China
Chinese, Russian heads of govt hold regular meeting, eyeing closer all-round cooperation. Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin met in Hangzhou to deepen coordination, signing a joint communique and accords on customs and satellite navigation. Both sides pledged broader collaboration in trade, energy, agriculture, culture, and the digital economy, to expand visa-free travel and exchanges, and to work within SCO, BRICS, and the UN toward a multipolar global order. Feng Fan, Global Times, November 4
China to ‘embrace free markets and free trade’, Premier Li Qiang says at CIIE opening. Premier Li Qiang pledged broader market access and deeper integration with global supply chains, citing recent tariff relief and a pause on rare earth curbs as signs of stabilizing ties. He vowed to spur consumption, welcome multinational investment, and expand high-standard opening. China projected output above 170 trillion yuan within five years, with last year’s expo logging US$80 billion in deals. Daniel Ren and Julie Zhang, South China Morning Post, November
China’s Chinook-style heavy-duty helicopter drone makes debut with successful test flight. China’s Boying T1400 tandem-rotor unmanned helicopter completed its maiden flight in Harbin, featuring a 1,400 kg maximum take-off weight, 650 kg payload, 180 km/h top speed, and up to eight hours’ endurance or 200 kg over 900 km. Built for extreme temperatures and high winds, it targets logistics, rescue, and agriculture, with potential military applications. Liu Zhen, South China Morning Post, November 4
Japan
Japan PM Takaichi’s summit proposal gets no reply from N. Korea: sources. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s bid for a summit with Kim Jong Un, conveyed soon after taking office on Oct. 21, has drawn no response, according to government sources. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Tokyo is approaching Pyongyang through various channels. The push centers on the abductees issue—17 recognized cases, with five repatriated in 2002—and follows Takaichi’s outreach to the U.S. and China. Kyodo News, November 4
Takaichi draws jeers in Diet over fund scandal, Trump ‘flattery’. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi apologized for the Liberal Democratic Party’s fundraising scandal but said the matter was concluded, prompting jeers from opposition lawmakers. Pressed on reports she told U.S. President Donald Trump she would recommend him for the Nobel Peace Prize, she declined to answer. Takaichi also vowed to pursue constitutional revision, including changes to Article 9 and emergency clauses. The Asahi Shimbun, November 4
Takaichi defends choices for government posts in first debate with Noda. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in her first one-on-one debate with Yoshihiko Noda, defended appointing seven Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers implicated in the slush fund scandal, saying they had explained their involvement and that preventing a recurrence is paramount. Noda criticized the selections, which installed four as vice ministers and three as parliamentary secretaries. Himari Semans, The Japan Times, November 4
South Korea
Hegseth says U.S.-South Korea alliance focused on North Korea but ‘flexibility’ needed. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the alliance’s core remains deterring North Korea while allowing “flexibility” for regional contingencies. He noted plans for South Korea to maintain and repair US ships, and said Trump supports Seoul’s pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines. Joyce Lee, Heejin Kim and Josh Smith, Reuters, November 4
Lee tells Hegseth S. Korea’s plan of retaking wartime operational control from U.S. would upgrade alliance. President Lee Jae Myung said regaining wartime OPCON within his term would deepen the alliance and reduce the U.S. defense burden as Seoul’s capabilities grow. He welcomed U.S. support for nuclear-powered submarines and expanded shipbuilding cooperation, while Hegseth praised South Korea’s increased defense spending and modernization. Kim Eun-jung, Yonhap News Agency, November 4
North Korea
U.S. imposes North Korea-related sanctions on individuals, entities for money laundering. The U.S. Treasury sanctioned eight people and two entities tied to North Korean cyber-linked laundering schemes to cut funding for Pyongyang’s weapons programs. Designations include bankers Jang Kuk Chol and Ho Jong Son, Korea Mangyongdae Computer Technology Company and its president U Yong Su, and Ryujong Credit Bank for sanctions evasion and foreign-currency remittances. Doina Chiacu and Bhargav Acharya, Reuters, November 4
South Korea’s spy agency sees chance of U.S.-North Korea summit, lawmaker says. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service told parliament there is a high likelihood of a Trump–Kim summit, potentially after March, following joint drills, a North Korean parade, and a party congress. Trump remains open to talks without preconditions, while Kim has linked dialogue to dropping denuclearization demands. Hyunjoo Jin and Trevor Hunnicutt, Reuters, November 4
Vietnam
13th Party Central Committee’s 14th plenum opens. Convened in Hanoi on October 5, the 14th plenum gathered the 13th Party Central Committee to prepare for the 14th National Party Congress and address party and political system building. Party General Secretary To Lam opened; State President Luong Cuong presided. Participants were urged to propose decisive solutions. The session runs through November 6. Vietnam News, October 5
Myanmar
Arrests Near 100 as Myanmar Junta Intensifies Election Dissent Crackdown. Authorities have detained 94 people under the Election Protection Law since July 29, with penalties up to death. Seven more, including a 15-year-old and three women, were arrested for alleged anti-poll acts, vandalism, and attacks on staff. Voting is slated for Dec. 28 and Jan. 11 across 202 townships, with 101 excluded for security. Myo Pyae, The Irrawaddy, November 4
Laos
Govt mulls draft decrees, sets development priorities. Officials debated six draft decrees on labor data, state land allocation, rubber, border management, cooperation with foreign groups, and banknote management, chaired by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. Revenue hit 59.858 trillion kip; inflation eased to 4%; reserves cover 5.24 months of imports. The cabinet urged macroeconomic stability, exchange-rate management, debt control, and preparations for National Day. Vientiane Times, November 5
Cambodia
18 Cambodian Soldiers detained by Thailand are in the process of being released. Thai authorities have begun procedures to free 18 Cambodian soldiers detained since October, citing progress on four prerequisites: withdrawal of heavy weapons from border areas, landmine clearance, suppression of transnational criminal networks, and tighter border management. All detainees are in good health; officials said they are not prisoners of war. Khmer Times, November 5
Philippines
Philippine annual inflation at 1.7% in October. Inflation remained at 1.7% in October, under the 1.8% median forecast and keeping the year-to-date average at 1.7%, below the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ 2–4% target. Core inflation eased to 2.5% from 2.6% a month earlier, according to the statistics agency. Mikhail Flores and Karen Lema, Reuters, November 5
Philippines creates National Sports Tourism Committee to boost economy. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. established the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee through Administrative Order 38 signed October 29, directing it to develop, promote, and implement sports tourism initiatives, including bids to host major international events and large domestic activities; the body is chaired by the Philippine Sports Commission with the Tourism Department as vice chair and multiple agencies as members. Kristina Maralit, The Manila Times, November 4
PH fishers resist China ‘nature reserve’ in Scarborough Shoal. Fishers in Zambales reject China’s September declaration of a “marine nature reserve” at Scarborough Shoal, warning it could justify tighter access to a traditional ground within the Philippines’ EEZ; leaders cite sustained harassment and dredging, a 70% income drop since 2012, and urge enforcement of the 2016 arbitral ruling and stronger patrols, while noting no new restrictions yet. Cristina Eloisa Baclig, Philippine Daily Inquirer, November 5
Taiwan
Taiwan says China has added conditions to its attendance at APEC summit. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said Beijing reneged on a written pledge made at the 2024 Peru summit to ensure Taiwan’s “equal participation” and safety at next year’s APEC in Shenzhen, adding that new conditions have been imposed. Taipei will defend its rights with partners. China reiterated participation must follow the “one China” principle. Ben Blanchard, Reuters, November 5
India
India ramps up support after Afghan quake, vying with China for influence. India sent 15 tons of food, pledged medical supplies, and cast itself as a “first responder” after an earthquake near Mazar-i-Sharif killed at least 20 people and injured over 900. New Delhi plans to reopen its Kabul embassy and leverage a U.S. waiver to operate Iran’s Chabahar port, while China also signaled assistance and eyes mining projects. Shivam Patel and Ariba Shahid, Reuters, November 4
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan aims to pave way for productive US-Central Asia summit. Uzbekistan granted 30-day visa-free entry to all US citizens starting January 1, 2026, and promoted a clean-fuels project using 2GW of Plug Power electrolysers in a $5.5 billion venture, as Washington prepares a November 6 C5+1 summit; a US delegation toured Samarkand October 26. Eurasianet, November 4
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan reveals electricity export aspirations. Officials announced construction of a Caspian-coast combined-cycle power plant nearing 1.6 gigawatts with unnamed international partners, intended to strengthen domestic supply and enable exports to the Caucasus and Turkey . President Serdar Berdymukhamedov discussed sales with Çalik Holding, with the trans-Caspian line via Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan seen as the viable route to Turkey. Eurasianet, November 4
East Asia
What Chinese Leaders Really Think of Trump. Chinese strategists see Trump accelerating a fractured, multipolar order that benefits Beijing, with sovereignty eclipsing rights, autocracy spreading, and leader-centric dealmaking replacing rules-based diplomacy. They foresee the US outsourcing containment while Trump pursues big-power bargains, even a Taiwan deal. Yet risks and domestic strains loom: slowing growth, heavy local debts, deflationary “involution,” and ebbing optimism — testing Xi’s balance of external ambition and internal fragility. Mark Leonard, Project Syndicate, November 4
Japan can keep the Indo-Pacific open and free. With Sanae Takaichi as prime minister, Tokyo can reinvigorate its free and open Indo-Pacific strategy through new trade agreements, Southeast Asia partnerships, Taiwan contingency planning, and investment in Pacific islands, while leveraging CPTPP leadership and regional goodwill . Despite coalition limits and fiscal strains, a pledge to double defense spending by March 2026 supports sustained regional security engagement. Shihoko Goto, Foreign Affairs, November 4
‘I don’t want to work; I want to join the party’: China’s viral cry for stability. On Douyin, a surge of clips echoing the slogan reflects fatigue with insecure jobs and a turn toward the state system’s perceived safety. CCP membership reached 100.27 million and civil-service applicants hit 3.41 million as hiring contracts and the age limit rises to 38. Gig work involves ~200 million people, roughly 40% of the urban workforce. ThinkChina, November 4
Troubled future looms for Japan’s Takaichi. The piece argues Takaichi’s path is unstable: the LDP lacks majorities in both houses amid funding scandals eroding trust, while Komeito quit the 26-year coalition. Reliance on Taro Aso’s factional backing and controversial appointments, including Koichi Hagiuda, fuel doubts, with NHK showing weak expectations. Continued governance hinges on a tenuous pact with the Japan Innovation Party, which stayed outside the cabinet. Willy Jou and Peter Chai, East Asia Forum, November 4
Southeast Asia
Vietnam’s Memory Diplomacy: Curating the Past for an Uncertain Future. Hanoi leverages collective memory to manage ties: honoring wartime comrades through joint parades and memorials with China, Laos, Cambodia, and Russia, while selectively foregrounding pre-war contacts and post-war reconciliation with the United States. Recent ceremonies and leadership visits advance a feel-good narrative of partnership; a planned War Remnants Museum–USAID exhibit underscores this approach despite delays. Phan Xuan Dung, Fulcrum, November 4
Abhisit’s Clean Politics Faces Formidable Odds in Thailand’s Cut-Throat Political Arena. Former PM Abhisit Vejjajiva’s Oct. 18 return to lead the Democrat Party injects clean politics into a cash-soaked race, yet structural hurdles loom: MPs demand transfer fees of 30 to 80 million baht, DP lost Bangkok and slid to 17 of 60 southern seats in 2023, and polls show fragmented loyalties. With elections possible by January 2026, Abhisit must clear a 5% threshold to contend for premier. Termsak Chalermpalanupap, Fulcrum, November 4
Indonesia’s Belt and Road railway to nowhere. Indonesia’s Whoosh high-speed line faces mounting losses and a likely bailout amid an anti-corruption probe; passengers reached 5.1 million through October, far below forecasts. Costs are ~20% above plan, while China Development Bank loans carry 2% on principal and 3.4% on overruns. Officials float extending maturities, cutting rates, or shifting to yuan, as debate grows over profit versus public service. Joseph Rachman, Foreign Policy, November 4
Timor-Leste: to join the ASEAN neighborhood, start with the house next door. Timor-Leste’s ASEAN entry opens access to a ~$4 trillion, 700 million–strong market, but near-term gains hinge on deeper integration with Indonesia. Current trade is narrow — over 95% of top exports are petroleum — while shipments to Indonesia are small (5%) yet more diversified. Practical steps include direct Dili–Kupang/Jakarta flights, ferry links adding Dili, and port-based immigration offices to ease flows and build momentum. Iona Main, The Interpreter, November 5
Central Asia
Growing Trust – and Trade – Between the U.S. and Uzbekistan. In 2024, bilateral trade totaled $881 million, up 15%, with exports at $317 million (+25%) and imports at $564 million (+10%). Cooperation focuses on critical minerals and expanding operations by major U.S. firms. WTO accession is in its final phase, with 31 of 34 market-access talks concluded and an 11th Working Party meeting set for November 5-6. Catherine Putz, The Diplomat, November 5