4 h. ago China denies giving Iran air defence systems after conflict with Israel

China has denied transferring surface-to-air missile batteries to Iran following Israel’s attacks on the Islamic Republic last month. The British-based platform Middle East Eye reported on Monday that Chinese air defence equipment had been sent to Iran after it struck a truce with Israel last month, citing an Arab official familiar with the intelligence. One source told the platform that China – the biggest recipient of Iran’s oil exports – had received payment in oil shipments, but the report...

Politics

7 d. ago ‘Unprecedented’: Taiwan to test war fitness, urban survival under 24/7 live fire

For the first time, Taiwan’s largest annual military exercise will combine conventional war games and urban survival drills under “unprecedented” live-fire conditions when it gets under way next week. The move signals growing concerns in Taipei that Beijing could trigger a prolonged conflict requiring both military defence and civilian resilience. The 41st Han Kuang exercise from July 9 to 18 would test joint operational readiness under “unprecedented 10-day, round-the-clock live-fire...

Events

7 d. ago Potential Taiwan clash on the line as PLA, US military develop new fighter jets

America’s view of China as a “pacing threat” has shaped its defence priorities as the military seeks to maintain an edge over a rapidly modernising PLA. In the second of a three-part series on how US budget tensions will affect efforts to deter China, we look at the race for air superiority. The high-stakes race for air superiority between China and the United States will have profound implications should a conflict break out – including how a war over Taiwan would be fought. Both militaries are...

Events

1 week ago China should be alert to risk of US being drawn into war by allies, analyst says

There is more risk of a global military conflict breaking out under Donald Trump’s leadership, with the US more likely to be drawn into wars involving smaller nations or allies, according to Chinese analysts. The assessment came after the United States joined Israel’s war against Iran last weekend, carrying out military strikes on three nuclear sites in the Islamic Republic. US officials have signalled that the operation was a one-off intervention and – hours after Iran launched a missile attack...

Events

2 w. ago White House clarifies Trump’s comment on China buying Iranian oil

US President Donald Trump’s declaration on Tuesday that China “can now continue” to buy Iranian oil did not signal a change in Washington’s policy on banning such trade, the White House said. Trump’s earlier comments about China-Iran oil trade were made to highlight the continuation of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz - a critical shipping lane that appeared threatened by the escalation of conflict in the Middle East following the US military’s air strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, according...

Politics

2 w. ago Chinese airlines’ advantage, Chongqing as key trade hub: SCMP daily highlights

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. As skies in Mideast close, China airlines have key advantage – Russian airspace Western airlines risk suffering greater disruption than their Chinese rivals this summer, as the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel – compounded by US military strikes – forces most carriers to avoid flying over dangerous airspace on China-Europe routes. 2. Suez Canal...

Politics

2 w. ago As skies in Mideast close, China airlines have key advantage – Russian airspace

Western airlines risk suffering greater disruption than their Chinese rivals this summer, as the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel – compounded by US military strikes – forces most carriers to avoid flying over dangerous airspace on China-Europe routes. Analysts said that while almost all carriers have diverted services to bypass Iran and parts of the Middle East, Western firms are at a disadvantage: they remain barred from Russian airspace, which Chinese companies continue to...

Politics

2 w. ago Iran Israel war: Tehran plans attack against USA forces anywhere, China, Russia send chilling warning

Iran Israel war: Tehran plans attack against USA forces anywhere, China, Russia send chilling warning  The Economic Times

Events

2 w. ago China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin discuss Middle East situation

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have spoken by phone about the Middle East situation, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The phone conversation on Thursday afternoon came days after Israel initiated a large-scale military attack on Iran, which led to retaliation by Iran. On Tuesday, Xi called for de-escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict to avoid further tensions, while emphasising that Beijing was prepared to “play a constructive role” in restoring...

Politics

2 w. ago Xi urges Iran and ‘especially Israel’ to cease fire during call with Putin

In a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for an end to the fighting between Israel and Iran, urging the countries, “especially Israel”, to cease fire to prevent the situation from escalating and avoid a spillover of the conflict. The phone conversation came days after Israel initiated a large-scale military attack on Iran, which led to retaliation by Iran. “The situation in the Middle East is very critical. It once again proves that the...

Politics

3 w. ago Trump to abruptly leave G7 summit, after urging ‘everyone’ to flee Tehran

US President Donald Trump abruptly cut short his G7 summit visit to Canada, the White House announced, just minutes after the president issued a stark warning on social media urging the immediate evacuation of Tehran – a city of nearly 9.5 million people – amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again!” Trump posted on...

Politics

3 w. ago Trump abruptly leaving G7 summit after urging ‘everyone’ to flee Tehran

US President Donald Trump abruptly cut short his G7 summit visit to Canada, the White House announced, just minutes after the president issued a stark warning on social media urging the immediate evacuation of Tehran – a city of nearly 9.5 million people – amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again!” Trump posted on...

Politics

3 w. ago Trump abruptly leaves G7 summit after urging ‘everyone’ to flee Tehran

US President Donald Trump abruptly cut short his G7 summit visit to Canada, the White House announced, just minutes after the president issued a stark warning on social media urging the immediate evacuation of Tehran – a city of nearly 9.5 million people – amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again!” Trump posted on...

Politics

3 w. ago Trump leaves G7 summit early after urging ‘everyone’ to flee Tehran

US President Donald Trump abruptly cut short his G7 summit visit to Canada, the White House announced on Monday, just minutes after the president issued a stark warning on social media urging the immediate evacuation of Tehran – a city of nearly 9.5 million people – amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. “Iran should have signed the ‘deal’ I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again!” Trump...

Politics

3 w. ago China is deeply concerned about Israel’s attack on Iran that has led to a sudden escalation of military conflict: FM

China is deeply concerned about Israel’s attack on Iran that has led to a sudden escalation of military conflict: FM  Global Times

Events

3 w. ago How Israel’s attack on Iran has sent a shockwave miles away in Beijing and why China may not stay silent

How Israel’s attack on Iran has sent a shockwave miles away in Beijing and why China may not stay silent  The Economic Times

Events

3 w. ago China’s Wang Yi decries ‘unacceptable’ Israeli attack on Iran, urges diplomacy

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called Israel’s attack on Iran an “unacceptable” breach of international law and urged measures to de-escalate tensions in phone calls with his Israeli and Iranian counterparts on Saturday. He told Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar that China could play a “constructive role” in the peaceful resolution of the Iran nuclear issue, saying diplomatic solutions remained viable and a peaceful resolution was still achievable, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign...

Politics

3 w. ago China expresses backing for Tehran, opposition to Israeli strikes in separate calls with Araghchi, Sa'ar

China expresses backing for Tehran, opposition to Israeli strikes in separate calls with Araghchi, Sa'ar  The Times of IsraelChina Reacts to Israel's Attack on Iran  NewsweekIsrael's drone strikes in Iran show why US must halt China's land grab here: experts  Fox News

Politics

3 w. ago China is highly concerned Israel’s attacks on Iran; deeply worried about potential consequence: FM spokesperson

China is highly concerned Israel’s attacks on Iran; deeply worried about potential consequence: FM spokesperson  Global Times

Politics