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.
-
China has officially commissioned its newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, marking a major step in Beijing’s bid to expand its naval power and compete with the United States in the Asia-Pacific. President Xi Jinping, serving as Chairman of the Central Military Commission, presided over the commissioning ceremony on Hainan Island this week.…
-
North Korea has accused the United States of maintaining a “hostile policy” towards Pyongyang, following a new round of sanctions announced by Washington earlier this week. In a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Vice Foreign Minister Kim Un Chol, who oversees US affairs, said the move marked the fifth sanctions package…
-
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has declared a state of emergency following Typhoon Kalmaegi, which has killed at least 140 people and left 127 missing in the nation’s central provinces — the deadliest natural disaster to hit the country in 2025. The declaration enables the government to release emergency funds more quickly and curb food…
-
The Maldives has become the first country to implement a nationwide generational smoking ban, prohibiting anyone born after 1 January 2007 from buying, using, or possessing tobacco. The Health Ministry confirmed the measure took effect on Saturday, requiring retailers to verify buyers’ ages. The South Asian archipelago, home to over half a million people, already…
-
Chinese President Xi Jinping met Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Beijing, reaffirming China’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Russia despite a “turbulent” external environment. The talks follow a meeting between Premier Li Qiang and Mishustin in Hangzhou, where both sides pledged to strengthen trade and security ties. • Xi described safeguarding and advancing China-Russia…
-
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced a new strategic partnership on Sunday (Nov. 2), aimed at strengthening cooperation across defence, trade, and technology. Speaking in Seoul, President Lee said both nations had achieved rapid growth “based on human capital and an open free trade order” despite limited resources…
-
At a dialogue hosted by Chatham House on 27 October 2025, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong addressed the complex balance Singapore faces in managing its large foreign workforce. He stressed that migrant workers and foreign professionals remain vital to Singapore’s economy and social fabric. • About one-third of Singapore’s workforce—over a million people—are non-citizens, spanning…
-
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2025 summit concluded in Gyeongju, South Korea on Saturday (Nov. 1), with leaders adopting a joint declaration and launching new frameworks on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and population structure changes. • South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed hopes that US President Donald Trump could act as a “peacemaker” on the…
-
Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday (Oct. 31), pledging to build “strategic and mutually beneficial” ties — signalling a potentially more pragmatic tone toward Beijing despite her conservative stance. Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, took office last week amid concern she might harden policy toward China, given…
-
Malaysia’s Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin has called on ASEAN members to strengthen security cooperation beyond maritime domains to include cyberspace, citing “invisible yet dangerous” threats to regional stability. Opening the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) in Kuala Lumpur, Khaled warned that peace in Southeast Asia faces “growing pressure” from both South China Sea tensions…
tut0ugh 