China
China to roll out new rules on Mandarin use in ethnic integration drive. China is set to implement new legislation promoting standard Mandarin among ethnic minorities as part of its national integration strategy. The draft laws aim to increase Mandarin use in education, public services, and digital platforms while protecting the right to learn the national language. Critics argue the policy may erode minority cultures. Xinlu Liang, South China Morning Post, September 10
China’s top legislator calls on lawmakers to contribute suggestions on environmental code. Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, urged legislators to provide input on China’s first unified environmental code during the ongoing NPC session. The updated draft, comprising five chapters, addresses pollution control, ecological protection, and green development. Global Times, September 9
Japan
Japan, Philippines agree to enhance defense cooperation with eye on China. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro agreed to strengthen cooperation on defense technology and equipment amid China’s maritime assertiveness. Discussions included Japan’s possible export of retired destroyers and a new defense pact enabling joint exercises. Kyodo News, September 9
Japan's ruling LDP to hold leadership election on Oct. 4. The Liberal Democratic Party will elect a new leader on October 4 following Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation after the party’s upper house election loss. Campaigning begins September 22, with candidates including Toshimitsu Motegi, Yoshimasa Hayashi, and Sanae Takaichi. The vote will include lawmakers and party members, though the winner is not guaranteed the premiership. Kyodo News, September 9
South Korea
Top diplomats of S. Korea, U.S. to meet Wednesday over Koreans detained in immigration raid. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun will meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington to discuss the status of over 300 Koreans detained during a raid at a Hyundai-LG battery plant site in Georgia. Cho is expected to urge visa reform and protections for affected workers. Song Sang-ho, Yonhap News Agency, September 10
DPK leader warns opposition of party dissolution in first Assembly address. Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae warned that continued obstruction by the People Power Party could lead to its dissolution by the Constitutional Court. In his first National Assembly address, Jung called for reforms of the prosecution, judiciary, and media, while demanding investigations into martial law, corruption, and misconduct. His hardline stance drew criticism from opposition leaders. Anna J. Park, The Korea Times, September 9
Thailand
Supreme Court jails Thaksin for one year, rejects illness claims. Thailand’s Supreme Court ordered former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to serve a one-year prison sentence, ruling that his extended hospital stay was unjustified and did not count toward his term. The court found that Thaksin exaggerated health complaints to avoid incarceration and violated regulations on inmate transfers. Bangkok Post, September 9
Myanmar
Beijing officials split over Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s medical care. Chinese officials working on Myanmar policy are divided over whether to intervene in the treatment of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, whose health is reportedly deteriorating in military custody. Some favor bringing her to Beijing for care, while others oppose involvement. The junta denies her condition is worsening. She remains a symbol of resistance and is held at an undisclosed location. The Irrawaddy, September 9
Myanmar’s NUG says junta election will spur revolution. Myanmar’s National Unity Government warned that the junta’s planned December 28 election aims to falsely legitimize military rule and will intensify armed resistance. The NUG accused China of pressuring ethnic groups to halt offensives and said it is preparing nationwide coordinated attacks. It reported 16% of the country under resistance control. Myo Pyae, The Irrawaddy, September 9
Laos
Laos reaffirms interest in joining BRICS, deepens ties with Russia. Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphadone confirmed Laos is studying requirements to join BRICS, highlighting the bloc’s growing global influence. At the Eastern Economic Forum, he also met Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling strengthened bilateral ties. Laos first formally appealed for membership at the 2024 BRICS Summit in Kazan under Russia’s chairmanship. Namfon Chanthavong, The Laotian Times, September 9
Philippines
Philippines’ potential purchase of F-16 jets on hold due to budget constraints, envoy says. Manila’s planned acquisition of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets, valued at $5.6 billion, has been delayed due to funding issues, according to Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez. The Philippines recently purchased 12 FA-50 jets from South Korea and continues to focus on naval and air defense amid budget limitations. Karen Lema, Reuters, September 9
House gives DPWH more time to review proposed budget. The House appropriations committee granted the Department of Public Works and Highways an extension to revise its proposed 2026 budget after a formal request citing the volume of items needing review. The new deadline is September 15. Lawmakers approved the motion during resumed deliberations, with Secretary Vince Dizon saying the added time will ensure greater diligence. Reina C. Tolentino, The Manila Times, September 10
Indonesia
Respected Indonesian finance minister got an hour’s notice of sacking, sources say. Sri Mulyani Indrawati was dismissed as Indonesia’s finance minister with just an hour’s notice, according to sources, after tensions over her cautious fiscal stance clashed with President Prabowo Subianto’s expansive spending agenda. The ousting shocked markets and came amid unrest over government spending. Economist Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa replaced her. Ananda Teresia and Stefanno Sulaiman, Reuters, September 9
Plain speaking economist Purbaya takes helm as Indonesia’s finance minister. Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, known for his blunt style and pro-growth stance, was sworn in as Indonesia’s new finance minister after Sri Mulyani’s sudden dismissal. Purbaya pledged to support President Prabowo’s goal of 8% GDP growth and emphasized increased fiscal spending. Analysts note he must rebuild investor confidence and uphold fiscal credibility. Gayatri Suroyo and Stefanno Sulaiman, Reuters, September 9.
India
India elects ruling BJP's Radhakrishnan as new vice president. Indian lawmakers elected C.P. Radhakrishnan, a former parliamentarian and governor of Maharashtra, as vice president after the abrupt resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar in July due to health issues. Radhakrishnan, backed by Prime Minister Modi’s BJP coalition, secured 452 of 752 votes, defeating opposition nominee B. Sudershan Reddy. Shilpa Jamkhandikar and Sudipto Ganguly, Reuters, September 9
Nepal
Young anti-corruption protesters oust Nepal PM Oli. Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned following mass protests led by Gen Z demonstrators angry over corruption and a now-lifted social media ban. Nineteen people were killed and over 100 injured in clashes with police. Protesters defied curfews, stormed parliament, and torched government buildings, including the PM’s office. President Paudel began talks to appoint a successor. Gopal Sharma and Navesh Chitrakar, Reuters, September 9
Mongolia
China, Russia, Mongolia step up security ties with border exercise. China, Russia, and Mongolia conducted their first joint border defense drills, “Border Defence Cooperation – 2025,” to strengthen regional security coordination and strategic trust. The exercises, held in an undisclosed border area, featured a joint command post under a rotating leadership model. The drills followed a recent trilateral summit in Beijing, where China urged Mongolia to join the SCO. Ethan Wang and Ryan Woo, Reuters, September 9
East Asia
Beyond State Control: The Struggle Over North Korea’s Markets. North Korea has tightened control over marketplaces through plainclothes inspections, permit checks, seizures, and bans on foreign media, shrinking informal trade and prompting exits from street vending and even official stalls; reported closures since 2019 include Wonsan, Uiju, and Unsan. The campaign seeks to choke external information, force commerce into state-registered channels, and reassert pervasive surveillance. Vendors change to safer goods, delivery by bicycle or motorcycle, and small mobile sales, yet variety and autonomy decline. Policy proposals call for expanded humanitarian carve-outs, market autonomy support, and structural aid to bolster self-reliance while sanctions persist. Sang Yong Lee, 38 North, September 9
The South China Sea’s next legal frontier: Ships without sailors. Large unmanned surface vessels are advancing as China develops stealth-capable prototypes and the United States considers warship status for some platforms, expanding roles from mine countermeasures to anti-submarine and electronic warfare. Law trails technology. Hague VII and UNCLOS Article 29 tie warship status to an onboard commander and crew, creating uncertainty over belligerent rights, targeting rules, and claims of self-defence. Extending recognition to remotely commanded vessels could blur civilian-military boundaries and weaken protections for merchant traffic. As with submarines, state practice may eventually settle definitions, but the region risks escalation and duelling legal narratives in the interim. Pornomo Rovan Astri Yoga, Lowy Institute, September 9
What 3 million suggestions reveal about China’s evolving governance under Xi Jinping. As the 15th Five-Year Plan is prepared, authorities gathered nationwide input between 20 May and 20 June, generating over 3.11 million submissions. Official portals run by People’s Daily and Xinhua collected proposals capped at 4,000 words, with longer materials accepted by email. The exercise gauges sentiment and reinforces legitimacy while remaining tightly managed: participation is invited yet filtered, selection processes are opaque, and there is no mechanism to challenge outcomes. Self-censorship risks and social-media curation complicate interpretation and may weaken trust over time. For foreign firms, opacity heightens regulatory uncertainty even as mass consultation signals priorities across technology, welfare, environment, and security. Genevieve Donnellon-May, ThinkChina, September 9
Xi’s long game vs Trump’s deals: A clash of global futures. Beijing’s 3 September Victory Day parade showcased a changing global order as leaders from the Global South dominated, with only Slovakia’s Robert Fico and Serbia’s Aleksandar Vučić representing the West. A multipolar system is described as emerging while many Western capitals resist revision. Contrasts include Trump’s transactional approach and Xi’s longer-horizon governance, alongside survey findings on Chinese support for active global engagement and Chinese initiatives such as the Global Governance Initiative. Persistent wars and non-traditional threats underscore the need for cooperation as sanctions lose effectiveness and blocs realign. Zhu Zhiqun, ThinkChina, September 9
Southeast Asia
ASEAN faces a tighter middle-income trap. Export-led catch-up has slowed amid geopolitical risk and tariff uncertainty, exposing weak domestic champions and institutional barriers that block industrial upgrading. Innovation requires creative destruction, which authoritarian tendencies resist, making replication of South Korea and Taiwan’s champion-building path unlikely. A practical route is partnering foreign multinationals while improving university–industry links, intellectual property protection, and governance. Emerging firms in Penang such as Greatech and Vitrox signal ecosystem spillovers. Growth hinges on larger home demand: an integrated ASEAN market of 680 million people and US$3.9 trillion, plus reduced inequality, can build coalitions for reform. Priorities include managed FDI for verifiable technology transfer, harmonised standards, stronger logistics, and credible state capacity. Satoru Kumagai, East Asia Forum, September 10
Beyond Green Data Centres: Leaner, Smarter AI for Southeast Asia’s Sustainable Digital Future. Southeast Asia’s expanding digital economy is driving electricity demand, with facilities operating continuously and cooling loads straining grids. Global data centres used about 415 TWh in 2024, regional consumption may more than double by 2030, and Malaysia’s share alone could approach 30% of national use. Reliance on fossil-heavy systems threatens energy transitions and raises distributional concerns around power and water in constrained locales. Hardware upgrades such as efficient cooling, waste-heat recovery, off-peak shifting, and renewables, plus Singapore’s roadmap and Malaysia’s framework help, yet leaner software is pivotal: smaller task models, higher-quality datasets, compression, and efficient algorithms. Policymakers and firms should standardize application energy reporting, benchmark performance, prioritise essential services, and pilot lightweight tools. Muyi Yang, Xiwei Xu, and David Lo, FULCRUM, September 9