Welcome to Your Week in Asia.
Leaders of Pacific island nations will gather this week to discuss issues facing the region, which has assumed greater geopolitical importance in recent years. However, many of the countries vying for influence are being excluded.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has had an eventful start to his presidency, which on the diplomatic stage has so far been marked by attempts to win over U.S. President Donald Trump and efforts to maintain a positive relationship with Japan. To mark 100 days since taking office, Lee is expected to set out his vision for sustainable growth.
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MONDAY
Marcos visit to Cambodia
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continues his state visit to Cambodia, which runs through Tuesday, as the two Southeast Asian nations look to boost relations. On the agenda are mutual concerns over transnational crime and efforts to bolster cooperation on agriculture, higher education and tourism, as well as to strengthen market access for bilateral and intra-ASEAN trade.
Asia energy conference
The annual Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference, organized by S&P Global, will kick off in Singapore. Hundreds of petroleum, gas, petrochemical, trading, technology and financial executives, as well as senior government officials from across the globe, are set to convene in the city-state, where issues such as the financing of future energy solutions and the impact of technological innovations and disruptions on the energy sector will be discussed.
Pacific Islands Forum meeting
The Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting will kick off in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, bringing together leaders of the body’s 18 members. During the five-day gathering, they will discuss challenges facing the region, such as climate change, transnational crime and rising geopolitical tensions between China and West. External partners including the U.S., China, Japan and Taiwan are not invited to the meeting this year.
Hong Kong investor forum
Chinese investment firm CITIC opens a four-day forum in Hong Kong, bringing in a lineup of top global executives to discuss major issues affecting portfolios. Sessions will cover a range of topics, from cryptocurrencies and China tech to macroeconomic trends.
Data: Vietnam trade, China trade
TUESDAY
Thaksin hospital stay ruling
The Thai Supreme Court will hand down a ruling on whether former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s six-month hospitalization after returning from self-exile, which saw him avoid spending a single day in jail, undermined the enforcement of a prison sentence. In the worst-case scenario for Thaksin, he could be jailed if the court rules against him, according to political analysts. On Thursday, Thaksin flew to Dubai, but said he would return to Thailand by Monday.
Apple product launch event
Apple’s much-anticipated launch event kicks off. Official details remain sparse, but the U.S. tech titan is widely expected to unveil the latest iPhone lineup, new Apple Watches and upgraded AirPods. A new AirTag and Apple TV are in the “maybe” category, while an upgraded iPad Pro is generally expected to come later in the year.
WEDNESDAY
Taiwan semiconductor conference
Semicon Taiwan 2025 opens in Taipei. The chip industry’s flagship event will welcome over 1,200 companies and is expected to draw more than 100,000 visitors, with panels on everything from market trends to the latest in hiring and semiconductor technology.
Data: Philippines employment
THURSDAY
Start of Japan-Philippines reciprocal access agreement
The reciprocal access agreement between Tokyo and Manila enters into force, adding to the Philippines’ long list of defense partners. The military cooperation deal will see the two nations engage in joint exercises and other activities, effectively boosting their security relationship in the face of geopolitical tensions in the region.
Lee marks 100 days in office
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will host a news conference to mark the milestone in his presidency. The liberal leader will speak about the government’s policy on three areas — the economy, politics and society — under the slogan “The 100 days for recovery, growth for the future.” Lee enjoys high approval ratings of over 60%, thanks to his welfare and economic policies at home, but also faces diplomatic challenges in the form of North Korea, whose leader Kim Jong Un enjoyed a rare moment in the global spotlight at a military parade in China.
Monetary policy: Turkey
FRIDAY
Data: India inflation
