5 d. ago The squeeze is on: Beijing and Washington flex muscles as narrative war heats up

As China and the United States accuse each other of provoking the latest escalation in trade tensions and disrupting the world economy, analysts say both share a goal in their war of words: applying maximum pressure until a deal is struck. In the past few days, Washington has framed the recent flare-up in relations as “China versus the world”, with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggesting on Wednesday that Beijing’s restrictions on the export of rare earth elements unveiled last week made...

Events

7 d. ago China Flexes Superpower Status Using Rare Earths in Global Supply Chain Grab

China Flexes Superpower Status Using Rare Earths in Global Supply Chain Grab  Bloomberg.com

Politics

7 d. ago EU urged to ‘flex its muscles’ over China’s latest rare earth export curbs

European Union ministers have urged Brussels to take a “tough” response to China’s latest restrictions on rare earth exports. EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said on Tuesday that he had requested a call with Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao to discuss the “unjustified” measures. He added that he had received “a lot of concerned calls from European industry, especially car companies”. Last week, Beijing announced further controls that meant products with small traces of rare earths...

Politics

7 d. ago EU urged to ‘flex its muscles’ on Chinese tech transfer and rare earths

The European Union is poised to toughen its trade stance towards China, with the bloc set to insist that Chinese investors in Europe transfer technology to local firms, and as it formulates a response to Beijing’s latest restrictions on rare earth exports. Trade chief Maros Sefcovic insisted on Tuesday that the bloc was open to investments from China but only under the right conditions. These conditions include the creation of “real value added” in the EU, the creation of “real jobs”, and that...

Politics

1 week ago China’s Flexing of Its Iron Ore Buying Power Could Come Too Late

China’s Flexing of Its Iron Ore Buying Power Could Come Too Late  Bloomberg.com

Politics

1 week ago China Flexes Rare Earth Leverage. What That Could Mean for Trump

China Flexes Rare Earth Leverage. What That Could Mean for Trump-Xi Meet.  Barron's

Politics

3 w. ago China Rival Flexes Submarine Capabilities in Contested Waters

China Rival Flexes Submarine Capabilities in Contested Waters  Newsweek

Politics

3 w. ago China flexes maritime power in response to coming US port fee

China flexes maritime power in response to coming US port fee  Journal of Commerce

Politics

3 w. ago China's booming EV industry flexed its muscles once again by breaking the record for the world's fastest car

China's booming EV industry flexed its muscles once again by breaking the record for the world's fastest car  Business Insider

Politics

3 w. ago For Hong Kong and Macau, Beijing parade was more than sheer spectacle

The military parade in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression drew global attention. In Hong Kong and Macau, where the ceremony was broadcast live, the emotions and reflections inspired were unique – admiration and pride mingling with questions and contemplation. Some ask, as decennial parades have become routine, does this “muscle flexing” carry practical significance, given that China’s rise is now an...

Politics

3 w. ago Why Beijing parade resonated deeply with people in Hong Kong, Macau too

The military parade in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese people’s war of resistance against Japanese aggression drew global attention. In Hong Kong and Macau, where the ceremony was broadcast live, the emotions and reflections inspired were unique – admiration and pride mingling with questions and contemplation. Some ask, as decennial parades have become routine, does this “muscle flexing” carry practical significance, given that China’s rise is now an...

Politics

4 w. ago China flexes western Pacific muscle with Fujian launches: analysts

The successful launch of a batch of carrier-based fighter jets from China’s most advanced aircraft carrier signalled the country’s enhanced military influence in the western Pacific region and intensified competition within the second island chain, analysts observed. The J-15T fighter jet, the fifth-generation J-35 stealth fighter and the airborne early warning aircraft KJ-600 successfully completed catapult launches and arresting gear landing tests aboard the Fujian, according to CCTV on...

Politics