Global Geoeconomics and Geopolitics Development: Comparative Analysis of Selected Asian Countries’ Investment Screening Mechanisms

The rapid resurgence of investment screening mechanisms (ISMs) in developed economies (which used to be known for their liberal approach to foreign direct investment inflows) has prompted many Asian countries to revise their ISMs (China, South Korea, and Japan) or even introduce its own (Singapore) amidst the current geopolitical tensions and geoeconomics situation. While many commentators have analysed the ISMs of certain developed economies such as the United States and the European Union, the revised and new ISMs of the abovementioned Asian countries are underexplored. This article analyses these revised and new ISMs, the reasons behind such revisions and introduction, and the compliance of such mechanisms with the countries’ non-discrimination obligations under their modern investment agreement, particularly the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. © Junianto James Losari, 2025. Published with license by Koninklijke Brill BV