China
China expands rare earths restrictions, targets defense and chips users. Beijing added five rare earth elements and refining technologies to its export control list, requiring foreign firms using Chinese materials to obtain licenses even if no Chinese entities are involved. The new rules, effective from November 8 and December 1, aim to increase leverage ahead of the Trump-Xi summit, especially over defense and advanced chip sectors. Beijing bureau, Ernest Scheyder, Heekyong Yang, Eric Onstad, Jarrett Renshaw, Reuters, October 9
Trump threatens to halt Chinese imports – while counting on Xi Jinping to buy U.S. soybeans. U.S. President Donald Trump warned of halting Chinese imports while expressing hope that Beijing would resume soybean purchases, leveraging the U.S. market ahead of a planned meeting with Xi Jinping. Amid rising tariffs and rare earth tensions, Trump blamed Biden for lost trade gains and pledged renewed support for American farmers. Khushboo Razdan, South China Morning Post, October 9
China to host global women’s summit, with President Xi Jinping to deliver keynote speech. China will co-host a global women’s summit with UN Women in Beijing, marking the 30th anniversary of the 1995 UN World Conference on Women. President Xi Jinping will open the event with a keynote address. Phoebe Zhang, South China Morning Post, October 9
Japan
LDP and Komeito’s shaky ties throw doubt on Takaichi becoming prime minister. Komeito signaled it may not support new LDP leader Sanae Takaichi for prime minister due to concerns over her hawkish positions and controversial cabinet appointments, particularly Koichi Hagiuda’s. Without Komeito’s backing, the LDP lacks a majority, prompting Takaichi to seek potential support from the DPP, whose leader Yuichiro Tamaki also emerged as a possible consensus opposition candidate. Eric Johnston, The Japan Times, October 9
South Korea
Arrest warrant sought for ex-justice minister over alleged martial law involvement. South Korea’s special counsel team has requested an arrest warrant for former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae over his alleged role in the brief martial law declared by ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 3, 2024. Park is accused of ordering reviews of prosecutor deployment and detention capacity assessments. He denied wrongdoing during questioning. Park Boram, Yonhap News Agency, October 9
North Korea
North Korea expresses full support for Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, KCNA reports. North Korea declared full backing for Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, expressing solidarity in a joint statement ahead of the Workers’ Party’s 80th anniversary. The announcement, carried by KCNA, reinforces Pyongyang’s alignment with Moscow amid heightened global tensions and follows increased diplomatic and military engagement between the two countries. Heekyong Yang, Reuters, October 9
China ready to strengthen strategic communication with DPRK, says Premier Li. Premier Li Qiang met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, conveying Xi Jinping’s greetings and affirming Beijing’s commitment to deepen bilateral ties through high-level exchanges and multilateral coordination. Both sides pledged to uphold socialism, oppose foreign interference, and enhance cooperation for regional stability and mutual development. Global Times, October 10
Thailand
Thailand negotiating with U.S. on trade rules by year-end, commerce minister says. Thailand aims to finalize trade negotiations with the U.S. on rules of origin and regional value content by year-end, according to Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun. Parallel talks with Europe on a free trade deal may conclude by early 2026. Suphajee also warned of deflation risks amid baht appreciation and economic sluggishness. Kitiphong Thaichareon, Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chayut Setboonsarng, Reuters, October 9
Pheu Thai “mulling deal with Varawut for PM.” The Pheu Thai Party is reportedly considering Chartthaipattana Party leader Varawut Silpa-archa as one of its prime ministerial candidates, aiming to broaden its appeal with his conciliatory image. Thaksin Shinawatra is said to have approached Varawut with the proposal, though no response has been confirmed. Internal party discussions are ongoing. Aekarach Sattaburuth, Bangkok Post, October 10
Vietnam
Government Party Organisation to convene first congress for 2025–2030 tenure. Vietnam will hold the first congress of the Government’s Party Organisation under a new model on October 12–13 in Hanoi. The event will host 453 delegates representing over 209,000 members from 2,211 grassroots organisations. The congress will assess past leadership performance and outline future goals and solutions. Vietnam News, October 9
Myanmar
Residents say both Myanmar junta and KIA are forcibly recruiting in Hpakant. Civilians in Hpakant Township report forced recruitment by both the military regime and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), with women increasingly targeted in public spaces. KIA spokesperson Colonel Naw Bu acknowledged isolated cases of coercion amid battlefield pressure. Locals described rising fear, frequent abductions, and fatal attempts to escape conscription as conflict intensifies in the jade-mining hub. Ah Htoi, The Irrawaddy, October 9
Laos
Lao, North Korean leaders hold historic talks in state visit to Pyongyang. Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith visited Pyongyang from October 7 to 8 at Kim Jong Un’s invitation, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening party-to-party ties, enhancing cooperation in education and culture, and maintaining strategic alignment amid global tensions. Beatrice Siviero, The Laotian Times, October 9
Cambodia
Trump writes to Thai PM urging peaceful end to border tensions. U.S. President Donald Trump urged Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to seek a peaceful resolution to the escalating border conflict with Cambodia. Anutin confirmed receipt of the letter and reiterated that any peace talks must meet Thailand’s strict conditions, including the removal of Cambodian troops and landmines. Taing Rinith, Khmer Times, October 9
Philippines
Philippines reaffirms commitment to media safety at EU meeting. During the 5th Philippines-European Union Subcommittee Meeting on Good Governance, Rule of Law, and Human Rights in Brussels, the Philippines reiterated its commitment to protecting media workers. Presidential Task Force on Media Security chief Jose Torres Jr. detailed legislative reforms, journalist safety training, digital security initiatives, and ongoing investigations into past media attacks. Arlie O. Calalo, The Manila Times, October 9
ICC case update: halt would be ‘repugnant,’ says victims’ lawyer on Duterte request. The Office of Public Counsel for Victims asked the International Criminal Court to reject former president Rodrigo Duterte’s request to indefinitely halt proceedings in his crimes against humanity case. Lawyer Paolina Massidda said the defense failed to prove unfitness and supported appointing a medical panel to assess Duterte’s cognitive condition. Franco Jose C. Baroña, The Manila Times, October 9
Malaysia
Anwar to table 2026 Budget today, focus on welfare, economy and fiscal responsibility. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is set to present the 2026 Budget in parliament, emphasizing public welfare, economic resilience, and fiscal discipline. He described the budget as a roadmap for sustained support to citizens without raising national debt. Debates will begin Oct. 29, with sessions continuing through November before final passage. New Straits Times, October 10
Singapore
Singapore and New Zealand sign comprehensive strategic partnership. Singapore and New Zealand signed a comprehensive strategic partnership to deepen cooperation on digital trade, climate change, maritime security, and supply chain resilience. The agreement includes a legally binding deal on trade in essential supplies, ensuring no export restrictions even during crises. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the rules-based order. Lucy Craymer, Reuters, October 10
Taiwan
Facing Chinese pressure, Taiwan president expected to announce new air defence system, sources say. President Lai Ching-te is expected to unveil the “Taiwan Dome,” an advanced all-domain air defense system, during his national day address amid escalating pressure from China. The integrated system will combine local and foreign technology to counter diverse threats including drones, missiles, and aircraft. Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard, Reuters, October 9
India
Modi, Starmer tout India-UK trade deal as new Indian investment unveiled. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised a new trade agreement aimed at deepening commercial ties, with London unveiling $1.75 billion in new Indian investments. The deal includes tariff cuts, defense cooperation, AI initiatives, and education partnerships. Alistair Smout and Ira Dugal, Reuters, October 9
Kazakhstan
President Tokayev establishes working group on parliamentary reform. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree forming a working group on parliamentary reform, following his proposal to shift Kazakhstan to a unicameral legislature. The group, led by State Counselor Erlan Karin, includes members of both parliamentary chambers, political party leaders, legal scholars, and civil society experts. Ayana Birbayeva, The Astana Times, October 9
Tajikistan
Dushanbe hosts Central Asia–Russia summit and CIS heads of state meeting. Leaders gathered in Dushanbe for the Central Asia–Russia summit and the Commonwealth of Independent States heads of state meeting, focusing on energy, security, logistics, and integration. Key proposals included transport corridor digitalization and the “CIS+” dialogue. Vagit Ismailov, The Times of Central Asia, October 9
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan to open 100 overseas polling stations for 2025 parliamentary elections. The Central Election Commission of Kyrgyzstan will nearly double its overseas polling sites to 100 for the November 30 elections, with 40 in Russia, where 400,000 Kyrgyz citizens reside. Electronic voting has been suspended to curb fraud, and test runs are underway. Ballots will now be printed at polling sites to improve transparency. Anton Chipegin, The Times of Central Asia, October 9
East Asia
Pyongyang first, Trump next: China’s North Korea card in the trade war shuffle. Beijing sends Premier Li Qiang to Pyongyang for the Workers’ Party’s 80th anniversary, the first Chinese premier visit in 16 years, signaling warmer ties and calibrated optics as Xi Jinping skips the parade. The trip precedes an expected Xi–Trump meeting at APEC in South Korea, echoing 2019 sequencing that leveraged North Korea diplomacy amid a trade war. Beijing aims to show influence over Pyongyang while avoiding a trilateral strongman tableau with Russia that could hinder European and Korean economic engagement. Domestic priorities and upcoming Party meetings shape travel choices, while recent ministerial contacts and the CCP’s International Liaison Department suggest deliverables on cooperation. Sim Tze Wei, ThinkChina, October 9
betting on the mothers of all machines. China targets self-reliance in machine tools by 2035, mobilizing standards, capital, and AI-driven smart manufacturing to close precision and reliability gaps with imports. Regional clusters in East Zhejiang, Shenyang–Dalian, and Baoji–Hanzhong–Tianshui coordinate firms, labs, and end users to upgrade CNC systems and core components. Despite a large market, fragmentation and thin margins constrain R&D, while high-end tools still depend on foreign spindles, rails, screws, and control stacks. Policy levers include a national fund, tax incentives, first-set financing, and an aggressive standards program through 2030. A staged roadmap pushes digitalization to AI-enabled production lines, seeking longer accuracy retention and higher fault-free hours to win shop-floor trust. CHINA POLICY, October 9
Xi Jinping is personally involved in China’s new five-year plan. Senior leaders will meet in Beijing on October 20–23 to set priorities through 2030 as growth slows, consumption weakens, deflation bites, and external frictions intensify. The plan is expected to push advanced manufacturing, “new-quality productive forces,” and self-reliance in chokepoint technologies while warning against duplicate local investment. Proposals under discussion include raising consumption’s GDP share and ensuring disposable incomes outpace growth, but fiscal limits and skepticism toward expansive welfare constrain ambition. Targets will likely favor achievable metrics, echoing a recent trend toward fewer hard goals and high completion rates. Integration of AI across industry and efforts to unwind foreign dependencies remain central. The Economist, October 9
A New Push for China–U.S. Trade. China declares it will no longer seek new special and differential treatment in WTO talks, signaling alignment with developed-member standards and aiming to defuse U.S. objections. The government highlights historically limited use of S&DT, lower average tariffs of 7.3 percent (trade-weighted 4.4 percent), and zero-tariff access for 53 least-developed countries. Data cited show U.S. exports to China rose 648 percent from 2001 to 2023, outpacing overall U.S. export growth, while China’s per-capita GDP in 2024 remained below the high-income threshold, retaining developing-economy status without invoking new preferences. Beijing proposes replacing punitive bilateral tariffs with a low-tariff “basket,” expanding high-standard market access, and cooperating on digital security. WTO reform at MC14 in 2026 could anchor these changes, with a bilateral trade rebound in 2026 anticipated. He Weiwen, CHINA US Focus, October 9
Lee Jae-myung’s pragmatic approach remains friendly to Japan. Despite fears that Seoul–Tokyo ties would fray after the June 3, 2025 election, President Lee prioritized Japan for his first trip, met then–Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and reaffirmed “shuttle diplomacy.” His dual-track strategy separates historical issues from security and economic cooperation, sustaining trilateral work with the United States while introducing more flexibility than Yoon Suk-yeol’s values-driven posture. Institutional momentum from the 2023 Camp David summit continues, including a September 8 defense ministers’ meeting, yet uncertainty persists as Lee declined a NATO summit amid other priorities. A potential variability under changing U.S. policies, positioning stable Japan–Korea coordination as a hedge for regional order if Washington’s engagement fluctuates. Takeo Otani, East Asia Forum, October 9
A Nascent Fintech Industry Appears in Pyongyang. Electronic payments are spreading in North Korea through smartphone wallets run by major IT firms, with QR-based systems enabling retail purchases, transit fares, utilities, tickets, and remittances. A revised Electronic Payment Law empowers the central bank to supervise networks and fines entities that fail to adopt cashless systems, accelerating uptake. Apps like Samhung and Manmulsang operate alongside legacy cards such as Narae and Jonsong and support both local won and a foreign-exchange won unit. New Hwawon ATMs integrate with cards and wallets, allow partial FX conversion, and are expanding across stores, markets, hotels, and public venues. Top-ups occur at hundreds of counters or via home cash pickup services, concentrating access in Pyongyang while provincial coverage lags. Martyn Williams, 38 North, October 9
Taiwan’s Plan for Peace Through Strength: How Investments in Resilience Can Deter Beijing. Taiwan is building whole-of-society defense to raise invasion costs through civil preparedness, resilient infrastructure, and asymmetric capabilities. July 2025 exercises mobilized reservists, tested urban operations, and integrated civilian agencies, NGOs, and emergency services, alongside updated civil defense guidance. Investments include grid hardening, satellite communications, extended conscription, and a national committee coordinating manpower, logistics, energy, medical readiness, and cyber redundancy. Budget plans exceed 3.3 percent of GDP in 2026 with a path toward 5 percent by 2030, plus a special package for resilience and ISR. The strategy aims to deter hybrid and kinetic coercion while sustaining governance and continuity. Broader democratic support is urged given global economic and security stakes. Lin Fei-fan, Foreign Affairs, October 9
Southeast Asia
Charting a responsible AI transition for Southeast Asia’s workforce. Artificial intelligence could raise ASEAN GDP by 10–18 percent by 2030, but 164 million workers will face disruption through automation and augmentation, demanding continuous, skills-based learning. Job requirements are changing rapidly, with healthcare moving toward AI-supervised clinical roles and administrative positions at risk, while agriculture could lose up to 5.7 million jobs by 2028. Connectivity gaps and MSME capacity constraints threaten unequal gains despite youth demographics favoring adoption. A regional workforce framework with shared competency standards, mutual recognition of credentials, and a network of AI Excellence Centres would be beneficial. Additionally, a digital transformation fund plus inclusive-business and impact-investing models to scale training and ensure broad participation. Kelly Forbes, Peter Brimble, and David Hua, East Asia Forum, October 9
To Lam is Institutionalising Politics Again. Vietnam’s top leader is rebuilding formal constraints after years of personalized rule. Regulation 365 elevates the Secretariat’s permanent member into a widened “core leadership,” limiting the concentration of power. Planned restructuring keeps the Central Committee near 200 and the Politburo at 17–19, preserving bargaining forums despite state-slimming. Regulation 366 introduces point-based evaluations for senior cadres, aligning promotions with performance. A strict non-local rotation policy breaks provincial entrenchment, with October 2025 marking declared completion. Enforcement tests persist: rotation could entrench new networks, coalition buy-in remains uneven, and heavy-handed central interventions risk corroding collective leadership even as they curb localism. Outcomes will hinge on incentives, impartial implementation, and restraint in using recentralisation tools. Nguyen Khac Giang, FULCRUM, October 9
Thailand Has Become Southeast Asia’s Hub of Transnational Repression. Thai authorities have enabled cross-border targeting of dissidents by neighbors and some democracies, with arrests, abductions, enforced returns, and violence documented since the 2014 coup. The recent detention of Australian writer Murray Hunter in Bangkok, tied to Malaysian defamation complaints, illustrates growing legal cooperation that chills speech. Human rights groups describe a “swap mart” in which Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand facilitate each other’s pursuits; Thai monarchy critics have vanished or turned up dead abroad, while Uyghurs and Vietnamese activists have been sent back despite refugee status. Attacks on exiles in France and Japan show reach beyond the region, though those governments have prosecuted offenders. Upcoming elections are unlikely to reverse entrenched security practices or military influence. Joshua Kurlantzick, Council on Foreign Relations, October 9
South Asia
India’s Path to AI Leadership: An Alternative AI Governance to U.S.-China Competition. India can lead global AI governance by pairing diffusion-focused policy with a techno-legal framework that embeds diversity, inclusion, and enforceable safeguards across the AI lifecycle. Contrasting U.S. domestic-first industrial strategy and China’s collaborative but state-centric model, India’s approach accentuates multistakeholder participation, interoperability, and public consultation. Proposed pillars span humans, data, process, system, and governance, supported by tools like consent managers and content credentials. National initiatives such as AI Kosh and language datasets aim at population-scale deployment, while a 2026 Global AI Impact Summit offers a platform to operationalize standards with partners. The goal is plug-and-play governance that accelerates adoption without sacrificing rights or accountability. Arun Teja Polcumpally, Asia Society, October 9
You're getting your Stans mixed up: Under Turkmenistan, you list the Central Asia - Russia Summit that took place in Dushanbe which is in Tajikistan, not Turkmenistan.