标签： Asia

US President Donald Trump has indicated his willingness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his upcoming visit to Asia. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump stated, ‘I would. If you want to put out the word, I’m open to it,’ emphasizing his ‘great relationship’ with Kim. This potential meeting would mark a continuation of their historic 2019 encounter, when Trump became the first sitting US president to step into North Korea.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in her inaugural policy address to parliament, underscored the importance of fostering ‘constructive and stable’ relations with China while reaffirming Japan’s alliance with the United States. Takaichi emphasized that China remains an ‘important neighbor,’ advocating for a ‘strategic and mutually beneficial’ relationship. She also highlighted the need for dialogue to address bilateral differences, a sentiment echoed by Japan’s new Foreign Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, during his first press conference.

However, Takaichi made it clear that the US alliance remains the ‘cornerstone’ of Japan’s diplomatic and security policies. She announced plans to strengthen multilateral security ties with the US, South Korea, and the Quad alliance, which includes Australia and India. As part of her strategy, Japan’s defense spending will increase to 2% of GDP in the current fiscal year, up from the initial 1.8%. Additionally, Takaichi pledged to revise Japan’s key national security documents by the end of 2026 to enhance defense capabilities in response to evolving security challenges.

Kumiko Haba, a professor at Josai International University, noted that Takaichi’s administration appears to adopt a tougher stance compared to her predecessor, Shinzo Abe, moving away from a realist approach that prioritized cooperation with China and Russia when beneficial. This shift comes as Takaichi faces her first major diplomatic challenge with US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Japan. Political science professor Hiroshi Shiratori warned that neglecting Japan-China relations could trigger a chain reaction in East Asia, emphasizing that international relations should not revolve solely around the US.

On the domestic front, Takaichi prioritized addressing rising living costs and announced plans to abolish the temporary gasoline tax and scrap a previously planned cash handout. These measures aim to stabilize the economy and regain public trust following the ruling coalition’s recent electoral losses. Noriyuki Kawamura, an emeritus professor at Nagoya University of Foreign Studies, stressed that the new government must focus on public concerns to ensure political stability, which is essential for implementing strong economic and security policies.

In a significant display of unity and shared vision, the leaders of Indonesia, Brazil, and South Africa have reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering a multilateral system that prioritizes peaceful conflict resolution through dialogue. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held separate bilateral meetings in Jakarta this week, emphasizing the importance of collaboration within frameworks such as BRICS, the Global South, and the G20. Lula, currently chairing BRICS for 2025, visited Indonesia from Wednesday to Friday, while Ramaphosa arrived on Wednesday for a two-day visit. The discussions underscored the relevance of South-South cooperation, rooted in mutual respect and dialogue, as well as the need to strengthen multilateral platforms. Prabowo highlighted Indonesia and Brazil’s shared stance as emerging economic powers, while Lula met with ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn to explore cooperation in sustainable development, trade, and investment. Ramaphosa, in a joint press statement with Prabowo, stressed the importance of enhancing the multilateral system to address global challenges. Observers noted that these visits would significantly strengthen BRICS, which has emerged as a vital platform offering an alternative to Western-dominated international structures. Experts emphasized that BRICS complements existing multilateral organizations, providing new opportunities for member nations like Indonesia to leverage their participation across various groups.

Israel’s controversial push to annex the occupied West Bank has encountered significant resistance, particularly from its closest ally, the United States. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning, stating that Israel would lose all US support if it proceeded with the annexation. This rare red line was drawn during an interview with Time magazine on October 15, though it was only made public on Thursday. Trump emphasized that he had given his word to Arab countries that the annexation would not occur, reinforcing his administration’s stance against such a move. The warning came shortly after the implementation of the Gaza truce plan, which Trump had championed. US Vice-President JD Vance, who was in Israel at the time, echoed Trump’s sentiments, criticizing the Israeli parliament’s advancement of two bills that could pave the way for annexation. Vance described the move as a ‘political stunt’ and reaffirmed the US policy that the West Bank would not be annexed. The international community also condemned Israel’s actions, with over a dozen countries, including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkiye, issuing a joint statement through Saudi state media. They argued that the annexation would violate international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which opposes changes to the demographic and legal status of the occupied Palestinian territories. Despite the backlash, observers note that de facto annexation is ongoing, with over 700,000 Israelis residing in illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The US remains Israel’s primary military and diplomatic supporter, having provided billions in aid during the Gaza conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party boycotted the parliamentary votes, though members of his coalition support annexation. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu to discuss the implementation of Trump’s Gaza peace plan, which could be jeopardized by the annexation efforts. Meanwhile, Hamas and Fatah delegations convened in Cairo to discuss the next phase of the US-backed ceasefire plan.