China in Quotes
“I don’t think it’s defensible. I’m extremely dismayed, disappointed and disillusioned to hear that the U.S. government would do that.”
Daniel Lucey, infectious disease specialist at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine commenting on the Pentagon operation on anti Chinese vaccination influence operation.
De/Cypher Data Dive📈
The outlook for China’s automakers’ global expansion is still favorable, despite the ongoing backlash from the US and the EU to Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs). The European Union has decided to provisionally impose extra tariffs of up to 38.1% on battery-electric vehicles shipped from China. The Biden administration plans to increase tariffs on Chinese-made EVs from 25% to 100%.
Chinese carmakers are diversifying their export markets, targeting regions like Africa and Southeast Asia to mitigate tariff impacts.
Quick China: Unmissable Stories 📜
Xi Jinping Emphasizes Patriotism in PLA at Yan’an Meeting
Xi Jinping emphasized the armed forces’ political loyalty as a crucial meeting on the political work in the military was held in Yan’an, an old revolutionary base in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. On Monday afternoon, Xi led CMC members and heads of various departments and units to visit the revolutionary relics at Wangjiaping, where the CMC’s headquarters were stationed from August 1937 to March 1947. Xi visited the former residences of late revolutionary leaders including Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and Zhu De in Yan’an to honor the memory of their revolutionary struggle. While there Xi Jinping also gave indications of the purge in the PLA yet to come. Here are the key excerpts, and translations: Xi Jinping pointed out that ten years ago, we held the All-Army Political Work Conference in Gutian, and today we are holding the Military Commission Political Work Conference in Yan’an, once again tracing our roots. In the new era and new journey, the prospects for strengthening the country and the military are bright, but the tasks are arduous. Senior military cadres must remember their original mission, take the lead in promoting the Yan’an spirit, strengthen revolutionary forging, shoulder the historical responsibilities entrusted by the Party and the people, unite and lead the officers and soldiers to achieve the goal of building a strong military by the centenary of the PLA, and continuously advance the cause of strengthening the military.
习近平指出，10年前我们到古田召开全军政治工作会议，今天我们来延安召开军委政治工作会议，再一次寻根溯源。新时代新征程，强国强军前景光明，任务艰巨。全军高级干部要牢记初心使命，带头弘扬延安精神，带头加强革命性锻造，扛起党和人民赋予的历史重任，团结带领广大官兵打好实现建军一百年奋斗目标攻坚战，把强军事业不断推向前进。
In his important speech at the conference, Xi Jinping pointed out that since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the CPC Central Committee has decisively decided to hold the All-Army Political Work Conference in Gutian, promoted political training with the spirit of rectification, unswervingly enforced strict Party governance and military discipline, with unprecedented determination and strength, achieving historic accomplishments in political military building in the new era. Without revolutionary political forging, there would be no great transformation of the people’s military in the new era.
习近平在会议上发表重要讲话。他指出，党的十八大以来，党中央果断决策召开古田全军政治工作会议，以整风精神推进政治整训，坚定不移全面从严治党、全面从严治军，决心之大前所未有，力度之大前所未有，新时代政治建军取得历史性成就。如果没有政治上的革命性锻造，就不可能有新时代人民军队伟大变革。
Xi Jinping emphasized that since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, we have deeply promoted the theoretical exploration and practical creation of political military building, forming the strategy of political military building in the new era. It is clear that political military building is the foundation of the people’s military, political work is always the lifeline of our military, political training should focus on political rectification, mastering ideological leadership is the basis of all leadership, the Party’s strength comes from organization, the cohesion and combat effectiveness of the troops come from organization, the gun must always be in the hands of those loyal and reliable to the Party, strictness is necessary for discipline, military prestige, and combat effectiveness, there must be no place for corrupt elements in the military, excellent conduct is necessary to shape heroic troops, and military-political and military-civilian unity is the magic weapon for our military’s victory. The strategy of political military building in the new era must be fully and accurately understood, unwaveringly implemented, and continuously enriched and developed in practice.
习近平强调，党的十八大以来，我们深入推进政治建军理论探索和实践创造，形成了新时代政治建军方略，明确政治建军是人民军队立军之本，明确政治工作永远是我军的生命线，明确政治整训要突出政治上的正本清源，明确掌握思想领导是掌握一切领导的基础，明确党的力量来自组织、部队凝聚力战斗力来自组织，明确枪杆子要始终掌握在对党忠诚可靠的人手中，明确严才能正纲纪、严才能肃军威、严才能出战斗力，明确军中绝不能有腐败分子藏身之地，明确作风优良才能塑造英雄部队，明确军政军民团结是我军胜利法宝。对新时代政治建军方略，要全面准确学习领会，毫不动摇贯彻落实，并在实践中不断丰富发展。Xi Jinping pointed out that advancing political military building on the new journey requires focusing on six key tasks.
First, enhance the consciousness and thoroughness of ideological transformation. Continuously strengthen the Party’s innovative theoretical armament, insist on reading the original works, learning the original texts, and understanding the principles, integrate learning, thinking, and application, unify knowledge, belief, and action, ensure senior cadres receive education first, promote the implementation of the military’s ideological and political education system, and establish the orientation of testing learning outcomes with practical results.
Second, improve the leadership, organizational, and execution capabilities of Party organizations. Enhance political judgment, political comprehension, and political execution, improve the ability to prepare for war [提高抓备战打仗能力], integrate the Party’s leadership into all fields and processes of war preparation. Strictly implement democratic centralism, optimize the rules for Party committee deliberation and decision-making, and strengthen major decision-making consultation and evaluation. Strengthen the responsibility of Party committee secretaries as the first responsible persons for Party governance.
Third, strengthen the construction of the cadre team. Implement the Party’s organizational line in the new era, fully and accurately understand and grasp the standards for good military cadres, and comprehensively implement these standards in all aspects of cadre work. Improve cadre assessment work, enhance the penetration and accuracy of understanding and recognizing people. Implement the concept of full-chain construction, treat the cultivation of talents as a strategic task, and improve the overall effectiveness of the cadre team construction.
Fourth, eliminate the soil and conditions for corruption. Adhere to the strict tone, treat both symptoms and root causes, systematically treat, integrate and implement the main responsibility of Party committees, the supervisory responsibility of discipline inspection committees, and the anti-corruption responsibility of industry departments [行业部门], and expand the depth and breadth of the anti-corruption struggle. Improve the power configuration and operation constraint mechanism, enrich the toolbox for punishing new and hidden corruption, and strengthen the all-round supervision of senior cadres’ performance of duties and use of power.
Fifth, boost the spirit of entrepreneurship. Construct a scientific performance evaluation system, dynamically update the list of formalism and bureaucratism problems, and deeply rectify the “five excesses” to reduce the burden on the grassroots. Break through the “last mile” of policy implementation for military personnel’s treatment and security, genuinely solve difficulties and problems for the grassroots, and enhance the sense of gain and belonging of officers and soldiers.
Sixth, restore and promote the fine traditions of political work. Adhere to seeking truth from facts, insist that actions speak louder than words, and senior cadres at all levels must set an example, lead by example, and inspire and drive the troops with excellent conduct and image. (China News, Xinhua, Sinocism)
China’s Ecommerce Giants Splash Out to Jolt Wary Shoppers
Alibaba and its Chinese peers pulled out all the stops in this year’s push to revitalize the country’s sleepy consumer appetites with the annual 618 shopping festival. It included a Rihanna cameo, novel price guarantees and no-quibble returns. (Bloomberg)
China is running out of kids to build maternity wards?
China’s hospital maternity wards have fallen victim to the record-low birthrate and are facing a similar fate as preschools as more and more wards close or downsize as demand for obstetrics declines. As of March, at least 35 public medical institutions in China had stopped delivering newborns over the past three years, with some 10 doing so in the first quarter this year, according to a count by Caixin. But those are just the instances that were publicized, the true extent of the closures is greater: Doctors in Shanghai and Guangzhou told Caixin that several general hospitals in the two cities have quietly closed their maternity departments in recent years. The pace of closures has accelerated since 2023, when China’s population shrank for the second year in a row and the birth-rate hit a new low. Many maternity departments or specialized hospitals are struggling to stay afloat, with some reducing the number of beds or diversifying their businesses to survive. More obstetricians are leaving the field amid a bleak outlook, sources told Caixin. The pervasive issues plaguing obstetrics were thrust into the spotlight in February when Duan Tao, a professor and director of obstetrics at Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, took to social media pleading for action to “save obstetrics.” Duan’s plea raised concerns about the future of care for women and babies during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. (Caixin)
The US-China chip stranglehold
The Biden administration has already imposed severe restrictions on semiconductor companies selling to China through export controls. But now it’s considering additional steps to maintain an edge over its rival in the East. The new measures would reportedly restrict China’s ability to access a specific chip architecture known as gate all around, or GAA. GAA is a powerful type of transistor that large chipmakers — including AMD, Intel, Nvidia, and Samsung — are planning to mass produce in the next year. The US Commerce Department, which oversees export controls, hasn’t confirmed whether or when the rules will be finalized. But the administration has been dead set on limiting China’s access to chips they can use to train and run AI applications — an attitude that’ll only intensify as AI technology becomes more mature and more useful. With a weak economy making retaliatory tariffs unlikely, Beijing is left with few responses other than subsidizing its domestic industry, which still lags behind the US. (Bloomberg)
The Chinese Crackdown on Muslims is Now Getting To The Children
Yuxi is home to a significant population of a state-recognized ethnic Muslim minority nationality called the Hui. Partly descendants of Arab and Persian traders from the times of the Silk Road, they speak Mandarin and are racially indistinguishable from the Han majority. Despite this long history of assimilation, they find themselves today at the epicenter of a nationwide Sinification campaign that started in the wake of the Chinese Communist Party’s forum on religious work in April 2016. During the forum, President Xi Jinping instructed religious groups to “adhere to the leadership” of the Communist Party (CCP) and to “merge [their doctrines] with Chinese culture.”
So, it follows that in “On March 15, the third day of this year’s Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Muslims living in Yuxi, a city in China’s Yunnan province, woke up to an unusual message circulating on their WeChat threads. The prefectural Bureau of Ethnic and Religious Affairs had issued an “urgent public notice” authorizing surveillance of fasting among their school children” “The Party Committee, governments, education, and sports bureaus of all levels should investigate the participation of minors in fasting and other religious activities,” the notice stated. It further required these organs to “adhere comprehensively to the principle of separation between education and religion, and strengthen the education and guidance of teachers, students, and the majority of young people.”
King of Malaysia and Sultan of Johor, Ibrahim Sultan Iskanda in competition with China over strategic rail links
The highly strategic rail project through Kuala Lumpur towards Singapore is the subject of intense competition between the King of Malaysia and Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. Both have economic interest in the scheme. (IO)
Beyond The Great Wall 🧱
Exploring News About China in Depth
Economy
China allocates 443 million yuan to fight drought, aid summer planting
CGTN reports that Chinese authorities have allocated 443 million yuan (about $62.26 million) for drought control and summer planting across several provinces, including Hebei, Shanxi, Jiangsu, Anhui, Shandong, Henan, and Shaanxi. The funds will support measures like soil moisture replenishment, crop replanting, and fertilizer application to combat sweltering heat and ensure a successful autumn harvest.
China Said to Ask Visa, Mastercard to Cut Transaction Fees
Bloomberg reports that China is urging Visa and Mastercard to lower their transaction fees from 2-3% to 1.5% to increase acceptance of foreign cards. The Payment & Clearing Association of China is negotiating with global card issuers to facilitate payments for foreign visitors. Mastercard has acknowledged the proposal, while Visa has not yet commented.
Foxconn Founder Gou’s Eight-Year Stock Target Finally Comes True
Charlotte Yang writes in Bloomberg that Foxconn founder Terry Gou’s long-term stock target for Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. has been achieved, with shares closing at NT$200 ($6.18). This milestone comes eight years after Gou’s pledge and follows a 90% surge in 2024, driven by investor interest in AI servers and new Apple products. Hon Hai’s success reflects its evolution towards higher value-added products, including AI servers and electric vehicles.
Internal Politics 🏛️
Xi calls for all-out flood rescue effort as storms pound southern China
Xinhua reports that President Xi Jinping has called for comprehensive flood rescue efforts in response to severe storms affecting southern China. Heavy rains have resulted in deadly floods and mudslides, especially in Guangdong province, where at least five people have died and 13 are trapped. The floods have caused extensive damage to infrastructure and agriculture.
Back Tax Demands Highlight Financial Pressure on Local Government
Caixin reports that China’s State Taxation Administration denied launching any extensive tax inspection campaigns or plans to audit decades-old tax issues. Recent concerns arose after some Chinese companies were asked to pay back taxes dating to the 1990s. The administration clarified that recent tax inspections were routine and lawful, emphasizing a symbiotic relationship between tax authorities and businesses.
Xi inspects northwest China’s Qinghai Province
Xinhua reports that Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspected Qinghai Province on Tuesday. During his visit to Xining, Xi toured a middle school and a Tibetan Buddhist temple. He reviewed local initiatives to enhance education through regional collaboration and paired assistance, and efforts to strengthen national unity.
China And The World🌐
Chinese sailors wield knives, axe in disputed sea clash with Philippines
CNA reports that Chinese coast guard sailors wielded knives, an axe, and other weapons in a clash with unarmed Philippine naval vessels near Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. Footage released by Manila shows Chinese sailors attacking an inflatable boat and confiscating equipment. The incident, part of escalating confrontations over territorial claims, resulted in a Filipino sailor losing a thumb. Beijing denied the allegations, blaming the Philippines for escalating tensions.
U.S. and China hold first informal nuclear talks in 5 years, eyeing Taiwan
Reuters reports that the United States and China held informal nuclear arms talks in March, the first in five years. Chinese delegates assured their U.S. counterparts they would not use nuclear weapons over Taiwan, believing they can prevail conventionally. The talks, organized by David Santoro of the Pacific Forum, involved former officials and scholars discussing nuclear policies and concerns. Despite frustrations, both sides see value in continuing discussions, with further talks planned for 2025.
German minister’s visit a chance to defuse trade tensions, China state media say
CNA reports that German Economy Minister Robert Habeck’s visit to China aims to ease trade tensions between China and the EU over electric vehicle tariffs. Chinese state media suggest Germany seeks consensus rather than confrontation, potentially setting a new model for global economic governance. Habeck, who opposes punitive tariffs, acknowledges China’s importance in tackling global challenges. He will meet EU ambassadors, Premier Li Qiang, and other officials, with discussions highlighting the interdependence of Chinese EV industrial chains and European manufacturers.
Chinese premier says stable China-Australia ties serve common interests of the two peoples
CGTN reports that Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized the mutual benefits of stable China-Australia relations during a visit to Australia, where he attended a welcome banquet with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Li highlighted the common desire for strong bilateral ties and the importance of the Chinese community in Australia in fostering economic and cultural exchanges. He expressed confidence in China’s economic prospects and its potential to enhance cooperation with Australia.
China, EU hold environment, climate dialogue
Xinhua reports that Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and European Commission Executive Vice President Maros Sefcovic held the fifth High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue in Brussels. They agreed to deepen green cooperation, emphasizing the importance of China-EU collaboration on green energy, low-carbon technologies, and plastic pollution control. Ding highlighted China’s commitment to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
Malaysia and China eye digital, green deals in Anwar-Li talks
Norman Goh writes in Nikkei that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Chinese Premier Li Qiang are set to enhance economic cooperation in digital economy, green development, and infrastructure. During their bilateral meeting, they will witness the signing of several memoranda of understanding in various sectors and attend the ground-breaking ceremony of the China-backed East Coast Rail Link. The meeting marks 50 years of diplomatic relations, with China being Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years.
Chinese senior officials’ South Korea trip to coincide with Putin’s Pyongyang visit
Zhao Ziwen writes in SCMP that senior Chinese officials Sun Weidong and Zhang Baoqun will visit South Korea for a “2+2” dialogue on Tuesday, coinciding with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea. The Chinese delegation will discuss bilateral relations and regional security with South Korean officials. Putin’s visit aims to strengthen Moscow-Pyongyang ties amid tensions on the Korean peninsula.
China Sends Warning as US Lawmakers Set to Meet Dalai Lama
Sudhi Ranjan Sen reports in Bloomberg that a new US law on Tibet, along with the visit by American lawmakers to Dharamshala, is expected to increase pressure on China to engage with the Tibetan government-in-exile. Led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul and including Nancy Pelosi, the bipartisan group bolstered Tibet’s autonomy demands. The Resolve Tibet Act reinforces US support for Tibet and urges negotiations between China and Tibetan leaders.
Beijing says anti-Chinese vaccine campaign proves US spreads false information
Riyaz ul Khaliq reports for Andalou Ajansi that Beijing has accused the US of spreading false information through an alleged anti-Chinese vaccine campaign. The Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned the campaign, citing an investigative report claiming the US aimed to discredit China’s influence in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
US approves US$360 million arms sale to Taiwan for missiles, drones
CNA reports that the US State Department has approved a $360 million arms sale to Taiwan, including Switchblade 300 loitering munitions and ALTIUS 600M-V drones. This move, aimed at bolstering Taiwan’s defense capabilities, comes amid increased military pressure from China, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province.
IMF unveils plans for China-based regional centre in Shanghai
Ji Siqi and Alice Li report in SCMP that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced plans to establish a regional centre in Shanghai aimed at enhancing engagement and partnership in the Asia-Pacific region. The Shanghai Regional Centre will focus on conducting research to inform policies for emerging markets and middle-income countries.
China’s influence on U.N. space agency grows as top funder
Takayuki Tanaka writes in Nikkei that China has become the largest voluntary contributor to the U.N. Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), donating $340,000 of the $1.39 million total in 2022. This highlights China’s ambition to influence international space law. Japan, the second-largest contributor, increased its funding to counter China’s growing influence, directing its contributions towards aiding Asian-Pacific nations and supporting microsatellite launches. UNOOSA plans to attract more funds from the U.S. and other nations to balance this influence.
Adidas Probes Allegations of Corruption in China
Andrea Figueras writes in WSJ that Adidas is investigating allegations of corruption in China, where senior executives are accused of receiving millions in kickbacks from service providers. This probe comes as Adidas aims to bolster its presence in China amid challenges, including pandemic-related sales declines and controversy over Xinjiang cotton sourcing.
Tech🧑💻 in China
Hong Kong’s WeLab eyes Southeast Asia digital banks, exporting tech services as new growth engines
Enoch Yiu writes in SCMP that Hong Kong-based fintech unicorn WeLab is expanding into Southeast Asia by setting up digital banks and exporting technology services to Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines. CEO Simon Loong highlights the region’s 700 million population as a key growth driver. WeLab’s digital bank in Indonesia, Bank Saqu, has already reached 1 million users since its launch in November. The company aims to grow its user base to 500 million by 2032, leveraging partnerships and new licenses to fuel expansion.
Chinese smartphone giant Vivo in talks to sell stake in Indian factory to Tata Group: report
Iris Deng writes in SCMP that Chinese smartphone giant Vivo is in advanced talks to sell its stake in an Indian factory to Tata Group. The potential deal reflects Tata’s growing ambitions, following its acquisition of an iPhone factory in Karnataka last year. Amid India’s increasing scrutiny of Chinese businesses, this transaction aligns with New Delhi’s push to involve local manufacturers in foreign smartphone operations.
China’s Vocational Education Dilemma
Written By Farheen, Policy and Trust Analyst
Jiang Ping, a 17-year-old fashion design student from a vocational school, placed 12th in the preliminary round of the 2024 Alibaba Global Mathematics Competition, standing out among mostly university students and being the only girl in the top 30. While historically valued, vocational education now faces stigma. The high-stakes Zhongkao exam funnels students into distinct academic and vocational tracks, often disadvantaging those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Vocational schools, despite their intended purpose, suffer from underfunding, limited university pathways, and exploitative internships. This has led to a perception of limited opportunities, reflected in the 45% wage gap between academic and vocational qualifications. Despite government reforms in 2019 and 2022, deep-seated societal biases persist. The push to increase vocational enrollment by 50% has sparked anxiety among parents who fear limited prospects for their children, illustrating the challenge of changing perceptions and raising the status of skilled trades in Chinese society.
The International Order and the Security Dilemma
Written By Priyanka Garodia, Geopolitical Research Analyst – South Asia
The international world order has largely been described as anarchic and state behaviour as insecure. States are subject to a two-fold categorization that sees them as either greedy and expansionists looking to increase their sphere of interest or insecure, where military build-ups are seen as the safest bet that they have. The nature of states combined with the nature of the international order has led to the establishment of what scholars of international relations call the ‘security dilemma’. Coined in 1950 by John Herz, the security dilemma rests on the premise that an insecure state, in order to protect itself, will engage in actions that become the source of insecurity for another state. This leads to the other state increasing their offensive capabilities, which in turn furthers the insecurity of the first state.
The great power rivalry between the United States, China and Russia can be viewed in light of the insecurity that they produce for each other. China and Russia are both greedy and expansionist powers. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia is a prime example of how its imperialist tendencies intersected with its geopolitical insecurity. Russia’s belief in the Soviet sphere of influence and Ukraine’s decision to join NATO, prompted an ‘insecure and greedy’ Russia to invade the country. Similarly, Taiwan has emerged as the linchpin in China’s expansionist visions of itself. Added to the mix is Taiwan’s closeness with the United States and its quest for democratic rule. Even the smallest action by Taiwan activates China’s insecurities, and it feels threatened. Russian and Chinese actions have a direct impact on the strategic calculations and decisions that the United States makes. The United States has to be prepared for any situation with Russia and China, including a military conflict that could have catastrophic implications for not just the countries involved but also the global world, given that all of these states are nuclear powers.
Read the full article here.
News From Asia
Friday
- The United Nations rights office has raised concerns that Israeli airstrikes in Gaza may have systematically violated the laws of war, particularly principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions. Read more: The Times of Israel
- South Korea is considering sending arms to Ukraine following the mutual support defense pact between Russia and North Korea. Read more: AP
- During his state visit to Vietnam, President Vladimir Putin signed cooperation deals to deepen ties amid Russia’s growing isolation over the war in Ukraine. Read more: France 24
- Japan has imposed trade curbs on China-based firms, including Hong Kong’s Asia Pacific Links Ltd and China-based Yilufa Electronics Limited, for supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. Read more: CNA
Thursday
- A new Russia-North Korea agreement requires immediate mutual military assistance in the event of war, marking a significant upgrade in bilateral relations. Read more: AP
- Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte resigned from her Cabinet roles amid tensions with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., reflecting key differences over handling religious leader arrests and China disputes. Read more: Arab News
- Sovico chairman Nguyen Thanh Hung is exploring new partnerships in Dubai, expanding beyond Vietnam to promote Russian energy interests. Read more: IO
- Japanese cat owners are using CatsMe!, an AI-powered app that assesses if their cat is in pain with 95% accuracy by analyzing facial pictures. Read more: Gzero
Wednesday
- Malaysia is preparing to join the BRICS group of emerging economies, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in an interview with Chinese media outlet Guancha. Read more: CNA
- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un promised full support for Russia’s war in Ukraine before beginning a one-on-one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang on Wednesday. Read more: AP
- Russian President Putin is scheduled to visit Vietnam on Wednesday and Thursday, after his Tuesday-Wednesday trip to North Korea. Read more: VOA
- Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Wednesday proposed a 3.753-trillion-baht (US $102-billion) budget for the 2025 fiscal year to jump start Thailand’s sluggish economy as lawmakers began a three-day debate. Read more: Bangkok Post
Tuesday
- Russian President Vladimir Putin visits North Korea to strengthen ties and counter U.S.-led sanctions, amid concerns over potential arms deals and cooperation with Kim Jong Un. Read more: AP
- South Korean soldiers fired warning shots to repel 20-30 North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the border while conducting construction work. Read more: CNA
- Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was granted bail after being indicted for allegedly insulting the monarchy, avoiding pre-trial detention. Read more: Asia One
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved the Israeli war cabinet, rebuffing far-right allies seeking seats and solidifying his control over decision-making. Read more: The Guardian
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