China
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi to visit Italy and Switzerland this week. Wang Yi will travel October 7–12 to attend the 12th China–Italy government committee meeting and a China–Switzerland foreign ministers’ strategic dialogue. The trip follows Rome’s decision to drop an administrative case involving Sinochem’s role at Pirelli, easing “golden power” tensions, and comes as Bern marks 75 years of ties with Beijing. William Zheng, South China Morning Post, October 5
China’s J-35 and J-35A manufacturing hangars unveiled for first time. A PLA-affiliated outlet released footage of unpainted J-35 and J-35A stealth fighters under construction at AVIC’s Shenyang facility. Chief designer Sun Cong highlighted stealth shaping, a compact, highly integrated airframe, and dual-mode carrier launch compatibility. The land-based J-35A is optimized for air superiority missions. Global Times, October 5
Japan
Right-wing Sanae Takaichi set to be Japan’s first female premier. Japan’s ruling LDP chose hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi as party leader over Shinjiro Koizumi, positioning her to become the first female prime minister. An Abenomics proponent, she floated tax cuts and subsidies while pledging prudence, vowed to honor the Trump tariff–investment deal, and may temper BOJ tightening ahead of an Oct. 15 parliamentary vote. Tim Kelly, John Geddie and Satoshi Sugiyama, Reuters, October 4
New LDP chief Takaichi to tap Suzuki of ex-PM Aso’s faction for No. 2 post. Sanae Takaichi is weighing Shunichi Suzuki, head of the LDP General Council and a member of Taro Aso’s faction, for the party’s No. 2 role and may name Aso vice president. She aims to finalize executives by Tuesday while courting opposition cooperation as the LDP governs without a majority, and plans to place her former rivals in key posts. Kyodo News, October 5
South Korea
Presidential office holds emergency response meeting on U.S. tariffs. Seoul convened an emergency meeting on U.S. tariffs co-chaired by policy chief Kim Yong-beom and National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, with finance, foreign and trade ministers present. Following Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan’s talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, officials reviewed outcomes and set follow-up negotiating tasks. Kang Yoon-seung, Yonhap News Agency, October 5
Trump expected to visit S. Korea on Oct. 29 ahead of APEC summit: sources. U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a South Korea stop on Oct. 29, potentially holding summits with Seoul and Beijing before the Oct. 31–Nov. 1 APEC meetings in Gyeongju. Officials said the schedule remains under coordination and a one-day trip is possible, with a Lee-Trump summit under discussion. Woo Jae-yeon, Yonhap News Agency, October 4
North Korea
North Korea’s Kim says country will develop additional military measures, state media reports. Kim Jong Un said North Korea has allocated “special assets” to key targets in response to the buildup of U.S. forces in South Korea and vowed to develop additional military measures, according to KCNA. He spoke at a military exhibition ahead of the Workers’ Party’s 80th anniversary. Cynthia Kim, Reuters, October 5
Thailand
Pheu Thai to unveil lineup for next poll. Pheu Thai will announce its first slate of candidates next Tuesday at party headquarters, presenting an election strategy shaped by public input, secretary-general Sorawong Thienthong said. The event features a keynote by leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the party readies for a vote expected after the House dissolution before Jan. 31. Chairith Yonpiam, Bangkok Post, October 5
‘Outsider ministers’ spark online debate amid political uncertainty. Wisesight data logged 3,828,850 engagements across 7,559 posts from Sept. 13–Oct. 2, led by Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun. Facebook drove conversation, with TikTok second and YouTube third. Sentiment leaned positive — 905,933 interactions versus 541,633 negative responses — as users reacted to cabinet newcomers and policy messaging. The Nation, October 4
Vietnam
Vietnam, Thailand seek measures to intensify bilateral collaboration. Acting Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung held his first call with Thai counterpart Sihasak Phuangketkeow to drive a 2026–2030 action programme, set up a joint working group on “Three Connectivity,” and push balanced two-way trade to US$25 billion, while intensifying security cooperation and ASEAN coordination; Sihasak accepted an invitation to visit Vietnam soon. Vietnam News, October 3
Myanmar
Aung San Suu Kyi’s son seeks China’s help to secure her release from Myanmar jail. Kim Aris urged President Xi Jinping to press Myanmar’s junta to free his mother, citing Beijing’s influence and saying no one has been granted access to her. He warned she could die in prison and argued her release is essential for reconciliation. Amy Chew, South China Morning Post, October 3
Laos
President to visit Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Laos’ party chief and president Thongloun Sisoulith will lead a high-level delegation to the DPRK on October 7–8 at Kim Jong Un’s invitation, aiming to strengthen bilateral ties. The visit coincides with the Workers’ Party of Korea’s 80th anniversary, 50 years of Laos–DPRK relations, and 60 years since the first Pyongyang summit between Kaysone Phomvihane and Kim Il Sung. Vientiane Times, October 3
Historic first U.S.-Lao Business Roundtable strengthens trade and investment ties. On Sept. 29 in Washington, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone met U.S. business leaders to expand commerce and investment, highlighting reforms and connectivity transforming Laos from land-locked to “land-linked.” Priority sectors include tourism, modern agriculture, clean energy, manufacturing, logistics, and carbon markets. The Laotian Times, October 5
Cambodia
Cambodia slams Thailand’s ‘racist violence’ at UN. Cambodia’s ambassador in Geneva, In Dara, told the UN Human Rights Council that Cambodians in Thailand face xenophobic attacks, harassment, and disinformation amid the border dispute, urging vigilance and cooperation to protect affected communities. He rejected NGO and foreign criticisms of Cambodia’s rights record as selective and politically motivated. Taing Rinit, Khmer Times, October 6
Cambodia rejects Thai request to evict civilians from disputed border areas. Cambodia’s Military Region 5 rejected Thailand’s demand for an “eviction plan” covering communities opposite Nong Chan, Nong Ya Kaeo, and Ta Phak Ya, saying boundary issues fall under the Joint Boundary Commission, not the regional border committee. Khmer Times, October 5
Philippines
Lacson to resign from blue ribbon committee. Sen. Panfilo Lacson announced he will step down as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee following criticism from fellow senators over his handling of investigations into alleged anomalies in flood control projects. His decision follows complaints about not summoning key House figures and controversial remarks on budget insertions. Bernadette E. Tamayo and Aric John Sy Cua, The Manila Times, October 5
Alice Guo birth certificate declared void by Tarlac court. The Tarlac Regional Trial Court voided the birth certificate of former Bamban mayor Alice Guo on September 24, citing her ineligibility for late registration. Authorities identified her as a Chinese national, and she faces multiple criminal charges including falsification, trafficking, and graft. Guo is currently detained in Pasig City. Keith Clores, Philippine Daily Inquirer, October 5
Indonesia
Indonesia suspends TikTok license, House urges protection for SMEs. Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs suspended TikTok’s Electronic System Operator License for failing to provide complete data on TikTok Live activities amid suspicions of online gambling. Lawmakers backed regulatory enforcement but stressed the need to safeguard small businesses using the platform for digital commerce. ANTARA News, October 3
Prabowo orders food safety kits for all free meal kitchens after poisoning cases. President Prabowo Subianto ordered all kitchens in the national free meal program to be equipped with food safety test kits following poisoning incidents that sickened over 6,500 students. The directive includes hygiene upgrades and the adoption of police kitchen standards to restore public trust in the program. Prisma Ardianto, Jakarta Globe, October 6
Taiwan
TPP accuses Premier Cho of malfeasance over budget. The Taiwan People’s Party accused Premier Cho Jung-tai of malfeasance for omitting funds in the central budget for approved military pay hikes and increased pensions for police and firefighters. The TPP plans to seek budget revisions and report Cho to the Ministry of Justice, calling his actions unconstitutional. James Thompson and Chen Chun-hua, Focus Taiwan, October 5
Taiwan says Lai has no overseas visit plan amid U.S. stopover attempt report. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated President Lai Ching-te has no current plans for an overseas trip or U.S. stopover, dismissing recent media speculation. The ministry emphasized that no such arrangements exist amid heightened geopolitical sensitivity. Wen Kuei-hsiang and Frances Huang, Focus Taiwan, October 4
India
India set to receive first Afghan Taliban minister. The U.N. Security Council sanctions committee granted a temporary travel exemption for Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, enabling a possible visit to India between Oct. 9 and 16 — the first by a senior Taliban official since 2021. New Delhi cited ongoing contacts and quake aid, while Kabul flagged talks on trade, health services, consular issues, and port access, with a prior stop in Moscow. Sakshi Dayal, Shivam Patel, Mohammad Yunus Yawar, Reuters, October 3
India and China to resume direct flights after five-year freeze. Direct flights will restart later this month, with IndiGo launching daily Kolkata–Guangzhou service on Oct. 26 after India’s foreign ministry announced the move and Guangzhou Baiyun Airport confirmed it. The routes end a halt since 2020 and signal a cautious easing of ties as both sides discuss additional connections. Mrinmay Dey, Abhijith Ganapavaram, Yazhini MV, Greg Torode, Reuters, October 3
East Asia
China needs to chart a new course to become world’s largest importer. Beijing should pivot from export-led growth and heavy investment toward consumption, targeting top global importer status within 5–10 years to ease overcapacity, narrow record surpluses, and temper trade frictions. Measures include opening services such as healthcare, education, sports, and elderly care to foreign providers, lowering barriers and tariffs, and importing advanced drugs and technologies to meet ageing-population demand. Expanded imports would rebalance the economy, foster innovation via technology and capital inflows, and position China as a demand driver that shapes standards and supply chains. The upcoming 15th five-year plan is the vehicle for this move from “made in China” to “consumed in China.” Wang Xiangwei, South China Morning Post, October 6
Prayers and packed bags: How China’s youth are navigating a jobless future. Graduates priced out of stable housing cluster in urban hostels that double as job-hunt bases, budgeting tightly and preparing fallback hustles. Interviews and observations describe an “atomised disembedding” as young people leave hometown networks, face uncertain prospects, and recalibrate expectations. Elite students also downgrade ambitions, while some pursue spiritual practices, tarot, astrology, bazi, incense, as coping tools that restore a sense of agency. Scholars urge institutions to match changing realities with employment services, transitional housing, and community support so youth find both income and meaning. Official data place unemployment for 16–24 year-olds outside school at 18.9% in August, heightening urgency for practical assistance and social reintegration. Li Kang, ThinkChina, October 2
Managing Rivalry: China’s Strategy for Coexistence with the U.S. A Fudan-linked analysis argues that China’s ascent as “world factory” reshaped geopolitics and exposed four US vulnerabilities: innovation bottlenecks without full industrial ecosystems, a strained defense base, fiscal fragility under heavy debt, and middle-class erosion. Washington’s response, tariffs above 50%, technology controls, and financial limits, aims to curb Chinese upgrading, with China’s August exports to the US down 33% year-on-year and AI funding at one-tenth of America’s. The proposed counter-strategy is deeper openness: accelerate free-trade talks, pursue unilateral liberalization, and expand visa-free entry to invert US protectionism and lead the next phase of globalization. Li Wei, U.S.-China Perception Monitor, October 3
The China-Russia Axis Is Getting Firmer, and It’s Built on Gas. China received multiple LNG cargoes from Russia’s sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 and signaled intent to expand pipeline imports, including a potential Power of Siberia 2, tightening a long-term energy partnership priced in rubles and yuan. The shipments test U.S. appetite for enforcing secondary sanctions and could resume after winter when ice-class tanker limits ease. For Moscow, Chinese purchases offer an outlet as Europe diversifies away from Russian supply, though China’s bargaining power implies discounted terms. For Beijing, deeper ties raise concentration risk, with analysis suggesting up to 40% of gas could come from Russia by 2035, trading diversification for dependence. Strategic alignment, not market need, drives the change. Keith Johnson, Foreign Policy, October 3
Southeast Asia
A regional maritime forum can create sweeter cooperation in Southeast Asia. ASEAN’s consensus rule and non-interference norm limit joint action on conflicts, illegal fishing, porous borders, and disaster response. A focused maritime grouping, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, and Singapore (“MANIS”), with potential expansion to Timor-Leste, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Brunei, would complement ASEAN, not replace it. Priorities include coordinated patrols, joint exercises, interoperable protocols in the South China Sea and adjoining waters, cross-agency working groups, and eventual peacekeeping deployments, all aligned with UNCLOS. The design leverages FPDA experience while avoiding unanimity traps, aiming to strengthen sovereignty, border integrity, and climate-linked security. John Blaxland and Ridvan Kilic, East Asia Forum, October 4
America’s EV plan needs Southeast Asia more than it admits. Tariffs cannot create supply chains, so US electrification hinges on Southeast Asia’s fast-scaling nodes: Thailand’s EV and cell investments, Malaysia’s precision castings and machining, and Indonesia’s nickel and battery materials. Policy should build “cumulation corridors” to count regional value-add toward origin, speed rulings with green lanes, co-fund metrology and failure-analysis labs in Kuala Lumpur, Rayong, and Batam, and tie incentives to digital auditability with live dashboards. This secures non-Chinese, rules-compliant capacity while reducing delays and costs for US assembly. Logistics, documentation quality, and verified inputs become the resilience levers, not blanket protection. Apoorba Banerjee, Lowy Institute, October 5
Is Vietnam Headed for a Property Market Crisis? Apartment prices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City surged 33% and 47% year-on-year, respectively, pushing affordability to extremes and stoking social risk. Drivers include constrained supply from legal delays, higher construction costs, speculative demand aided by cheap credit, weak anti-speculation taxes, and land-pricing rules that inflate developers’ costs. Mortgage rates near 6.9% fixed for three years and rapid credit expansion to VND4.1 quadrillion have funneled liquidity into real estate. Authorities plan to boost affordable supply, streamline approvals, consider tax measures, and adjust Land Law implementation, yet leadership prioritizes growth before the CPV’s 14th congress, making abrupt tightening unlikely. The market stays hot while crisis odds rise. Le Hong Hiep, FULCRUM, October 3
Trump’s Tariffs and China’s Subsidies: Southeast Asia Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place. Broad “Liberation Day” tariff hikes raised uncertainty while US imports fell quarter-on-quarter; China’s shipments to the US dropped sharply as average duties hit 57.6%. Yet China’s overall exports stayed resilient and pivoted to ASEAN, lifting the bloc’s share of Chinese exports to 18.5% as local and central subsidies, many launched after April, bolstered machinery, electrical equipment, and vehicles. Southeast Asian exporters grew through frontloading but now face crowd-out risks in the US plus surges at home. Policy options include calibrated safeguards, anti-dumping, and countervailing duties, and pursuing clearer subsidy disciplines via RCEP or the ASEAN–China FTA, though politics complicate collective action. Deasy Pane, FULCRUM, October 3
South Asia
India’s Strategic Balancing Act. India signals restraint with China while sustaining structural alignment with the United States. Modi’s SCO visit restored flights and pilgrimage access yet left core issues, unsettled LAC frictions, China’s Pakistan corridor, and a near-$100 billion trade gap, untouched. History of clashes from 1962 through Galwan shows the limits to rapprochement. In contrast, the US partnership spans defense interoperability, intelligence, counter-terrorism, supply chains, and technology, alongside an Indian export surplus and active negotiations despite punitive tariffs. Strategic autonomy requires deterring escalation with China without assuming partnership, and bargaining hard with Washington without derailing cooperation. The theater of summitry cannot override geography, ideology, and power asymmetries that anchor policy. Shashi Tharoor, Project Syndicate, October 3
The US-India romance is over. Washington’s push for 100% tariffs and a proposed $100,000 H-1B fee collides with New Delhi’s energy and financial choices, linking immigration, oil purchases, and trade in ways that strain ties. India’s participation in Belarus’s Zapad drills, BRICS-driven rupee bond plans via the New Development Bank, and de-dollarization initiatives aggravate U.S. concerns and cloud Quad dynamics. Defense talks continue, yet India has paused new U.S. buys while exploring Su-57 procurement and relying on a predominantly Russian arsenal; Russia supplies roughly 40% of India’s daily oil. The relationship changes to a transactional mode with widening policy gaps, raising questions about alignment, market access, and the viability of a long-hyped partnership. Abishur Prakash, Nikkei Asia, October 6
Oceania
AUKUS’s Survival Is a Good Sign for Trump’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. AUKUS cleared a Trump administration review and stays intact ahead of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Oct. 20 White House visit, signaling continuity in U.S. strategy despite domestic pressures for retrenchment. The pact preserves joint production of nuclear-powered submarines, U.S. sales of up to five Virginia-class boats to Australia in the early 2030s, troop rotations, and cooperation on hypersonics and other advanced systems aimed at bolstering deterrence. Retention steadies allied confidence, clarifies Washington’s China posture before a possible Trump–Xi meeting, and sustains momentum for a broader “Pillar II” network on critical defense technologies with partners like Japan and Canada. Canberra’s sunk costs, training pipelines, and capability leap reinforce the decision’s logic. Derek Grossman, Foreign Policy, October 3