Asia reacts to UK election call

The snap election slated for 8 June in the UK, announced by PM May yesterday, went largely unreported in mainstream Asian press Tuesday, but was picked up in international editions.

Singapore’s Strait Times ran a feature in the European section on the rationale for the snap vote, citing May’s commanding lead in the opinion polls as an opportunity to consolidate power ahead of the Brexit negotiations.

China Daily International edition, reported that May called the election with reluctance but with a strong economy and low unemployment the government was in a good position to win back a parliamentary majority.

The South China Morning Post focused on increased costs for Chinese visitors to the UK due to the rise in the value of the pound following the vote announcement. Sterling rose 2.7 per cent on the news, the highest levels since 3 October, reversing a long downward trend against the US dollar.

The Times of India, The Bangkok Post, and Jakarta Post did not run a  story on the UK election.