The US retreat from its longstanding role as a champion of free trade has created new vulnerabilities for its longtime partners. But for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN, there may be silver linings. Tan Hsien-Li writes that ASEAN is doubling down on its commitment to a rules-based international order, pursuing new trade agreements and taking steps to fulfill its vision of a resilient single market and production base.
Jerome A. Cohen, professor emeritus of law at New York University and founding director of the law school’s U.S.-Asia Law Institute, who passed away on September 22, 2025, introduced the study of China’s legal system into American law schools. Through his writings, teaching, private diplomacy, and public advocacy, he was an influential advocate for human rights and the rule of law in China and across East Asia as the region emerged from colonialism and post-war authoritarian rule to become an economic powerhouse.
One of the most complicated topics in contemporary international relations is the status of the self-governing island of Taiwan and its government in Taipei, formally called the government of the Republic of China. In this May 6, 2025 talk, Bing Ling, a professor at the University of Sydney Law School, explains the legal basis for China’s claim to sovereignty over Taiwan; what actions might invoke use of the PRC’s Anti-Secession Law, either to use force against Taiwan or simply bring criminal charges against Taiwanese who oppose unification; and the urgent need for the governments in Beijing and Taipei to resume talks.
October 19 - October 25
China’s Communist Party Central Committee approves the outline of a new five-year economic and social development plan; the China-led International Organization for Mediation opens for business in Hong Kong; Japan’s Diet elects Sanae Takaichi, a firebrand nationalist and security hawk, to be Japan’s fourth prime minister in five years and first female head of government; the South Korean government is allowing same-sex couples to identify themselves as “spouses” or “cohabiting partners” in the next census; Taiwan’s High Court sentences a retired lieutenant general to prison for attempting to develop an espionage operation for China.
October 12 - October 18
China detains about thirty members of an unregistered Christian church network; Hong Kong’s legislature approves a long-awaited framework for regulating ride-hail services; the Japanese government asks OpenAI to refrain from infringing on Japanese anime, manga, and other IP; the Taiwan government plans to block access to TikTok on Wi-Fi networks in elementary and junior high schools.
October 5 - October 11
China announces new controls on the export of rare earths and related technologies, prompting the United States to announce new tariffs on Chinese goods of 100 percent; a Hong Kong court opens the criminal trial of the father of exiled activist Anna Kwok; former Japanese death row inmate Iwao Hakamata files a ¥600 million claim against the central and prefecture governments for misconduct and failure to act; South Korean investigators indict the 82-year-old leader of the Unification Church on bribery and other charges; Taiwan’s Judicial Yuan proposes rules to govern the broadcast of court proceedings amid a partisan debate over court transparency.
Program on International Law & Relations in Asia
