24 h. ago ‘Any time, any place’: Philippine army to be deployed to South China Sea islands

A senior Philippine military official has revealed a soon-to-be-deployed strategy that would involve an army contingent to support law enforcement units on occupied islands in the South China Sea. Observers said the strategy would align with Manila’s policy shift from an internal to external defence posture aimed at protecting the country’s territorial waters. One expert, however, warned that it could lead to more aggressive moves by the Chinese navy and coastguard if Beijing were to view...

Politics

25 h. ago China extracts critical mineral rubidium from brine for first time

Chinese scientists have achieved a breakthrough in the commercial extraction of the critical metal rubidium directly from salt lake brine, potentially slashing dependence on imports – mostly from Canada – that now supply two-thirds of China’s needs. This industrial-scale method produces ultra-pure rubidium chloride from ultra-low concentrations, offering a new domestic source for this strategically vital material. The Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes (ISL) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)...

Politics

30 h. ago Chinese worker requesting sick leave criticised for being weak and punished

A human resources supervisor in southeastern China triggered widespread public outrage and initiated a government investigation after verbally insulting an employee who requested sick leave for a fever, labelling her “too weak” and suggesting she seek psychiatric help. The controversy gained public attention on June 5, when a female employee – whose identity remains undisclosed – shared on social media that she had been verbally abused by her employer after asking for sick leave due to a...

Politics

33 h. ago Dan Wang observes the grandeur and tragedy of the Chinese ‘engineering state’

Unlike tourists in many places, those visiting China for the first time often consider subway stations in major cities attractions in themselves for their sheer beauty, innovative designs, or simply their novelty. Hell, if nothing else, they are sparkling clean! Those such as Panda Avenue station in Chengdu and Rainbow station in Guangzhou are mentioned in tourist guides as places to visit. Several stations in Shenzhen look more like the halls found in many of Asia’s ultra-modern airports. From...

Politics

3 d. ago China Deploys 2 Aircraft Carriers to Western Pacific for the First Time

China Deploys 2 Aircraft Carriers to Western Pacific for the First Time  USNI News

Transport

3 d. ago China Sends Two Aircraft Carriers Into the Pacific for the First Time

China Sends Two Aircraft Carriers Into the Pacific for the First Time  The New York Times

Transport

4 d. ago Update—China Sails Warships Beyond US Defense Line for First Time Ever

Update—China Sails Warships Beyond US Defense Line for First Time Ever  Newsweek

Events

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 Japan confirms China's aircraft carrier sailed east of Iwo Jima for first time

Japan confirms China's aircraft carrier sailed east of Iwo Jima for first time  Reuters

Transport

7 d. ago Loitering with intent: Beijing’s new silent South China Sea strategy?

When a Chinese coastguard vessel appeared off the coast of Zambales province in late May, it didn’t fire a shot or issue a threat. Instead, it lingered – uninvited, silent and unmoving. To analysts in Manila, the message was loud and clear: Beijing was testing new tactics in the South China Sea, one quiet incursion at a time. The coastguard vessel was detected roughly 76 nautical miles (140km) off Palauig Point – well within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and about 220km southeast of...

Politics

1 week ago India projected to accelerate solar power generation as storage costs fall

India’s transition towards a clean energy-based digital economy may have received a boost from a new study showing that the costs of solar power and its storage are now lower than coal-generated electricity used by businesses in the country. Solar and its battery storage costs have fallen to 6 Indian rupees (7 US cents) per kilowatt hour and is likely to remain stable for the next 25 years, according to a report by the India Energy and Climate Centre of the University of California, Berkeley...

Politics

1 week ago Exclusive | Trump poised to extend TikTok ban deadline – for third time – as US, China meet for trade talks: source

Exclusive | Trump poised to extend TikTok ban deadline – for third time – as US, China meet for trade talks: source  New York Post

Politics

2 w. ago US visa crackdown echoes Trump’s first term, but China’s reply marks tone shift

Washington’s visa crackdown on Chinese students with ties to the Communist Party closely mirrors restrictions imposed during US President Donald Trump’s first administration, which at the time prompted Beijing to accuse the US of “regime change”. However, this time, Beijing’s response has been notably restrained, with China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday denouncing the move as “discriminatory” and lodging diplomatic protests. Despite Beijing’s unease over discussions about party...

Politics

2 w. ago Trump Accuses China of 'Violating' Trade Agreement With U.S.

Trump Accuses China of 'Violating' Trade Agreement With U.S.  Time Magazine

Politics

2 w. ago ‘US troops critical’: South Korean presidential candidate signals turn on China

US troops in South Korea could be “critical” for containing China, and might potentially benefit Seoul’s outreach to the Arctic, according to the front runner for the coming presidential election who has signalled a possible change in his position on China. During an exclusive interview with Time Magazine published on Thursday, the Democratic Party of Korea’s (DPK) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung said US Forces Korea (USFK) could play a “critical role for the United States policy of...

Politics

2 w. ago Opinion | With urban renewal, China is buying its economy time

Opinion | With urban renewal, China is buying its economy time  South China Morning Post

Economics

2 w. ago China’s Li Qiang calls for ‘vibrant economic circle’ with Asean, Gulf states

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday urged Asean and Gulf state leaders to increase cooperation with Beijing, his call coming at a time when China is seeking to strengthen global economic ties amid intractable trade tensions with the US. Addressing the inaugural summit involving China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Li said that the three sides could create a “vibrant economic circle” through deeper exchanges to benefit each nation as well as...

Economics

2 w. ago Time for China’s belt and road partners to pony up as debt comes due: think tank

Time for China’s belt and road partners to pony up as debt comes due: think tank  South China Morning Post

Events

2 w. ago For the First Time, China Invests More in Wind and Solar Than Coal Overseas

For the First Time, China Invests More in Wind and Solar Than Coal Overseas  Inside Climate News

Politics

2 w. ago Clean Energy Just Put China’s CO2 Emissions into Reverse for 1st Time

Clean Energy Just Put China’s CO2 Emissions into Reverse for 1st Time  CleanTechnica

Events