China
Trump’s China trip highlights bipartisan shift in Washington’s approach to Beijing. Congressional reaction to President Donald Trump’s visit to China showed broad bipartisan concern over any weakening of U.S. support for Taiwan. Democrats criticized Trump for appearing too accommodating toward Beijing, while Republicans stressed that economic engagement must not undercut deterrence in the Taiwan Strait. Lawmakers largely accepted the need for communication with China, but framed the relationship through security, technology and military competition. Teresa Elena Frontado, South China Morning Post, May 18
China denounces Taiwan foreign minister's Geneva visit amid WHO assembly. China denounced Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung’s visit to Switzerland during the World Health Assembly, saying countries should not provide platforms for Taiwan independence activities. Taiwan sent Lin and Health Minister Shih Chung-liang to Geneva for sideline meetings after Beijing again blocked its WHA participation. President Lai Ching-te said Taiwan’s inclusion would strengthen global health rights and support. Liz Lee and Ben Blanchard, Reuters, May 18
Japan
Takaichi mulls extra budget for electricity and gas subsidies. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she is considering a supplementary budget to resume subsidies for household electricity and gas bills as the Middle East war pushes up petroleum and liquefied natural gas prices. She said support from July through September would keep fees below summer 2025 levels, while gasoline subsidies will continue through the summer. Kohei Morioka, The Asahi Shimbun, May 18
Japan, South Korea leaders to affirm cooperation on stable energy supply. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and President Lee Jae Myung are expected to agree in Andong to strengthen cooperation on stable energy supplies as the Middle East conflict disrupts crude oil shipments. The leaders are also likely to discuss resilient critical mineral supply chains, Indo-Pacific affairs and security cooperation involving North Korea, China and the United States. Kyodo News, May 19
Japan LDP draft calls for interceptor drones, long-term combat capability. Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party drafted security proposals calling for early deployment of interceptor drones, high-energy weapons and long-range drones for counterstrike missions. The draft also urges Japan to sustain combat operations for at least a year, strengthen sea-lane defenses, expand domestic weapons production and study next-generation submarines able to carry long-range missiles. Kyodo News, May 18
South Korea
Unification white paper pivots to peaceful 'two-state' coexistence with N. Korea. The Lee government’s unification white paper shifts toward peaceful two-state coexistence with North Korea, emphasizing mutual trust, respect for Pyongyang’s system, no absorption unification, and no hostile acts. It cites halted anti-Pyongyang leaflets, suspended border loudspeaker broadcasts, and plans to revive the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement, while scaling back language on human rights and defectors. Chang Dong-woo, Yonhap News Agency, May 18
North Korea
North Korea's Kim calls to make border with South Korea an 'impregnable fortress'. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for strengthening frontline units along the border with South Korea to more thoroughly deter war. Kim urged expanded practical drills, adjusted training systems and updated operational concepts reflecting modern warfare. South Korea said North Korean troops have increased fortification work near the land border since March, including the construction of walls. Joyce Lee and Heejin Kim, Reuters, May 17
Thailand
Govt pressed on charter reform progress. Deputy Prime Minister's Office Minister Paradorn Prissananantakul said the government would continue pursuing constitutional reform but could not give a timeline because parliament controls the process. Senators pressed for details after more than 21 million voters backed reform in the Feb. 8 referendum. The People’s Party and civil society groups called for broad public participation, limits on Senate influence, and a clear reform roadmap. Aekarach Sattaburuth, Bangkok Post, May 18
Thai Q1 GDP growth beats forecasts, but 2026 outlook unchanged amid Middle East war. Thailand’s economy grew 2.8% year on year in the first quarter, beating forecasts, with support from exports, consumption, investment, manufacturing and government spending. The planning agency kept its 2026 growth outlook at 1.5% to 2.5% as the Middle East war weighs on exports and purchasing power. Unemployment rose to 0.91%. Orathai Sriring, Kitiphong Thaichareon and Chayut Setboonsarng, Reuters, May 18
Myanmar
New Myanmar regime tightens forcible conscription covering 13 million citizens. Defense Minister General Tun Aung ordered regional administrations and immigration officials to compile conscription lists, expanding enforcement of a draft covering roughly 13 million eligible citizens. Authorities have abducted men from homes, streets, and buses, while defectors say conscripts are being sent into active combat despite regime assurances. Nearly 120,000 people have reportedly been recruited in 24 batches. Myo Pyae, The Irrawaddy, May 18
Cambodia
Cambodia, India complete joint CINBAX II war games, strengthen military ties. Cambodia and India completed the second CINBAX II joint military exercise after 14 days of combat simulations, live-fire drills, command post exercises, and technology exchanges. The training focused on interoperability, UN-mandated operations, drones, counter-drone systems, and tactical missions. Officials said the exercise strengthened military cooperation, mutual trust, and professional ties between the two armed forces. Meng Seavmey, Cambodianess, May 18
Philippines
Philippines opens impeachment trial of VP Duterte amid political turmoil. The Philippine Senate opened Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, with hearings yet to be scheduled. Duterte was given 10 days to answer accusations of misusing public funds, amassing unexplained wealth and threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the first lady and a former House speaker. A recent Senate leadership shift tied to fugitive Sen. Ronald dela Rosa could complicate conviction prospects. Nestor Corrales, Karen Lema, Mikhail Flores, Eloisa Lopez and Lorenzo Lesaba, Reuters, May 18
Marcos to tackle security in meeting with Japanese prime minister. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. plans to discuss stronger security cooperation with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during his state visit to Japan, focusing on maritime order, gray-zone tactics in the South China Sea, and broader support for Asean. Marcos cited a new cross-servicing agreement, Japan’s Balikatan 2026 participation, and further exercises, exchanges, and interoperability. Kristina Maralit, The Manila Times, May 19
Indonesia
Indonesia continues Russian oil imports despite U.S. sanctions. Indonesia will continue importing Russian oil after U.S. sanctions relief expired on May 16, with officials citing an independent foreign policy, BRICS membership, and national energy security. The government expects Russian crude to enter Indonesia soon as part of a phased commitment to import 150 million barrels by the end of 2026. ANTARA News, May 18
Prabowo says Indonesia will build defense capability further as Air Force receives Rafale jets. President Prabowo Subianto said Indonesia will keep strengthening defense capabilities as a deterrent while handing six Rafale fighter jets and other hardware to the Air Force. The jets are part of a 42-aircraft Dassault order worth $8.1 billion. The handover also included Falcon 8X aircraft, an Airbus A400M, radar, Meteor missiles and smart weapons. Ananda Teresia, Reuters, May 18
Malaysia
Malaysia PM meets with king amid talk of early elections. Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim met Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim after Anwar floated the possibility of an early election if divisions in the ruling alliance widen. Polls are not due until early 2028, but tensions have grown between Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan bloc and Barisan Nasional, while former cabinet ministers Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad have left Anwar’s party. Rozanna Latiff and Ashley Tang, Reuters, May 18
Taiwan
Taiwan open to direct talks between Trump and Lai amid concerns after Beijing summit. Taiwan said it would welcome a direct call between President Donald Trump and President Lai Ching-te after Trump suggested he might speak with Lai following his Beijing summit with Xi Jinping. Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi said Trump’s remarks caused unnecessary concern but that Taiwan believes U.S. policy remains unchanged. Taipei also emphasized urgent defence needs amid China’s military threat. Ben Blanchard, Reuters, May 18
WHO members reject proposal to invite Taiwan to participate in annual assembly. World Health Organization members rejected a proposal to invite Taiwan to the annual World Health Assembly after China opposed its participation. Palau and other supporters said excluding Taiwan risked weakening global disease surveillance and information sharing. Taiwan previously attended as an observer from 2009 to 2016, but Beijing has blocked its participation since 2017. Olivia Le Poidevin, Reuters, May 18
India
Modi allies push for bigger families despite India’s 1.4-billion population. Allies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are encouraging larger families as India’s fertility rate falls below replacement level despite a population of 1.42 billion. Andhra Pradesh announced cash incentives for third and fourth children, while Sikkim has offered maternity, paternity and IVF support. The RSS also prioritized bigger families, warning that demographic imbalances could create tensions. Krishna N. Das and Rishika Sadam, Reuters, May 18
East Asia
Improving U.S.-China Relations. The 1972 Nixon visit offers a model for managing U.S.-China rivalry through strategic discipline, careful language, and durable mechanisms. Taiwan remains the central test, while trade, technology, AI, and regional security require rules that limit escalation. Trump could use presidential authority to pursue stability, but only if transactions become sustained frameworks. Competition will persist, yet peace depends on restraint, patience, and power-based compromise. Xudong Zhu, U.S.-China Perception Monitor, May 18
China and the U.S. Agreed to ‘Strategic Stability’ in Beijing. They Don’t Define It the Same Way. The Beijing summit created shared language but not shared meaning. Washington framed strategic stability as practical trade management, while Beijing tied it to hierarchy, core interests, and limits on competition. New trade and investment boards may reduce disputes, yet Taiwan, technology controls, industrial policy, and security remain unsettled. The outcome is managed rivalry, not a grand bargain, with allies facing reduced tension and greater uncertainty. Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Council on Foreign Relations, May 18
Trump–Xi summit delivers a triple win. The Beijing summit signals a change from confrontation toward managed competition and practical cooperation. China secured recognition of a stable framework, while the United States gained economic deliverables through agricultural and aircraft purchases. Global markets also benefit from lower uncertainty in supply chains, technology, and trade. Structural rivalry remains, but stronger mechanisms, mutual interests, and governance needs could support a calmer relationship. Gu Qingyang, ThinkChina, May 18
Trump-Xi Meeting in Beijing: A Perspective from Poland. The Beijing meeting reduced U.S.-China escalation, but Poland views the summit through NATO’s eastern flank and Russia’s war in Ukraine. U.S. troop cuts in Europe raise doubts about American predictability, while China’s support for Russia limits trust in Beijing. Poland needs trade with China yet treats it with caution. Europe’s absence from summit priorities underscores the need for Warsaw and the EU to adapt. Konrad Szatters, chinaobservers, May 18
Trump’s China Pragmatism Is Welcome. Rivalry with China remains unavoidable, but full economic rupture would damage the global economy, raise prices, hurt U.S. firms, and divide technology systems into hostile blocs. Trump’s respect for Chinese power may support a pragmatic mix of competition and cooperation. Washington should preserve trade, dialogue, and joint work on nuclear stability, AI safety, pandemics, and financial crises while avoiding Cold War thinking. Fareed Zakaria, Foreign Policy, May 18
Deflation: Beijing’s blind spot or its strategy? China’s deflation reflects weak demand and deliberate industrial expansion in clean energy, electric vehicles, batteries, AI, and advanced manufacturing. Falling prices expose property stress, low consumption, local debt, and corporate losses, yet they also support scale gains in strategic sectors. Beijing tolerates some price pressure while curbing destructive competition. Sustainability depends on household consumption, hukou reform, and social protections, with major spillovers for Southeast Asia. Genevieve Donnellon-May, ThinkChina, May 18
The Invisible Initiative: How China is Using Fishing as a Cover for Gray Zone Warfare. China’s fishing fleets support gray zone operations by blending civilian activity with state-backed maritime coercion. Domestic laws, Coast Guard powers, AIS disablement, and militia structures help Beijing assert claims, evade scrutiny, and pressure rivals without open war. These practices endanger crews, blur civilian and military roles, and expose weak international enforcement. Silence from global institutions allows this maritime strategy to remain hidden. Erica Ruoxin Zhang, Sino-Southeast Initiative, May 18
Central Asia
Uzbekistan fund’s IPO taps growing interest from global investors. Uzbekistan’s National Investment Fund IPO marks the country’s first move into global equity markets and advances President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s reform agenda. Strong growth, investor demand, and Franklin Templeton’s role drew major backing from BlackRock and other buyers. The fund offers exposure to state firms, but weak governance, limited rule of law, and elite resistance create risks. Future privatizations depend on sustained political commitment. Dakota Irvin, Nikkei Asia, May 18