China
Trump and Xi set for second day of talks after Taiwan warning. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping prepared to conclude a two-day summit after Xi warned that mishandling Taiwan could send relations spiraling. U.S. officials said progress was made on Chinese purchases of farm goods, beef and Boeing aircraft, along with mechanisms to manage future trade. Trump also sought Chinese help in reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Trevor Hunnicutt, Liz Lee, Antoni Slodkowski, Mei Mei Chu, Ben Blanchard, David Brunnstrom and John Geddie, Reuters, May 14
Xi tells Trump that mishandling of Taiwan could lead to 'dangerous' place. Chinese President Xi Jinping warned President Donald Trump that mishandling Taiwan could push China-U.S. relations into an extremely dangerous situation. The leaders met for more than two hours during Trump’s Beijing visit, with trade, Iran, Taiwan, Boeing orders and semiconductor controls also on the agenda. Trump invited Xi to visit the White House in September. Trevor Hunnicutt, Mei Mei Chu, Antoni Slodkowski, Laurie Chen, the Beijing newsroom, Ben Blanchard, John Geddie and Brad Brooks, Reuters, May 13
China's Xi lauds 'new positioning' in ties with U.S. Chinese President Xi Jinping said ties with the United States had entered a “new positioning” built on cooperation, measured competition and controllable differences after his summit with President Donald Trump. Xi called for a constructive, strategically stable relationship to guide relations for the next three years and beyond, while warning that mishandling Taiwan could create serious danger. Liz Lee, Yukun Zhang, Xiuhao Chen, Mei Mei Chu and Antoni Slodkowski, Reuters, May 14
Trump says Xi offered help on Iran as China seeks to keep Hormuz open. President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping offered to help broker an end to the Iran conflict and preserve freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The Beijing summit produced few concrete agreements but highlighted shared concerns over energy security, trade, AI and regional instability, while Taiwan remained a central source of tension. Teresa Elena Frontado, Dewey Sim and Lucy Quaggin, South China Morning Post, May 14
China restores U.S. beef trade amid Trump-Xi summit, alarming Brazilian exporters. China renewed import licenses for hundreds of U.S. beef plants during President Donald Trump’s Beijing summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, ending months of frozen trade. Brazilian officials warned the move could reshape competition in China, Brazil’s largest beef export market, as quota limits and higher tariffs threaten exporters already close to exhausting their annual allocation. Igor Patrick, South China Morning Post, May 14
Boeing shares drop 4% after Trump announces China orders just 200 jets. Boeing shares fell 4.1% after President Donald Trump said China agreed to buy 200 Boeing jets, far below the roughly 500-plane package previously under discussion. Delivery details and aircraft types were not immediately available. The announcement disappointed investors but still marked a potential breakthrough after years of limited Chinese orders and rising Airbus competition in China’s aviation market. David Shepardson and Dan Catchpole, Reuters, May 14
U.S. clears H200 chip sales to 10 China firms as Nvidia CEO looks for breakthrough. The U.S. cleared about 10 Chinese firms, including Alibaba, Tencent, ByteDance and JD.com, to buy Nvidia’s H200 AI chips, but no deliveries have been made. Lenovo and Foxconn were approved as distributors. Sales remain stalled by Beijing’s scrutiny of foreign technology dependencies, U.S. licensing conditions and security requirements, leaving Nvidia’s China strategy unresolved. Reuters staff, Reuters, May 14
Japan
Japan PM to make 2-day visit to South Korea from Tuesday. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will visit South Korea for two days from Tuesday to meet President Lee Jae Myung. The leaders are expected to discuss energy security amid crude oil shipment disruptions following the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, along with stronger supply chains for critical minerals. They are likely to meet in Andong under bilateral “shuttle diplomacy.” Kyodo News, May 14
SDF options in Strait of Hormuz face legal, other constraints. Japan is considering possible Self-Defense Forces deployments to the Strait of Hormuz after a U.S.-Iran cease-fire, including escorts for Japan-affiliated vessels or minesweeping operations. Legal limits on maritime security operations restrict protection largely to Japan-linked ships and constrain weapons use. Information-gathering remains possible, but officials question its value for securing safe passage through the vital waterway. Mizuki Sato and Haruka Suzuki, The Asahi Shimbun, May 14
South Korea
Gov’t selects 160 abnormal, unfair practices to be tackled under ‘nation normalization project’. South Korea’s government identified about 160 unfair or abnormal practices for correction under President Lee Jae Myung’s “nation normalization project.” Initial targets include standardizing beach umbrella fees, improving opaque officetel management and blocking illegal use of Onnuri gift certificates. Officials said the campaign will continue throughout Lee’s term and invited public reports of daily-life irregularities. Chang Jae-sun, Yonhap News Agency, May 14
Lee calls S. Korea, U.S. ‘most important partners’ after meeting with Bessent. President Lee Jae Myung said South Korea and the U.S. are each other’s most important partners after meeting U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Lee said both sides reaffirmed trust and cooperation, while Bessent cited economic cooperation, critical minerals and implementation of the U.S.-Korea investment agreement. Lee also pledged close coordination as Seoul prepares to assume the G20 presidency in 2028. Oh Seok-min, Yonhap News Agency, May 14
North Korea
North Korea replaces all foreign student dormitory staff at Kim Il Sung University. North Korea’s ruling party ordered a full replacement of staff managing foreign student dormitories after male students entered the facilities without authorization in April. The breach was treated as a political failure because the dormitories house foreign nationals. Replacement staff are being chosen for political reliability as the university prepares to expand foreign student enrollment. Park Hee-soo, Daily NK, May 14
U.S., N.K. appear unprepared for summit, but possibility cannot be ruled out: Seoul official. A senior South Korean official said preparations for a Trump-Kim summit during President Donald Trump’s China visit appear almost nonexistent, though the possibility cannot be ruled out. The official cited Trump’s unpredictability on summit diplomacy and said Seoul has received detailed briefings from Washington and Beijing on the U.S.-China summit. Chang Dong-woo, Yonhap News Agency, May 14
Thailand
Public to decide on charter: PM. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said any constitutional amendment must follow the mandate of more than 21 million voters in the Feb. 8 referendum but should begin with the current parliament. He said the government is not bound by earlier drafts and reiterated Bhumjaithai’s position that provisions on sovereignty and the monarchy should remain untouched. Mongkol Bangprapa, Bangkok Post, May 13
People’s Party chief formally named opposition leader. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party, formally became Thailand’s opposition leader by Royal Command after his party emerged as the largest bloc outside government. He pledged constructive scrutiny of the Anutin administration, protection of independent oversight bodies and swift formation of an opposition whip, while pressing for constitutional amendments and pending legislation. Bangkok Post, May 14
Myanmar
New Myanmar regime launches coordinated diplomatic assault on ASEAN. Myanmar’s military-backed regime and pro-military allies escalated criticism of ASEAN after Min Aung Hlaing was again barred from a regional summit. Officials and proxies accused ASEAN of discrimination and violating non-interference principles, while some ultranationalists urged withdrawal from the bloc. ASEAN continues withholding recognition over the regime’s failure to implement the Five-Point Consensus and halt violence. Maung Kavi, The Irrawaddy, May 14
Traders cast doubt on regime’s plan to sell premium rice to U.S. Myanmar’s regime is exploring exports of premium paw hsan rice to the U.S., but traders question whether commercial-scale shipments are feasible. Limited Shwebo paw hsan stocks, conflict in Sagaing, logistics problems and foreign-exchange restrictions pose major obstacles. Previous U.S. sales ended after Myanmar rice struggled to compete with Thai jasmine and Vietnamese rice on price. Myo Pyae, The Irrawaddy, May 14
Cambodia
Cambodia demands retraction over Thai media grenade allegations. Cambodia rejected Thai media reports alleging Cambodian troops fired M79 grenades at Thai military positions near Preah Vihear province. Defence Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata called the claims baseless misinformation and demanded formal corrections. Cambodia also protested alleged Thai detonations of unexploded ordnance without prior notice, urging adherence to bilateral agreements to preserve border stability. Sao Phal Niseiy, Cambodianess, May 14
Philippines
Philippine politician wanted by ICC makes 'escape' after Senate chaos. Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa left the Philippine Senate after days under its protection, with his wife describing his departure as an “escape.” His whereabouts were unknown after gunshots and heavy security disrupted the Senate during tensions over a possible ICC arrest. The standoff challenged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s authority and unfolded ahead of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. Noel Celis, Nestor Corrales, Mikhail Flores, Karen Lema, Lorenzo Lesaba and Martin Petty, Reuters, May 14
'We are thirsty for justice': Philippine families demand senator face drug war charges. Families of Philippine drug war victims demanded that Sen. Ronald dela Rosa face ICC charges after he took refuge in the Senate and later escaped amid gunfire. Llore Pasco, whose two sons were killed in 2017 anti-drug operations, said political protection for dela Rosa contrasted with the lack of due process for poor suspects killed during the crackdown. Karen Lema and Jay Ereno, Reuters, May 14
Philippine Senate to convene as court next week for VP Duterte impeachment. The Philippine Senate will convene as an impeachment court on May 18 ahead of Vice President Sara Duterte’s trial. Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said senators will review rules and procedures before setting the trial date. Duterte faces allegations of misusing public funds, unexplained wealth and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife and a former House speaker, which she denies. Mikhail Flores and Martin Petty, Reuters, May 14
Indonesia
Indonesia pledges stronger IP enforcement after U.S. piracy warning. Indonesia pledged stronger intellectual property enforcement after the U.S. kept it on a Priority Watch List over counterfeit goods, piracy and weak deterrence. Officials said rights holders can seek online takedowns and customs protection, while at least 1,004 piracy websites have been blocked since January 2025. Economists warned that weak enforcement could undermine advanced manufacturing and technology investment. Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta Globe, May 15
Taiwan
Taiwan: No surprises from Trump-Xi summit, China should end military pressure. Taiwan said the Trump-Xi summit produced no surprising information and pledged continued close communication with Washington. Mainland Affairs Council spokesman Liang Wen-chieh said China’s military harassment, not Taiwan’s desire to preserve its way of life, was the real threat to peace. He said Beijing should restrain military intimidation if it wants stability in the Taiwan Strait. Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard, Reuters, May 14
Taiwan considers resubmitting request for rejected defence budget items. Taiwan’s government is considering resubmitting defence budget items rejected by parliament after lawmakers approved only two-thirds of President Lai Ching-te’s $40 billion request. The approved funds cover U.S. arms purchases but cut domestic programs including drones and anti-ballistic missile systems. Premier Cho Jung-tai said the cuts undermine defence modernization, while the U.S. has expressed concern over the reduced spending. Ben Blanchard, Reuters, May 14
Kazakhstan
Erdoğan visit puts trade, transit, and Turkic economic integration at center of Kazakhstan’s OTS push. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Kazakhstan visit placed trade, transit and Turkic economic integration at the center of Astana’s OTS agenda. Talks covered the Middle Corridor, Caspian routes, logistics, energy security, defense industry cooperation and investment. Kazakhstan also promoted AI, digital platforms, business financing and the Turkic Investment Fund as tools to turn OTS cooperation into practical economic projects. Stephen M. Bland, The Times of Central Asia, May 14
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan expands energy cooperation with SOCAR and BP at Energy Week forum. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met SOCAR and BP executives during Uzbekistan Energy Week to expand cooperation in oil and gas. Talks covered hydrocarbon development on the Ustyurt Plateau, exploration, production, deep processing, long-term oil and petroleum supplies, and training for energy specialists. SOCAR will open a representative office in Uzbekistan as BP participation in the Ustyurt project advances. Sadokat Jalolova, The Times of Central Asia, May 14
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan: Ex-state security chief to be tried behind closed doors. Former Kyrgyz state security chief Kamchybek Tashiev was charged with preparing a violent seizure of power and misusing official authority, with his trial set to be held behind closed doors. Seven others were also charged. Tashiev denied wrongdoing after his February dismissal, while related investigations into former officials, security officers and alleged abuses by the GKNB continue. Alexander Thompson, Eurasianet, May 14
Kyrgyzstan seeks foreign teachers to ease education staff shortage. Kyrgyz lawmakers proposed incentives to attract foreign teachers and modernize schools and universities. The draft would exempt foreign educators from income tax and social security payments, provide temporary residence permits, and offer tax breaks for institutions and imported educational equipment. Supporters say the changes would bring international teaching standards, digital tools and stronger academic competition as student numbers rise. Sergey Kwan, The Times of Central Asia, May 14
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands elects former China critic Wale as prime minister. Solomon Islands lawmakers elected opposition leader Matthew Wale as prime minister after Jeremiah Manele was ousted in a no-confidence vote. Wale, formerly a critic of the country’s 2022 security pact with China, defeated Peter Shanel Agovaka 26-22. He said the government was taking office during a difficult geopolitical period and has recently sought to ease ties with Beijing. Alasdair Pal and Renju Jose, Reuters, May 15
Trump - Xi Meeting
Xi seeks to buy time as he meets Trump in Beijing. Xi Jinping aims to stabilize relations with Donald Trump and gain time for China’s self-reliance agenda while Trump seeks trade deficit relief, rare earth access, and a political win before midterms. A grand bargain on trade, technology, Taiwan, and geopolitical disputes is unlikely. A limited deal could pause escalation through Chinese purchases, fentanyl controls, investor access, or rare earth concessions while leaving structural tensions intact between rival political economies in place. Helena Legarda and Jacob Gunter, MERICS, May 13
Careful Words on the Trump-Xi Summit. People’s Daily treated Donald Trump’s Beijing visit with caution, keeping the U.S. president off its front page while foregrounding ideology, grain security, regional development, AI at Ningbo port, and party themes. The United States appeared on page three through civic exchange coverage and Ambassador Xie Feng’s four red lines on Taiwan, rights, development, and political systems, signaling firm boundaries before state media framed summit outcomes for domestic readers after talks. David Bandurski, China Media Project, May 14
Xi raises stakes over Taiwan, warns US of ‘clash or even conflict’. Xi Jinping warned Donald Trump that mishandling Taiwan could push China and the United States toward clash or conflict. His language moved beyond past formulas about core interests and red lines, giving Taiwan a military and security frame. Taiwanese analysts viewed the remarks as evidence of Beijing’s rising urgency. Taipei rejected China’s claims, defended the status quo, and named Beijing as the source of instability across the Taiwan Strait region. Miao Zong-Han, ThinkChina, May 14
Trade or Taiwan? Trump and Xi struggle to set the terms. Xi Jinping and Donald Trump used summit choreography at Beijing’s Temple of Heaven to project respect, authority, and stability while seeking to extend a trade truce. Expected commercial deals on farm goods, aircraft, investment, and technology may not resolve deeper disputes over Taiwan, Iran, Ukraine, and artificial intelligence. Xi pressed Washington on Taiwan while Trump sought market access, a domestic political win, and tariff relief goals amid strategic rivalry pressures. The Economist, May 14
Trump in Beijing: Why China may miss Trump after 2029. Trump’s return to Beijing shows a change from disruption toward transactional risk management in U.S.-China relations. Personal rapport, large deals, and summit diplomacy may reduce crisis risk, but rivalry over trade, sanctions, rare earths, technology, and Taiwan remains built into the relationship. Beijing may miss Trump’s willingness to bargain after 2029, when a future president could restore ideological confrontation and undo understandings from his second term through new executive orders. Sim Tze Wei, ThinkChina, May 14
The Iran War
Asia bears the brunt of the Hormuz crisis. Asian economies face severe energy, market, and security costs from the 2026 Iran war and Strait of Hormuz crisis. Most oil and LNG flows through Hormuz serve Asia, leaving Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, and Bangladesh exposed to supply shocks, price spikes, currency pressure, and weak storage. U.S. military redeployments to the Gulf deepen doubts about Indo-Pacific commitments, making regional integration in security, energy, and finance a necessity for resilience planning. Ahmed Aboudouh, East Asia Forum, May 14
The Iran war is rewiring the geopolitics of tech in Asia. The Iran war is straining Asia’s technology supply chains through helium shortages, clean energy demand, sulfur risks, and pressure on chip production. South Korea may need Russian helium as Qatari shipments remain blocked, while higher oil prices speed electric vehicle adoption and boost Chinese batteries, lithium, and EV exports. The conflict could draw Asian technology ecosystems toward China and Russia as Western infrastructure appears vulnerable and critical supply chokepoints tighten. Abishur Prakash, Nikkei Asia, May 14
East Asia
China’s Property Rebalancing: The Long Road to a New Development Model. China’s property slump has entered its fifth year, cutting investment, eroding household wealth, weakening developers, and straining local governments after land sale revenue fell by over half. Beijing seeks a new development model that shrinks real estate’s growth role, expands affordable housing, and reduces speculation. The transition leaves policymakers balancing market stabilization with reform, amid risks of weak consumption, bank stress, job losses, and deflation from price declines and layoffs. Lizzi C. Lee and David Zhang, Asia Society, May 14
Critical Mineral Chokepoints Extend Far Beyond Mining and Refining. China’s leverage over critical minerals reaches past mining and refining into intermediate manufacturing, including wafers, magnets, LEDs, and battery materials. Beijing’s export controls show growing power over these supply chains, while upstream investments by advanced economies remain insufficient. Durable de-risking requires coordinated demand, support for downstream producers, and policies that avoid raising input costs in ways that move dependence toward Chinese finished goods. Laura Gormley, Camille Boullenois, Oliver Melton, Rhodium Group, May 14
China Was Ready for the Age of Anarchy. China’s security establishment views U.S. retrenchment and intervention under Trump as proof that a more lawless order has arrived. Beijing is preparing to protect overseas trade routes, resources, firms, and citizens through intelligence networks, security partnerships, private contractors, and possible intervention. Party-linked thinkers are testing arguments for revising noninterference, raising the risk that China’s global interests create new burdens, resistance, and imperial entanglements across a wider range of overseas crises. Sam Chetwin George, Foreign Affairs, May 14
Beijing draws the line on digital dollars. China’s February 2026 notice reaffirmed that virtual currencies lack fiat status and brought offshore RMB stablecoins and real asset tokens under tighter control. Beijing is responding to Washington’s push for regulated dollar stablecoins while protecting monetary sovereignty, capital controls, and state supervision. Hong Kong provides a bounded test site for HKD stablecoins while China expands digital RMB, CIPS, and mBridge as state-led alternatives for cross-border payments and clearing systems. Bo Ma, Chenxue Xiao, East Asia Forum, May 14
Why Are More U.S. Allies Exploring Ties with China? U.S. allies are opening channels with China as trust in Washington’s trade and security commitments erodes under Trump. Leaders from Australia, Canada, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, South Korea, Spain, and the United Kingdom met Xi in Beijing. Talks centered on tariffs, business deals, clean energy, electric vehicles, AI, global governance, and travel. Experts see these visits as frustration with Washington, with no strategic pivot toward Beijing or a new bloc. Clara Fong, Council on Foreign Relations, May 14
Southeast Asia
ASEAN’s Collective Resilience Agenda: Can It Deliver Under Pressure? ASEAN faces a test of whether summit pledges can become joint action amid the Middle East crisis, trade risks, and energy shocks. Leaders renewed focus on energy security, food resilience, maritime cooperation, trade facilitation, and crisis coordination, but past mechanisms have suffered from weak follow through and national responses. Credibility depends on ratifying APSA, advancing the ASEAN Power Grid, building maritime resilience, and creating faster coordination protocols for regional emergencies. Joanne Lin, Kristina Fong Siew Leng, Melinda Martinus, FULCRUM, May 14
South Asia
What Happened in India’s West Bengal? West Bengal’s election brought a major victory for the Hindu nationalist BJP over the AITC after 15 years of rule, with economic stagnation, job shortages, corruption claims, and anger among women weakening Mamata Banerjee’s base. The BJP mobilized fears over Bangladeshi immigration and Muslim favoritism. Last minute voter roll revisions removed millions, raising concerns about the Election Commission, minority disenfranchisement, electoral fairness, and India’s democracy in state and national contests. Sumit Ganguly, Shibashis Chatterjee, Foreign Policy, May 14.
Central Asia
Continental Asia and the Rise of Portfolio Politics. Continental Asia is becoming a strategic arena as energy, trade, minerals, and capital transition across overland routes from Türkiye to China. Regional states reject bloc alignment and build sector-based portfolios, assigning partners distinct roles in security, transit, finance, technology, and resources. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan use this approach to manage geography, sanctions, and dependence while expanding agency beyond Russia, China, and Washington in a crowded field of external partners. Jennifer B. Murtazashvili, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, May 14