Category: Asia-Pacific
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South Korea has overtaken the UK to become the world’s eighth-largest stock market, driven by an AI-linked technology rally in semiconductor leaders and wider investor inflows. South Korean listed companies’ market capitalisation rose more than 45% in this year to $4.04 trillion, ahead of the UK’s $3.99 trillion, up about 3%. The shift reverses 2024,…
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China and Kyrgyzstan have reaffirmed their strategic partnership following talks in Bishkek between China’s Minister of National Defense Dong Jun and Kyrgyz Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev. During the visit, Dong Jun described China and Kyrgyzstan as “good neighbours, friends, and partners,” highlighting sustained progress in bilateral relations and expanding military cooperation. He stated that under…
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Renewed cross-border violence between Pakistan and Afghanistan has raised concerns over the stability of a fragile ceasefire agreed in March. Authorities in Afghanistan’s Taliban administration and Pakistani officials have exchanged accusations following incidents along the Durand Line, with reported casualties on both sides. Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities said on Monday (27 April) that four people were…
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India and New Zealand have signed a free trade agreement in New Delhi aimed at expanding market access and strengthening economic cooperation amid global trade disruption. The deal was signed by Piyush Goyal, India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, and Todd McClay, New Zealand’s Trade and Investment Minister. Negotiated over nine months, the agreement reduces or…
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China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Naypyitaw on Saturday (25 April), meeting President Min Aung Hlaing to reinforce Beijing’s political, security and economic ties with Myanmar. The talks focused on regional cooperation, ASEAN relations and border stability, following Min Aung Hlaing’s April 2026 inauguration after elections widely criticised internationally. China remains Myanmar’s largest trading partner…
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Central Asian states are advancing regional energy cooperation, with Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan planning a major hydropower project on the Naryn River. Speaking at the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana, President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan described the Kambarata HPP-1 project as strategically significant, with negotiations ongoing alongside the World Bank and partners. The nearly 2,000…
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Thailand and China agreed to strengthen strategic alignment and cooperation in a meeting between Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Anutin reaffirmed Thailand’s adherence to the one-China policy, amid a turbulent international environment, and support for implementing bilateral consensus. He also stressed cooperation against online gambling and telecom fraud, and…
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Singapore is increasing imports of Russian fuel oil as the ongoing Iran conflict disrupts global energy markets and constrains Middle Eastern supply routes. As the world’s largest ship refuelling hub, the city-state has seen a sharp rise in Russian cargoes following the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Vortexa. The shift reflects tightening…
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Cambodia and China have held their first “2+2 Strategic Dialogue Mechanism” meeting in Phnom Penh, bringing together foreign and defence ministers to strengthen political and security cooperation. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defence Minister Dong Jun met Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and Defence Minister Tea Seiha. The meeting comes amid continued international attention…
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Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met in Bukhara to advance Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan cooperation, focusing on trade, infrastructure and digital transformation. Bilateral trade reached nearly $5 billion in 2025, with both leaders targeting significant expansion through joint industrial and logistics projects. Both sides emphasised implementing agreements, improving border efficiency, and expanding supply chains,…
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