Asia Daily: November 12, 2025

China

New measures seek to reduce school stress. China’s Ministry of Education has issued new guidelines to reduce academic pressure and improve mental health among students. Policies include banning student ranking, limiting homework and testing, mandating daily physical activity, restricting screen time, and increasing counseling support. Schools must also assist vulnerable students and improve home-school coordination. Zou Shuo, China Daily, November 12

PLA shows first footage of Chinese GJ-11 drone working with crewed J-20 fighter. China has released its first video showing the GJ-11 stealth drone flying in formation with the J-20 and J-16D jets, marking a debut for manned-unmanned teaming. The footage suggests datalink coordination and potential roles in stealth strikes, electromagnetic suppression, and future autonomous combat networks. Alcott Wei, South China Morning Post, November 11

China keen to pick up pace of cooperation with Canada, top Chinese diplomat says. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Canadian counterpart Anita Anand that Beijing is ready to expand cooperation and resume exchanges across multiple sectors. The call followed the first China-Canada leadership meeting since 2017, where both sides agreed to restart bilateral initiatives and repair strained relations. Dewey Sim, South China Morning Post, November 11

U.S.-China port fee suspension draws major backlash as well as huge relief. The U.S. suspension of new port fees on Chinese ships has sparked criticism from lawmakers and unions who argue it weakens maritime leverage and contradicts previous policy. While shippers welcome the relief, opponents warn of long-term strategic risks and industry setbacks. Beijing dropped its retaliatory fees following the move. Khushboo Razdan, South China Morning Post, November 11

Japan

LDP panel asks government for firm response to Chinese diplomat’s remarks. Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party urged the expulsion of Chinese Consul General Xue Jian after he posted a violent threat online following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan. The panel demanded a strong response unless China takes corrective action, citing national security concerns. Kyodo News, November 11

Japan forced into damage control over Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks. The Japanese government sought to ease tensions after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a Taiwan conflict could trigger Japan’s right to collective self-defense. China issued a strong protest, calling the remarks a breach of past commitments. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara reaffirmed Japan’s support for peaceful resolution and deeper communication with Beijing. Nobuhiko Tajima, The Asahi Shimbun, November 11

South Korea

Special counsel detains ex-PM Hwang over alleged insurrection incitement. Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn was detained after repeatedly ignoring summonses from a special counsel investigating martial law-related actions under ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol. Hwang allegedly incited insurrection by urging arrests of lawmakers and promoting anti-government action in social media posts following the December 3 martial law declaration. Lee Haye-ah, Yonhap News Agency, November 12

Gov’t to form task force to probe officials’ involvement in martial law bid. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok announced a task force to investigate civil servants linked to former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed martial law plan. Forty-nine agencies will be reviewed, with twelve facing intensive scrutiny. President Lee Jae Myung endorsed the move, calling for disciplinary action alongside the ongoing special counsel investigation. Yi Wonju, Yonhap News Agency, November 11

North Korea

Seoul keeps backing U.N. resolution against N. Korean human rights violations. South Korea has co-sponsored the latest U.N. resolution condemning North Korea’s human rights abuses, maintaining its stance under President Lee Jae Myung despite a focus on dialogue. The move marks a shift from the Moon administration’s non-support from 2019 to 2022 and affirms a principled approach to rights issues. Kim Seung-yeon, Yonhap News Agency, November 12

North Korea intensifies indoctrination promoting ‘complete nation’ status under new doctrine. North Korea has launched a nationwide ideological campaign declaring itself a fully independent nation under Kim Jong Un’s “two hostile states” doctrine. Study sessions, new maps, and propaganda material aim to eliminate unification rhetoric and erase South Korea from public consciousness, with officials ordered to block outside information and reinforce the new national identity. Jeong Seo-yeong, Daily NK, November 11

North Korea abruptly recalls trade representatives from China, replaces some with new officials. North Korea has suddenly recalled trade officials from Dandong, Shenyang, and Donggang, replacing several ahead of the Ninth Party Congress to boost foreign currency earnings. Some were removed early due to poor performance, and others have not returned. The reshuffle disrupted business ties and heightened pressure on remaining representatives. Seon Hwa, Daily NK, November 11

Thailand

PM supports military response to Cambodian threats. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul endorsed armed forces action following the placement of additional Cambodian landmines in Thai territory, which he said violated the Kuala Lumpur peace agreement. Visiting injured soldiers in Si Sa Ket, he declared the agreement null and affirmed that Thailand would act independently to protect national interests. Bangkok Post, November 12

Thailand suspends Cambodia ceasefire deal, testing Trump-brokered truce. Thailand halted implementation of its ceasefire with Cambodia after a landmine injured four Thai soldiers, accusing Cambodia of planting new explosives. Cambodia denied the charge, citing leftover wartime ordnance. The October truce, brokered by Donald Trump, now faces uncertainty as Thailand prepares to inform the U.S. and ASEAN of its position. Panu Wongcha-um, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat Thepgumpanat, and Ashley Tang, Reuters, November 11

Vietnam

Vietnam expects to sign trade deal with U.S. soon, deputy PM says. Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son announced that Vietnam anticipates finalizing a reciprocal trade agreement with the United States, as talks begin in Washington. The deal aims to preserve 20% tariffs on Vietnamese imports while exempting some products. Hanoi is also urging U.S. recognition of its market economy status. Khanh Vu and Francesco Guarascio, Reuters, November 12

Myanmar

Holding Myanmar elections next month ‘unfathomable’, UN rights chief. UN High Commissioner Volker Turk stated that Myanmar’s upcoming December elections cannot be free or fair amid civil war, bombings, and widespread repression. He cited military control, blocked opposition, and restricted civic space as making elections impossible. Rebel groups plan to obstruct voting in their territories. The Irrawaddy, November 12

Myanmar junta insists election to go ahead despite international rejection. Myanmar’s military government confirmed its December 28 election plan, dismissing foreign criticism and barring key opposition figures. ASEAN, rights groups, and Western governments have condemned the poll as illegitimate amid mass arrests, civil war, and the exclusion of major parties. A junta survey found 98% public distrust. The Irrawaddy, November 11

Laos

Laos, Australia vow stronger partnership, detail key areas of cooperation. Laos and Australia reaffirmed their Comprehensive Partnership during the 16th Senior Officials’ Meeting in Canberra, pledging cooperation in development, trade, climate, and security. Agreements include education and health programs, foreign investment facilitation, climate initiatives, UXO clearance, and joint efforts against transnational crime. Multilateral collaboration within ASEAN and the UN was also emphasized. Times Reporters, Vientiane Times, November 12

Lao FM visits N. Korea following summit talks in Oct. Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane arrived in Pyongyang on November 11 for a follow-up visit after President Thongloun Sisoulith’s summit with Kim Jong Un marking the Workers’ Party’s 80th anniversary. The trip signals further coordination after the leaders agreed to deepen bilateral ties. Lee Minji, Yonhap News Agency, November 12

Cambodia

Cambodia denies laying new landmines, reaffirms commitment to peace accord with Thailand. Cambodia rejected Thai allegations that new mines caused the November 10 blast injuring Thai soldiers, citing remnants from past conflicts. Officials reaffirmed adherence to the October 26 peace accord and Ottawa Convention, condemned misinformation, and urged continued demining cooperation. Thailand suspended the agreement and detained 18 Cambodian soldiers. Ben Sokhean, Khmer Times, November 12

Philippines

Prosecution backs removal of ICC expert on Duterte health over offensive social media posts. The ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor supported revoking a neuropsychologist’s appointment after defense attorneys cited offensive posts. Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang proposed a new expert and tighter vetting, while opposing delays in evaluating Rodrigo Duterte’s mental fitness for crimes against humanity proceedings. Franco Jose C. Baroña, The Manila Times, November 12

House to pass ICI bill, push for anti-dynasty bill, says Speaker Dy. Speaker Faustino Dy III pledged swift passage of a bill strengthening the Independent Commission for Infrastructure before December adjournment, citing public intolerance for corruption. He also urged support for anti-dynasty legislation to implement constitutional provisions and define prohibited political family relationships. Reina C. Tolentino, The Manila Times, November 11

Indonesia

Neighbors Indonesia, Australia unveil new security treaty. Indonesia and Australia concluded negotiations on a new bilateral security treaty during President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to Sydney. The agreement, modeled on the 1995 Suharto–Keating treaty, establishes regular high-level consultations and joint responses to security threats. Albanese is set to visit Jakarta in January for formal signing after domestic processes conclude. Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta Globe, November 12

Singapore

Singapore officially launches new Communicable Diseases Agency for pandemic preparedness. Singapore has launched the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA), a statutory board under the Ministry of Health, to strengthen disease surveillance, outbreak response, and pandemic planning. Formed from NCID and MOH units, CDA will also conduct research, manage vaccinations, and coordinate with international partners to bolster national health security. Erin Liam, Channel News Asia, November 12

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan, U.S. enter new phase of strategic partnership, experts say. President Tokayev’s U.S. visit secured $17 billion in deals and marked a shift to pragmatic cooperation centered on investment, innovation, and critical minerals. Analysts highlighted Kazakhstan’s growing financial role, its 40% share of global uranium, and rising U.S. trust. Joint projects span locomotives, satellites, and regional digital infrastructure. Fatima Kemelova, The Astana Times, November 11

East Asia

Trump and Xi skipped Taiwan: Calm before the storm? Taiwan was absent from the 30 October Busan summit, a rarity given its usual place in top level exchanges. Limited time, tight schedules, and a streamlined agenda explain the omission, while planned leader exchanges in 2026 pushed hard topics to later. Trump’s “Taiwan is Taiwan” remark signaled no concessions and Washington’s line against trading Taiwan for deals remained intact. Beijing meanwhile advances unification narratives and builds leverage. The strait stays volatile with risks of miscalculation and a premium on dialogue and restraint, with the United States facilitating stability rather than mediating a settlement. Zhiqun Zhu, ThinkChina, November 11

China’s new climate targets show progress but lack ambition. On 24 September 2025 President Xi Jinping announced updated targets for China’s forthcoming NDC, including a goal to cut total greenhouse gas emissions 7 to 10 percent by 2035 from a peak before 2030. Tsinghua researchers outlined a path to net zero by 2060, moving more abatement abroad. The package shows progress amid slower growth, yet ambition remains limited, with coal phase-out language omitted and domestic coal use expanding in recent years. The 3600 gigawatt wind and solar target also implies a slower build rate than the recent 2023 to 2025 pace, averaging about 180 gigawatts per year through 2035. Key implementation details remain undefined domestically. Jorrit Gosens, East Asia Forum, November 11

How China Fueled the Global Solar Energy Revolution. Beijing now commands over four-fifths of the global solar supply chain. It poured more than 50 billion dollars into manufacturing capacity, creating intense competition that slashed costs and lifted exports. In the first half of 2025 the country installed more capacity than the rest of the world combined, and in May alone added roughly 230 million panels at nearly one hundred per second. Prices dropped by more than eighty percent in a decade while export revenues peaked in 2023 and have lagged since. Africa’s imports jumped sixty percent and South Africa approved a panel assembly plant, yet Pakistan imported even more during the same period. Global talks will feel this. Christina Lu, Foreign Policy, November 11

Japan’s new prime minister tests the waters abroad. Eleven days after her 21 October election, Sanae Takaichi began a tour, starting with ASEAN–Japan Summit in Kuala Lumpur on 26 October where leaders linked the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo Pacific with Japan’s Free and Open Indo Pacific. She met President Donald Trump on 28 October, calling the alliance the greatest in the world and committing to implement the 2022 National Security Strategy early and revise it within a year. At APEC in South Korea she extended talks with President Lee Jae Myung and reaffirmed shuttle diplomacy. A half hour meeting with Xi Jinping followed, with Beijing accentuating the Murayama Statement and One China policy accordingly. Kazuhiko Togo, East Asia Forum, November 11

Southeast Asia

Malaysia’s AI boom risks locking country into a fossil fuel future. Malaysia’s data center electricity use is projected to rise from 8.5 terawatt hours in 2024 to as high as 68 TWh by 2030, equal to nearly 30 percent of current national demand and comparable to Singapore’s 2023 consumption. Coal still supplies nearly half of generation, with gas at 36 percent and hydropower at 17 percent. Tenaga Nasional plans 6 to 8 gigawatts of new gas capacity by 2030, risking LNG imports within five years. Methane leakage undermines gas climate gains and CCS currently captures under 0.1 percent of global emissions. Renewable targets of 31 percent by 2025 and 40 percent by 2035 face delays without 45 to 75 billion dollars in clean investment. Tim Daiss, Nikkei Asia, November 11

Laos’s reforms set the stage for leadership transition. The Lao People’s Revolutionary Party plans a leadership transition at the 12th National Congress in early 2026, after a March 2025 constitutional amendment and government restructuring that devolved more power to local administrations and merged overlapping ministries to improve governance. The amended preamble affirms an independent and self reliant economy and aligns with graduation from least developed status in 2026. Prominent families retain influence, yet rising technocratic cadres are positioned to play a role in economic management. Two trajectories are outlined for 2026, either veterans hold power while delegating more authority or technocrats assume key posts. President Thongloun’s imprint on modernization is to persist across outcomes in Laos. Toshiro Nishizawa, East Asia Forum, November 11

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