North Korea:

A Vietnamese woman suspected of taking part in the assassination of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited two hotels in Phnom Penh in the month prior to the murder, hotel staff said on Thursday. – The Cambodia Daily

Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson indicated Thursday in Tokyo that Washington is ready to toughen its diplomatic approach toward North Korea, noting the futility of trying to convince it to abandon its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. –The Japan Times

After the revelations of North Korean espionage activities in Malaysia, latest findings show the regime has been hiding behind corporations it set up in Malaysia to avoid international sanctions. – Malaysiakini

China:

More than a year after a police raid ended months of daily demonstrations, the rebel Chinese village of Wukan is under a security cordon six or seven levels deep, with residents under constant surveillance from security cameras, an activist told RFA on Thursday. – Radio Free Asia (United States)

China, U.K.:

An agreement to publish English translations of texts used by Shanghai's primary school math program was signed Tuesday at the London Book Fair between Collins Learning and Shanghai Century Publishing Group. Collins is part of giant Harper Collins Publishing. – China Daily (China)

China, Australia:

A former Australian ambassador to China wants the country’s foreign policy to give the ‘highest priority’ to Beijing. – The Australian

China, U.S.:

The White House economic adviser Gary D. Cohn is selling a significant holding in the world’s largest bank — which happens to be in China — as he clears potential conflicts of interest to serve in his new role. – The New York Times

Taiwan, China:

A former National Security Bureau agent responsible for protecting former vice president Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) was detained on suspicion of espionage, prompting lawmakers to call for increased penalties for people caught spying for China. - Taipei Times

Hong Kong:

Hong Kong’s highest court will hear in August an appeal application from the two ousted Youngspiration lawmakers over their disqualifications. – Hong Kong Free Press

Cambodia:

Sok An, a deputy prime minister of Cambodia who was one of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s closest political and personal allies, died March 15 at a hospital in Beijing. He was 66. – The Washington Post

During two decades as one of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s closest allies, Deputy Prime Minister Sok An accrued an astounding collection of positions that gave him unparalleled clout within the CPP’s sprawling bureaucracy. – The Cambodia Daily

Vietnam:

The Vietnamese Government has accused Australia of "causing serious damage" to its prawn farmers and exporters and has asked the Federal Government to reconsider the ban on uncooked prawn imports. – Viet Nam News

In an effort to improve Vietnam’s reading culture, the national government recently greenlit a countrywide project to get citizens to read more books […] the project sets a goal to encourage locals to read four books on average per year by 2020. - Saigoneer

Myanmar:

The current government is reviewing 60 out of 101 MoUs signed between the previous government and international investors. – The Irrawaddy

Indonesia:

The government's plan to cap fares of online ride-hailing services may lead to the end of discounts enjoyed today by their customers, but in the long run it will help ensure a healthy competition in the transportation sector, a consumer advocacy group said. – Jakarta Globe

Philippines:

The European Parliament adopted the call of a group of lawmakers to immediately free detained Philippine Senator Leila de Lima, the fiercest critic of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. – Rappler

Editor: Edward White