China
China unveils new naval defence systems as drones change nature of war at sea. China’s navy said a new anti-drone air defence system passed a finalization test in the Bohai Sea, clearing it for mass production and deployment. State media said it intercepted multiple ultra-low-altitude, stealth drone attacks in a realistic combat simulation, as the PLA Navy expands short-range and directed-energy defences against increasingly effective sea-skimming drones. Liu Zhen, South China Morning Post, May 5
China urges U.S. to drop trade probe as key Trump-Xi summit approaches. China called on Washington to end its Section 301 investigation into alleged excess capacity, arguing at a U.S. hearing that the probe lacks a legal basis and should instead rely on anti-dumping, countervailing duty, or WTO mechanisms. The appeal came days before the expected Trump-Xi summit, as the investigation could provide grounds for new tariffs on China and other major trading partners. Yuanyue Dang, South China Morning Post, May 5
Trump dismisses China friction over Iran war, touts Xi ties before Beijing summit. Donald Trump said China has not challenged the U.S. over the Iran war and praised his relationship with Xi Jinping ahead of their Beijing summit, where Iran and Taiwan are both expected to be discussed. The report also said Washington temporarily paused Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz as ceasefire diplomacy continued despite repeated low-level Iranian attacks. Lucy Quaggin and Dewey Sim, South China Morning Post, May 5
Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi to visit China days ahead of Donald Trump. Abbas Araghchi is set to visit China for talks with Wang Yi as Tehran seeks support ahead of Donald Trump’s planned Beijing trip. The visit comes with the Strait of Hormuz still heavily disrupted, U.S.-China friction rising over Iran sanctions and oil trade, and Beijing continuing to call for a ceasefire while backing Iran’s sovereignty and security. Fan Chen, South China Morning Post, May 5
China's carmakers chase 'Yaris moment' to ignite overseas growth. Chinese automakers are redesigning vehicles specifically for overseas buyers rather than exporting lightly modified China-market models, as weak domestic sales and overcapacity push them to find growth abroad. Companies including BYD, Chery, MG, and Changan are developing smaller hatchbacks for Europe and pickups for Australia and Mexico, aiming to turn fast export growth into durable market share and better margins. Nick Carey, Reuters, May 5
Japan
Japan eyes 'early' transfer of used warships and aircraft to Philippines. Japan and the Philippines agreed to create a new working group to advance defence equipment and technology cooperation, with Tokyo aiming for the early transfer of used Abukuma-class destroyers and TC-90 aircraft. The move would deepen bilateral defence ties and could mark Japan’s first export of a major naval platform in decades after recent changes to its arms export rules. Jesse Johnson, The Japan Times, May 5
South Korea
South Korean April consumer inflation highest in nearly two years amid Iran war. South Korea’s consumer prices rose 2.6% in April from a year earlier, the fastest pace since July 2024, driven by higher oil prices and rising airfares. Prices rose 0.5% from March, with petroleum products up 7.9% on the month. Economists said government fuel price caps are limiting some pressure, but inflation is still likely to stay elevated and could strengthen the case for rate hikes. Jihoon Lee, Reuters, May 5
Hegseth urges South Korea, other countries to step up to help reopen Strait of Hormuz. Pete Hegseth urged South Korea, Japan, Australia, Europe, and other countries reliant on Hormuz energy flows to contribute to the U.S.-led effort to restore safe passage through the strait. He said U.S. Central Command is in contact with the South Korean-operated ship hit by an explosion this week, while Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine said about 22,500 mariners on more than 1,550 commercial vessels remain trapped in the Persian Gulf. Song Sang-ho, Yonhap News Agency, May 5
Finance chief, Uzbek president discuss cooperation in infrastructure, critical minerals. South Korean Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed expanding cooperation in infrastructure, critical minerals, bioindustry, and supply chains during talks in Samarkand. Koo called for more openings for South Korean companies through joint projects, while Mirziyoyev said both sides should identify new areas for cooperation and turn them into tangible trade and investment outcomes. Kim Han-joo, Yonhap News Agency, May 5
Vietnam
Top Vietnamese leader arrives in New Delhi, beginning state visit to India. To Lam arrived in New Delhi for a state visit at Narendra Modi’s invitation, marking his first trip to India in his new role. The visit comes ahead of the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2026 and included an early meeting with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, alongside outreach to Vietnamese diplomats, students, and community representatives in India. Vietnam News, May 5
Thailand
Thai foreign minister seeks ASEAN talks with Myanmar counterpart. Thailand’s foreign minister said he will seek a meeting between Myanmar’s foreign minister and top ASEAN diplomats on the sidelines of this week’s regional gatherings to build support for greater engagement with Myanmar’s new military-backed government. He said Thailand wants ASEAN to move collectively after the bloc’s five-point peace plan failed to halt the conflict, while stressing a step-by-step approach rather than unilateral action. Panu Wongcha-Um, Reuters, May 5
Thailand scraps 25-year-old agreement with Cambodia on joint energy exploration. Thailand unilaterally ended its 2001 agreement with Cambodia on joint offshore energy exploration, saying the pact had made no progress after 25 years and that the move was part of long-standing policy rather than a response to last year’s border fighting. Cambodia said it regretted the decision and would pursue compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS, while Thailand said UNCLOS would guide renewed bilateral talks on maritime boundaries. Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu Wongcha-um and Chantha Lach, Reuters, May 5
Minister defends Thaksin parole decision. Thailand’s justice minister said the parole committee thoroughly reviewed Thaksin Shinawatra’s case and approved his release on clear legal grounds. Thaksin is due to be released on May 11 under conditions including electronic monitoring. The minister said objections can be reviewed through legal procedures, while noting that parole does not bar political expression but generally restricts overseas travel without court approval. Mongkol Bangprapa, Bangkok Post, May 5
Laos
Laos steps up ASEAN diplomacy ahead of regional summit. Laos is intensifying regional outreach before the 48th ASEAN Summit, with Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane visiting Indonesia for talks on trade, investment, tourism, human resource development, and wider ASEAN priorities. The diplomacy also included meetings with business groups and the ASEAN Secretariat, as Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone prepares for summit talks and bilateral meetings in Cebu on May 7-8. Namfon Chanthavong, The Laotian Times, May 5
Cambodia
Cambodia to invoke law of the sea after Thailand scraps bilateral pact. Cambodia said it will initiate compulsory conciliation under UNCLOS after Thailand ended the 2001 memorandum on overlapping maritime claims. Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said Phnom Penh regretted Bangkok’s decision but stressed Cambodia’s maritime rights remain intact. He said the bilateral track has broken down, though negotiations can continue under an international legal framework. Meng Seavmey, Cambodianess, May 5
Philippines
ICC won’t drop case vs Duterte, VP Sara says. Sara Duterte said she and her father have accepted that Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC case will proceed to trial and do not expect the court to let it go. The report said Trial Chamber III could begin proceedings as early as October, while prosecutors and victims’ lawyers urged judges to reject the defense request to appeal the confirmation of charges, saying it would only delay the case. Red Mendoza and Franco Jose C. Baroña, The Manila Times, May 5
Palace: Sara’s 2028 polls prayer ‘baseless, intrigue’. Malacañang dismissed Sara Duterte’s remarks about the 2028 presidential election as baseless and politically provocative after she said she hoped the vote would push through and reaffirmed her plan to run. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the statement was mere intrigue and urged Duterte, as a lawyer, to review the Constitution before making such claims. Catherine S. Valente, The Manila Times, May 5
Indonesia
Indonesian army boosts defense ties with Singapore. Indonesia’s army chief and Singapore’s army chief agreed to deepen military cooperation through education, joint training, and exchanges of knowledge and experience, framing the partnership as part of wider efforts to support regional stability and security. Jakarta also awarded Singapore’s army chief the Bintang Utama Kartika Eka Paksi for his role in strengthening bilateral military ties. ANTARA News, May 5
Indonesia drops plan to place police under ministry, retains current structure. President Prabowo Subianto decided to keep the national police under direct presidential authority rather than place it under a ministry, after weighing the risks and benefits of restructuring. The reform agenda will instead focus on revising regulations, strengthening internal capacity, and expanding the oversight powers of the National Police Commission. Ricki Putra Harahap, Jakarta Globe, May 5
Indonesia says Iranian tankers can pass its waters. Indonesia said Iranian oil tankers may transit its waters under UNCLOS, describing their movement as a lawful exercise of passage rights while authorities verify reports and coordinate internally. The statement came after Iranian tankers were tracked through Indonesian waters as disruption around the Strait of Hormuz continued to push oil prices higher. Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta Globe, May 5
Malaysia
Malaysia among most resilient emerging markets despite global shocks, Moody’s Ratings says. Moody’s said Malaysia has shown durable resilience to recent global financial shocks, with limited and short-lived credit spread widening, moderate yield differentials, and contained exchange-rate moves. The report credited policy adjustments and government spending with supporting investor confidence, but said future resilience will still depend on further fiscal reforms and stronger revenue buffers. Malay Mail, May 5
Singapore
New Skills and Workforce Development Agency to be set up later this year. Singapore will create a new statutory body in the third quarter by merging SkillsFuture Singapore and Workforce Singapore into a single agency with broader responsibilities in career, employment, and training. The government says the new body will offer a more integrated one-stop shop for workers and employers, strengthen support for job transitions, and use data more effectively to match skills with labour-market needs. Vanessa Lim and Ang Hwee Min, Channel News Asia, May 5
Taiwan
Taiwan won't give in to pressure, president says of Africa trip China denounced. Lai Ching-te said Taiwan will not retreat in the face of pressure after returning from a surprise trip to Eswatini that took a long route over the southern Indian Ocean to avoid airspace controlled by countries close to China. Taipei said earlier that overflight denials forced the detour, and Lai cast the visit as proof of Taiwan’s determination to engage with the world. Fabian Hamacher and Ann Wang, Reuters, May 5
Trump, Xi likely to discuss Taiwan next week, U.S. says. Marco Rubio said Taiwan is likely to come up when Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet in Beijing on May 14 and 15. He said neither side wants destabilizing events around Taiwan or elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific. The remarks came as Beijing keeps up military pressure on the island and Washington remains Taiwan’s main international backer and arms supplier. Steve Holland and Trevor Hunnicutt, Reuters, May 5
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan, Austria expand bilateral cooperation with visa agreements and airport security support. Kazakhstan and Austria discussed broader cooperation in Astana, including visa facilitation, readmission arrangements, and Austria’s decision to provide 25 passport readers to Astana International Airport. The talks also covered trade, investment, transport, energy, tourism, education, and logistics links through the Middle Corridor and the EU’s Global Gateway initiative. Both sides said the agreements should give fresh momentum to bilateral ties. Ayana Birbayeva, The Astana Times, May 5
Kazakhstan accelerates AI push to build digital economy. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Kazakhstan must scale up AI and digital platforms to avoid stagnation as traditional growth drivers weaken. He called for unified government data, faster public services, and stronger digital finance tools, while officials highlighted projects in customs, logistics, fintech, data centers, and crypto infrastructure as part of a broader push to build a more competitive digital economy. Aliya Haidar, The Times of Central Asia, May 5
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan showcases $147 billion economy at 59th ADB meeting in Samarkand. Uzbekistan used the ADB meeting in Samarkand to promote its economic reforms, regional connectivity plans, green energy agenda, and AI ambitions. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said the economy has expanded from $50 billion to $147 billion, exports have tripled, and joint projects with the ADB now total nearly $16 billion. Sadokat Jalolova, The Times of Central Asia, May 5
East Asia
Trump’s China Trap. Trump’s pressure on U.S. allies has pushed leaders toward Beijing, giving Xi Jinping propaganda gains and leverage through red carpet diplomacy, trade relief, and selective concessions. Fragmented visits let China deepen dependence, blunt criticism of coercion, and widen trade imbalances. A stronger approach would coordinate allies before talks, set shared redlines on technology, Taiwan, data, and industrial capacity, and condition concessions on verifiable Chinese restraint to preserve national policy autonomy. Michael Kovrig, Foreign Affairs, May 5
China’s Science and Technology Strategy in Perspective: Historical Evolution, Political Drivers, and Global Implications. China treats science and technology as pillars of modernization, security, and global influence. Under Xi Jinping, policy has moved toward party-led self-reliance, centralized governance, and military-civil fusion across government, industry, academia, and defense. Programs such as Made in China 2025 and the Innovation-Driven Development Strategy target AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, standards, and data control, creating collaboration opportunities alongside research security, intellectual property, and national security risks for foreign partners and institutions. Shanshan Mei, Judith Huismans, RAND, May 5
China is arming the Global South and expanding its influence. China has transformed its defense industry into an export power that serves PLA modernization and influence across the Global South. Civil-military integration, state firms, research funding, and BeiDou support drones, missiles, electromagnetic warfare, hypersonics, and precision systems. Affordable platforms, financing, joint production, and technology transfers attract partners such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Serbia, and Iran, while raising concerns over dependence, data sovereignty, interoperability, and strategic alignment in partner security architectures. Tahir Mahmood Azad, ThinkChina, May 5
How dangerous is the current China-Japan rift? China-Japan relations face one of their sharpest crises since normalization after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a Taiwan Strait contingency could become a survival-threatening situation for Japan. Japanese and Chinese scholars disagree over intent, history, and Beijing’s reaction. China views Taiwan as a core interest and has used diplomatic, economic, travel, and export measures. Dialogue, time, leader meetings, and regional forums could ease tensions, but distrust remains deep across societies. Wu Xinbo, Brookings, May 5
The Return of Japanese Hard Power. Japan is rebuilding a defense industry constrained by pacifist norms, export limits, and dependence on the United States. Chinese pressure, doubts about U.S. guarantees, and lessons from Ukraine have driven higher defense spending, arms export changes, and projects in fighters, hypersonics, frigates, drones, munitions, cyber, and space systems. Success requires capacity, talent, cybersecurity, finance, supply chain resilience, sales skills, and reduced exposure to China for a credible industrial revival agenda. Matthew Finkel, Foreign Affairs, May 5
Japan’s deep-sea quest for mineral supply security. Japan’s test of pumping rare earth-bearing mud near Minamitorishima advances its search for mineral supply security, yet commercial viability remains uncertain. China’s rare earth dominance and export controls sharpen the case for diversification. The project supports Japan’s science and technology agenda and could shape seabed governance, but high extraction, refining, and distance costs limit impact. Stockpiling, recycling, trade measures, overseas resources, and substitutes remain necessary for resilience against foreign coercion. Jane Nakano, East Asia Forum, May 5
North Korea’s Strongwoman-in-Waiting. Kim Jong Un is positioning Kim Ju Ae as a potential successor through staged military appearances, honorific language, and Paektu bloodline symbolism. Her early exposure gives the regime time to normalize female inheritance within a patriarchal system and military elite. Maternal state imagery, Kim Yo Jong’s role, and de-gendered visual presentation frame Ju Ae as commander, caretaker, and sacred heir, making succession appear credible within North Korea’s dynastic mythology structure. Donggak Heo, Foreign Policy, May 5
Southeast Asia
Trump’s Southeast Asia Trade Deals Are in Limbo. Malaysia’s cancellation of its tariff deal after the Supreme Court ruling exposed uncertainty around Trump’s Southeast Asia trade agenda. Other governments avoid open confrontation, fearing retaliation through sector tariffs and Section 301 probes. Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore are hedging, seeking clarity while protecting exports, supply chains, and security ties. The region faces fragmented diplomacy as Washington rebuilds its tariff tools under new legal limits and political constraints. Derek Grossman, Foreign Policy, May 5
Malaysia’s affirmative action excludes the disadvantaged. Malaysia’s affirmative action system remains anchored in ethnicity despite changes in poverty, education access, and inequality. Bumiputera-focused policies reduced poverty but now exclude many disadvantaged Chinese, Indian, and other citizens while benefiting affluent Bumiputera groups. PuTERA35 extends this framework despite rural infrastructure, land tenure, income, and capability gaps. A more precise model would screen for household income, need, skills, and growth potential before applying ethnic criteria within targeted support programs. Miyo Tanaka, East Asia Forum, May 5
Sino-Philippine Energy Cooperation in the South China Sea: A Chimera. Philippine shortages after the Gulf crisis revived talk of joint oil and gas development with China, but constitutional limits, mistrust, and nationalism block the path. The constitution requires state control and Filipino ownership thresholds for resource projects, surpassing joint efforts. China rejects Manila’s sovereign rights, while incidents at Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal deepen suspicion. Domestic critics view cooperation as a reward for coercion and a sovereignty risk. Ian Storey, FULCRUM, May 5
South Asia
The rupee is eroding in value despite India's dramatic growth. India’s rupee has weakened despite fast growth, reflecting doubts about fiscal discipline, equity valuations, and the Reserve Bank of India’s credibility. Foreign portfolio outflows, reserve use, offshore derivative restrictions, welfare spending, and household flows into mutual funds have strained confidence. Policy responses should defend an exchange rate range, raise rates, curb speculative exposure, restore fiscal responsibility, cut election freebies, and rebuild trust with global capital managers during the currency pressure cycle. Karan Mehrishi, Nikkei Asia, May 5
Pakistan’s Military Consolidation Under Munir Faces Critical Challenges. Munir has entrenched Pakistan’s military within politics through repression, compliant civilian partners, constitutional redesign, and control over courts, media, and security institutions. International outreach to Washington, Gulf states, Iran, and China supports claims of relevance after conflict with India. The regime faces pressure from Imran Khan’s support, unrest in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, weak reforms, debt, inflation, energy shocks, and border escalation, exposing its concentration of power to future failure. Zoha Waseem, Yasser Kureshi, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, May 5