEAN summit in Melbourne, defended Malaysia's ties with China against US pressure to choose sides in geopolitical tensions. He emphasized Malaysia's independence and its right to maintain friendly relations with China, its leading investor and largest trading partner. This statement came amidst discussions on regional security and cooperation. Rod McGuirk, AP News, March 4
Japan PM vows strong determination in repatriating North Korea abductees. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has pledged to make every effort to repatriate citizens abducted by North Korea, signaling a strong commitment to resolving the longstanding issue. The pledge came during a meeting with family members of the abductees, amidst considerations of lifting sanctions against North Korea for the immediate return of all abductees. Kishida's administration is also exploring a potential summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to address the abduction issue directly. Kyodo News, March 4
India to build new naval base close to Maldives amid tensions over China ties. Amid rising tensions with the Maldives, particularly over its relationship with China, India has announced plans to establish a new naval base, INS Jatayu, on Minicoy Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago. This strategic move aims to enhance India's operational reach in anti-piracy and anti-narcotics efforts in the Western Arabian Sea, reflecting ongoing regional dynamics and security concerns. AP News, March 4
Beijing’s top man on Hong Kong affairs asks city to guard against possible sabotage during Article 23 legislation. Beijing is focusing on integrating Hong Kong youths into China's broader development plans, according to CPPCC Chairman Wang Huning. Efforts include thematic studies and enhancing cooperation among Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China. The approach aims at encouraging young Hongkongers to contribute more actively to the nation's progress. Natalie Wong, South China Morning Post, March 4
Nikkei stock index ends above 40,000 for 1st time. The Nikkei stock index closed above the 40,000 mark for the first time, driven by strong technology stocks and reaching a new high since hitting a record over 34 years ago. This milestone reflects significant investor confidence, bolstered by robust corporate earnings and low interest rates. The index's surge is also attributed to domestic and foreign investment interest, marking a notable recovery from past economic slumps. Kyodo News, March 4
Kazakhstan: PM heads to Moscow with pledges of deepening cooperation. Kazakhstan's Prime Minister, on his first foreign visit since appointment, went to Moscow, showcasing strong bilateral relations with Russia. The visit emphasized economic collaboration, with mutual trade turnover in 2023 hitting a record $27.4 billion. Discussions covered industrial cooperation across various sectors, promising substantial job creation through joint projects. This partnership is part of a broader strategy to diversify trade links, highlighting the strategic importance of Kazakhstan to Russia amid shifting global alliances. Eurasianet, March 4
Move Forward Party dissolution case 'won't drag on'. The Election Commission (EC) of Thailand has assured that the dissolution case against the Move Forward Party will be resolved swiftly, though no specific timeframe has been set. This comes after the Constitutional Court's ruling that the party's proposal to amend the lese majeste law could undermine the constitutional monarchy. The EC is preparing a report for its decision, reflecting the political tensions and the potential for significant shifts in Thailand's political landscape. Mongkol Bangprapa, Bangkok Post, March 4
Việt Nam strengthen defence cooperation with Laos, Cambodia. Việt Nam's Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence, Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyễn Tấn Cương, held meetings with Lao and Cambodian defence officials to bolster defence cooperation. These meetings, occurring in Laos during the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Retreat, aimed to enhance collaboration in areas such as border management, human resources training, and defence industry. Vietnam News, March 4
Thai court acquits former PM Yingluck Shinawatra on charges of mishandling government funds. A Thai court has acquitted Yingluck Shinawatra, living in exile, of charges related to a government project from 2013. This decision follows her brother Thaksin Shinawatra's release on parole and adds to a series of legal victories for the family. The verdict is part of the complex political landscape involving the Shinawatra family, their political influence, and Thailand's shifting dynamics between populist movements and the royalist ruling class. Jintamas Saksornchai, AP News, March 4
Uzbekistan: Dozens repatriated after illegally traveling to U.S. Media in Uzbekistan reported the deportation from the United States of 47 Uzbek nationals who had entered the country unlawfully, highlighting the risks and challenges of illegal migration. This incident reflects a broader pattern of Uzbek nationals attempting to enter the U.S. via Mexico, with the U.S. detaining 13,000 Uzbeks between 2021 and 2023 for such attempts. The U.S. Embassy in Tashkent praised Uzbekistan's cooperation in this matter. Eurasianet, March 4
Ex-DP lawmaker joins PPP amid growing factional rift as April 10 elections near. In a significant political shift, a four-term lawmaker from the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) has defected to the ruling People Power Party (PPP), amid internal disputes over candidate nominations for the upcoming April 10 parliamentary elections. This move highlights the deepening factional divide within the DP, particularly against the backdrop of allegations of sidelining by the party's leadership. Yonhap News Agency, March 4
Thaksin yet to take up adviser role. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, since his parole release, hasn't shown intentions to become a government adviser, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed. Thaksin's focus appears to be on family time and health recovery after years abroad. His potential advisory role, hinted at during Srettha's New York trip, aligns with efforts to integrate ex-inmates into society. Meanwhile, Srettha awaits further details on a government digital wallet scheme, emphasizing ongoing diplomatic engagements, including Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra's visit to Cambodia. Wassana Nanuam, Bangkok Post, March 4
Long Form
Is Thailand Reconsidering Its Myanmar Policy? Thailand appears to be shifting its stance on Myanmar under Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, hinting at a more proactive role in addressing the neighboring crisis. With Myanmar embroiled in conflict since the military coup in 2021, resulting in significant casualties including civilians, Thailand's active engagement could represent a crucial turning point in regional diplomacy. The burgeoning humanitarian crisis has not only impacted Myanmar but also posed challenges for Thailand, evident from the long queues outside the Thai embassy in Yangon. Brian Wong, Tidarat Yingcharoen, The Diplomat, March 5
In Sri Lanka, the Political Opposition Remains as Fragmented as Ever. As Sri Lanka gears up for presidential and general elections, the political landscape shows the opposition as divided as ever. Despite the country navigating through its worst economic crisis in 2022 and achieving a semblance of stability, unity among opposition parties remains elusive. With the election timing still uncertain, and speculations about whether general elections will precede or follow the presidential election, the fragmentation within the opposition could play a critical role in the outcome. This division poses significant challenges in presenting a consolidated front against the incumbent government, affecting the strategic planning and potential success of the opposition in the upcoming elections. Uditha Devapriya, Rumeth Jayasinghe, The Diplomat, March 5
West Must Take Care in Moving Toward China's Approach to Aid. The West is edging closer to China's method of blending export credit with development assistance, a shift marked by the OECD's "modernization" of export credit rules and new guidelines on development finance. This change reflects the impact of China's extensive financing under the Belt and Road Initiative, which primarily utilizes export credit to support the export of Chinese goods, services, and capital. As China's financing model, characterized by institutions like the Export-Import Bank of China and Sinosure, increasingly influences global finance, it challenges the OECD's long-standing frameworks that differentiate trade from aid. The OECD's recent adjustments allow for longer-term loans and guarantees, including for green projects, and blur the lines between development assistance and national interest financing. While this may benefit developing nations by increasing available financing, it raises crucial questions for OECD countries about the future of overseas development assistance and the need for a coordinated approach to ensure that aid resources focus on alleviating poverty and maintaining a level playing field. Yunnan Chen, Nikkei Asia, March 5
Being a 'Connector' for China Is No Longer Working for Hong Kong. Hong Kong's historical role as a superconnector to China, facilitating capital, business expertise, and talent flow, is losing its efficacy amidst global economic shifts and the city's economic challenges. Despite benefiting from China's economic boom, Hong Kong's GDP growth has lagged behind Singapore's significantly, suggesting that mere connection to China is not enough for sustained economic prosperity. Singapore's success, attributed to its strategic positioning in global value chains and targeted industrial policy, contrasts with Hong Kong's over-specialization in service sectors and late and insufficient efforts towards reindustrialization. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated Hong Kong's economic isolation and tarnished its international image, prioritizing alignment with China's zero-COVID policy over global connectivity. This strategy, alongside the government's reluctance to learn from its pandemic response and a tendency to externalize domestic economic issues, calls for a critical reassessment of Hong Kong's economic direction and its role in the global economy. Donald Low, Nikkei Asia, March 5
Indo-Pacific Nations Need to Put More Focus on Cybersecurity. The cybersecurity landscape in the Indo-Pacific region is becoming increasingly precarious, exacerbated by the rising threat of cyberattacks from China, Russia, and North Korea. Recent incidents, such as Chinese hackers intercepting Japanese diplomatic cables and cyberattacks around Taiwan's election, underscore the urgency for enhanced cybersecurity measures. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) is magnifying these threats, lowering the barrier for less sophisticated actors to launch cyberattacks. Despite the challenges, AI also offers potent solutions to bolster cyber defenses through cloud-based tools that can detect, analyze, and respond to cyber threats more efficiently. Governments in the region have started to prioritize cybersecurity, with Japan, Malaysia, and Taiwan making significant efforts to strengthen their cyber defenses. The Indo-Pacific's increasing internet adoption and digital economy growth potential further necessitate robust cybersecurity measures to secure the expanding digital landscape and maintain regional economic stability and growth. Vivek Chilukuri, Nikkei Asia, March 5
Combating Depopulation in Japan. Japan's population decline, from 128 million in 2008 to an anticipated 63 million by 2100, underscores a demographic crisis rooted in a falling birth rate and an aging populace. The economic burden of child-rearing and shifting lifestyle choices have contributed to this trend, posing significant challenges to economic productivity and labor supply across various sectors. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's administration has introduced measures aimed at reversing this trend, including financial incentives for families and a vision to sustain the population above 80 million by 2100. These efforts are a critical step towards addressing Japan's demographic challenges through comprehensive and actionable strategies. Shujiro Urata, East Asia Forum, March 5
Australia Engages with the ASEAN It Has and Works Towards the ASEAN the Region Needs. As Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prepares to host ASEAN heads of government in Melbourne for the second ASEAN–Australia Special Summit, the evolving dynamics of Australia's engagement with ASEAN come under scrutiny. With a backdrop of shifting global power dynamics and regional security concerns, Australia seeks to balance its security-driven approach towards ASEAN with broader economic and institutional integration, recognizing the bloc's critical role in anchoring regional stability and prosperity. Despite challenges, including reconciling differences with less democratic regimes within ASEAN, Australia's commitment to a rules-based regional order underscores the necessity of deepening ties with ASEAN beyond security concerns to encompass economic interdependence and multilateral cooperation. EAF Editors, East Asia Forum, March 4