Welcome back to HI Sepekan! This week, developments across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East highlighted how trade interests, security, and public welfare continue to shape international relations.
In East Asia, on Thursday (15/10), China and North Korea officially inaugurated the New Yalu River Bridge to boost trade following years of disruptions. The bridge is expected to facilitate the shipment of raw materials, heavy equipment, and energy resources to support development in North Korea.
Meanwhile, on Saturday (17/10), hundreds of thousands of people in Belgium, France, Italy, and Portugal took to the streets to protest rising living costs. In France, more than 550,000 people participated in demonstrations, which escalated into clashes, looting, and the burning of several buildings. Demonstrations in other countries also highlighted concerns over low wages, housing costs, and the growing financial burden on the public.
In the field of trade, on Sunday (18/10), Vietnam and four member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) signed a free trade agreement to reduce import tariffs and expand market access. The agreement is expected to reduce dependence on major trading partners amid global economic uncertainty caused by US tariffs.
On the same day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to discuss trade, investment, critical minerals, and security cooperation with five Central Asian countries through the C5+1 forum. The visit involved more than 200 representatives from US companies seeking to expand economic ties and strategic partnerships across the region.
In bilateral relations, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan congratulated Azerbaijan on the anniversary of its Restoration of Independence Day. Erdoğan extended his congratulations to President Ilham Aliyev and the people of Azerbaijan, reaffirming the friendship and strategic cooperation between the two countries.
In the Middle East, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong visited Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from October 18 to 22 to strengthen economic cooperation and energy security through meetings with the leaders of both countries.
Meanwhile, Singapore will issue warnings to seven companies in Sumatra, Indonesia, suspected of being sources of fires that caused haze across Southeast Asia. The companies have been instructed to stop burning activities and take measures to extinguish the fires, as air quality in Singapore reached very unhealthy levels.
Source:
Aliakbarova, Rushanabonu. “Rubio arrives in Samarkand as Washington seeks closer ties with Central Asia”. Euro News. 18 Oktober 2026. https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/18/rubio-arrives-in-samarkand-as-washington-seeks-closer-ties-with-central-asia.
“Cost of living protests hit Belgium, Italy, Portugal and France”. Aljazeera. 17 Oktober 2026. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/17/cost-of-living-protests-hit-belgium-italy-portugal-and-france.
“Singapore puts seven Indonesian firms on notice over toxic haze”. The Jakarta Post. 18 Oktober 2026. https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2026/10/18/singapore-puts-seven-indonesian-firms-on-notice-over-toxic-haze?utm_source=(direct)&utm_medium=home_headlines.
“Trucks line up as long-delayed China-North Korea bridge officially opens”. NBC News. 15 Oktober 2026. https://www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/trucks-line-long-delayed-china-north-korea-bridge-officially-opens-rcna603642.
“Turkish President congratulates Azerbaijan on Restoration of Independence Day”. TRT World. 18 Oktober 2026. https://www.trtworld.com/article/7ebd86947cc8.
“Vietnam signs free trade deal with four European nations”. FMT. 18 Oktober 2026. https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/10/18/vietnam-signs-free-trade-deal-with-four-european-nations.
Zalizan, Taufiq. “PM Wong to visit Qatar, UAE in first trip to Middle East since taking office”. CNA. 17 Oktober 2026. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/lawrence-wong-qatar-uae-middle-east-visit-6468046.