Japan Demographics: Japan’s population fell to 123.05 million in 2025, down a record 3.1 million from 2020, as ageing and natural decline deepen pressure on regional communities and economic vitality. China-UK Finance: CICC’s London Wealth Management Forum drew 200+ guests to discuss China-Britain financial cooperation and the growing role of Chinese assets in global portfolios. China Diplomacy Drive: A steady stream of foreign leaders visiting Beijing is reshaping China’s diplomatic calendar, with many seeking stability, trade and development opportunities. China-Germany Industry: A Guangzhou roundtable highlighted deeper cooperation in digitalization and decarbonization, with Guangdong-Germany trade rising over the last five years. Asia-Pacific Security: India pushed back on China’s QUAD criticism, saying the grouping is not aimed at any country and focuses on practical Indo-Pacific projects. Japan-Philippines Defense: Japan and the Philippines agreed to upgrade defense ties, start talks on an intelligence-sharing pact, and begin maritime boundary negotiations. South Korea-Canada Submarines: Seoul’s ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho completed a trans-Pacific deployment supporting Canada’s submarine plans. Energy Resilience (India): India’s government asked state fuel retailers to build 30-day LPG reserves amid West Asia supply worries. Green Hydrogen (India): Ohmium and InSolare partnered on a 4 MW green hydrogen project for NLC India in Neyveli, targeting up to 700 tons annually. China Poverty Platform: China launched the Global Partnership for Poverty Alleviation and Development, aiming to share anti-poverty experience with developing countries.