China
China steps up Iran war diplomacy ahead of Trump-Xi summit. China hosted Iran’s foreign minister and urged a comprehensive ceasefire and reopened Strait of Hormuz as Beijing sought diplomatic influence before Trump and Xi meet. Kanis Leung and Huizhong Wu, AP News, May 6
China condemns Japan’s first overseas ‘offensive missile’ test since WWII. China condemned Japan’s Type 88 missile launch during the Balikatan drills in the Philippines, calling it a sign of remilitarization and a threat to regional stability. Liu Zhen, South China Morning Post, May 6
North Korea
N. Korea's revised constitution defines territory, drops unification references. North Korea’s revised constitution defines state territory, removes reunification language, elevates Kim Jong-un’s authority, and grants him command over nuclear forces. Woo Jae-yeon, Yonhap News Agency, May 6
Thailand
Minister defends Thaksin parole decision. Thailand’s justice minister defended the parole approval for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, saying a committee reviewed the case under legal procedures. Mongkol Bangprapa, Bangkok Post, May 5
Taiwan
No consensus reached on defense funds. A fourth cross-caucus meeting failed to reach agreement on Taiwan’s special defense budget, leaving disputed spending levels between the Executive Yuan, TPP, and KMT for a possible Legislative Yuan vote. Jake Chung, Taipei Times, May 7
Myanmmar
Philippines urges Myanmar to grant ASEAN envoy access to Aung San Suu Kyi. The Philippines urged Myanmar to let ASEAN’s envoy meet Aung San Suu Kyi and allow family contact as steps toward dialogue and reconciliation. CNA, May 6
East Asia
The Lessons of the Long Confucian Peace. Confucianism helped sustain peace among China, Japan, Korea, Ryukyu, and Vietnam from 1598 to 1894 by giving rulers a shared moral language, hierarchy, trade, and diplomatic practices. The system reduced conflict through deference to China, ambiguity, and face-saving compromise. Its collapse followed Western pressure and Japan’s turn toward empire. The comparison with democratic peace suggests shared ethics can limit war among rivals. Michael J. Gigante, Joshua Stone, Daniel Druckman, and Ming Wan, Foreign Affairs, May 6
Xi Travels Less but the World Is Coming to Beijing. Beijing and Washington use leader diplomacy in different ways. U.S. presidents travel more, but Xi Jinping has reached more countries since 2013 and focuses on the Global South. China hosts far more foreign leaders, with strong pull in Africa, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia. Washington regained ground in Europe, Latin America, and Oceania, but needs wider senior engagement to compete. Neil Thomas and Yuxuan Wei, Asia Society, May 6
Why Did Beijing Kill a $2 Billion AI Deal? Beijing blocked Meta’s acquisition of Manus to draw security lines around agentic AI, offshore restructuring, and Chinese technology exits through Singapore. Manus lacked deep core technology, yet the deal risked making Chinese AI firms feeder systems for U.S. platforms. The decision signals tighter scrutiny of variable interest entities, data control, and foreign investment reviews. Chinese founders now face harder choices between domestic limits and foreign jurisdictions. Lizzi C. Lee, Foreign Policy, May 6
China's role in enabling Iran's Shahed drone supply lines. China has supported Iran’s Shahed drone ecosystem through component routing, intermediaries, and technology transfer. Shell companies, Hong Kong and mainland firms, and Chinese distributors helped Iran obtain U.S. and foreign parts despite sanctions. Chinese engines, cameras, and resale channels strengthened Shahed variants and Russia’s Geran models. Beijing gains sanctions evasion practice, energy security leverage, and lessons for attrition warfare against U.S. air defenses. Anushka Saxena, Nikkei Asia, May 6
The United States’ Korea Strategy Is Working Against Itself. Washington’s effort to transfer North Korea defense burdens to Seoul conflicts with its push to draw South Korea into China competition. Chinese air and maritime pressure has risen alongside South Korean alignment with U.S. Indo-Pacific goals, straining readiness and distracting from Pyongyang. Seoul needs latitude to manage Beijing, stronger denial and retaliation capabilities, and better crisis channels to reduce incidents without weakening the alliance. Kelly A. Grieco and J. James Kim, Foreign Policy, May 6
Southeast Asia
After Hormuz, Southeast Asia Sees the Potential Value of Tolling the Strait of Malacca. Iran’s disruption of Hormuz has shown Southeast Asian governments the leverage held by states beside maritime choke points. The Strait of Malacca carries vast trade and oil flows, and toll proposals in Indonesia have raised insurance and shipping costs. Singapore rejects monetization, Malaysia stresses joint control, and Thailand promotes a land bridge. Tolling could weaken freedom of navigation, UNCLOS claims, and regional resistance to Chinese pressure. Joshua Kurlantzick, Council on Foreign Relations, May 6
Not distracted: Southeast Asia remains firmly in China’s diplomatic orbit. China remains focused on Southeast Asia despite U.S. ties, Middle East conflict, and summit preparation. Beijing deepened socialist cooperation with Vietnam through agreements, rail links, telecom contracts, and security talks. It sought warmer ties with the Philippines through energy, fertiliser, tourism, and South China Sea discussions. Malaysia’s East Coast Rail Link advances China’s regional connectivity goals, though Vietnam, Manila, and Kuala Lumpur still shape outcomes. Lye Liang Fook, ThinkChina, May 6
Why Not All Indonesian Muslims Support Iran. Most Indonesians oppose the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, but support for Tehran remains divided. Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah, Rizieq Syihab, and PKS condemn the attacks or stress Muslim unity. Salafist and Hizbut Tahrir-linked preachers reject support due to anti-Shi’a theology. Liberal Muslim critics focus on Iran’s theocracy and militant ties. Sectarian disputes, past discrimination, and social media influence shape Indonesian responses. A'an Suryana, Ary Hermawan, FULCRUM, May 6
Cambodia’s microfinance transition needs balance. Cambodia’s transition from microfinance institutions to banks can improve stability, yet may weaken access for rural and low-income borrowers. Rapid credit growth has brought rising non-performing loans, borrower stress, and mission drift. Evidence from 2013 to 2023 shows transitions reduce bad loans and strengthen resilience, but do not expand credit access. Regulation should preserve inclusion, improve oversight, support deposit insurance, and prevent banks from abandoning vulnerable clients. Dina Chhorn, East Asia Forum, May 6
South Asia
India's farms dodged the Hormuz crisis, but its budget didn't. India avoided a kharif fertiliser shock after the Strait of Hormuz reopened, but the crisis exposed deep reliance on Gulf routes for energy and farm inputs. Higher LNG, urea, and DAP prices forced the government to absorb costs through subsidies while protecting farmers from retail hikes. Supplier diversification, including Morocco and Saudi Arabia, became vital as elevated prices threatened the winter crop and budget. Siraj Hussain, East Asia Forum, May 6