China
20th CPC Central Committee starts fourth plenary session. The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China opened its fourth plenary session in Beijing, with Xi Jinping delivering a report on behalf of the Political Bureau. The session focused on draft proposals for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), addressing national economic and social development strategies under Party leadership. Global Times, October 20
Chinese president appoints new ambassadors. President Xi Jinping appointed seven new ambassadors and one permanent representative in accordance with the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. Notable appointments include Yu Jinsong to Morocco, Chen Feng to Romania, and Li Yongjie to the World Trade Organization and the UN Office at Geneva. Each replaces a predecessor as part of routine diplomatic rotation. Global Times, October 20
Expelled Chinese generals ‘disloyal’ and dealt ‘serious blow’ to armed forces, PLA Daily. China’s PLA Daily accused nine generals, including Politburo member He Weidong, of disloyalty and ideological collapse after their expulsion from the Communist Party. The editorial said their actions severely damaged military unity, echoing past language used against officials suspected of foreign ties. Military prosecutors are expected to indict them before the upcoming plenum. Josephine Ma, South China Morning Post, October 18
Japan
LDP, Japan Innovation Party effectively strike policy deal for coalition. The Liberal Democratic Party and Japan Innovation Party agreed to form a coalition, with the JIP offering external Cabinet support and backing Sanae Takaichi for prime minister. The pact includes plans to abolish corporate donations, cut food tax to zero, and reduce Diet seats. The agreement follows Komeito’s exit from the ruling bloc. Kyodo News, October 18
South Korea
South Korea sees higher chance of U.S. trade deal by APEC summit. South Korea’s chief policy advisor Kim Yong-beom said a trade agreement with the U.S. is likely by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, with most issues resolved. Talks continue over investment terms and auto tariffs. The proposed deal includes a $350 billion South Korean investment, mostly through loans and guarantees. Hyunjoo Jin, Reuters, October 19
Lee’s approval rating falls to 52.2%: poll. President Lee Jae Myung’s approval rating dropped to 52.2% amid unease over U.S. trade talks, a data center fire that disrupted government services, and public criticism following his TV cooking show appearance. Discontent also grew over the handling of employment scams in Cambodia. The Realmeter poll surveyed 2,518 adults last week. Yi Wonju, Yonhap News Agency, October 20
North Korea
N. Korea operating 4 political prison camps with up to 65,000 detainees: report. North Korea is detaining an estimated 53,000 to 65,000 people across four political prison camps—Camps 14, 16, 18, and 25—according to a report by the Korea Institute for National Unification. The report uses satellite imagery and defector testimony to detail forced labor, harsh conditions, and strategic locations near sensitive facilities like the Punggye-ri nuclear site. Kim Hyun-soo, Yonhap News Agency, October 17
No sign yet of Trump-Kim meeting during APEC summit in Korea: Seoul envoy. South Korea’s ambassador to the U.S., Kang Kyung-wha, said there are no indications of a meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un at the upcoming APEC summit in Gyeongju. While both sides have expressed openness to dialogue, no plans have been confirmed. Seoul continues diplomatic efforts and trade negotiations with Washington. Song Sang-ho and Park Sung-min, Yonhap News Agency, October 17
Thailand
Bhumjaithai wins by-election, takes seat from Pheu Thai. Bhumjaithai Party candidate Wisuda Vicheansil won the Kanchanaburi Constituency 4 by-election with 53,542 votes, defeating Pheu Thai’s Shinawat Maendet, who garnered 36,521. The contest followed the resignation of Wisuda’s father, Sakda Vicheansil, from Pheu Thai to join Bhumjaithai. Voter turnout reached 72%, and this marks Bhumjaithai’s second recent by-election victory. Piyarach Chongcharoen, Bangkok Post, October 20
Abhisit returns as Democrat leader in landslide victory. Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reclaimed leadership of the Democrat Party unopposed, winning 96.2% of the vote during an extraordinary general meeting in Bangkok. His return follows the resignation of Chalermchai Sri-on and is seen as a bid to revitalize the party ahead of the 2026 election. Abhisit pledged unity and introduced a new executive team to steer policy and strategy. Online Reporters, Bangkok Post, October 18
Vietnam
National Assembly commences 10th session. Vietnam’s 15th National Assembly opened its final session in Hanoi, which will run 40 days through December 11. Lawmakers will review 66 policy matters, including 49 draft laws—the largest legislative workload of the term. The session focuses on institutionalizing new party policies, reinforcing reform momentum, and laying groundwork for the 16th Assembly. Author, Vietnam News, October 20
Myanmar
‘Neither free nor fair’: EU rejects Myanmar junta’s planned election. EU Commissioner Kajsa Ollongren declared the bloc will not observe Myanmar’s December 28 election, calling it illegitimate and urging ASEAN to push for change. She cited systemic flaws, conflict, and exclusion zones, with one in seven constituencies deemed unsafe for voting. The junta claims the poll will restore order, but critics see it as a power grab. The Irrawaddy, October 18
Cambodia
Some 60 S. Koreans detained in Cambodia over online scams to head home early Sat. A chartered flight will return about 60 South Koreans detained in Cambodia for online scams early Saturday, with police escorts enforcing immediate arrest warrants upon boarding. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac confirmed the detainees will face investigation and punishment upon arrival. Seoul pledged ongoing coordination with Phnom Penh to combat transnational fraud. Kim Eun-jung, Yonhap News Agency, October 17
Philippines
Rodrigo Duterte to remain under ICC custody amid health evaluation. Former president Rodrigo Duterte will stay in International Criminal Court custody even if declared unfit for trial, as unfitness only pauses proceedings. The ICC appointed a three-member medical panel to assess his condition amid contested reports about his health. Victims’ lawyer Kristina Conti said the case is under 120-day review cycles. Franco Jose C. Baroña, The Manila Times, October 20
DPWH abolition not on the table at this time, says Castro. Palace press officer Claire Castro said there are no current plans to abolish the Department of Public Works and Highways despite corruption concerns, emphasizing that many officials continue to serve properly. The administration aims to remove only those involved in wrongdoing, with support from Secretary Vince Dizon in cleaning up the agency. Luisa Cabato, Philippine Daily Inquirer, October 20
Indonesia
‘Jakarta Can’t Be Ordered Around’: Indonesia wants U.S. to let it use Chinese ships. Indonesia is urging the U.S. to allow the use of Chinese ships in Washington-bound exports to avoid higher costs, according to presidential advisor Luhut Pandjaitan. Talks on a final tariff deal continue, with Jakarta resisting demands seen as harmful to its economy. Indonesia seeks tariff exemptions for key exports and stresses sovereignty in ongoing negotiations. Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta Globe, October 20
Taiwan
Taiwan opposition party’s firebrand new leader pledges peace with China. Kuomintang leader-elect Cheng Li-wun vowed to maintain peace with China and opposed raising Taiwan’s defense budget, positioning the party as a stabilizing force amid cross-Strait tensions. Cheng, who takes office November 1, defeated Hau Lung-bin with just over 50% of the vote. The campaign was marred by disinformation claims and accusations of Chinese interference. Ben Blanchard, Reuters, October 18
China’s Xi calls for ‘reunification’ in message to new Taiwan opposition leader. President Xi Jinping congratulated newly elected Kuomintang leader Cheng Li-wun, urging efforts to boost cross-Strait cooperation and “advance national reunification.” Xi emphasized shared political foundations between the parties, while Cheng avoided references to unification, instead calling for stability and cultural ties. Liz Lee and Ben Blanchard, Reuters, October 19
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan renews push for lifting of Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions. Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin urged the U.S. Congress to permanently remove Kazakhstan from the Cold War-era Jackson-Vanik amendment, calling it a barrier to expanded trade, especially in critical minerals. During a trade mission to Washington, he promoted $100 billion in infrastructure projects and met with U.S. lawmakers and business leaders. Eurasianet, October 17
Uzbekistan
World Bank approves $800 million loans to Uzbekistan to support structural reforms. The World Bank will provide Uzbekistan with $800 million in concessional loans to aid structural reforms, including social protection, SOE privatization, and trade liberalization. The funds will help offset energy tariff hikes for low-income households, promote gender equality, expand social services, and attract private investment in telecom, energy, and agriculture. Gazeta, October 17
East Asia
Asia’s Trump Problem: The Region Lacks Leaders Who Connect With the U.S. President. After August meetings in Washington alongside Volodymyr Zelensky, European heads coordinated leverage and won U.S. backing for NATO-financed arms, while Asia has no Abe-like counterpart to shape policy. A second-term process marked by purges and unpredictability reduces docking points for partners. Proposed and imposed duties unsettle allies: 10 percent tariffs, threats of 200 percent on Australian pharmaceuticals, 15 percent on Japanese goods, and floated 100 percent on semiconductors. India faces 50 percent penalties over Russian oil. Frictions include an ICE raid on a Hyundai plant, AUKUS reviews, and climate splits. Tokyo’s Sanae Takaichi could emerge, but domestic fragility and changing U.S.–China priorities complicate engagement. Michael J. Green, Foreign Affairs, October 17
Why China’s waste incinerators are running out of trash. Rapid build-out of waste-to-energy capacity, driven by feed-in tariffs and PPPs, overshot available refuse as recycling and “zero-waste city” campaigns scaled up. Plants now operate below capacity after the 800,000-ton-per-day goal was surpassed in 2022 and total capability reached 1.17 million tons per day by 2024. Parallel policies pull in different directions: housing authorities emphasize “resource recovery,” while the environment ministry pushes sorting and lower emissions. Estimated carbon intensity near 1.8 tonnes per megawatt-hour far exceeds China’s power-sector average near 0.6. Public siting resistance persists, and the 2018 National Sword ban reduced plastic imports that previously fed furnaces. The sector exports technology abroad yet faces domestic shortages and planning contradictions. Erik Baark, ThinkChina, October 17
EU China policy can shun both complacency and bloc politics. The July 2025 EU–China summit ended in Beijing without movement on Ukraine, trade, or market access, signaling reduced political will and mounting frictions. China’s production-driven overcapacity heightens reliance on foreign buyers even as access tightens. Europe’s market and climate channels still matter, including the High-Level Dialogue and EU input to China’s ETS. Beijing’s expanded commerce with Russia since 2022 reinforces European skepticism and keeps ties transactional. Brussels is deploying trade defenses, foreign-subsidy rules, anti-coercion measures, and screening while warning against bloc politics and automatic alignment; unity enables selective cooperation within managed rivalry. Sacha Courtial, East Asia Forum, October 18
Foreign Voices for Xi’s Global Vision. People’s Daily amplified Xi Jinping’s “Four Great Global Initiatives” by running an “International Forum” commentary under the byline of Algerian lawmaker Abdelkader Berrich that lauds China’s “responsible major power” role and a roadmap to multipolarity. The push coincides with the Fourth Plenum and the UN anniversary, showing a pattern of deploying overseas figures to validate party narratives and project international consensus. The tactic echoes prior episodes, including a recent LeBron James byline controversy, and relies on signature terminology such as Community of Shared Future, China Plan, discourse power, and the “decline of the unipolar order.” The strategy seeks narrative control while signaling legitimacy to domestic audiences and partners abroad and diplomats. David Bandurski, China Media Project, October 17
Global investors edge back into China just as trade risks resurface. Confidence in Chinese equities is recovering as earnings momentum improves, drawing capital back despite renewed policy and trade headwinds. Sentiment has firmed in October, supported by company results, even as geopolitical friction and tariff talk complicate the outlook. The recalibration suggests a selective approach: investors re-enter on profit signals while monitoring exposure to external shocks and regulatory shifts. The backdrop remains volatile, yet improving fundamentals are enough to pull sidelined money toward targeted positions, leaving positioning sensitive to any deterioration in cross-border commerce or policy uncertainty. Laura Wang, Nikkei Asia, October 19
Southeast Asia
Durian Diplomacy Is on the Rise in China and Southeast Asia. A once regional delicacy has become a Chinese craze, turning pungent fruit into influence. In Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, Chinese visitors queue for fresh segments, soft-serve, and pastries while vendors slice open barbed shells. China now buys more than 1.5 million metric tons each year, with shoppers paying about $25 for a large fruit, and nearly all supply arrives from Southeast Asian neighbors. This demand fuels tourism, branding, and supply-chain ties that translate culinary taste into economic and cultural leverage. The spectacle shows how everyday consumption can recast regional relationships as producers seek access and visibility in China’s market. Gloria Dickie, Foreign Policy, October 17
Energy Trade in Southeast Asia: The Need to Address Resource Nationalism. Domestic politics and stakeholder incentives shape regional power exchange more than slogans. Malaysia’s 2021 renewable export ban and Indonesia’s 2022 pause reflect grid limits, decarbonization aims, and industrial strategy. Peninsular–Borneo relations, Sarawak hydropower, and subsea links to Singapore add complexity. Jakarta’s agencies diverge: energy officials back sales to lift renewable capacity, while the investment ministry conditions exports on local plants and capital. A 2023 Singapore–Indonesia MOU widened scope, leading to 3.4 GW of conditionally approved imports by 2025. Dilapidated networks remain the bottleneck; Indonesia needs about US$50 billion by 2040 and internal interconnections before large exports. ASEAN can mix route competition with incentives for domestic grids and industry to temper resource nationalism. Mirza Sadaqat Huda, FULCRUM, October 17
China’s Pivotal Role in the Silent Conflict in ASEAN’s Energy Future. Southeast Asia’s rapid expansion lifts electricity need while 80% of supply remains fossil-based despite large hydro, wind, geothermal, and biofuel potential, ASEAN will drive over a quarter of global demand growth by 2035 and most members have net-zero goals. China finances both coal and clean tech, from captive-coal industrial parks to localized solar, battery, and EV manufacturing, giving it leverage to entrench dependency or enable transition. Early templates include a 200 MW solar + 80 MWh storage build at Morowali and a State Grid–PLN grid upgrade MoU, though such cases remain rare. Xi’s 2021 overseas-coal halt and support for resilient grids, storage, and adaptation frame a workable path. Kevin Zongzhe Li, and Brian Wong, CHINA US Focus, October 17
Same Sea, Different Sights: Philippines and China’s Security Woes. Manila expands U.S. defense access and multilateral ties to offset asymmetry, while Beijing’s calculus reflects historical trauma and suspicion of alliances. Both states see the sea as vulnerability shaped by invasions and colonization, each is upgrading naval and coast guard capacity. For the Philippines, the West Philippine Sea anchors energy and food security, notably the Malampaya gas field and key fisheries. China’s priorities skew to security given onshore hydrocarbons and dominant aquaculture. Increased activity at Scarborough and Second Thomas, Typhon deployment in northern Luzon, and missile tests amplify tension as Washington’s presence intersects SCS and Taiwan scenarios. Manila seeks alliances for deterrence; Beijing warns external involvement worsens risk. Lucio Blanco Pitlo III, CHINA US Focus, October 17