China seems *fishy*...

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Global Recap
May 30, 2025 • Read in: 11 minutes

Hi Global Recap readers,

There's a saying that gets tossed around:

"Asian countries all hate each other."

Sure, it's a generalization, but there's a kernel of truth to it, at least when it comes to geopolitics. While everyday people might get along just fine, the big three in East Asia—China, Japan, and South Korea—have a long, messy history.

We're talking centuries of conflict, invasions, and subjugation.

  • Think of Japan's occupation of Korea,

  • the Nanjing Massacre in China,

  • the rise of communism in the region, and so on.

So you know something’s going on when China is trying to court its neighbors. And recently, Japan seems to be its target. Is the US bringing them together? 👇️ 

🌐 WORLD
Fast Scroll News

🇫🇷 Macron Warns China. French President Macron just warned China: Keep North Korean troops out of Ukraine, or risk NATO expanding its presence in Asia. Speaking during an address at a major defense summit in Singapore, he told Beijing that if it doesn’t stop Pyongyang’s involvement in Russia’s war, it might see NATO showing up in its backyard. China hasn’t responded, but Macron’s shift is notable because France previously opposed NATO’s expansion into Asia. But the question is, does Asia want NATO?

📌 Additional Info: At the same event, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also warned that China is “rehearsing for the real deal,” and its military threat is “real and it could be imminent.”

Russian President Putin (left) and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy (right)

🇺🇦 Ukraine Demands Russian Clarity. Ukraine is ready to resume peace talks with Russia in Istanbul on Monday, but insists Moscow provide a clear draft of its demands first. Kyiv has accused the Kremlin of stalling while it tries to gain more ground militarily and says any negotiation without transparency would be “empty.” The US and European allies are pushing for an unconditional ceasefire, but it seems like Putin is holding out for terms more in his favor. Meanwhile, Turkish officials suggest a future meeting could bring together Zelenskyy, Putin, and possibly Trump.

🇭🇰 Activist Jimmy Sham Freed. Hong Kong’s pro-democracy and LGBTQ+ activist Jimmy Sham is out of prison after more than four years behind bars under China’s controversial “national security law.” Sham, a key figure in the 2019 protests, was sentenced along with dozens of other activists for taking part in an unofficial primary election that authorities claimed undermined the government. Even while locked up, he fought for legal recognition of his same-sex marriage. He says he is still fearful because he doesn’t know what he can or cannot say, and that he might be arrested again soon.

🇵🇸 Hamas Reviews Ceasefire Offer. Hamas is weighing Israel’s latest ceasefire proposal, even though it doesn’t meet its core demands. The deal, pushed by the Trump administration, would halt fighting for 60 days and see the release of 10 living hostages, plus the remains of 18 more, in exchange for 1,236 Palestinian prisoners. Despite Hamas officials saying the plan doesn’t include an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza or guarantees on humanitarian aid, the US remains “optimistic.”

🇺🇸 Trump Doubles Steel Tariffs. President Trump just raised tariffs on imported steel to 50%, claiming it will stop foreign competitors from undercutting US producers. Speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania, he slammed Chinese steel as “shoddy” and promised Pittsburgh would reclaim its “Steel City” reputation. Meanwhile, Japan’s Nippon Steel is pouring $14 billion into US Steel, a deal Trump says will protect American jobs while keeping the company under US control.

🇨🇳 CHINA & 🇯🇵 JAPAN
China Lifts Japan Seafood Ban

After nearly two years, China is finally reopening its doors to Japanese seafood imports, shutting down concerns over Fukushima’s treated wastewater.

This comes despite strong opposition from the Chinese public to Japanese seafood imports over radiation concerns. So why is China suddenly changing its tone? Is it all about economics, or is there a deeper political play at work?

Something seems fishy… (sorry).

The Deal and Its Conditions

After multiple rounds of talks, Beijing finally struck an agreement with Tokyo on Wednesday, but there’s a catch.

  • Japan’s Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi says exports will resume once China completes “necessary procedures,” without detailing what they are.

  • Japanese seafood processors must now register with Chinese authorities and prove their products are free from radioactive substances like caesium-137.

Why the Ban Happened

Back in 2023, China shut down imports after Japan started releasing treated wastewater from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

  • The release sparked protests at home and abroad.

  • The plant, wrecked in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, had been accumulating contaminated water for years.

  • Despite Japan’s claim that the discharge met international safety standards and was monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency, China halted imports over contamination fears.

Economic Blow

Before the ban, China was Japan’s biggest seafood buyer, making up over 20% of its exports. The ban hit Japan’s fisheries hard, though the overall trade impact was limited.

  • Japan set up emergency relief funds to help affected industries, especially scallop farmers.

  • Tokyo Electric Power Company says it will compensate businesses hurt by export bans.

What Happens Now?

China is expected to make an official announcement soon, but only for seafood from outside the Fukushima region.

  • China still bans farm and fisheries products from 10 Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima.

  • Japan insists its water release is safe and supported by international regulators, but neighboring countries like South Korea and China have questioned the impartiality of these so-called “watchdogs,” accusing them of being in bed with the Japanese government.

  • Meanwhile, fisheries and exporters are watching closely to see how quickly China follows through on reopening trade.

👆️ But here's the thing: Public sentiment hasn't changed much over the years. Both Chinese and Korean populations remain firmly against seafood from Japan, largely because of its close proximity to Fukushima and the lingering fear of contamination.

Anecdotally, plenty of Chinese and Koreans I’ve spoken with say they stick to local seafood. Many just don’t trust the origin labels on Japanese products—or they feel uneasy about it, even if it’s technically deemed safe. It's more about perception and gut feeling than official assurances, I guess.

🇸🇾 SYRIA
ISIS Strikes New Syrian Government

For the first time since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, ISIS has claimed responsibility for two bomb attacks targeting the new Syrian government.

Claims

  • On Thursday, ISIS claimed responsibility for attacks that killed and wounded government soldiers and allied militia fighters. The claim was made in two online statements released on Thursday, according to SITE Intelligence Group.

  • Syrian officials, however, haven’t acknowledged any ISIS attacks, instead announcing recent raids against ISIS operatives.

📌 Additional Info: I took time to scour the internet—across social media, the SITE Intelligence Group’s website, and even translated Arabic news sources—but all references ultimately trace back to SITE’s own reporting. For now, unfortunately, you’ll just have to take the news sources’ word for it. SITE’s website and social media accounts also appear outdated, with many internal links leading to errors.

✒️ Context: The SITE Intelligence Group is a US-based, for-profit consultancy that monitors the online activity of white supremacist and jihadist organizations.

Where the Attacks Happened

The bombings hit Sweida Province, a region where the government has struggled to maintain control.

  • One remote-controlled land mine killed one person and wounded three Syrian Army soldiers.

  • The Druze minority effectively controls Sweida, and sectarian clashes in April and May killed over 100 people.

What’s Changed Since Assad’s Fall

ISIS was largely defeated by US and Syrian forces years ago, but has maintained a low-level insurgency since 2019.

  • Since Assad’s removal in December, ISIS has been more aggressive, carrying out attacks even in Damascus.

  • The US, fearing a resurgence, increased troop presence in Syria to 2,000.

Possible Future Threats

So what’s all this for? US intelligence warns ISIS may try to free 9,000 of its members from Syrian prisons.

  • The group could exploit divisions in the new government and security vulnerabilities.

  • Syrian forces, with US intelligence, have prevented eight attacks in Damascus recently.

The Bigger Picture

That said, ISIS isn’t the only extremist group targeting Syria’s new leadership.

  • Some jihadist figures have condemned President Ahmed al-Sharaa as an “apostate” for distancing himself from terrorist groups. This, of course, bodes well for his public image in the eyes of the West.

  • Al-Sharaa is also criticized for not opposing Israel and for meeting with Trump.

  • While one former Qaeda ideologue, Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi, advises against attacks unless rebels are strong enough to overthrow the government, ISIS appears adamant about pressing forward.