Below is the weekly update of political developments across East Asia. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you want to discuss any of the countries mentioned in more detail.
CHINA: WHO issues rare criticism of Beijing for blocking virus researchers
The World Health Organization (WHO) criticized China for refusing visas to WHO researchers investigating the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on 5 January that he was "very disappointed" that researchers departed for Beijing on 4-5 January, before Chinese officials informed the agency the re
- January 7, 2021
- 17:17
Asia
ASIA: Weekly politics update
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JAPAN: Suga, under fire as Diet reopens, seeks new powers to combat pandemic
Teneo
January 19, 2021
( 4 mins read ) The ordinary session of the Diet opened on Monday, 18 January, as the Suga administration tries to contain the still-widening third wave of Covid-19. His approval ratings plummeting, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is trying to
VIETNAM: Central Committee has chosen the next set of leaders
Teneo
January 19, 2021
( 3 mins read ) The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) ‘s central committee ended its meeting Sunday with reports that the leadership composition for the next five years has been decided. The initial — but unofficial — news from
CHINA: New virus outbreak threatens economic recovery and vaccine diplomacy
Teneo
January 14, 2021
( 3 mins read ) China is suffering its worst Covid-19 outbreak since July, prompting authorities to re-impose lockdowns in several regions and threatening to derail the recovery of consumer spending. Though authorities are likely to succeed in containing the
MALAYSIA: Schrodinger’s prime minister
Teneo
January 13, 2021
( 4 mins read ) Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin may have already lost his parliamentary majority after two recent defections. However, with parliament unable to sit until 1 August (or until the current spike in new cases eases), there is
JAPAN: Suga expands state of emergency as criticism within LDP grows
Teneo
January 13, 2021
( 6 mins read ) Less than a week after announcing a state of emergency for Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures, on Wednesday, 13 January Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga extended the declaration to seven additional prefectures. Suga’s handling of the
JAPAN: Surging caseload suggests new state of emergency is only the beginning
Teneo
January 12, 2021
( 3 mins read ) On Thursday, 7 January, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga officially declared a month-long state of emergency for Tokyo and its neighboring prefectures of Chiba, Saitama, and Kanagawa. The announcement came as the country set new records
CHINA: Rules to counteract foreign sanctions are mostly symbolic
Teneo
January 12, 2021
( 4 mins read ) New Commerce Ministry rules allow regulators to prohibit the application of foreign sanctions inside China. But Beijing will remain reluctant to scapegoat foreign business in retaliation for government action, given the desire to resist supply-chain
JAPAN/SOUTH KOREA: Comfort women ruling drives new wedge in relationship
Teneo
January 11, 2021
( 4 mins read ) The Japanese government swiftly rejected an 8 January ruling by the Seoul Central District Court that it must pay compensation to a group of surviving wartime sexual slaves known as “comfort women,” citing sovereign immunity
INDONESIA: Vaccination program will have to overcome three hurdles
Teneo
January 11, 2021
( 5 mins read ) The Sinovac vaccine has received the needed regulatory approvals, paving the way for the formal start of the vaccination program this week. The first vaccine supply will go to 2.6 million recipients. Although the initial
MIDDLE EAST: Neighbors mend fences with Qatar
Teneo
January 5, 2021
( 3 mins read ) Qatar signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the other Gulf Cooperation Council states to mend a 3 and half year old rift. This agreement is more of a ceasefire than
CHINA/EUROPE: Investment pact is economic win for EU, political win for Beijing
Teneo
January 5, 2021
( 5 mins read ) Following seven years of negotiation, Beijing and Brussels concluded negotiations on an EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) on 30 December. Beijing’s willingness to accept a relatively one-sided deal reflects China’s concern to avoid international
JAPAN: Suga on the defensive as government prepares new state of emergency
Teneo
January 4, 2021
( 5 mins read ) Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga held his first press conference of the year on Monday, 4 January, in which he indicated that his government is considering declaring a state of emergency as early as Thursday, 7