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This Week in Asia
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Global Economy

China and Japan aren’t talking. Will their rare earth trade go quiet?

With bilateral relations at a low and Beijing already enacting limited export controls on critical minerals, fears of a broader ban grow.

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Sustained security can’t come from ‘barrel of a gun’: East Timor’s Ramos-Horta

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Sri Lanka’s top monk suspended over alleged child sex abuse

East Asia

Japan PM vows ‘breakthrough’ with North Korea in abduction issue

Japan officially lists 17 Japanese nationals as having been abducted by North Korea, with five returned in 2002.

Sakie Yokota (left), whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 13, speaks at a rally on the abduction issue in Tokyo on May 30, 2026, where Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front row, middle) also attended. Photo: Kyodo
Sakie Yokota (left), whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 13, speaks at a rally on the abduction issue in Tokyo on May 30, 2026, where Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (front row, middle) also attended. Photo: Kyodo

People

5 villagers trapped in flooded Laos cave freed after 10-day ordeal

The men emerged weak and dazed to an outpouring of emotion from rescuers and relatives on the muddy topside. Two others remain missing.

Politics

17 nations launch pact to protect vital undersea cables amid US, China absence

Singapore’s defence chief tells the Shangri-La Dialogue the pact aims to explore potential areas of collaboration and share best practices.

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Politics

US senator warns of Indo-Pacific risks as Hegseth stresses ‘quiet’ tactics

Hegseth told the Shangri-La Dialogue that the US remained committed to the region as Duckworth criticised his policy and burden-sharing demands.

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US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth attends the Shangri-La Dialogue forum in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: EPA
US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth attends the Shangri-La Dialogue forum in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: EPA

Politics

Tariffs, war and broken trust: Southeast Asia’s Trump problem

Disillusioned by US unpredictability, the region is learning to diversify – while Trump treats allies as bargaining chips.

Economics

Chasing billions: Indonesia’s commodity export crackdown sows confusion

New export rules promise billions in recovered revenue, but analysts warn the ensuing chaos could cost more than the gains.

Politics

How Philippines and Japan future-proofed ties amid China tensions, US wavering

Manila and Tokyo forge a comprehensive strategic partnership, boosting defence and economic cooperation, as Indo-Pacific challenges mount.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr meets Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) at the Akasaka Palace state guest house in Tokyo on Thursday. Photo: EPA

Economics

Rising costs in Singapore spur business migration as regional alternatives rise

Analysts say the economic gains could come with trade-offs, such as increasing income inequality between skilled and unskilled workers.

The Kuala Lumpur city skyline in Malaysia. Analysts say Kuala Lumpur is a “highly complementary partner” to Singapore. Photo: Shutterstock
The Kuala Lumpur city skyline in Malaysia. Analysts say Kuala Lumpur is a “highly complementary partner” to Singapore. Photo: Shutterstock

Southeast Asia

Singapore union backs guards after row with swearing Hong Kong principal

The group said the workers ‘received an aggressive verbal tirade of profanities’ during a parking dispute involving Lee Cheuk‑hing.

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East Asia

Professor disciplined after saying ‘8 in 10 Korean women’ engaged in sex work

The faculty member was barred from teaching classes, providing academic counselling and performing other student guidance duties.

People

Vietnam’s To Lam warns of 3 crises converging in Asia-Pacific security

In the Singapore forum’s keynote address, the Vietnamese president urges a strategic framework for trust building to avert such threats.

Vietnamese President To Lam gives a keynote address during the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Friday. Photo: Reuters

Politics

Vietnam, Philippines to forge stronger ‘alignment’ on 50 years of ties

Analysts say To Lam’s first visit to Manila as state leader signals Vietnam’s balanced foreign policy and investment in Asean partnerships.

Vietnam’s President To Lam is due in the Philippines for a two-day state visit on Sunday and Monday. Photo: AP
Vietnam’s President To Lam is due in the Philippines for a two-day state visit on Sunday and Monday. Photo: AP

Economics

Asia faces ‘costly paradox’ over divergent AI rules in US and EU

Regional countries are adapting either the US or EU legal framework, while Asian tech firms risk incurring a ‘regulatory fragmentation tax’.

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Politics

Beyond bans: why fringe Islamic movements still find followers in Malaysia

Observers say the appeal of alternative religious communities cannot be addressed by bans and rehabilitation classes alone.

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Politics

Tariffs, war and broken trust: Southeast Asia’s Trump problem

Disillusioned by US unpredictability, the region is learning to diversify – while Trump treats allies as bargaining chips.

Illustration: Huy Truong
Illustration: Huy Truong

Lifestyle & Culture

Southeast Asia is chasing the AI boom, but at what cost?

A regional dash for digital dominance risks running headlong into an energy crunch and an existential threat to jobs.

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Politics

Beyond bamboo: Vietnam’s To Lam mounts a diplomacy offensive

The security chief turned paramount leader is chasing the markets and capital required to reach high-income status by 2045.

Economics

Singapore shines as a stable investment oasis in a global storm

Wealthy families are trading global uncertainty for Singapore’s regulatory rigour, driving record inflows and a revitalised stock exchange.

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Illustration: Huy Truong
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Highlights from
THIS WEEK IN ASIA

Politics

Tariffs, war and broken trust: Southeast Asia’s Trump problem

Illustration: Huy Truong

Politics

Sustained security can’t come from ‘barrel of a gun’: East Timor’s Ramos-Horta

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Jose Ramos-Horta, president of East Timor, speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

People

5 villagers trapped in flooded Laos cave freed after 10-day ordeal

Finnish cave diver Mikko Paasi with the first survivor rescued from a flooded cave network in Xaysomboun province, central Laos, on Saturday. Photo: Josh Richards/dpa

Politics

17 nations launch pact to protect vital undersea cables amid US, China absence

Singapore’s Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing (centre) with representatives from 16 partner countries during the launch of the Guiding Principles for Underwater Infrastructure Defence Exchanges at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday. Photo: Singapore’s Ministry of Defence

Politics

US senator warns of Indo-Pacific risks as Hegseth stresses ‘quiet’ tactics

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US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth attends the Shangri-La Dialogue forum in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: EPA
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MULTIMEDIA
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