92 m. ago How an SCO development bank could shift the global financial order

At the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin this week, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged member states to accelerate the creation of an SCO development bank, a proposal that could mark a turning point in Asia’s financial landscape. While headlines focused on the high-profile presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Xi’s proposal points to the SCO’s evolution from a security bloc into a financial actor. Xi also pledged US$1.4...

Economics

3 h. ago Western leaders parse China military parade displaying authoritarian strength

US and European leaders reacted with veneration, concern and stiffened resolve on Wednesday to China’s epic military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Over 25 foreign leaders – including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un – joined Chinese President Xi Jinping at the showcase event marked by intimidating weaponry and choreographed troop manoeuvres. “I thought it was very, very impressive, but I understood the reason they were doing...

Events

3 h. ago Western leaders parse China military parade displaying national pride

US and European leaders reacted with veneration, concern and stiffened resolve on Wednesday to China’s epic military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Over 25 foreign leaders – including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un – joined Chinese President Xi Jinping at the showcase event marked by intimidating weaponry and choreographed troop manoeuvres. “I thought it was very, very impressive, but I understood the reason they were doing...

Events

11 h. ago Paraded mainland China weaponry shows Beijing’s focus on Taiwan: analysts

The latest weapons systems featured in China’s Victory Day parade have shown Beijing’s sharp focus on safeguarding its sovereign integrity over Taiwan and its capability to defend against any attempt to break away, analysts observed. Although Taiwan was not directly mentioned in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s keynote address on Wednesday, it is often used by military observers as a yardstick to measure the People’s Liberation Army’s capabilities and progress. The cutting-edge weapons showcased...

Events

32 h. ago Xi reiterates support for Iran nuclear programme amid Western pressure

Chinese President Xi Jinping doubled down on his support for Iran to “safeguard its national sovereignty” and vowed to promote a widely accepted solution to the Iranian nuclear issue as Tehran faces mounting Western pressures over its nuclear programme. “China attaches importance to Iran’s repeated affirmation that it does not seek to develop nuclear weapons, respects Iran’s right to peaceful use of nuclear energy,” Xi told his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, according to state-owned...

Events

35 h. ago Xi urges Russia and Mongolia to block ‘external interference’, forge closer ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Russia and Mongolia to deepen their energy and financial bonds with his country while fending off “external interference” during their first trilateral summit in three years. Beijing, Moscow and Ulaanbaatar must further strengthen “solidarity” amid increasingly turbulent international dynamics, Xi told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa on Tuesday, according to the official Xinhua news agency. “China is ready to...

Politics

66 h. ago 6 takeaways from Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit opening

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to uphold international fairness and justice while pursuing mutually beneficial economic and cultural cooperation. Xi made the remarks at the official meeting of the SCO leaders during their annual summit in China’s northern city of Tianjin on Monday. Alongside a keynote speech by Xi, leaders from Belarus, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Russia gave...

Politics

3 d. ago Xi to Modi: the Chinese ‘dragon’ and the Indian ‘elephant’ need to be good friends

The world’s two most populous countries need to be friends, Chinese President Xi Jinping told visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. Meeting on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin, Xi told Modi that the two countries could be good neighbours and play a key part in the Global South, according to footage posted online. “China and India are two of the most ‘civilisational’ countries. We are the world’s two most...

Politics

3 d. ago SCO summit a chance for China to assert itself as stable world power for peace

As Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomes a host of world leaders for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, he is delivering one overarching message – that China is a stable power that will protect peace and champion the developing world. Xi launched a flurry of Chinese diplomacy in the northern city of Tianjin on Saturday by meeting five state leaders and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres ahead of Sunday’s start to the SCO’s two-day summit. He told Guterres that China was a...

Politics

3 d. ago At SCO summit, Xi Jinping frames China as a source of certainty

As Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomes a host of world leaders for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, he is delivering one overarching message – that China is a stable power that will protect peace and champion the developing world. Xi launched a flurry of Chinese diplomacy in the northern city of Tianjin on Saturday by meeting five state leaders and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres ahead of Sunday’s start to the SCO’s two-day summit. He told Guterres that China was a...

Politics

3 d. ago PM Modi in China LIVE: PM Modi to hold bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping

PM Modi in China LIVE: PM Modi to hold bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping  The Hindu

Politics

4 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

8 d. ago Facing Maga anger, Trump defends move to admit thousands of Chinese students

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended his proposal to admit hundreds of thousands of Chinese students, saying the US is “honored” to host them and warning that the American college system would “go to hell” without them. Facing growing anger from his political base, Trump dismissed criticism of the plan as “insulting” and pointed to his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping as part of a broader strategy of engagement. “We’re getting along very well with China, and I’m getting...

Politics

8 d. ago Trump calls criticism of move to admit thousands of Chinese students ‘insulting’

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended his proposal to admit hundreds of thousands of Chinese students, saying the US is “honored” to host them and warning that the American college system would “go to hell” without them. Facing growing anger from his political base, Trump dismissed criticism of the plan as “insulting” and pointed to his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping as part of a broader strategy of engagement. “We’re getting along very well with China, and I’m getting...

Politics

9 d. ago Chinese President Xi Jinping sends independence day greetings to Ukraine

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky a message to mark the country’s independence day on Sunday – the first public congratulations sent by Beijing since the Russian invasion of February 2022. Xi’s message, which Zelensky posted on social media, said: “Over the past 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-Ukraine relations have developed steadily, and cooperation in various fields has yielded remarkable results. “I stand ready to work...

Politics

2 w. ago Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Tibet for landmark anniversary

Xi Jinping has arrived in Tibet for events on Thursday to mark the 60th anniversary of the autonomous region, making him the first Chinese president to attend the once-a-decade activities. He arrived in Lhasa at around noon on Wednesday accompanied by Wang Huning, China’s top political adviser and fourth-ranking official, and Cai Qi, the president’s chief of staff, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The Tibet autonomous region was established in September 1965 and is one of five ethnic...

Politics

2 w. ago US negotiators face tough task to secure trade deal with China

With the tariff truce extended to November 10, US and Chinese negotiators can now focus on shaping a trade deal in the lead-up to a possible summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping this autumn. While engagement has occurred at senior levels since the first meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, several months ago, it appears that much of the discussion since then has centred around ensuring the smooth flow of Chinese critical minerals and magnets to the United...

Politics

3 w. ago Putin keeps Xi in loop on Trump summit but little hope for Ukraine ceasefire

Just hours before US President Donald Trump announced his summit with Vladimir Putin next week, the Russian leader was on the phone with Chinese President Xi Jinping to secure Beijing’s backing. While the call on Friday underscored a high level of coordination between Beijing and Moscow in their approach to Washington, Chinese experts voiced scepticism about the prospects for the Alaska summit and its aim of negotiating an end to the Ukraine war. They cautioned that although Trump’s first...

Politics

3 w. ago China’s Xi Jinping holds phone call with Russia’s Vladimir Putin

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday, state media said. The conversation was held ahead of the expected summit between Putin and US President Donald Trump. More to follow...

Politics