15 h. ago Chinese aircraft carriers’ Pacific presence sparks warnings for Philippines

The crossing of a US-designated island chain in the Western Pacific by a Chinese carrier group marks an increase in Beijing’s “operational tempo” that the Philippines should pay heed to, observers say. They warn, however, that a “delicate balance” should still be maintained to avoid any escalation amid calls for vigilance. Regional governments such as Japan and Taiwan have advised increased caution, and a former official in the Joe Biden administration has suggested formalising the so-called...

Events

3 d. ago BYD and other mainland carmakers pledge to speed up payments to suppliers

BYD and other mainland carmakers pledge to speed up payments to suppliers  South China Morning Post

Politics

4 d. ago China’s film distributors pledge more imports to diversify market

China’s film distributors have called for diversifying the country’s cinematic offerings with more and better titles from overseas, at a time when domestic productions have seized the lion’s share of the market from their imported competitors. At a work conference held by the state-owned China Film Group Corporation, as well as Huaxia Film Distribution, companies vowed to bring in “good titles from multiple countries” to improve the number, quality and market share of foreign films, state media...

Politics

4 d. ago China’s Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carriers sail beyond second island chain

In an unprecedented show of strength, the Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong have been conducting exercises in the western Pacific Ocean beyond the second island chain, according to the Japanese defence ministry. In a statement on Monday, the ministry said the Shandong strike group was spotted earlier that day, conducting take-off and landing operations of its jet fighters and helicopters about 500km (311 miles) southwest of Iwo Jima and north of Okinotori. It followed the...

Transport

4 d. ago Japan spots Chinese navy’s show of force in west Pacific amid maritime row

China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier has for the first time ventured into the easternmost edge of Japan’s exclusive economic zone, in what is seen as a show of force aimed at Tokyo, Washington and the broader region. The Liaoning – Beijing’s first aircraft carrier – and at least three accompanying warships were spotted on Saturday around 300km southwest of Minamitori, a remote Japanese island in the western Pacific, which serves as a bulwark for Tokyo to assert its maritime claims. The group, which...

Politics

5 d. ago Chinese Aircraft Carrier Breaches Pacific Island Defense Line

Chinese Aircraft Carrier Breaches Pacific Island Defense Line  Newsweek

Events

9 d. ago China vows to protect students in face of ban on new foreign students at Harvard

China has pledged to “firmly safeguard” the interests of its students following US President Donald Trump’s ban on international enrolment at Harvard University. Citing the institution’s failure to address national security risks on campus, Trump announced in a proclamation on Wednesday night that he would immediately block the Ivy League school from enrolling new international students or exchange visitors, while also ordering the State Department to review whether current foreign enrolments...

Politics

1 week ago South Korea’s new leader faces tightrope act between China ties, US alliance

Hours after Lee Jae-myung was sworn in as the president of South Korea early on Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended a congratulatory message, emphasising that China placed “great importance” on strengthening ties with its neighbour amid an increasingly uncertain global landscape. During his campaign, Lee pledged to repair strained ties with China and North Korea and underscored China’s role as a vital trading partner. Analysts predicted more stable China-South Korea relations to...

Politics

1 week ago Harvard Chinese student’s graduation speech strikes a chord as Trump leads purge

A Chinese student’s graduation speech at Harvard University emphasising “shared humanity” and calling for global unity has gone viral, days after the Trump administration pledged to “aggressively” revoke the visas of students from China. Yurong “Luanna” Jiang is the first Chinese woman selected to be the student speaker at a Harvard graduation ceremony. Her emotional speech on Thursday was delivered on the same day that a federal judge blocked a Department of Homeland Security order seeking to...

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong to impose new emission caps on local power plants from 2030

Hong Kong environmental authorities will impose new emission caps on power plants from 2030 in a bid to further improve local air quality, with a major electricity firm pledging to import more zero-carbon energy from mainland China. The Environment and Ecology Bureau said on Friday that it would further cut the electricity sector’s annual emission allowances for sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and respirable suspended particulates (RSPs). In five years, the allowances would be reduced by 19 per...

Events

2 w. ago China, Russia ‘fighting together’ against terror and other threats: Chen Wenqing

China’s top security official Chen Wenqing pledged Beijing’s law enforcement cooperation with Moscow on terrorism, separatism, extremism and drug trafficking, as he wrapped up a seven-day trip that began in Hungary, followed by Russia. In a meeting on Tuesday with his counterpart Sergei Shoigu, Chen told him that “we are fighting together against attempts to harm sovereignty, security and development issues”, according to Russia’s news agency Tass. “We are jointly countering terrorism,...

Events

2 w. ago China vows to open markets to Pacific Island nations as US retreats

China vows to open markets to Pacific Island nations as US retreats  Financial Times

Politics

2 w. ago Host China offers Pacific nations more climate change help in high

Beijing has pledged to expand its support for Pacific Island countries in building climate resilience, and to continue law enforcement cooperation in the region, during high-level talks in the coastal city of Xiamen in southeastern China’s Fujian province on Wednesday. Top diplomat Wang Yi made the commitment, which included US$2 million for the climate change fund, at the third foreign ministers’ meeting between China and Pacific Island states. It was also the first in-person gathering since...

Politics

2 w. ago China pledges deeper law enforcement ties with Pacific Island nations

Beijing has pledged to expand its support for Pacific Island countries in building climate resilience, and to continue law enforcement cooperation in the region, during high-level talks in the coastal city of Xiamen in southeastern China’s Fujian province on Wednesday. Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the commitment, which included US$2 million for the climate change fund, at the third foreign ministers’ meeting between China and Pacific Island states. It was also the first in-person gathering...

Events

2 w. ago China, Asean, Gulf states deliver ‘elaborate’ message on economic, energy ties

China, Southeast Asian nations and six Gulf states have pledged to foster closer cooperation with a strong emphasis on economic integration and energy collaboration, marking a milestone in enhancing tripartite alignment to tackle regional and global challenges. In a comprehensive joint statement, leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system and economic...

Economics

2 w. ago China hosts Pacific Island nations in bid to bolster diplomatic, trade ties

China hosts Pacific Island nations in bid to bolster diplomatic, trade ties  Al Jazeera

Politics

2 w. ago China to host Pacific island countries' envoys amid growing outreach

China to host Pacific island countries' envoys amid growing outreach  Nikkei Asia

Politics

2 w. ago China host Pacific island countries' envoys as Taiwan issue looms

China host Pacific island countries' envoys as Taiwan issue looms  Nikkei Asia

Politics

2 w. ago Africa: Chinese FM and African Envoys Mark Africa Day in Beijing, Pledge Stronger China

Africa: Chinese FM and African Envoys Mark Africa Day in Beijing, Pledge Stronger China-Africa Ties  allAfrica.com

Politics

2 w. ago Pope pledges prayers for China, marks Laudato Si’ anniversary

Pope pledges prayers for China, marks Laudato Si’ anniversary  OSV News

Politics