This Week in Asia /

Politics

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Asean
South China Sea
the Asian angle
Yaowarat Road is the main thoroughfare of Chinatown in Bangkok, Thailand, renowned for its lively street food scene and rich cultural heritage. Photo: Shutterstock
Asian diaspora

How China’s diaspora became both an asset and a source of anxiety

Once marginalised, overseas Chinese have become a vital bridge for China – and a lightning rod for global tensions.

Australia

‘Cannibalised by Aukus’: is Australia risking its defence for future submarines?

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Japan

Japan grows restless for next-gen fighter jets as progress with UK, Italy stalls

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South China Sea

Loitering with intent: Beijing’s new silent South China Sea strategy?

Analysts say quiet incursions are part of a deliberate effort by China to normalise its presence in previously unpatrolled areas.

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A Chinese vessel is seen through binoculars from a Philippine-occupied island in the South China Sea on Wednesday. Photo: AP
A Chinese vessel is seen through binoculars from a Philippine-occupied island in the South China Sea on Wednesday. Photo: AP
Chinese culture

Why China’s leaders seek a culture that is both modern and distinctly Chinese

Historian Wang Gungwu on China’s quest for a unifying national ethos, fusing global insights with heritage to ensure stability in a changing world.

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South Korea

South Korea’s new ‘president for all’ inherits a deeply divided nation

While Lee Jae-myung’s supporters dream of justice and rebuilding, opponents fear unchecked power – despite his pledges of unity.

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Japan

Japan-Philippines military drills to become reality after Tokyo ratifies pact

Their newly ratified reciprocal access agreement paves the way for Japanese forces to train on Philippine soil for the first time since WWII.

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A Philippine marine stands guard during a joint exercise with their US and South Korean counterparts, with members of Japan’s self-defence forces as observers in October 2024. Photo: AFP
A Philippine marine stands guard during a joint exercise with their US and South Korean counterparts, with members of Japan’s self-defence forces as observers in October 2024. Photo: AFP
South Korea

What South Korea’s new president means for its US, China ties

Expect a nuanced approach to foreign policy as President Lee Jae-myung attempts to pull relations with Beijing back from their ‘lowest ebb’.

Japan

Japan’s anti-stalking law under fire after tragic murder, record case numbers

Japan’s stalking cases hit record highs, sparking criticism of police handling and calls for improved mental health support for offenders.

Thailand

Thailand and Cambodia face rising tensions over Emerald Triangle dispute

Thailand warned of military action against Cambodia amid nationalist protests and diplomatic efforts to ease the border crisis.

Thai police officers stand guard in front of the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok on Friday. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Philippines aims to counter China’s drone swarm capacity, learn from Ukraine war

Its military says drones armed with explosives or used for surveillance have become a focus of joint exercises with allies such as the US.

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A US navy drone positioned beside a Philippine C130 plane at the airport of Zamboanga, southern Philippines on Tuesday. Photo: AP
A US navy drone positioned beside a Philippine C130 plane at the airport of Zamboanga, southern Philippines on Tuesday. Photo: AP
Thailand

Chinese fugitive’s daring escape in Thailand ends in recapture 200km away

The Chinese fraud suspect jumped out of a second-floor window during his bold escape.

Malaysia

Malaysia orders telecoms firms to hand over user data, raising privacy concerns

The government claims it’s for a mobile project, but critics cite data security risks.

Singapore

Former Singapore minister freed after serving time for graft-related offences

His case marked the first prosecution of its kind since Singapore’s independence in 1965.

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Former Singapore transport minister S. Iswaran arrives at the State Court on October 7, 2024, to begin serving a 12-month prison sentence for accepting gifts and obstructing justice. Photo: AFP
SCMP Highlights

Singapore’s 1880 shuts in Hong Kong, Japanese men on staying young: 7 highlights

From Singapore’s 1880 club shutting in Hong Kong to Japanese men’s tips on staying young, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

The Customs and Excise Department confirmed it has received complaints and is investigating the abrupt closure of the club. Photo: 1880 Hong Kong
The Customs and Excise Department confirmed it has received complaints and is investigating the abrupt closure of the club. Photo: 1880 Hong Kong
Sri Lanka

Will Sri Lanka and China push for FTA or just engage in economic diplomacy?

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has called for a comprehensive free-trade agreement between the two countries ‘in one package’.

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Japan

South Korea’s Lee pledges warmer ties, but past tensions leave Japan ‘worried’

A minor bilateral misstep or the need to push a nationalist agenda could see ties spiral to the lows of 2019, analysts warn.

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Japan

Japan faces ‘critical’ demographic crisis as birth rate hits historic low

Record-low births and an ageing population are driving Japan to implement urgent measures to encourage marriage and boost fertility rates.

Japan’s birth rate plummets to historic lows, sparking fears of an accelerating demographic crisis. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan’s birth rate plummets to historic lows, sparking fears of an accelerating demographic crisis. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anwar faces more woes as sexual harassment case against him proceeds

A court has dismissed Anwar’s immunity application by citing his role as prime minister, saying there is no such constitutional provision.

The Philippines

Philippines boosts air power with 12 FA-50 jets amid South China Sea tensions

The light combat aircraft is ‘as good a deal as Manila can get’ as an alternative to the US F-16 multirole fighters, analysts say.

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Singapore

Singapore’s health minister ‘dismayed’ at GP clinic with US$40,000 rental bid

Health chief Ong Ye Kung says such high rental bids ‘do not necessarily translate to the best healthcare that the community needs’.

An I-Health Medical Clinic in Singapore. Photo: Handout
South Korea

South Korea’s new president to restart talks with North, boost ties with allies

Lee Jae-myung says he will open a communication channel with Pyongyang, and boost trilateral Seoul-Washington-Tokyo cooperation.

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South Korea’s new President Lee Jae-myung takes the oath of office in the National Assembly building in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua
South Korea’s new President Lee Jae-myung takes the oath of office in the National Assembly building in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua
India

India’s Modi likely to skip G7 in Canada as strained relations persist

India’s expected G7 absence reflects lingering tensions from a fallout over the 2023 killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

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Japan

‘Lies into truth’: outcry in Japan over Chinese bias at Canadian history museum

With exhibits on Unit 731 and wartime atrocities, critics in Tokyo warn the museum is eroding Japan’s ‘credibility and national dignity’.

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The Philippines

US sanctions Philippine tech firm over ‘pig butchering’ romance scams

Funnull Technology’s infrastructure supported more than 332,000 domain names linked to cryptocurrency scams, US Treasury Department says.

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Pig butchering scams typically involve trafficked workers assuming fake identities to lure victims into online relationships. Photo: Handout
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