China
China cuts cost of military-grade infrared chips to as little as a few dozen USD. A team at Xidian University developed a way to make short-wave infrared chips using conventional silicon-germanium and CMOS processes instead of costly materials. The approach could cut costs by up to 99%, bring prices down to about $10, and widen civilian uses in smartphones, self-driving cars, and industrial scanners. Mass production is planned by year-end. Zhang Tong, South China Morning Post, April 7
Only virtual talks, no new investment push before Xi-Trump summit: Greer. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said preparatory talks with Chinese counterparts before the May Xi-Trump summit will be virtual, with no separate pre-summit trip to Beijing. He also signaled no new push to expand bilateral investment, saying Washington remains focused on tariffs, rare earth access, and national security while working-level groups shape possible summit outcomes. Khushboo Razdan, South China Morning Post, April 7
China and Russia veto UN resolution on protecting Hormuz shipping. China and Russia vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution encouraging defensive coordination to protect commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Eleven members voted in favor, but Beijing and Moscow said the text was biased against Iran. The U.S. condemned the vetoes and urged countries to help secure the waterway. David Brunnstrom, Reuters, April 7
Japan
Mizuho Fukushima secures reelection as leader of the Social Democratic Party. Mizuho Fukushima won reelection as leader of the opposition Social Democratic Party after a runoff against Yuko Otsubaki, as the party confronts internal divisions and long-term decline. Fukushima pledged to revitalize the party and acknowledged the significance of Otsubaki’s support, while the leadership contest exposed tensions that spilled into the post-vote press conference. The Japan Times, April 7
Japan Diet enacts record 122.31 tril. yen budget for FY 2026 after delay. Japan’s parliament passed a record 122.31 trillion yen budget for the fiscal year through next March, the first approval after an April 1 fiscal-year start in 11 years. The budget includes record defense spending and continued heavy bond issuance. Because it lacks specific Iran war relief measures, opposition lawmakers are already calling for a supplementary budget. Junko Horiuchi, Kyodo News, April 7
South Korea
Lee holds meeting with leaders of rival parties amid Middle East conflict. President Lee Jae Myung met ruling and opposition leaders to discuss the Middle East war’s economic fallout and defended planned cash assistance as relief for households hit by fuel prices and inflation, not populism. The government plans to make payments of 100,000 won to 600,000 won for about 35.8 million people, funded from existing tax revenue. Yi Wonju, Yonhap News Agency, April 7
Top presidential aide to visit Kazakhstan, Oman, Saudi Arabia to discuss securing crude oil, naphtha. Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said he would visit Kazakhstan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia to help secure crude oil and naphtha supplies as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed. He said South Korea had already arranged priority receipt of 24 million barrels of crude from the UAE and was also seeking safe passage for 26 South Korean-flagged vessels. Yi Wonju, Yonhap News Agency, April 7
Opposition leader criticizes gov’t cash handouts scheme; president rejects ‘populist’ label. People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok warned that cash support for the bottom 70% of income earners could worsen inflation and pressure the won, while President Lee rejected the criticism and said the funds would fairly ease hardship caused by high oil prices. The two sides signaled room to adjust disputed spending items during budget talks. Yi Whan-woo, The Korea Times, April 7
South Korea says Pyongyang's response to drone apology marks progress in easing tensions. Seoul said North Korea’s rare conciliatory response to President Lee Jae Myung’s expression of regret over drone incursions was meaningful progress toward easing military tensions. The Unification Ministry said South Korea would avoid hostile acts and pursue peaceful coexistence, while analysts cautioned Pyongyang still sees the South as a hostile state. Kyu-Seok Shim, Reuters, April 7
North Korea
North Korea says South Korea's 'true colours' as enemy state unchanged, dashing Seoul's diplomatic hopes. A senior North Korean official said South Korea’s identity as an enemy state would never change, undercutting Seoul’s hopes that recent exchanges over drone incursions might improve ties. Pyongyang said Kim Yo Jong’s earlier remarks were a warning, not a conciliatory signal, and demanded that Seoul prevent any recurrence and avoid further provocation. Kyu-seok Shim, Reuters, April 7
North Korea orders military loyalty lectures ahead of April 25 army anniversary. North Korea’s military political bureau ordered special loyalty lectures before the April 25 army anniversary to reinforce devotion to the Paektu bloodline and Kim Jong Un’s military leadership. Study materials referred to Kim Ju Ae as a “guiding star,” described as an unusual signal tied to succession, while units also prepared marksmanship, artillery, and tactical competitions. Bak Hui-su, Daily NK, April 7.
N. Korea holds party committee meetings to spur efforts to implement policy decisions. North Korea held expanded Workers’ Party committee meetings in several ministries and state agencies to implement decisions from last month’s Supreme People’s Assembly and February party congress. Discussions covered new seaports and docks, transport modernization, domestic production of construction materials, and advanced technologies aimed at improving people’s lives. Park Boram, Yonhap News Agency, April 8.
Vietnam
Vietnam's top leader To Lam expands power, new PM elected. Vietnam’s parliament unanimously elected Communist Party chief To Lam as state president, giving him the country’s two top posts and making him its most powerful leader in decades. Lawmakers also elected Le Minh Hung as prime minister. Lam pledged a growth model driven by science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Khanh Vu, Phuong Nguyen, and Francesco Guarascio, Reuters, April 7
Tran Thanh Man re-elected as Vietnam’s National Assembly chairman. Vietnam’s National Assembly re-elected Tran Thanh Man as chairman for its 16th term with 100% of present delegates voting in favor. The new legislature for 2026-2031 opened Monday and will focus on personnel consolidation, five-year socio-economic plans, and the election of other top state and government leaders in the coming days. Son Ha, VnExpress, April 6
Le Minh Hung, ex-central bank governor, elected Vietnam’s prime minister. Vietnam’s National Assembly elected Le Minh Hung as the prime minister for the 2026-2031 term. Hung, a former State Bank governor and current head of the Party Central Committee’s Organization Commission, succeeds Pham Minh Chinh. The report highlighted his long career in banking, party administration, and government, including work on restructuring the political system. Vu Tuan, VnExpress, April 7
Thailand
32 hours set for govt policy debate. Thailand’s Parliament allotted 32 hours and 30 minutes for debate on Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s policy statement, including 14 hours and 30 minutes for opposition scrutiny. The 21-page statement is built around five areas. Opposition parties said they would focus on rising fuel costs, PM2.5 pollution, cabinet appointments, corruption, decentralization, education, healthcare, and cross-border crime. Aekarach Sattaburuth, Bangkok Post, April 7
Cabinet names new advisers, govt spokesperson. Thailand’s cabinet appointed Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, Permpoon Chidchob, and Auttapol Rerkpiboon as advisers to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and named Rachada Dhnadirek as government spokesperson. Rachada said public communication must be clear, transparent, accurate, and timely, especially amid concern over economic pressure and volatile oil prices, with stronger coordination and faster clarification when issues arise. Bangkok Post, April 7
Myanmar
Ex-military, police officers fill chief minister posts in junta’s new govt. Min Aung Hlaing filled all state and regional chief minister posts with former military and police officers, with junta-controlled legislatures approving the nominees without debate. Several appointees were retained from existing posts, while others have been linked to repression, sanctions or high-profile abuses, further tightening the regime’s grip over local administration. The Irrawaddy, April 7.
Min Aung Hlaing names cabinet dominated by military figures. Min Aung Hlaing proposed a 31-ministry cabinet dominated by military figures, with around 20 of 30 nominees drawn from the armed forces and 16 already serving as regime ministers. Key security portfolios went to senior serving officers, while other posts were assigned to ex-military and USDP-linked figures, underscoring the junta’s continued control under a nominally civilian government. The Irrawaddy, April 7
Cambodia
Cambodia turns to India in calculated shift to diversify defence alliances. Cambodia and India are preparing a second bilateral military exercise in May focused on joint counter-terrorism operations, following the inaugural CINBAX drills in 2024. Analysts said the growing partnership, including India’s planned defence attaché office in Cambodia, reflects Phnom Penh’s effort to diversify security ties while gaining access to training, technology, and equipment. Sao Phal Niseiy, Cambodianess, April 7
Philippines
Sara Duterte seeks SC intervention to stop impeachment case. Vice President Sara Duterte filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to halt House impeachment proceedings, arguing they are unconstitutional from the outset. She said the referral process violated the Constitution, two complaints breached the one-year ban rule, and the House justice committee overstepped Senate powers and violated her due-process and equal-protection rights. Zacarian Sarao, Philippine Daily Inquirer, April 8
LPG supply good for only 33 days, DOE says. The Department of Energy said reserve fuel supplies would last an average of 50 days, but LPG stocks only last 33 days as of April 3. It said more fuel is being procured and expected supply to improve, while warning prices may not quickly return to prewar levels even if fighting stops. The government has not yet decided on cutting or suspending fuel excise taxes. Ed Paolo Salting, The Manila Times, April 7.
Inquiry into crisis response scheduled. The House of Representatives scheduled a joint hearing on Wednesday to examine measures against the Middle East war’s effects and craft a unified legislative response. Cabinet officials, financial and energy regulators, and multilateral lenders were invited to discuss oil and energy supplies, broader economic fallout, immediate relief, targeted assistance, fiscal support, and longer-term reforms to reduce vulnerability to global oil shocks. Red Mendoza, The Manila Times, April 7
Philippine central bank warns of oil spike 'spillover effects' as inflation breaches target. The Philippines’ inflation rate rose to 4.1% in March, above the central bank’s 2% to 4% target, as higher global energy prices pushed transport costs sharply higher. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas warned that a prolonged oil shock could broaden price pressures and said risks had tilted sharply upward ahead of its April 23 policy review. Mikhail Flores and Nestor Corrales, Reuters, April 7
Malaysia
Malaysia urged to diversify energy sources amid Middle East crisis and rising oil prices. A Universiti Malaysia Terengganu vice-chancellor said the Middle East conflict should push Malaysia to diversify local energy sources and reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets. He highlighted green hydrogen, offshore wind, and EV infrastructure as ways to strengthen energy sovereignty, warning that even if Malaysia gains from higher oil prices as an exporter, rising import and logistics costs still threaten inflation and long-term fiscal stability. Malay Mail, April 7
Singapore
S’pore to up fuel reserves: Shanmugam. Singapore plans to increase fuel reserves as the Middle East conflict continues and warned electricity prices could rise sharply if disruptions worsen or drag on. K. Shanmugam said the country has not had to use reserves or ration fuel, but prices are likely to stay elevated even after hostilities end because damaged infrastructure and disrupted supply chains will take time to recover. Anjali Raguraman, The Straits Times, April 7
S’pore will not negotiate for safe passage through Strait of Hormuz as matter of principle: Vivian. Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said Singapore will not negotiate with Iran or pay tolls for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz because transit passage is a right under international law, not a privilege. He said Singapore is keeping in contact with ship operators and regional counterparts on transit arrangements while maintaining that UNCLOS principles must be upheld. Anjali Raguraman, The Straits Times, April 7
Taiwan
Taiwan opposition chief arrives for China 'peace' mission, president calls for talks. Kuomintang chairwoman Cheng Li-wun arrived in China for what she called a peace mission and a possible meeting with Xi Jinping. President Lai Ching-te reiterated that Taiwan is not part of the People’s Republic of China and remains open to talks based on equality and dignity, while officials urged Beijing to stop military pressure. Andrew Silver and Ben Blanchard, Reuters, April 7
China targets Taiwan's chip prowess to evade global 'containment', Taipei government says. Taiwan’s National Security Bureau said China is trying to obtain Taiwan’s advanced chip technology and talent through inducements, indirect poaching, and procurement of controlled goods. The report also warned Beijing could use hybrid tactics, including deepfakes and fake polls, to interfere in year-end local elections, while cyber intrusions and military pressure around Taiwan remain high. Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee, Reuters, April 7
Taiwan reviewing Lithuania’s proposal for further investment there. Taiwan’s foreign ministry said it received and is reviewing a March proposal from Lithuania for more Taiwanese investment, focused on sectors such as lasers, medical AI, and fintech. MOFA said most projects build on existing cooperation and pledged to encourage further investment, citing rising bilateral trade and Taiwan’s more than 16.8 million euros in Lithuanian investment since 2021. Joseph Yeh, Focus Taiwan, April 7
U.S. Senator Jim Banks visits Taiwan, to meet President Lai. U.S. Senator Jim Banks arrived in Taiwan for a three-day visit to meet President Lai Ching-te and other senior officials. According to MOFA and AIT, discussions will cover U.S.-Taiwan relations, regional security, trade, and investment. MOFA said Banks supports closer security cooperation, easing double taxation, and building a secure semiconductor supply chain. Joseph Yeh, Focus Taiwan, April 7
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan says CPC oil exports via Black Sea stable after Russia reports an attack. Kazakhstan said oil shipments through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium remain stable after Russia accused Ukraine of damaging CPC loading facilities in Novorossiysk. The terminal handles 80% of Kazakhstan’s crude exports, and Chevron also said exports from the Tengiz field continued uninterrupted. The Kremlin said questions on operating status should be directed to CPC. Tamara Vaal, Dmitry Antonov, Shadia Nasralla, Anastasia Teterevleva, and Vladimir Soldatkin, Reuters, April 7
Kazakhstan becomes key stop in South Korea’s energy diplomacy tour. South Korean presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik will visit Kazakhstan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia to discuss securing crude oil and naphtha supplies as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz threaten energy imports. He said Seoul is seeking alternative sources and coordinating with companies so that high-level talks produce tangible results. Aiman Nakispekova, The Astana Times, April 7
Uzbekistan
The American-Uzbek Business Council launches in Washington. Washington and Tashkent launched the American-Uzbek Business and Investment Council as a mechanism to turn renewed U.S. attention to Central Asia into financing, project coordination, and commercial delivery. Speakers emphasized execution over potential, with discussions centering on energy, transport, agriculture, digital infrastructure, and mining, alongside efforts to de-risk projects and expand higher-value production in Uzbekistan. The Times of Central Asia, April 7
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan faces elite realignment as Tashiyev network comes under pressure. Political tensions in Kyrgyzstan rose after the arrest of Shairbek Tashiyev, brother of former security chief Kamchybek Tashiyev, amid signs of a widening rift between Tashiyev and President Sadyr Japarov. Investigators allege 4.1 billion soms in violations at state-owned Kyrgyzneftegaz, and the case is being closely watched for broader implications for elite realignment and the balance of power. Andrei Matveev, The Times of Central Asia, April 7
East Asia
America and China Can Make AI Safer. AI creates cross-border risks that include pathogen design, cyberattacks, and deepfakes, and Chinese open source models show weaker safeguards and higher jailbreak success rates than leading U.S. systems. Competition need not block shared safety baselines. Washington and Beijing should work together on risk priorities, red team methods, wet lab proxy studies, and external safeguards such as content filters and usage restrictions. Narrow talks led by technical experts with links to government, with support from countries such as the United Kingdom, could improve testing, transparency, and protection against catastrophic misuse. Christina Knight and Scott Singer, Foreign Affairs, April 7
Trump’s New Cyber Strategy Is Catnip for Beijing. Trump’s March 6 cyber strategy rests on offensive operations and lighter regulation, a mix that strengthens Beijing instead of restoring deterrence. Chinese groups such as Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon have moved from theft toward prepositioning inside US infrastructure, telecom networks, and political targets. In cyberspace, attribution is weak, supply chains are intertwined, and escalation is hard to control, so classic deterrence fails. Deregulation can widen openings across connected vendors and sectors, as SolarWinds showed. The result is a wider market for leaked tools, more room for criminal brokers and rising powers, and less resilience inside the United States after cuts to cyber staff, boards, and agencies. Ahana Datta Fasel, Foreign Policy, April 7
Transition under constraint: China’s energy strategy in an era of geopolitical risk. China’s draft 15th Five-Year Plan keeps a dual track of decarbonization, growth, and energy security, with a goal to raise non-fossil energy to about 25% of consumption by 2030 and cut carbon intensity by 17%. Renewable capacity and clean technology investment keep rising, yet coal retains a central role and the plan sets no absolute emissions cap. Oil import dependence, exposure to the Strait of Hormuz, and shocks tied to conflict in Iran have pushed Beijing to stress stockpiles, import diversification, and domestic fuel security. The piece warns that current policy may miss China’s Paris pledge and shows how trade barriers and supply chain rivalry can clash with the global push for cheap clean technology. Genevieve Donnellon-May, ThinkChina, April 7
Cheng Li-wun’s China visit: A test of the KMT itself. Kuomintang chair Cheng Li-wun traveled to mainland China amid reports of a meeting with Xi Jinping that would mark the first such meeting between sitting KMT and CCP leaders in a decade. The trip carries weight beyond cross-strait symbolism because control of that agenda shapes party authority, resource allocation, and electoral strategy inside the KMT. Cheng has tried to pair dialogue with Beijing with Taiwan US ties, defense cooperation, and a message of peace and stability. That balance seeks to reassure centrist voters and Taiwanese society while avoiding language that appears too close to Beijing. The visit tests whether the KMT can pursue contact with China without losing political ground at home. Miao Zong-Han, ThinkChina, April 7
The KMT and CCP form united front against Taiwan’s sovereignty. Cheng Li-wun’s visit to China is framed as part of a renewed front between the KMT and the CCP against Taiwanese sovereignty. That alignment runs from the 1992 Consensus and post 2005 party ties to recent meetings between KMT figures and CCP officials. The KMT still presents itself as Chinese, not Taiwanese, and Beijing holds the upper hand in the relationship. None of those contacts softened China’s demand for annexation. Instead, the KMT and its TPP partner have blocked a special defense budget, a move that feeds doubts in Washington about Taiwan’s will to defend itself and gives Xi leverage against Lai Ching-te. Chris Horton, Nikkei Asia, April 7
What the Trump-Takaichi Summit Revealed About the US-Japan Alliance. The March 19 summit exposed tension in the alliance without a break. Takaichi refused to send Japanese forces to the Persian Gulf because Tokyo’s legal threshold for collective defense had not been met. She redirected the meeting toward energy security, US energy imports, and stockpiling, which emerged as the main gain. The deeper issue was China and Taiwan. Japan muted Taiwan in its readout as pressure from Beijing rose, while Washington kept older language on cross-strait peace. Trump’s trade focus and silence after Chinese attacks on Japan fed concern in Tokyo and Southeast Asia that Washington could trade regional security for a deal with Beijing. Joanne Lin and William Choong, FULCRUM, April 7