Here are a few stories from around Asia you may have missed this week.

China's annual Two Sessions wraps up, approves 15th Five-Year Plan

The 14th National People's Congress, China's national legislature, concluded its annual session with a closing meeting on Thursday. At the meeting, lawmakers approved the government work report and the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development. They also voted to adopt a resolution on the implementation of the 2025 plan for national economic and social development and the 2026 plan for national economic and social development, and approved the 2026 plan.

Indonesia to restrict social media access to those under 16 years of age

Indonesia will restrict access to social media platforms for children under 16, its communications and digital ministry announced on March 6, making it the latest country to enforce restrictions to reduce the risks of addiction and cyberbullying. 

Several governments have imposed limits on social media use for children amid growing concerns over its impact on minors' safety and mental health. Meutya Hafid, Indonesia's Communications and Digital Minister, stated in a video that the government will "delay access" to social media accounts for children under 16 through a new ministerial regulation issued on Friday. Starting March 28, accounts owned by children under 16 on "high-risk platforms" will be gradually deactivated, including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Roblox, Hafid added.

South Korea to hasten nuclear restart amid Middle East crisis

South Korea will accelerate the restart of nuclear reactors currently under maintenance to ensure energy supply amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The country plans to restart two units in March and four more by mid-May, according to a statement from the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment released after an emergency meeting on Wednesday. The government will also consider flexible operation of coal-fired power plants, which are currently limited on weekdays to reduce pollution, if LNG deliveries are disrupted. South Korea generates nearly all its electricity from nuclear, natural gas and coal, and like other countries in the region, relies heavily on imports for fossil fuels.

More than 1,000 evacuated after floods in Malaysia

Malaysia experienced severe flooding in its eastern regions. The number of flood evacuees in Sabah and Sarawak, east Malaysia, surpassed 1,000 as continuous rain since Tuesday forced residents to seek shelter at relief centers. Forty villages across three districts were impacted. A total of 1,373 people from 600 families are now staying in temporary evacuation centers throughout Sabah and Sarawak, the National Disaster Management Agency said on Wednesday.

(COVER: NPC deputies pose for a group photo after the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress held its closing meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on March 12, 2026. /CFP)