China
China lifts peacekeeping budget share amid warnings bodies like UN may be sidelined. China became the second-largest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping after the U.S., with its share rising to nearly 24% as multilateral peace operations face funding shortages and geopolitical paralysis. SIPRI reported that active peace operations fell in 2025, personnel numbers hit their lowest level since at least 2000, and no new UN peacekeeping operations have been created since 2014. Seong Hyeon Choi, South China Morning Post, May 25
Major EU countries push for tougher China policy ahead of Brussels debate. Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France, and Lithuania backed a paper urging stronger EU responses to structural industrial overcapacity and Chinese competition. The proposal calls for broader safeguard measures, a resilience tool for concentrated supply chains, tougher anti-circumvention action, and company-level duties. The European Commission’s China debate is expected to shape upcoming European Council discussions. Finbarr Bermingham, South China Morning Post, May 25
Xi hails 'unbreakable' Pakistan ties, praises Iran peace efforts. Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Beijing and praised the countries’ “unbreakable” partnership. Xi called for deeper cooperation in agriculture, industry, artificial intelligence, talent cultivation, and security. He also acknowledged Pakistan’s mediation efforts over Iran and said China appreciates Islamabad’s constructive role in pursuing peace. Liz Lee and Ethan Wang, Reuters, May 25
China's Huawei reveals chip design breakthrough amid U.S. sanctions. Huawei said it will use advanced chip design and packaging methods to reach transistor density equivalent to 1.4-nanometre processes by 2031, despite U.S. restrictions on China’s access to cutting-edge tools. Its Tau Scaling Law focuses on faster data movement inside chips rather than smaller transistors, with applications planned for Kirin, Ascend, and AI cluster systems. Che Pan, Eduardo Baptista, and Casey Hall, Reuters, May 25
Japan
LDP, JIP and DPP seek emergency clause in Constitution. Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, coalition partner Japan Innovation Party, and opposition Democratic Party for the People supported creating a constitutional emergency clause to extend lawmakers’ terms during major disasters. Other parties, including the Centrist Reform Alliance, Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, and Komeito, urged caution, saying unresolved issues remain before any amendment. The Japan Times, May 24
Japan gov't to compile over 3 tril. yen extra budget: PM Takaichi. Japan will prepare a fiscal 2026 supplementary budget of more than 3 trillion yen to address rising energy prices linked to prolonged Middle East tensions. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said 500 billion yen in reserve funds will support household utility bills from July to September, while new reserve funds will respond to crude oil price shocks. Kyodo News, May 25
South Korea
Foreign ministers of S. Korea, Croatia discuss arms, energy cooperation. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman met in Seoul to expand cooperation in weapons, energy, batteries, science, and technology. The ministers also agreed to pursue a public safety memorandum of understanding, accelerate discussions on a working holiday program, and continue educational and research exchanges between their foreign ministries. Lee Minji, Yonhap News Agency, May 25
Lee calls for stepped-up efforts to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. President Lee Jae Myung instructed officials to accelerate South Korea’s plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, citing the need to strengthen self-defense capabilities against North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile threats. Lee also called for the swift transfer of wartime operational control of South Korean troops from Washington to Seoul. Park Boram, Yonhap News Agency, May 26
Thailand
Ruling party gives timeline on charter amendment. Bhumjaithai Party list-MP Nikorn Chamnong said Thailand could promulgate a new constitution by mid-2029 if the charter amendment bill passes parliament on schedule. The process would include a second referendum early next year, creation of a Constitution Drafting Assembly, public consultations, completion of a draft by September 2028, and a third referendum in February 2029. Aekarach Sattaburuth, Bangkok Post, May 24
PP leader blasted over ‘blue regime’ remark. Eighty-nine senators threatened legal action unless opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut apologizes within three days for describing the Senate as part of a “blue regime” rooted in the 2017 Constitution. Senators rejected the accusation, defended their selection process, and said the dispute would not affect voting on constitutional amendments. Natthaphong said his remarks targeted a broader political structure. Bangkok Post, May 25
Myanmar
Myanmar military steps up fight for rare earth area and border routes. Myanmar’s military has launched offensives in border regions, including Kachin, Chin, and Karen states, targeting rare earth mining areas, communications routes, and trade corridors. New military chief Ye Win Oo is pushing to retake strategic areas held by ethnic armed groups. Resistance representatives said the military is using heavy aerial bombings and faces deep mistrust over peace overtures. Reuters, May 25
Myanmar regime moves to stifle reporting on border encroachment by China. Myanmar’s regime is pressuring domestic media over coverage that China has built border fences inside Myanmar territory in northern Shan State. The Foreign Ministry urged tighter scrutiny of reporting that could affect ties with Beijing, while local reports described fences advancing into MNDAA- and UWSA-controlled areas, absorbing homes, waterways, and border markers. The Irrawaddy, May 25
Conscription fueling ‘rampant’ human trafficking in Myanmar. Myanmar’s forced conscription system has created a human trafficking market in which young people are abducted, sold to the military, or used as paid substitutes. Families are seeking help from military-linked monks, while ward administrators, Pyu Saw Htee militias, and pro-regime gangs are accused of detaining poor residents, extorting households, and selling conscripts to meet quotas. The Irrawaddy, May 25
Cambodia
Cambodian king pardons former opposition leader. Cambodia’s king pardoned former opposition leader Kem Sokha weeks after a court upheld his treason conviction and 27-year sentence. The royal decree applied only to the original sentence, while restrictions on political activity and travel remained. A democracy group said the pardon shifted his detention into political confinement, while the government denied targeting opponents. Josh Smith, Reuters, May 25
Philippines
DOJ probes dela Rosa escape from Senate. The Justice Department is investigating Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s disappearance from the Senate, with Sen. Robinhood Padilla among possible persons of interest. Padilla admitted to driving dela Rosa out of the Senate and dropping him on Ayala Avenue, where another vehicle waited. The NBI cited security footage showing a van registered to Padilla leaving the Senate complex after a shooting incident. Franco Jose C. Baroña, The Manila Times, May 25
Defense, energy top priorities in Marcos state visit to Japan. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to seek stronger security and energy resilience cooperation during his May 26-29 state visit to Japan. Talks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will cover maritime and defense cooperation, economic ties, emerging sectors, Asean, Indo-Pacific challenges, and Middle East developments. New agreements on defense, trade and investment, and human resources are expected. Kristina Maralit, The Manila Times, May 25
Indonesia
Indonesia to revise state budget law but deficit ceiling not the focus, lawmaker says. Indonesia’s parliament will begin revising state finance laws, but a senior lawmaker said changes to fiscal deficit rules are not the focus. The omnibus bill would align financial laws with sovereign wealth fund Danantara, shifting the stakeholder role for state investments from the finance minister and directing state company dividends to the fund instead of the state budget. Gayatri Suroyo, Reuters, May 25
Taiwan
Trump call would be positive, no planning talks have taken place, Taiwan says. Taiwan’s foreign minister said a call between President Donald Trump and President Lai Ching-te would be positive, but no planning talks have taken place and the initiative rests with Trump. A call would be unprecedented since 1979 and could strain ties with Beijing. Taiwan said Lai is prepared, while Trump has not decided on a new arms package. Ben Blanchard, Reuters, May 25
Taiwan tracks second Chinese 'combat' patrol in a week, sends ships and jets to monitor. Taiwan sent ships and fighter jets to monitor China’s second “joint combat readiness patrol” near the island in a week. Taiwan’s defence ministry detected 21 Chinese aircraft, including J-16 fighters and drones, operating with warships around the island. Taipei also reported recent coast guard tensions near the Pratas Islands and increased Chinese ship activity in the first island chain. Ben Blanchard, Reuters, May 25
Taipei ‘optimistic’ about arms deal even after U.S. Navy chief says it’s on ice. Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo said Taipei remains cautiously optimistic about a proposed US$14 billion U.S. arms package despite comments from acting U.S. Navy chief Hung Cao that the sale was paused over ammunition needs for the Iran war. Taiwanese officials said Washington has not notified Taipei of any policy change, while opposition lawmakers and analysts suggested political factors may be driving uncertainty. Lawrence Chung, South China Morning Post, May 25
Lawmakers set to visit Taiwan-controlled island in S. China Sea this summer. Taiwanese lawmakers are scheduled to visit Dongsha Island on July 9, which would be their first trip there in eight years. The delegation plans to inspect Coast Guard personnel, Dongsha National Park facilities, a water treatment plant, the post office, the wharf, a temple, and a research station. Dongsha, also known as Pratas Island, is administered by Taiwan and claimed by China. Chen Chun-hua and Joseph Yeh, Focus Taiwan, May 25
Foreign minister calls for non-partisan diplomacy ahead of KMT chair’s U.S. trip. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said diplomacy should transcend party lines and serve Taiwan’s national interests before KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun’s planned U.S. visit. Lin said Cheng should convey the government’s position that peace requires strength, Taiwan must stay united against Chinese pressure, and U.S.-Taiwan communication channels remain institutionalized after the Trump-Xi meeting. Yang Yao-ju and Ko Lin, Focus Taiwan, May 25
India
Australia-India-Japan-US Quad seeks relevance as foreign ministers meet in New Delhi. Foreign ministers from Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S. are meeting in New Delhi to regain momentum for the Quad. The talks are expected to focus on maritime security, critical minerals, China’s growing power, and disruptions from the Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz closure. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the group should pursue concrete actions and work toward a leaders’ meeting. Michael Martina, Aftab Ahmed, Saurabh Sharma, and Tim Kelly, Reuters, May 26
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka in talks to buy fuel from China and Russia, minister says. Sri Lanka is negotiating purchases of Russian crude and refined fuels from Russia and China to ease shortages caused by global energy disruptions. Officials raised fuel prices by 40%, rationed sales, and declared Wednesdays public holidays to counter the squeeze. Payment methods with Moscow and pricing with Beijing remain unresolved, while Colombo hopes to use a temporary U.S. sanctions waiver before June 17. Uditha Jayasinghe, Reuters, May 25
Bangladesh
ADB to provide $5 billion to Bangladesh as economic pressures mount. The Asian Development Bank will provide Bangladesh with $5 billion over five years to improve connectivity, boost investment, and support balanced regional development as global conflicts and domestic financial strains pressure the economy. The package includes about $1 billion annually, $1.4 billion in 2026 loan agreements, and additional support for commodity-related financing gaps. Ruma Paul, Reuters, May 25
Kazakhstan
Russian President Putin to pay state visit to Kazakhstan this week. Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Kazakhstan from May 27 to 29 at President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s invitation. The leaders are expected to discuss Kazakhstan-Russia relations, the comprehensive strategic partnership, and allied cooperation. The visit will coincide with the Eurasian Economic Forum and Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meetings in Astana focused on integration, trade, transport connectivity, and industrial cooperation. Ayana Birbayeva, The Astana Times, May 25
East Asia
Hormuz Is a Warning for the Indo-Pacific. The Hormuz crisis shows how states can weaponize chokepoints with mines, drones, missiles, tolls, and blockade threats, disrupting energy flows and testing maritime law. Asia faces higher stakes because Malacca, Taiwan, Luzon, Sunda, and Lombok carry trade, energy, semiconductor, and military traffic. Washington and partners need stronger maritime awareness, secondary ports, semiconductor diversification, sanctions planning, and legal credibility to defend transit rights. Lynn Kuok, Foreign Affairs, May 22
Why frontier firms in developing East Asia are falling behind. East Asia’s productivity slowdown stems from frontier firms lagging global leaders in digital manufacturing, services, and advanced technology adoption. Limited competition, non-tariff barriers, service restrictions, state ownership, weak management, skill shortages, and uneven fiber broadband access hold firms back. Coordinated reform across services liberalization, human capital, infrastructure, and openness can raise productivity, attract investment, and help the region benefit from artificial intelligence. Francesca de Nicola, Aaditya Mattoo, Jonathan Timmis, East Asia Forum, May 23
how is the SOE scorecard shifting? China is revising central SOE assessment to align each firm’s mission with its scorecard. Draft rules would clarify functional roles, expand value-added accounting, and evaluate strategic contribution alongside financial returns. The shift addresses conflicts faced by firms that carry out public-service, security, infrastructure, and technology self-reliance tasks while meeting standard commercial asset-growth standards. The challenge is pricing strategic value without giving weak performers cover for poor results under new oversight frameworks. CHINA POLICY, May 25
Purged Chinese Generals Get Harsher Sentences. Xi Jinping is setting harsher punishment norms for purged military leaders after former defense ministers Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu received suspended death sentences without parole or commutation. The verdicts elevate political disloyalty above corruption and may shape cases against other senior officers. The campaign strengthens Xi’s personal authority over the military while testing elite protections, legal limits, and deterrence inside China’s top ranks. Christopher Nye, Foreign Policy, May 22
Hooked on tobacco: Why China can’t quit despite decades of control. China’s tobacco control remains constrained by a state monopoly that makes China Tobacco both regulator and operator while also supplying fiscal revenue. Smoking disputes in Shenzhen and Shanghai reveal weak enforcement even in cities with strict rules. Around 300 million smokers, 740 million secondhand smoke exposures, provincial dependence on tobacco taxes, limited tax reform, the absence of national legislation, and cigarette-based social customs keep public health goals at odds with state and local interests. Liu Liu, ThinkChina, May 25
Xi’s Flurry of Post-Trump Diplomacy. Xi Jinping’s meetings with Trump and Putin may be followed by a rare trip to North Korea, signaling China’s effort to reassert influence over Pyongyang as Russia gains leverage. North Korea’s military ties with Moscow, sanctions resilience, and stronger confidence complicate Beijing’s position. A visit would support bilateral control, manage Russia’s role, and present China as a central power in global diplomacy. Rishi Iyengar, Foreign Policy, May 22
Trump’s China trip opens doors for US business. Trump’s Beijing visit brought leading US executives from finance, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, consumer technology, biotechnology, payments, and aerospace to seek market access, regulatory relief, and stronger commercial ties. Citigroup gained approval for its own securities firm, Nvidia pursued renewed chip sales, Illumina sought easing after export restrictions, Qualcomm stressed supply chain cooperation, while Boeing secured an initial Chinese commitment to buy 200 aircraft after a long nine-year order drought. Du Zhihang, Yue Yue, Zou Xiaotong and Ding Yi, ThinkChina, May 25
China’s diplomatic successes are broad but shallow. China is expanding its influence through a wide network of partnerships that demand little beyond silence on internal affairs, support for core interests, and openness to trade and investment. This thin diplomacy lets Beijing engage rivals across divides, from Russia and Ukraine to Iran and Saudi Arabia. Partners gain access, status, and commerce, but receive limited security backing and few alliance commitments. The Economist, May 25
China–India rapprochement is tactical, not strategic. China–India relations have improved since the October 2024 border agreement, with resumed leadership exchanges, restored connectivity and incremental steps on trade and border management. But these developments reflect pragmatic stabilization rather than a strategic reset, since key sources of tension, such as border disputes and China’s relations with Pakistan, remain unresolved. Chietigj Bajpaee, East Asia Forum, May 25
No Limits, No Good Options. Putin’s Beijing visit exposed Russia’s dependence on China despite shared opposition to US primacy. China buys discounted Russian oil, supplies machinery, vehicles, electronics, and dual-use goods, and keeps Moscow’s defense industry afloat, but it has not accepted Russia’s preferred Power of Siberia 2 terms. Beijing holds greater leverage through energy alternatives and market access, leaving Russia tied to an unequal partnership shaped by Putin’s anti-Western strategy and shrinking diplomatic options. Dimitar Bechev, Foreign Policy, May 22
Closer Than Ever: China as the Main Partner in Spain’s New Asia-Pacific Strategy. Spain’s 2026-2029 Asia-Pacific Strategy places China at the center of Madrid’s regional agenda, building on frequent visits, a Joint Action Plan, and expanding commercial ties. The approach emphasizes investment, industrial cooperation, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, and strategic dialogue while giving little attention to human rights, Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, or maritime disputes. EU leniency and US friction under Trump support Madrid’s China-focused diplomacy and a softer framing of Spain’s foreign policy toward Asia. Paulína Ovečková, China Observers, May 25
Japan should not abandon its peace brand. Japan faces pressure to revise its constitution and expand military power as China, North Korea, and Russia sharpen regional threats. Its postwar restraint, embodied by Sadako Ogata’s humanitarian legacy, has built rare global trust and diplomatic credibility. Security adaptation may be needed, but abandoning Article 9’s peace identity would weaken a national brand rooted in restraint, development aid, stability, and moral influence. Nancy Snow, Nikkei Asia, May 25
Analyzing North Korean Patents and Academic Journals for Evidence of Chemical Weapons Potential. Project Anthracite uses open-source tools, patents, satellite imagery, and translated North Korean scientific journals to assess chemical weapons potential based on industrial plausibility. The evidence does not prove production or intent, but it shows domestic work on dual-use intermediates, organophosphorus chemistry, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and corrosion-resistant handling. North Korea’s raw materials, technical workforce, and lack of Chemical Weapons Convention oversight justify sustained monitoring and deeper analysis of risk indicators in its chemical industry. Gareth Williams, 38 North, May 22
Southeast Asia
Using Large Language Models to Disrupt Scammers in Southeast Asia. LLM-driven scambaiting could help Southeast Asian governments disrupt scam syndicates that rely on high-volume calls, scripted workflows, and social engineering from compounds in Cambodia and Myanmar. Systems modeled on Western Amber can occupy scammers with AI-generated victims while complementing ScamShield, public education, financial safeguards, and law enforcement cooperation. Success requires local languages, dialects, volunteer voice data, consent protections, demographic realism, and planning for adaptation and diplomatic risks across the region. Brandon Tan Jun Wen, FULCRUM, May 22
Who Will Build ASEAN’s Digital Future? The Education and Talent Gap Behind the Region’s Digital Economy. ASEAN’s digital economy is expanding through e-commerce, AI, data centers, and regional frameworks, but its talent base cannot support projected growth. Weak digital literacy, uneven AI training, thin STEM pipelines, limited teacher capacity, and poor recognition of qualifications constrain implementation. Stronger schools, TVET pathways, industry-linked learning, cross-border mobility, and skills standards are needed to turn digital ambition into workforce capability and durable regional growth across the broader ASEAN economy by 2030. Pravin Periasamy, Sino-Southeast Initiative, May 22
Indonesia’s non-alignment in an age of rivalry. Indonesia’s US defense partnership provides military modernization, spare parts, joint exercises, and capacity building amid Chinese pressure in the North Natuna Sea. Public concern centers on leaked claims of blanket US overflight access, sovereignty risks, and entrapment in the US-China rivalry. The bebas aktif doctrine requires transparency, parliamentary review, legal limits, and equal partnerships that protect autonomy while supporting national defense. Alfin Basundoro, East Asia Forum, May 22
The limits of Indonesian hospitality. Chinese investor confidence in Indonesia is weakening as abrupt rule changes, royalty hikes, tax inspections, foreign exchange retention rules, quota cuts, and alleged extortion strain long-term nickel and infrastructure partnerships. The China Chamber of Commerce warned that policy uncertainty threatens jobs and investment. Indonesia’s friendly social image contrasts with weak regulatory predictability, fiscal pressure, and community conflicts around Chinese-funded projects. Irvan Maulana, Nikkei Asia, May 24
Malaysia’s palm oil paradox. Malaysia has increased palm oil output through intensification, technology, mechanization, replanting, and by working within land constraints rather than through large domestic forest expansion. The model reduces pressure at home but shifts harms to Indonesia, where Malaysian-linked investment supports plantation growth, rainforest clearing, peatland operations, land burning, and agrarian conflict. Stronger overseas due diligence, traceability, and accountability rules, along with cooperation with Indonesia, are needed to prevent sustainability from becoming displacement. Wahyu Wulandari, Eko Bagus Sholihin, East Asia Forum, May 23