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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North–South tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high, with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung warning that the two sides are in a “very dangerous situation”. He said there is a real risk of an accidental clash and urged renewed dialogue with Pyongyang. Since taking office in June 2025, Lee has offered talks “without preconditions”, contrasting…
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Taiwan’s Premier Cho Jung-tai said Taiwan’s 23 million people will not “return” to China, following remarks by Chinese President Xi Jinping in a call with U.S. President Donald Trump. Xi linked Taiwan’s “return to China” after World War Two to Beijing’s global vision — a position Taiwan firmly rejects. Cho stressed that the Republic of…
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Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said plans to deploy new missiles on Yonaguni remain on schedule, underscoring Tokyo’s growing focus on deterrence as tensions with China persist over Taiwan. Koizumi, speaking during his first visit to the remote base on 23 November, said the deployment would “lower the chance of an armed attack on our…
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Taiwan has begun distributing a new 32-page handbook to its 23 million residents, offering guidance on surviving natural disasters and potential military threats from China. The booklet outlines essential supplies, evacuation steps and instructions on avoiding contact with enemy soldiers. “Given natural disasters such as typhoons and the military threat from China, we want our…
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China has escalated its dispute with Japan at the United Nations, accusing Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of threatening “armed intervention” over Taiwan and warning it will defend its sovereignty under international law. In a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong said Takaichi’s comments amounted to “a grave violation of international…
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Japan has approved its largest supplementary stimulus package since the pandemic, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi seeks to ease voter frustration and address persistent inflation — a move likely to draw close attention from investors monitoring Japan’s fiscal trajectory. The Cabinet Office confirmed ¥17.7 trillion (£112bn) in general account spending, forming part of a ¥21.3…
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Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2025 on 19 November, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong spoke on various topics ranging from the potential for a China–Taiwan conflict, the state of US–China relations, regional security, and the challenges facing Singapore as a global financial hub. He described a conflict over Taiwan as unlikely in the…
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North Korea has warned that a new security agreement between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and the United States to develop nuclear-powered submarines could trigger a “nuclear domino” effect across the region. Seoul said the deal includes US backing to expand its authority over uranium enrichment and spent-fuel reprocessing, framing it as part of…
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Japan has sent a senior envoy to Beijing to reaffirm that Tokyo’s policy on China and Taiwan remains unchanged, following comments by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting that Chinese military action against Taiwan could constitute an “existential threat” to Japan. China has intensified political and economic pressure on Takaichi less than a month into her…
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Bangladesh’s deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death in absentia by the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka for crimes against humanity linked to last year’s student-led uprising. A three-judge panel, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, ruled that Hasina authorised the use of drones, helicopters and live fire during the July–August unrest.…
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