Category: Asia-Pacific
Coverage of geopolitics, international relations, and current affairs from across Asia-Pacific, including China, India, Southeast Asia, and Pacific nations, with a focus on security, trade, and regional diplomacy.
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Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia continued on Saturday (Dec. 13), despite US President Donald Trump saying both sides had agreed to a ceasefire. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he told Trump that any ceasefire would depend on Cambodia withdrawing its forces and removing landmines from the border. Cambodia, meanwhile, said it must continue fighting…
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Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdymukhamedov has signalled possible political reforms ahead of a rare international forum in Ashgabat marking the country’s 30th anniversary of neutrality. Writing in the state newspaper Turkmenistan Today, the president said the government was working to transform Turkmenistan into a “democratic, rule-of-law state”, though no specific measures were outlined. The comments came…
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Thailand’s parliament was dissolved on Friday (Dec. 12), triggering early elections amid renewed border fighting with Cambodia and rising domestic political tensions. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dissolved the House of Representatives after receiving approval from King Maha Vajiralongkorn, effective upon publication in the Royal Gazette. An election must be held within 45–60 days, during which…
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U.S. nuclear-capable B-52 strategic bombers conducted a joint flight with Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force over the Sea of Japan on Wednesday (Dec. 10), Tokyo said, in a show of force following Chinese and Russian drills in the skies and seas around Japan and South Korea. Japan’s defence ministry said both countries reaffirmed their commitment to…
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Australia has become the first country to ban social media access for children under 16, a policy welcomed by parents and child-safety advocates but criticised by major technology firms and free-speech campaigners. From midnight, ten major platforms — including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook — were ordered to block under-16 users or face penalties of…
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Fighting intensified along the contested Thailand–Cambodia border on Tuesday (Dec. 9), as both governments insisted they would defend their sovereignty and blamed each other for triggering renewed clashes. The escalation casts doubt over the fragile ceasefire brokered in July by US President Donald Trump. Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen said Phnom Penh had waited 24…
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China’s goods trade surplus has exceeded $1tn this year for the first time, reflecting continued export strength despite US tariffs. Customs data shows a surplus of $1.076tn in the first 11 months, surpassing 2024’s near-record level. Exports rose 5.9% year-on-year in November after an October decline, while imports increased 1.9%, creating a $112bn monthly surplus.…
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Thailand has launched airstrikes along its disputed border with Cambodia, after both governments accused each other of violating a ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump. Thailand’s military said strikes followed the killing of one soldier and injuries to four others during clashes on Monday (Dec. 8). It accused Cambodia of deploying heavy weaponry and…
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Tensions between China and Japan have escalated after Tokyo reported that a Chinese J-15 fighter trained fire-control radar on two Japanese F-15 jets over international waters near Okinawa. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called the incident “extremely unfortunate” and lodged a formal protest, urging Beijing to prevent any recurrence. Beijing rejected Japan’s account, accusing the Self-Defense…
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Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated after heavy cross-border fire left at least five people dead along the Spin Boldak–Chaman frontier. Afghan officials said four civilians and one Taliban member were killed late on Friday (Dec. 5), following failed peace talks in Saudi Arabia. Both governments accused the other of firing first. Zabihullah Mujahid,…
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