China
China's military says it drove away Dutch frigate in South China Sea. China’s military said it deployed naval and air forces to drive away the Dutch frigate De Ruyter near the Paracel Islands, accusing it of illegal intrusion. The Netherlands said the ship operated in accordance with international law while sailing for diplomatic, security, and economic reasons. The confrontation adds to disputes over China’s South China Sea claims. Yukun Zhang, Shi Bu, Ryan Woo, and Charlotte Van Campenhout, Reuters, May 27
China warns against ‘third party’ influence as Panama Canal port dispute simmers. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha that China-Panama relations should not be interfered with by third countries. The meeting came amid disputes over Panama Canal port operations, U.S. pressure, and Panama’s annulment of concessions held by CK Hutchison’s local subsidiary. Wang called for deeper cooperation and protection of Chinese enterprise interests. Victoria Bela, South China Morning Post, May 27
Japan
Diet approves creation of intelligence command hub. Japan will create a National Intelligence Council and National Intelligence Bureau as early as July after the Upper House approved legislation to strengthen intelligence gathering, analysis, and coordination. The prime minister-chaired council will oversee key national security, counterterrorism, and foreign intelligence activities, while the bureau will coordinate information across ministries. Critics warned that Diet reporting and independent oversight remain insufficient. The Asahi Shimbun, May 27
Japan emperor hails ties with Philippines in state banquet for Marcos. Emperor Naruhito praised Japan-Philippines relations during a state banquet for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Louise Araneta-Marcos, marking the 70th anniversary year of normalized ties. He acknowledged the complicated wartime history, thanked the Philippines for disaster aid after the 2011 and 2024 earthquakes, and expressed hope for stronger trust. Marcos toasted the countries’ enduring friendship. Kyodo News, May 27
South Korea
Gov’t launches 2045 Strategy Committee to draw up future blueprint. South Korea launched the 2045 Strategy Committee to develop long-term national strategies for challenges including polarization, demographic change, regional decline, climate change, technological competition, low birth rates, and aging. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said the panel should gather broad public input, especially from younger generations, and produce concrete implementation plans for the next 20 years. Chang Jae Sun, Yonhap News Agency, May 27
USFK says S. Korea-U.S. alliance remains committed to ‘conditions-based’ OPCON transfer. U.S. Forces Korea said the South Korea-U.S. alliance remains committed to a conditions-based transfer of wartime operational control to Seoul. The statement followed a report that USFK had concerns about a rushed transition. President Lee Jae Myung seeks completion by 2030, while USFK Commander Gen. Xavier Brunson has cited a target no later than early 2029. Song Sang-ho, Yonhap News Agency, May 27
Vietnam
Top Vietnamese leader arrives in Bangkok, continuing official visit to Thailand. General Secretary and President To Lam arrived in Bangkok with his spouse and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation after activities in Udon Thani. Thai officials welcomed the delegation with an honor guard and 21-gun salute. Lam is expected to meet Thai royal and government leaders, attend a business forum, and witness cooperation document signings during the visit. Vietnam News, May 27
Vietnam leader to visit Philippines next week for trade, security talks. Vietnam’s leader To Lam will visit the Philippines from May 31 to June 1 for talks with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on trade, security, and maritime cooperation. Manila is seeking stronger regional alliances and security partnerships, while the Philippines and Vietnam have managed overlapping South China Sea claims with relatively warm ties, including coast guard exercises and naval exchanges. Nestor Corrales, Reuters, May 27
Thailand
Court asked to suspend PP leader. Activist Nopparuj Worachitwutikul petitioned the Supreme Court to suspend People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut from serving as an MP, alleging he violated court instructions tied to the case involving 44 former Move Forward Party lawmakers. The petition cites Natthaphong’s May 21 remarks about a “blue regime,” which Nopparuj said breached conditions set by the court. Wassayos Ngamkham, Bangkok Post, May 27
PP tables new charter rewrite bill. The People’s Party submitted two constitutional amendment bills proposing mechanisms for drafting a new constitution while emphasizing public participation, safeguards against political monopolization, and opposition to expanded Senate powers. Both drafts call for a 150-member Constitution Drafting Assembly, but differ on selection methods, with one relying on direct elections and the other combining public election with parliamentary selection. Bangkok Post, May 27
Cambodia
Cambodia recruits 2% of youth soldiers after conscription law enacted. Cambodia plans to recruit 1.5% to 2% of eligible young people by 2026 under its newly enacted conscription law. Military service is mandatory for men aged 18 to 25 and voluntary for women. Recruits will serve two years, receive financial support, uniforms, and medical coverage, while high school graduates may defer service for up to four years. Teng Yalirozy, Cambodianess, May 27
UN Charter must protect small states: Cambodia tells Security Council. Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn told the U.N. Security Council that Cambodia rejects the use of force to settle border disputes and sees the UN Charter as essential to protecting small states. He cited Cambodia’s postwar recovery, the Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire, and the need to fully implement peace agreements while strengthening multilateral cooperation, international law, and peaceful coexistence. Meng Seavmey, Cambodianess, May 27
Philippines
Philippines launches independent truth panel to probe 'drugs war' killings. A civilian-led Philippine Truth and Reconciliation Commission will investigate alleged extrajudicial killings during Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war, create a credible public record, and prepare case files for law enforcement agencies. The panel, led by former ICC judge Raul Pangalangan, will hold public hearings with victims, families, witnesses, and former perpetrators under protection measures. Nestor Corrales, Reuters, May 27
ICC sets trial date for Philippines' Duterte over alleged crimes against humanity. International Criminal Court judges set Nov. 30 as the trial start date for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who faces three counts of crimes against humanity tied to killings during his drug war. Duterte has denied wrongdoing and said police were instructed to kill only in self-defense. The court has ruled he can participate in hearings with adjustments despite defense claims of cognitive decline. Stephanie van den Berg, Reuters, May 27
DOT welcomes new direct flights from China. The Philippines’ Department of Tourism welcomed new Hangzhou-Manila, Changsha-Manila, and Chongqing-Manila flights as part of efforts to restore air connectivity with China and support tourism recovery. Officials said the routes should increase visitor arrivals, tourism exchanges, and business opportunities. The Chongqing service is the 33rd direct international route launched in the Philippines since early 2025. Moises Cruz, The Manila Times, May 27
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's surprise rate hike risks choking off IMF-backed recovery. Sri Lanka’s 100-basis-point rate hike to 8.75% signals a return to crisis-prevention policy as energy costs, reserve pressure, inflation, and rupee weakness strain the IMF-backed recovery. Analysts warned the move may curb credit, investment, and growth, though it could stabilize the currency and protect IMF targets. The IMF is expected to consider a $700 million reserve-support tranche. Uditha Jayasinghe, Reuters, May 27
Kazakhstan
Tokayev meets China’s top legislator as Kazakhstan-China ties gain momentum. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met China’s top legislator Zhao Leji in Astana as bilateral trade reached a record $49 billion and Chinese investment in Kazakhstan surpassed $29 billion. Tokayev highlighted the investment protection agreement and strong cooperation through international organizations, while Zhao said relations had reached an eternal comprehensive strategic partnership. Ayana Birbayeva, The Astana Times, May 27
Kazakhstan overrides special court’s ruling, sides with Russia over foreign investors. Kazakhstan’s justice minister said the government will not enforce an Astana International Financial Center Court ruling that upheld a $1.4 billion arbitration award against Gazprom in favor of Naftogaz. The decision raises questions about the AIFC court’s independence and Kazakhstan’s ability to offer foreign investors protection from political risk, while signaling Astana’s effort to avoid confrontation with Russia. Eurasianet, May 27
East Asia
China Needs North Korea on Its Side. Xi’s expected trip to Pyongyang would reset relations strained by North Korea’s nuclear status, China’s denuclearization policy, and Kim’s turn toward Moscow. Beijing wants to keep Pyongyang inside its strategic buffer, counter U.S.-Japan-South Korea security coordination, protect influence on the peninsula, and revive northeast China through Tumen River and Rajin-Sonbong access. Kim wants Xi’s endorsement, Chinese aid, leverage for future U.S. talks, and a path to sanctions relief through Beijing. Deng Yuwen, Foreign Policy, May 27.
Chinese Party Diplomacy in Visegrad Countries Shows the Range of Beijing’s Foreign Policy Toolkit. Chinese diplomacy in the Visegrad Four uses both the foreign ministry and the Communist Party’s International Department. Data from 2023 to 2026 show divergent patterns across Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. Czech ties center on communist party contacts, Hungary received ruling-party outreach, Poland used IDCPC channels for officials, and Slovakia engaged the CCP when senior state visits were absent. Beijing benefits from a broader diplomatic toolkit than MFA channels alone. Paulína Ovečková, China Observers, May 27.
Post U.S.-China Summit: Managed Instability. Washington and Beijing agreed to manage economic tensions after the summit, but the truce faces pressure from tariff replacement plans, Section 301 investigations, USMCA review, reciprocal trade talks, and investment screening disputes. The new boards of trade and investment may define tariff relief and limited Chinese investment access. Mistrust, domestic politics, inflation, China-related supply chain rules, and security flashpoints could slow negotiations or halt progress across trade files and diplomacy. Barbara Weisel, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, May 27
Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are suffering industrial rot. AI demand has lifted exports in Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan, but the gains mask stress in non-chip sectors. China has become a rival to industries it supplied in the past, pressuring cars, chemicals, machinery, and batteries. Manufacturing has narrowed around semiconductors and servers, while weak consumption, favored exporters, insecure work, and limited welfare leave households with little buffer. Deeper dependence on AI exports raises recession risk when cycles turn. The Economist, May 27
Southeast Asia
The world’s top condom-maker is getting squeezed. Karex, Malaysia’s condom giant, makes more than 5bn units a year and supplies brands including Durex and Trojan. Its shares have fallen by a third since January after aid cuts, tariffs, a weak dollar, and higher input costs hurt sales and produced another operating loss. Management plans price increases of 20 to 30 percent, while synthetic nitrile condoms offer lower-cost production and fewer allergy risks for potential growth and recovery. The Economist, May 27.
South Asia
Bangladesh’s measles outbreak lays bare governance failures. Bangladesh faces its worst measles outbreak since 2005, with suspected cases reaching 55,000 and deaths exceeding 400 by early May. Falling first-dose and second-dose coverage, vaccine shortages, suspended procurement, health worker strikes, urban outreach gaps, and misinformation left millions of children vulnerable. Emergency vaccination reached some 18 million children, but lasting control depends on digital tracking, zero-dose mapping, trust-building, and restored routine immunisation governance across high-risk urban communities and clinics. Syed Masud Ahmed, Lamisa Rahman, East Asia Forum, May 27.
Oceania
Australia’s agency to craft its own choice. Australia’s old claim that it need not choose between China and the United States has lost force. China remains its top export market, while AUKUS deepens security reliance on Washington. Both powers now create coercive risks. Canberra needs resilience, autonomy, and coalitions with trade-dependent partners. Priorities include defending liberal trade rules, expanding CPTPP membership, coordinating with Europe, and building regional security capacity over decades with shared values and aligned interests. Nick Bisley, East Asia Forum, May 27