China
Chinese trade negotiator urges U.S. to give a boost to agricultural cooperation. Li Chenggang urged Washington to create a “favourable atmosphere” for farm trade, saying recent “fluctuations” stem from unilateral U.S. tariffs . Following the Xi–Trump meeting, Beijing pledged to buy at least 12 million tons of U.S. soybeans in November–December and a minimum 25 million tons annually for three years . The push coincides with CIIE, where a U.S. pavilion showcases food producers . Xiaofei Xu, South China Morning Post, November 6
PLA urged to ‘live a tight life’ as top officials elaborate on China’s 5-year plan. A senior CMC official, Qiu Yang, calls for austerity across procurement, training, management, and equipment support; tighter budget oversight; and integrated military–local supervision, while expanding AI for decision support and simulations. The drive follows corruption purges after Li Shangfu’s fall, with the Rocket Force cutting nearly 200 partnerships. China’s 2025 defense budget reached 1.81 trillion yuan, rising 7.2% annually. Alcott Wei, South China Morning Post, November 5
Japan
Japan mulls expanding scope of defense-related costs amid U.S. pressure. Tokyo is weighing a broader definition of “defense-related” outlays—adding space programs, infrastructure, and projects run by non-Defense agencies—to signal resolve amid security strains and U.S. demands. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi aims to hit 2% of GDP by fiscal 2025, while Washington reportedly pushed for 3.5%. Current budgets total 8.5 trillion yen plus 1.5 trillion in related expenses, with further items under consideration. Kyodo News, November 5
Japan PM Takaichi vows support to Ukraine in 1st phone talks with Zelenskyy. In a 30-minute call, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged continued support for Ukraine’s defense, recovery, and reconstruction, backing a “just and lasting peace as soon as possible.” Both leaders affirmed close cooperation and shared concerns over Russia’s war. Japan highlighted ongoing G7-aligned sanctions, demining assistance, and equipment to strengthen Ukraine’s energy sector ahead of winter, her office and Ukraine said. Kyodo News, November 5
South Korea
Arrest motion for PPP’s ex-floor leader submitted to Nat’l Assembly. South Korea’s justice ministry sent parliament a request to arrest Rep. Choo Kyung-ho over alleged involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s December 3 martial law bid, accusing him of moving PPP meetings to block a vote. Lawmakers must vote within 24–72 hours; passage enables a court hearing. Choo says he will waive immunity. Kim Hyun-soo, Yonhap News Agency, November 5
Kim Keon Hee admits receiving 2 Chanel bags, denies bribery or ties to husband’s presidential duties. Former first lady Kim Keon Hee acknowledged receiving two Chanel handbags from Jeon Seong-bae, linked to the Unification Church, while denying bribery or any tie to her husband’s duties. She rejected claims of a 62 million won Graff necklace, said the bags — worth about 8 million and 12 million won — were returned, and expressed regret. Indicted in August, she applied for bail as lawyers attacked inconsistencies in testimony. Bahk Eun-ji, The Korea Times, November 5
North Korea
N. Korea appears to be ready for nuclear test once Kim makes decision: defense intelligence. South Korean lawmakers said the Defense Intelligence Agency assesses North Korea can swiftly conduct a seventh test via Punggye-ri’s No. 3 tunnel once Kim Jong-un decides. The agency also flagged preparations for a higher-resolution spy satellite with Russian help, partial operation of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, and heightened readiness after a 2024 South Korean drone infiltration. Kim Hyun-soo, Yonhap News Agency, November 5
North Korea says antagonised by U.S. sanctions, will respond. North Korea condemned new U.S. sanctions as antagonistic and vowed a corresponding response, KCNA said, citing the vice foreign minister for U.S. affairs. The U.S. Treasury targeted eight individuals and two entities over cyber-related money-laundering tied to weapons funding. South Korea’s spy agency sees a strong chance of a U.S.–North Korea summit early next year, after Trump signaled openness during his Asia trip. Joyce Lee and Deepa Babington, Reuters, November 5
Thailand
PP boss slams Anutin over scams. Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut accused Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of lacking concrete strategy against proliferating scam networks, calling his “blank cheque” for agencies a sign of weak accountability. He urged a unified task force, cooperation with key embassies, and suspensions for implicated ministers, citing scrutiny of Capt Thamanat Prompow and Vorapak Tanyawong, as well as allegations involving 2.5 billion baht. Mongkol Bangprapa, Bangkok Post, November 6
Laos
Govt targets 5.5 percent annual growth over next 5 years. Laos plans 5.5% average growth in 2026–2030 (vs. 4.24% prior), keep public debt below 70% of GDP after falling from 112% (2022) to 94% (2024), and curb inflation to 5% ±2 (October: 4%). Priorities span hydropower, agriculture, mining, industry, tourism, and logistics, backed by 579,301 billion kip in investment (22.1% of GDP), LDC graduation in 2026, and poverty down to 10% by 2030. Souksakhone Vaenkeo, Vientiane Times, November 6
Cambodia
Cambodia urges Thailand to honour joint declaration and release detained soldiers. Cambodia pressed Thailand to implement the Oct. 26 Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration by freeing 18 detained troops and fully executing agreed steps. Phnom Penh said heavy weapons have been partially withdrawn under ASEAN observation, with phased pullbacks from Nov. 1, and criticized added Thai conditions tied to Ta Krabei Temple, alleging breaches of Points 4 and 5 after 10 days. Khmer Times, November 5
Philippines
Marcos, Duterte get lower trust, performance marks in OCTA 3Q survey. Marcos’ trust fell to 57% from 64%, with distrust at 25% and undecided 17%; performance slipped to 54% from 62%. Duterte’s trust dipped to 51%, with 24% distrust; performance was 49%. Biggest declines were in Visayas and NCR; Mindanao remained Duterte’s base. Nationwide survey of 1,200 respondents, ±3% margin of error, Sept. 30–Oct. 4. Red Mendoza, The Manila Times, November 5
Duterte defense team submits new batch of evidence to ICC. In pre-trial proceedings, the ICC acknowledged a Nov. 5 filing confirming receipt of the Defense Second Communication of Disclosure: 13 items turned over Nov. 3 to prosecutors and victims’ counsel, with contents under sealed annexes. It is the defense’s second disclosure since proceedings resumed; both sides must finish exchanges this year ahead of a charges-confirmation hearing in early 2026. Franco Jose C. Baroña, The Manila Times, November 6
Indonesia
Indonesia Q3 GDP growth slows slightly to 5.04% ahead of end-year stimulus measures. Growth eased to 5.04% y/y from 5.12% in Q2, with household spending at 4.89% and mining contracting amid weaker coal demand and lower copper output. Exports rose 9.91%; investment grew 5.04% vs 6.99% prior; government spending increased 5.49%; q/q growth was 1.43%. Officials eye a 5.2% full-year goal, bolstered by midyear and Q4 stimulus and recent BI rate cuts. Stefanno Sulaiman and Fransiska Nangoy, Reuters, November 5
Malaysia
Malaysia adopts neutral strategy to secure access to AI chips from U.S., China, says Tengku Zafrul. Malaysia will keep a neutral, inclusive approach to ensure data centers and industry obtain controlled, competitive, secure access to NVIDIA and Huawei Ascend chips while safeguarding data sovereignty. Measures include STA 2010 permits for AI chip export/transit since July 14, 2025, alignment with the National Semiconductor Strategic Plan, a prospective U.S. Reciprocal Trade Agreement, and a 2022–2026 supply-chain memorandum. Malay Mail, November 6
Taiwan
Taiwan says senior Fijian UN diplomat visited, despite Fiji’s formal ties with China. Taiwan said Fiji’s UN ambassador Filipo Tarakinikini visited Taipei this week, meeting Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and, separately, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung—unusual given Suva’s recognition of Beijing. He joined a group that included ambassadors from Marshall Islands and Paraguay. The trip underscores intensifying Pacific diplomacy as Taiwan engages partners while China objects to such contacts; Taipei maintains a de facto mission in Fiji. Ben Blanchard and Kirsty Needham, Reuters, November 6
Taiwan must be allowed equal participation when China hosts APEC, U.S. says. The State Department called for full, equal participation for all economies, including Taiwan, at China’s 2026 APEC in Shenzhen after Taipei said Beijing added conditions; Washington also pressed for robust security protocols. China reiterated its “one China” stance. Taiwan attends as “Chinese Taipei,” avoids sending its president, and boycotted China’s 2001 summit. Michael Martina and Ben Blanchard, Reuters, November 6
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan strengthens role as U.S. key trade partner in Central Asia. Kazakhstan accounted for 96.7% of Central Asia’s exports to the U.S. in 2024 ($2.4 billion of $2.5 billion) and 62.3% of U.S. goods sent to the region ($1.1 billion). Bilateral trade hit $4.2 billion in 2024 but fell 25.8% to $2.1 billion in January – August 2025 as oil shipments eased, while U.S. exports held steadier, with pharmaceuticals doubling to $249.3 million. Vagit Ismailov, The Times of Central Asia, November 5
Kazakhstan’s inflation slows to 12.6% in October. Annual inflation eased to 12.6% in October from 12.9% in September, while monthly inflation fell to 0.5% from 1.1%, the lowest this year. A 3.5% drop in housing and utilities drove the slowdown amid a tariff-hike moratorium from Oct. 16 through Q1 2026. Food rose 13.5% y/y; non-food 11%. Analysts cite earlier tenge depreciation and a stronger ruble; year-end inflation is forecast at 12–12.5%. Fatima Kemelova, The Astana Times, November 5
East Asia
Lee Jae Myung’s North Korea policy is built on outdated assumptions. Lee’s END plan rests on premises no longer valid: North Korea is neither isolated nor cash-starved, buoyed by China–Russia ties and arms sales; Pyongyang advances a two-state doctrine and rejects denuclearization while Beijing looks away. Constitutional limits, Washington–Beijing demands, and Moscow’s tilt constrain engagement. Without revising these fundamentals, END lacks leverage or a viable path. Khang Vu, The Diplomat, November 5
AI isn’t always helping Chinese office workers either. Interviews across Chinese firms show AI’s promised speed gains are offset by verification of hallucinations, “humanization” rewrites, and plans that ignore constraints. In some offices, using AI performs innovation for bosses without improving output; in SOEs, diligence norms and labor priorities blunt efficiency and raise deployment costs. Workers also withhold tips to keep an edge, and accountability still requires humans. Chen Changwen, Sixth Tone, November 5
Ambassador Cao Zhongming: why leaders and people alike are key to China-Singapore ties. Cao outlines “three constants”—leader-level trust and equality, long-term planning via projects like Suzhou Industrial Park and Tianjin Eco-City, and state–society engagement—and “three changes,” including continual upgrades toward a potential strategic partnership. He calls for deeper defense dialogues, cooperation on scams and cybercrime, and wider travel under mutual 30-day visa waivers, noting 3 million Chinese visitors to Singapore last year (+126%). Chua Eng Wee, ThinkChina, November 5
Russian nuclear submarine technology will make North Korean threat more palpable. Reports indicate Russia is likely transferring nuclear propulsion from decommissioned submarines, with South Korea’s defense minister citing “various technologies” heading to Pyongyang. Past Golf-class know-how aided SLBM development; Akula-class components are plausible donors. Nuclear power would extend patrols, cut indiscretion rates, and enable Pacific deployments that threaten the United States, though operational capability would still take years. Iliana Ragnone, 38 North, November 5
“We must depend entirely on ourselves”: policy, politics, and U.S.–China relations at the Fourth Plenum. Xi seeks a truce with Washington to buy time while doubling down on technological self-reliance; the plenum’s Proposals elevate industry ahead of innovation and promise continuity into the 15th Five-Year Plan. Empty seats and record expulsions underscored intensified purges, even as Zhang Shengmin rose. U.S. firms should expect tighter conditions and expanded export controls. Neil Thomas and Lobsang Tsering, Asia Society, November 5
Southeast Asia
Sub-regional coordination is the cure for ASEAN’s health divide. Stark gaps in access to medicines persist across ASEAN, with least-developed members facing late, costly supplies and stalled universal coverage. A practical fix is a “Sub-ASEAN” track: a regional patent-licensing hub to leverage TRIPS flexibilities and a pooled procurement center to secure lower prices, modeled on PAHO’s Revolving Fund, under an “ASEAN Minus X” approach. Ronald Tundang, East Asia Forum, November 5
South Asia
Will a trade deal repair India-U.S. ties?. India’s bid for a pact to cut U.S. tariffs from 50% to 10–15% comes amid a broader downturn: relations soured after May’s India–Pakistan clash, Trump’s extra 25% levy on Russian oil imports, and a 37.5% slide in Indian exports to the U.S. Quad plans stalled; defense and Chabahar waivers offered little relief. A deal alone won’t reset ties. Shanthie Mariet D’Souza, The Interpreter, November 5