China
U.S. House delegation to visit China for first time in over 6 years. China confirmed that Representative Adam Smith will lead a bipartisan delegation from the U.S. House Armed Services Committee to China later this month, marking the first such visit since 2019. While the agenda remains unclear, the trip is seen as a potential step toward stabilizing relations amid ongoing tensions. Orange Wang, South China Morning Post, September 10
Chinese defense minister holds video call with US counterpart, stresses importance of respecting each other’s core interests. Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held a video call focused on stabilizing military ties and avoiding conflict. Dong emphasized mutual respect and condemned efforts to use Taiwan against China. He reaffirmed China’s stance on the South China Sea and rejected external interference. Yu Xi, Global Times, September 10
Rubio spoke Wednesday with China's Wang Yi, State Department says. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday to continue discussions from their July meeting in Malaysia, focusing on bilateral, global, and regional issues. Wang warned against U.S. actions affecting Taiwan and urged restraint. The exchange followed recent tariff escalations. Daphne Psaledakis and Doina Chiacu, Reuters, September 10
Japan
Ex-top diplomat Motegi vows to seek new ruling bloc if elected LDP chief. Former Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi announced his candidacy for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's presidency, pledging to form a new coalition with parties like the Japan Innovation Party and the Democratic Party for the People. He aims to revive the economy, tackle inflation, and stabilize governance after recent electoral losses. Kyodo News, September 10
South Korea
Lee says ICE raid could make Korean firms ‘hesitant’ about investment in U.S. President Lee Jae Myung warned that a U.S. immigration raid on a Hyundai-LG battery plant could discourage Korean firms from investing in America. He criticized the treatment of detained workers and said a chartered flight would repatriate them. Lee also cited efforts to improve visa rules and finalize a trade deal. Kim Eun-jung, Yonhap News Agency, September 11
Son of ex-President Roh Tae-woo tapped as new ambassador to China. Roh Jae-heon, the eldest son of former President Roh Tae-woo, has been nominated as South Korea’s new ambassador to China. Though not a career diplomat, he has participated in cultural exchanges and advisory roles related to China. If confirmed, he will be the first ambassador to Beijing under President Lee Jae Myung. Yi Wonju, Yonhap News Agency, September 11
North Korea
Daughter of N. Korea’s Kim appears to have solidified standing as likely successor with China visit. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s daughter, Ju-ae, appears to have strengthened her status as his probable successor during a recent visit to China, according to South Korea’s intelligence agency. Though avoiding public exposure, her presence at official events reinforced succession narratives. The agency also reported Kim’s health remains stable. Yi Wonju, Yonhap News Agency, September 11
Pyongyang prepares contingency plans for potential Trump negotiations. North Korea is developing a contingency plan amid renewed interest from former U.S. President Donald Trump in resuming talks with Kim Jong Un. Sources say Pyongyang aims to secure sanctions relief and security guarantees through limited concessions, rejecting full denuclearization. Lee Sang-yong, Daily NK, September 10
Thailand
Paetongtarn to stay on as Pheu Thai Party leader. Paetongtarn Shinawatra confirmed she will remain Pheu Thai Party leader as long as she retains members’ trust, amid preparations for internal restructuring before the next election. Senior party figures emphasized improving coordination and readiness, while dismissing concerns over Thaksin’s imprisonment and business allegations linked to her allies. Party unity and electoral prospects were affirmed. Mongkol Bangprapa, Bangkok Post, September 11
Three referendums required, says court. Thailand’s Constitutional Court ruled that drafting a new constitution must involve three referendums, though the first two may be combined. It also barred direct elections for members of a Constitution Drafting Assembly. The ruling followed a petition by Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha. Aekarach Sattaburuth, Bangkok Post, September 11
Constitutional Court rejects three petitions to revoke ruling on Paetongtarn. Thailand’s Constitutional Court dismissed three petitions seeking to overturn its decision removing Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister, citing violations of ethical standards. Petitioners argued Judge Panya Utchachon’s term had expired before the ruling, but the court confirmed his replacement was appointed the following day. The Nation, September 10
Myanmar
Mastermind of China’s ‘Great Firewall’ powering Myanmar junta’s digital repression: report. Chinese firm Geedge Networks and 13 telecom companies are accused of enabling Myanmar’s military to carry out a campaign of surveillance, censorship and violence, according to Justice for Myanmar. Led by Fang Binxing, Geedge provides tools to track civilians online and ban VPNs, allegedly aiding crimes against humanity. The Irrawaddy, September 10
First victim jailed under Myanmar’s new election protection law. A Myanmar man, Ko Nay Thway, was sentenced to seven years in prison for criticizing the junta’s upcoming election on Facebook, becoming the first person jailed under the new Election Protection Law. He condemned the regime’s failure to ensure basic security. Authorities say at least three people are currently being prosecuted under the law. Myo Pyae, The Irrawaddy, September 10
Cambodia
Cambodia, Thailand reach key agreements to defuse tensions. Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to withdraw heavy weapons from their shared border, conduct joint demining, and improve border management after a high-level meeting in Koh Kong. They pledged to enhance communication and refrain from spreading misinformation. Cambodia was assured of the eventual release of its detained soldiers. Taing Rinith, Khmer Times, September 10
Over 50 NGOs call for repeal of citizenship law amendment. A coalition of 54 NGOs has called on Cambodia’s government to repeal recent amendments to its citizenship law, warning the changes could violate international norms and risk rendering individuals stateless. The groups argue the law’s provisions are vague and disproportionate, granting excessive power to revoke citizenship in cases of alleged treason. Torn Vibol, Khmer Times, September 10
Philippines
Philippines protests China’s plan to establish nature reserve in Bajo de Masinloc. The Philippines filed a diplomatic protest against China over its plan to create a maritime nature reserve in Bajo de Masinloc, which Manila says violates its sovereign rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs emphasized the area lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and urged China to respect the 2016 arbitral ruling. Bernadette E. Tamayo, The Manila Times, September 11
Nepal
Nepal’s young protesters, army in talks to decide interim leader. Nepal’s army resumed talks with Gen Z protesters to select an interim leader after anti-corruption demonstrations left 30 dead and forced Prime Minister Oli’s resignation. Protesters are backing former Chief Justice Sushila Karki for the role. The protests erupted over a social media ban and escalated into widespread unrest. Gopal Sharma, Reuters, September 11
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s president proposes creating a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev proposed forming a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development to guide the country through rapid technological changes. In a September 8 address, he urged citizens to embrace digitalization to avoid a dystopian future. Tokayev also announced plans for a digital currency reserve and warned of persistent inflation. Eurasianet, September 10
East Asia
Courting Berlin, countering Brussels: China’s twin-track approach to Germany and the EU. Beijing reassures Berlin through high-level access and visa-free entry while resisting EU trade defense and tech controls at Brussels level. The approach exploits institutional roles: Brussels sets trade remedies, Berlin offers prestige and market access. Responses included retaliatory brandy duties after EU EV countervailing measures and tighter leverage over gallium, germanium, and graphite. Stress tests showed Germany cannot shield China from EU coalitions; Berlin’s Huawei and ZTE phase-out by 2026 and 2029 narrows end-run space. Outlook: managed estrangement with potential stabilization via EV price undertakings, or shock escalation after a security crisis. Policy guidance prioritises EU unity, targeted WTO-consistent defenses, diversification of critical inputs, and firm security timelines. Stefan Messingschlager, Merics, September 10
Washington’s mixed signals on export controls tip the scales towards China. US policy elevates restrictions as a core instrument in competition, with the July 2025 AI Action Plan proposing location verification on advanced compute, stricter diversion monitoring, expanded coverage to equipment subsystems, and broader use of the Foreign Direct Product Rule and secondary tariffs. The same administration has also used controls as bargaining leverage, briefly targeting design software, ethane, and aircraft components, then easing after deals, including approving Nvidia’s H20 shipments, which drew national security criticism and unsettled partners. Recommended steps separate nonnegotiable security controls from negotiable economic measures and increase Congressional engagement and allied coordination to reduce backfilling, improve predictability, increase credibility for partners, and transparency. Kazuo Waki, East Asia Forum, September 10
The securities chief’s curse: Family, alumni and associates that toppled Yi Huiman. China confirmed a corruption probe into former CSRC chair Yi Huiman on 6 September, making him the eighth ministerial-level official investigated this year. Scrutiny reportedly spans three networks: ICBC associates, alumni from Zhejiang Financial College, and relatives tied to financing and CICC. Yi’s tenure delivered registration-based IPO reform, yet markets stayed weak and volatile; he was removed in February 2024 and replaced by Wu Qing. Statements omitted any claim of voluntary cooperation, implying higher legal risk than Liu Shiyu’s 2019 case. The episode spotlights rent-seeking in capital markets and warns of systemic risks without institutional reform. Yang Danxu, ThinkChina, September 10
China’s High-Tech Food Security Push. Beijing’s June 10, 2025 plan accelerates digital transformation across food production, logistics, and traceability, embedding AI, blockchain, 5G, industrial IoT, cloud, and big data; targets include 80 percent digital integration in key firms by 2027 and full integration by 2030, plus pilots for demonstration factories and digital parks. Execution must overcome fragmented smallholder structures, credit constraints, data governance gaps, and shortages of digital talent. Fiscal stress from heavy local debt threatens financing for rural infrastructure and technology. Outcomes will influence global prices and trade as China balances safety, resilience, and self-sufficiency. Genevieve Donnellon-May, China Observers, September 11
Reprogramming trade in Asia for an automated future. Rapid robot and AI adoption led by China, Japan, and South Korea widens capability gaps and reshapes trade. Short-run evidence links automation to less reshoring and continued offshoring; longer-run modeling warns of reshoring that harms lower-income exporters. Priorities: invest in skills, institutions, and innovation; keep markets open; and scale Robots-as-a-Service to lower entry costs. Education guidance is scarce, with only ten countries issuing AI curriculum direction by late 2024. Contrast South Korea’s US$53.5 billion Digital New Deal with Indonesia’s under-resourced strategy and restrictive data rules. Yixiao Zhou, East Asia Forum, September 10
Southeast Asia
Resilience and reinvention in Asia’s developing economies. Slower growth, tight financial conditions, debt risks, and climate shocks pressure Asia, yet governments significantly diversify beyond commodities and low-cost assembly, prioritize productivity, digital transformation, and the green transition, and address gaps in long-term finance, regulation, and market depth. Indonesia’s 2023 Financial Sector Development and Strengthening Act coordinates regulators, strengthens oversight of non-bank institutions, and sets inclusion metrics; non-bank intermediation expands credit but needs agile supervision and cooperation. Fiscal buffers and innovative financing mobilise private capital through green bonds, blended finance, and PPPs; CMIM and ABMI help, though CMIM’s activation and scale remain limited. Inclusion in Indonesia reached 80.5 percent with a narrowing gender gap, but last-mile usage still persistently lags. Chandra Kusuma, East Asia Forum, September 11
Indonesia’s New Haj Ministry: A Change in Name Without Progress? On 26 August 2025 Indonesia upgraded the Badan Penyelenggara Haji into a cabinet-level body overseeing haj and umrah after unanimous DPR backing. President Prabowo installed Mochamad Irfan Yusuf and Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, signalling accommodation of NU and Muhammadiyah constituencies. Centralized oversight could curb scams and excessive fees, yet lawmakers rushed the legal conversion on 22 August and approved it four days later, raising governance concerns. Service bottlenecks persist: pilgrim queues stretch 11–47 years; KPK is probing misuse of 20,000 extra quotas after a 50:50 split breached the 92:8 rule; and chaotic transport left elderly pilgrims walking kilometres between Muzdalifah and Mina. Norshahril Saat and A'an Suryana, FULCRUM, September 10
The 13th Malaysia Plan: Distinctive and Difficult Aspirations. Malaysia’s 2026–2030 plan sets a mission of “Redesigning Development” and adopts a leaner format relative to earlier blueprints. Two standout pillars reframe priorities: building economic complexity to climb the value-added ladder and advancing social mobility to narrow structural gaps. The agenda reinforces NIMP 2030 and targets a change from “Made in Malaysia” to “Made by Malaysia,” focusing on AI, digitalization, green industry, food sufficiency, and dispersal of know-how through RDCI. Delivery hinges on education quality: secondary schooling becomes compulsory, yet TIMSS 2023 scores remain in the bottom third, so policymakers aim to reach the world average by 2030. Lee Hwok-Aun, FULCRUM, September 10