4 d. ago French influence in Vietnam declines as Chinese language, culture gain ground

As Vietnam celebrates the 80th anniversary of its declaration of independence from colonial rule this week, French cultural influence remains ubiquitous, but not many people in the Southeast Asian nation are aware of its prevalence. A massive military parade will herald on Tuesday the independence proclaimed by revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh on September 2, 1945, which was meant to end nearly a century of French rule but instead started a decade-long war until the defeated French eventually...

Politics

5 d. ago China’s Xi and India’s Modi vow to resolve border differences at meeting in Tianjin

China’s Xi and India’s Modi vow to resolve border differences at meeting in Tianjin  CBS17.com

Politics

6 d. ago Russia’s Putin vows to deepen China ties, slams ‘distortion’ of WWII history

Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned “attempts to distort” World War II history while pledging to deepen strategic collaboration with China on the eve of a state visit to the country. During his four-day trip, described by the Kremlin as “absolutely unprecedented”, Putin is expected to join regional leaders for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin on Sunday, before holding bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday. On Wednesday,...

Politics

1 week ago China vows defence amid US report on Vietnam’s accelerated Spratly efforts

Beijing has vowed to defend its maritime rights after a US report that Vietnam has sped up its island-building efforts in the contested Spratly Islands this year. In a report on Friday, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), part of the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said Vietnam had ramped up construction on multiple reefs in 2025. Responding to the report on Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the islands “are China’s...

Politics

1 week ago China vows to stand maritime ground as Vietnam ‘expands’ Spratlys construction

Beijing has vowed to defend its maritime rights after a US report that Vietnam has sped up its island-building efforts in the contested Spratly Islands this year. In a report on Friday, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), part of the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said Vietnam had ramped up construction on multiple reefs in 2025. Responding to the report on Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said the islands “are China’s...

Politics

2 w. ago ‘Voice for our seas’: Filipino rappers take a stand on maritime rights

A rap contest tapping into patriotic fervour and youth culture has drawn hundreds of entries from Filipinos at home and abroad, with organisers saying the outpouring reflects growing creative resistance to Beijing’s assertiveness in the South China Sea. The competition, launched last week by the civilian-led coalition Atin Ito (This is Ours) and hip-hop collective Morobeats, coincided with the Philippines’ national language month and invited participants to deliver one-minute raps defending the...

Politics

2 w. ago China vows stronger biotech support as deals with global drug makers surge

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for stronger policy support for the biotech industry, as part of efforts to bolster innovation in a sector that has witnessed a boom in recent years. “The biopharmaceutical industry is both a strategic emerging sector and vital to public health,” he said during an inspection in Beijing on Wednesday, as reported by the state-run Xinhua News Agency. “Efforts should be made to strengthen original innovation, address core technological challenges and mobilise...

Events

2 w. ago China, India vow to resume flights as Beijing’s top diplomat ends visit

China, India vow to resume flights as Beijing’s top diplomat ends visit  Inquirer.net

Politics

2 w. ago Philippines reports Chinese ship surge after ‘embarrassing’ collision

The Philippine government has reported a marked increased in Chinese maritime activity near Scarborough Shoal, intensifying a stand-off over the disputed South China Sea atoll. Officials in Manila have characterised the build-up as an attempt by Beijing to reassert control after two Chinese ships collided last week during a chase involving a Philippine vessel. On Sunday, the National Maritime Council cited the Philippine Navy’s latest assessment, reporting that as of Thursday, seven Chinese...

Politics

4 w. ago Trump tariffs live updates: Trump boasts of tariff billions, vows to punish China for Russian oil

Trump tariffs live updates: Trump boasts of tariff billions, vows to punish China for Russian oil  Yahoo Finance

Politics