China
China displays its military strength in a parade on the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. Chinese President Xi Jinping marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a massive military parade in Beijing, emphasizing China's rise and readiness to lead globally. Xi delivered a speech recalling wartime sacrifices and calling for peace while showcasing advanced military hardware. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were present. Ken Moritsugu, Huizhong Wu, and Michelle L. Price, Associated Press, September 2
Bill to sanction Chinese officials who avoid action on fentanyl passes US House. The U.S. House passed the Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act in a 407-4 vote, aiming to sanction Chinese officials and firms that fail to prevent fentanyl trafficking. The bill targets those not taking credible steps such as implementing “know-your-customer” policies or aiding U.S. enforcement. It now heads to the Senate. Bochen Han, South China Morning Post, September 2
Xi Jinping reiterates support for Iran nuclear programme amid Western pressure. Xi Jinping voiced support for Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy and criticized Western sanctions, calling recent strikes on Iran violations of international law. He pledged deeper economic ties and backed a joint letter with Iran and Russia opposing UN sanctions, reinforcing alignment against U.S.-led pressure. Zhao Ziwen, South China Morning Post, September 2
Japan
LDP secretary-general offers to step down over Upper House election losses. Hiroshi Moriyama offered to resign as LDP secretary-general following the party’s Upper House defeat, saying he must take responsibility. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba praised Moriyama’s role but did not confirm his departure. The move increases pressure on Ishiba as other party leaders also consider stepping down, and calls grow for an early leadership vote. Gabriele Ninivaggi, The Japan Times, September 2
PM Ishiba plans to stay on for now despite LDP aide's readiness to quit. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba signaled he would remain in office for now despite internal calls for his resignation after the LDP's upper house election loss. While several senior party officials, including Secretary General Hiroshi Moriyama, offered to resign, Ishiba said his focus remains on economic policy. Party members continue pushing for an early leadership race. Kyodo News, September 2
South Korea
Special counsel tries to raid PPP floor leader's office for 2nd day. A special counsel team attempted for a second day to raid the office of People Power Party floor leader Song Eon-seog over allegations involving former leader Choo Kyung-ho’s role in obstructing a vote to repeal Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law decree. The raid was stalled due to the Assembly speaker's absence, while Choo’s homes and other offices were searched. Chae Yun-hwan, Yonhap News Agency, September 3
Lee receives credentials from 7 new ambassadors to S. Korea. President Lee Jae Myung formally received diplomatic credentials from seven newly appointed ambassadors to South Korea, including envoys from Indonesia, Spain, Bangladesh, Angola, Algeria, Pakistan, and the Dominican Republic. The credential ceremony, held at the presidential office, marks the official beginning of each ambassador's diplomatic mission in Seoul. Kim Eun-jung, Yonhap News Agency, September 2
North Korea
“Front runner” to be North Korea’s next supreme leader makes international debut in China. Kim Ju Ae, the teenage daughter of Kim Jong Un, made her first public overseas appearance during a visit to Beijing, fueling speculation about her succession prospects. South Korean intelligence sees her as the likely heir. Her protocol experience, rare even among North Korea’s ruling elite, included attending a Chinese military parade and engaging with senior foreign officials. Josh Smith, Ju-min Park, and Jack Kim, Reuters, September 3
Thailand
Thailand’s ruling Pheu Thai party prepared to dissolve parliament, official says. Amid a deepening political crisis, Pheu Thai said it may dissolve parliament if the People's Party backs rival Bhumjaithai for prime minister. The party could nominate Chaikasem Nitisiri or trigger a new election. Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s recent dismissal intensified the power struggle, while the People's Party reiterated support for dissolution and refused coalition participation. Panu Wongcha-Um and Panarat Thepgumpanat, Reuters, September 2
People’s Party backs Anutin for PM, Pheu Thai moves for House dissolution. The People’s Party endorsed Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul for prime minister but demanded a House dissolution within four months. Although backing the BJT-led government, the PP vowed to stay in opposition and outside the cabinet. In response, caretaker PM Phumtham Wechayachai of Pheu Thai sought royal approval to dissolve the House. Bangkok Post, September 3
Myanmar
UN warns scenes in Myanmar mirror 2017 atrocities. The UN condemned worsening violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, warning of scenes reminiscent of the 2017 Rohingya crackdown. UN rights chief Volker Turk cited systematic military attacks, forced displacement, and denial of aid, while also accusing the Arakan Army of abuses. Over 150,000 people have fled to Bangladesh since November. Myanmar Now, September 2
Min Aung Hlaing complains of ‘bullying’ by powerful nations. Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, speaking at the SCO Summit in China, accused major powers of using democracy to impose their will while ignoring national contexts. He echoed similar remarks by Chinese President Xi Jinping and criticized sanctions on Myanmar. The junta is strengthening ties with China, Russia, and related blocs to bypass sanctions and expand diplomatic engagement. Maung Kavi, The Irrawaddy, September 2
Cambodia
Senate passes amendment to strip citizenship for treason. Cambodia’s Senate approved a law allowing revocation of birthright citizenship for those convicted of colluding with foreign powers to harm national interests. The amendment updates seven articles in the Nationality Law and aligns with constitutional changes passed earlier. Critics, including 50 NGOs, warn the vague language could suppress dissent and endanger civil liberties. Khmer Times, September 2
Philippines
PH Navy spots 20 Chinese ships near BRP Sierra Madre. The Philippine Navy reported that 20 Chinese vessels swarmed Ayungin Shoal near the BRP Sierra Madre starting August 20. Armed fast boats and maritime militia ships were observed, with one small boat repelled by Filipino troops. Though activity lessened due to weather, the AFP described the presence as aggressive. Izel Abanilla, The Manila Times, September 2
Senators find ‘red flags’ in DPWH 2026 budget. Lawmakers raised concerns over duplicate items, vague entries, and possible “ghost projects” in the Department of Public Works and Highways’ ₱875-billion budget proposal. Projects with identical costs and no clear locations were flagged, prompting calls for deeper scrutiny and potential deletions. Charie Abarca and Tina Santos, Philippine Daily Inquirer, September 2
Indonesia
Prabowo flies to Beijing after earlier cancelation over unrest. President Prabowo Subianto departed for Beijing to attend China’s WWII anniversary military parade after previously canceling due to nationwide protests. Prabowo had earlier declined the SCO summit invitation, citing the need to manage unrest in multiple Indonesian cities. Ricki Putra Harahap, Jakarta Globe, September 2
Kazakhstan
Tokayev’s talks with China’s business leaders span energy, transport, tech. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with top Chinese executives to advance joint projects in energy, infrastructure, and green technology. Discussions included refinery upgrades, telecom modernization with Huawei, renewable ventures with Energy China, nuclear cooperation with CNNC, and locomotive deals with CRRC. Fatima Kemelova, The Astana Times, September 2
Uzbekistan
Mirziyoyev bets on the SCO to boost Uzbekistan’s security and economy. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev used the SCO summit in Tianjin to outline a strategy aligning Uzbekistan’s domestic reforms with the bloc’s regional agenda. He called for expanded membership, nuclear security cooperation, and trade integration while pursuing energy and infrastructure ties with Iran and Saudi Arabia. Times of Central Asia, September 2
East Asia
Tianjin Declaration: China’s blueprint for a post-Western world? China used the Tianjin SCO summit to advance a governance agenda centered on sovereign equality, rule-of-law compliance, multilateralism, a people-centred focus, and concrete delivery. Xi framed the bloc as a vehicle for the Global South, urged rejection of bloc confrontation, and proposed a long-discussed SCO development bank alongside three cooperation platforms for energy, green industry, and digital economy. Beijing pledged 100 “small and beautiful” projects, 2 billion RMB in grants this year, and 10 billion RMB in loans across three years. The Tianjin Declaration endorsed multipolar evolution and condemned June strikes on Iran while calling for a Gaza ceasefire; India withheld Belt and Road support despite warmer leader-level optics among member states. Lim Zhan Ting, ThinkChina, September 2
China’s overtures to Southeast Asia: Xi takes the lead. Diplomatic data from Chinese MFA notices show a clear uptick in ministerial-level ties under Xi Jinping, reflecting a 2013 “peripheral diplomacy” push. Xi initially visited frequently, then delegated more in his third term as Premier Li Qiang assumed a larger role. Outgoing attention concentrates on Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam, aligning with Beijing’s focus on influential economies and hubs. Incoming trips by Cambodia, Laos, and Indonesia have grown as alignment and initiative support earn “face.” Frictions shape gaps: the Philippines has not logged a leader-level China trip in Xi’s third term. The approach seeks stability nearby amid rising uncertainty, furthered by Southeast Asian leaders’ presence at Beijing’s 3 September parade. Sense Hofstede, ThinkChina, September 2
Southeast Asia
Vietnam’s bamboo diplomacy bends under US trade pressure. A provisional Vietnam–US arrangement outlined by President Trump on 2 July set a 20 percent tariff and a 40 percent rate on foreign-origin inputs, yet Hanoi has still not formally confirmed terms or product schedules or specifics. In pursuit of relief, authorities accelerated anti-counterfeit enforcement, cleared Starlink’s pilot without a local partner, agreed to buy US$300 million in Boeing jets, advanced a US$1.5 billion Trump Organization golf project, and reportedly considered F-16s. Persistent 20 percent duties risk dampening FDI, especially after Indonesia and the Philippines secured 19 percent. Vague “transshipment” definitions amplify exposure given Vietnam’s reliance on Chinese intermediate inputs. Diversification via EU, CPTPP partners, Mexico, and Brazil could offset uncertainty. Nicholas Chapman, East Asia Forum, September 2
Vietnam redraws its administrative map. Vietnam consolidated 63 provinces and municipalities into 34, abolished district administrations, and dissolved two-thirds of wards and communes on 1 July 2025, marking the most sweeping overhaul since reunification and signalling a service-oriented governance model. Led by General Secretary To Lam, the program targets high-income status by 2045, trims 250,000 state jobs, and aims to save 190 trillion dong by 2030 while moving more procedures to a national one-stop portal. Reforms seek to reduce corruption opportunities, move development toward a complementary East–West axis, and build a megacity by merging Ho Chi Minh City with Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau. Implementation costs, heavier local workloads, and centralization risks remain despite fiscal space. Hai Thanh Nguyen, East Asia Forum, September 3
Why are Dream Jobs a Difficult Reality for Indonesian Youth? Mass underemployment, skills mismatch, and uneven opportunities now constrain graduates. Informal work reached 59.40% of the workforce in February 2025, with 45.1% of 15–24-year-olds in informal roles. Youth unemployment stands at 16.16%, triple the national rate. Among undergraduates, 72.4% find a preferred role difficult and 3.59% call it impossible. Universities produce about 1.8 million graduates annually, yet 80% work outside their majors and 842,378 degree-holders were unemployed by August 2024. Jobs cluster around Jakarta, while opaque hiring and nepotism fuel frustration, exemplified by a Bekasi fair where 25,000 competed for 2,500 positions. Priorities include expanding job creation beyond cities, aligning curricula and training with industry demand, and enforcing transparent recruitment. Iim Halimatusa’diyah, FULCRUM, September 2
US-China AI Competition: Southeast Asia Will Need to Strike a Balance. Beijing and Washington treat AI primacy as a strategic prize, driving campaigns regionwide. The United States seeks to actively scale an ecosystem, speed infrastructure buildout, and export a full technology stack while tightening controls to curb leakage to China; officials say the future will be won by building, not caution. China promotes multilateral governance, proposes a World AI Cooperation Organisation in Shanghai, and pushes open models to court developing markets. Southeast Asian governments will face pressure to align with one stack, yet investment, data centers, and talent pipelines present upside. A durable approach requires clear goals for both powers, ideology-neutral criteria, and warnings against rules that deter long-term commitments. Ryan Hass, FULCRUM, September 2