News
US plans to impose new visa restrictions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials after security verdicts. The U.S. will impose new visa restrictions on officials responsible for enforcing Hong Kong's national security law following the conviction of 14 pro-democracy activists. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller condemned the politically motivated prosecutions and called for the activists' release. This move follows similar appeals from the UK. The Hong Kong government criticized the U.S. actions as interference and defended its judicial processes. Kanis Leung, AP News, May 31
Japan, US launch talks on infrastructure development cooperation. Japan and the United States began discussions on infrastructure development cooperation to counter China's influence in Southeast Asia. Led by Japan's Vice Foreign Minister Masataka Okano and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, the talks aim to bolster a free and open international order. The dialogue follows an agreement between Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and President Joe Biden. Future trilateral talks will address security challenges involving North Korea, Russia, and more. Kyodo News, May 31
PH set to sue China over damage in WPS. The Philippines plans to sue China at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague over environmental damage in the West Philippine Sea. The lawsuit will be based on evidence gathered by the Philippine government, said Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano IV of the Department of Justice. The move aims to hold China accountable for its activities in the disputed waters that have caused significant environmental harm. Franco Jose C. Baroña, The Manila Times, May 31
China says ‘hard to meet’ discussions on Russia-Ukraine war, citing problems with arrangements. China stated it is difficult to engage in talks about the Russia-Ukraine war due to issues with meeting arrangements, reflecting its pro-Moscow stance. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning cited gaps between the meeting's arrangements and China's expectations. Despite claiming neutrality, China has strongly supported Russia, hosting President Vladimir Putin recently. Switzerland proposed the talks to end the war, but neither Moscow nor Kyiv endorsed them. AP News, May 31
Jeju Forum closes 3-day run with participation of 300 global leaders. The 19th Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity concluded on Friday, featuring discussions on security challenges and climate change. Jeju Governor Oh Young-hun emphasized Jeju's role as a global hub for peace and prosperity. This year's theme was "Acting Together for a Better World," with approximately 300 prominent experts and officials attending. Oh highlighted the upcoming 20th anniversary of Jeju's designation as an island of world peace. Kim Han-joo, Yonhap News Agency, May 31
PM Kishida forced to concede on political funds reform amid scandal. Prime Minister Kishida Fumio agreed to concessions with Komeito party leader Natsuo Yamaguchi for political funds reform. The agreement, aimed at boosting cabinet approval ratings, includes lowering the threshold for disclosing fundraising party ticket buyers to 50,000 yen. Kishida also signed a deal with the Japan Innovation Party to mandate disclosure of policy activity funds after ten years and set annual caps on fund usage. Critics argue the reforms are insufficient to prevent corruption. Kyodo News, May 31
World Bank approves extra $79M for access to education. The World Bank has approved an additional $79 million to enhance educational access in Cambodia. This funding, which includes a $60 million credit and a $19 million grant, aims to expand the Cambodia general education improvement project initiated in 2022. The funds will support school management, teacher training, and the construction of climate-resilient classrooms. The initiative focuses on providing quality education to disadvantaged and ethnic minority communities. Ry Sochan, The Phnom Penh Post, May 31
Việt Nam, RoK agree to further enhance comprehensive strategic partnership. Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn met with South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to discuss strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Việt Nam and South Korea. They emphasized cooperation in various fields, including economic ties, culture, education, tourism, and labor. Sơn also highlighted the importance of South Korea’s support for Việt Nam’s role in ASEAN and its upcoming hosting of the P4G summit in 2025. Vietnam News, May 31
Laos gears up for first digital population, housing census in 2025 with pilot test. Laos is preparing for its first digital Population and Housing Census (PHC) in March 2025, with a pilot test in Vientiane Capital, Houaphanh, Bokeo, and Sekong provinces. The census will use digital tools like smartphones and GIS technologies to gather data on demographics and living conditions. Supported by international organizations, the pilot test involves field teams visiting 15,000 households to ensure accurate and reliable data collection. Phontham Visapra, The Laotian Times, May 31
Việt Nam, China enhance co-operation on border area development. Việt Nam and China have agreed to strengthen cooperation on border area development through the Việt Nam-China Land Border Joint Committee. The agreement focuses on effective border management, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Việt Nam-China Land Border Treaty, and addressing border-related disputes. The meeting, held in Kunming, Yunnan Province, also discussed the pilot operation of the Bản Giốc-Detian Waterfalls and other border cooperation initiatives. Vietnam News, May 31
Myanmar junta turns to barter to deal with growing trade deficit. Myanmar's military regime is implementing a barter system to address the trade deficit, devalued kyat, and rising prices. Import-export companies will sign contracts to exchange goods instead of using hard currencies. This move aims to reduce the trade deficit and stabilize the foreign exchange market. The Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry announced the Central Bank of Myanmar's new Barter Transaction Arrangement to merchant associations. Aung Naing, Myanmar Now, May 31
Yoon's approval rating sinks to lowest point since taking office. President Yoon Suk Yeol's approval rating fell to 21%, the lowest since his May 2022 inauguration, following his party's major defeat in recent elections. A Gallup Korea poll showed his positive assessment dropped 3 percentage points from the previous week, while 70% of respondents disapproved of his performance, citing economic handling, foreign policy, and poor communication. The ruling People Power Party's approval slightly increased to 30%. Yi Wonju, Yonhap News Agency, May 31
EU slaps new sanctions on North Korea in response to its missile program and support for Russia. The EU Council imposed sanctions on nine additional individuals and entities in North Korea, targeting those involved in sanctions evasion activities that fund illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programs. These measures, including asset freezes and travel bans, come as a response to North Korea's missile launches and support for Russia's war in Ukraine. The total number of North Koreans sanctioned by the EU is now 77, with 20 entities also affected. AP News, May 31
Long Form
The Russia Factor in South Korea's Arm Sales to Poland. A partisan divide over Seoul’s ties with Moscow could be exploited by Russia to complicate the burgeoning Poland-South Korea arms partnership. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Polish President Andrzej Duda recently met in Warsaw, highlighting the importance of arms sales for South Korea’s ambitions to be a top global arms exporter. Poland values South Korea’s advanced defense technology, including K-2 tanks and Chunmoo rocket launchers, to bolster its defenses. However, Russia's potential diplomatic pressure could disrupt these transactions, making it crucial for South Korean policymakers to achieve bipartisan consensus on the risks associated with a defense partnership with Poland. Anthony V. Rinna, The Diplomat, May 31
Taiwan’s Protesters Are Against ‘Check-but-Imbalance’ and Legislative Overreach. The Bluebird Movement in Taiwan, which cannot be dismissed as mere partisan mobilization, has led to large-scale protests against legislative reform bills and the swift manner in which they were passed through the Legislative Yuan. These protests reflect significant public opposition to the changes in legislative power. The Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan's main opposition party, criticized the protests and international observers for misunderstanding Taiwanese politics, attributing this to a lack of proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. Austin Horng-En Wang, Charles K. S. Wu, Yao-Yuan Yeh, Fang-Yu Chen, The Diplomat, May 31
Why Is the RSS Distancing Itself From the BJP? BJP and RSS leaders are making significant efforts to emphasize that the RSS is a cultural organization, uninvolved in the BJP’s political activities. In an interview, BJP national president J. P. Nadda stressed that the RSS and the BJP are distinct entities, with the RSS focusing on socio-cultural issues for over a century. This strategic distancing aims to reinforce the RSS's image as apolitical while allowing the BJP to manage its political affairs independently. Sudha Ramachandran, The Diplomat, May 31
From Vietnam to Thailand, tech suppliers face tougher battle as China moves in. Southeast Asia is becoming a key battleground for tech suppliers serving companies like Apple and Google, as Chinese tech suppliers enter the market, intensifying competition for Taiwanese and other established players. Taiwanese companies such as Foxconn, Compal Electronics, Quanta Computer, Pegatron, and Inventec have been crucial in helping U.S. tech giants diversify production away from China amid rising U.S.-China tensions. Now, these companies face stiff competition from Chinese suppliers who are expanding their presence in the region. Lauly Li and Cheng Ting-Fang, Nikkei Asia, May 31
Growing China-Russia alignment signifies Biden policy failure. The alignment between China and Russia signifies a failure in U.S. President Joe Biden's foreign policy, which has driven these natural competitors into strategic collaboration. Historically, the U.S. played China against Russia to gain geopolitical advantage, but Biden's simultaneous confrontations with both nations have cemented their alliance. This partnership threatens to challenge U.S. global dominance and national security, as China benefits from Russia's isolation due to sanctions and gains advanced military technologies. The U.S. must recalibrate its strategy, focusing more on China's global ambitions while managing Russia's regional revanchism. Brahma Chellaney, Nikkei Asia, May 31
The gig economy is liberating Japanese corporate drones. The gig economy is transforming the Japanese workforce by allowing entrepreneurial ideas to bypass traditional corporate bureaucracy and reach the market directly. Modern technology empowers individuals with access and knowledge previously reserved for large organizations. The freelance work style, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic's normalization of remote work, presents both challenges and opportunities for Japan's salaried workers. This evokes a mix of fear and hope, as it promises greater autonomy but also disrupts conventional employment structures. Nobuko Kobayashi, Nikkei Asia, May 31
Return of China-Japan-South Korea talks brings hope of de-escalation. After a four-year hiatus, leaders from China, Japan, and South Korea have resumed trilateral summits, aiming to shift from crisis management to collaboration. The recent summit in Seoul avoided sensitive issues, focusing instead on people-to-people exchanges, sustainable development, and disaster relief. While differences remain, particularly over North Korea and regional security, the meeting set the stage for deeper corporate engagement and policy coordination on less politically charged topics. Maintaining open dialogue is essential to prevent minor frictions from escalating and to rebuild trust in the region. Jinwan Park, South China Morning Post, May 31
Shangri-La Dialogue: Stage set for high drama over South China Sea shoals. With the Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the keynote speaker, the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) is poised to address rising tensions over China’s aggressive actions in the Second Thomas and Scarborough shoals. This annual security forum in Singapore brings together defense chiefs, senior military officials, and policy experts. The SLD often serves as a platform for high-stakes political messaging, with significant focus on sessions featuring the American and Chinese defense ministers. The forum is expected to highlight the geopolitical friction in the South China Sea and its broader implications for regional security. Tan See Seng, The Straits Times, May 31
Korea should not import West’s 'techlash'. Technological innovation is crucial for Korea's economic future, enabling it to compete globally, particularly against China. The West's growing "techlash" – a backlash against technology and tech companies – risks slowing innovation by promoting fear-based narratives and stringent regulations. Korea should avoid this trend and maintain a positive outlook on technology, focusing on fostering innovation through science and engineering research, effective education, and supportive government policies. Embracing technology optimistically will help Korea maintain its competitive edge and avoid the stagnation seen in the West. Robert D. Atkinson, The Korea Times, May 31