VOA Asia Weekly: Democratic VP Nominee Tim Walz's China Ties

Japan's PM will not seek re-election. Thailand's PM removed from office. Hong Kong pro-democracy activists lose final appeals. Philippines welcomes back gold medal gymnast.

What is the top news of the week from Asia, the U.S., and around the world? VOA Asia Weekly rounds up the week’s major headlines, along with expert analysis, all in five minutes, produced from Washington, DC.

A look at U.S. Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz and his relationship with China.  

Welcome to VOA Asia Weekly. I'm Chris Casquejo in Washington. That story is just ahead, but first, making headlines:   

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced Wednesday that he will not seek re-election as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s leader. Kishida, who has faced low approval ratings and economic challenges, cited a need for party renewal.  

In Thailand, a court on Wednesday removed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office over an ethical violation. It’s the second shakeup in Thai politics after the same court ordered the main opposition Move Forward party to dissolve a week ago.   

The U.S. military conducted live-fire drills in South Korea on Wednesday to test deployment readiness on the Korean Peninsula. The drills took place fewer than 30 kilometers from the heavily fortified border with North Korea.  

Seven of Hong Kong's most prominent pro-democracy activists, including Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, lost their final bid to overturn their convictions. The city's top court on Monday ruled against their appeals of convictions for their roles in one of the biggest anti-government protests in 2019.      

Indonesian President Joko Widodo held his first cabinet meeting in his planned new capital of Nusantara on Monday. The outgoing leader wants to reassure investors his $32 billion mega-project remains on track before he steps down this October.  

U.S. Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz’s ties to China will likely inform his work if elected. But where does he stand on key issues? And how does Beijing see him? VOA’s Anita Powell reports.   

I’m Chris Casquejo.  

Finally, a hero’s welcome for the two-time gold medal winning Filipino men’s gymnast.  

Hundreds of supporters gathered along Manila's main avenue on Wednesday to cheer for Carlos Yulo.   

Yulo’s twin gold medals in gymnastics have earned him various cash incentives from the government worth at least $357,000, plus corporate sponsorships and free flights among other perks.  

Thanks for watching VOA Asia Weekly.  

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