Hong Kong is deepening the offshore renminbi (RMB) market beyond payments, extending longer-term lending, collateral, derivatives and gold-market infrastructure. The reforms aim to make RMB assets easier to finance, hedge and settle outside mainland China. For European firms, these changes matter most for China-related financing, payments and treasury management.
North Korea is emerging from the war in Ukraine stronger than at the start of it, with combat experience, a deeper relationship with Russia and an expanding defence industry. Whether the war continues or Russian demand falls, the capabilities developed through its involvement create new risks beyond the battlefield, from proliferation to cyber operations, making North Korea a security challenge not only in the Northeast Asian region but also for Europe.
READ OUR LATEST NEWSLETTER – As we reach the midpoint of 2026, we are pleased to reconnect with our readers, partners and friends by sharing an overview of the European Institute for Asian Studies’ activities over the past six months. While this edition marks our first newsletter since the end of 2025, it reflects a period of sustained engagement, new partnerships and continued research across Europe and Asia.
