4 m. ago Philippines to view maritime rows with China as ‘one theatre’, partner Japan

The Philippines is adopting a Japan-led strategy to treat the East and South China seas as a unified theatre of operations – a shift analysts say reflects growing alignment among regional allies in the face of China’s expanding maritime footprint. Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the “one-theatre” concept would promote operational synergy, intelligence-sharing and mutual reinforcement among members of the minilateral “Squad” – comprising the Philippines, Japan, the United States, South...

Politics

25 m. ago Tech war: US lifts export control of chip design software to China

The US said on Thursday it had lifted export controls on certain chip design software to China, according to statements from Siemens, Synopsys and Cadence Design Systems. Three of the world’s largest electronic design automation (EDA) software developers have been informed by the US government that sales of their products to China would no longer require special approval, signalling a further easing of bilateral tensions. San Jose, California-based Cadence said in an email that the US Bureau of...

Events

2 h. ago Did South Korea’s Yoon order drones into Pyongyang to justify martial law?

A secret recording suggesting South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk-yeol may have ordered drone missions over Pyongyang in a bid to trigger a North Korean military response is now at the centre of the investigation into his December martial law debacle. Special prosecutors probing Yoon for insurrection and foreign aggression incitement believe the audio files could amount to a “smoking gun” – offering evidence he sought to manufacture a crisis to legitimise extending his presidency, observers...

Events

4 h. ago Emperor’s financial struggle mirrors current state of Hong Kong real estate

Hong Kong developer Emperor International Holdings’ struggles reflect the highs and lows the city’s property sector has endured over the past few years. Just over five years ago, residential and commercial real estate prices and rents were hitting record highs. Developers reported robust earnings and had access to cheap financing, boosting their confidence – and that of investors – to spend more on new projects or acquire existing income-generating properties. But this golden era ended abruptly....

Politics

5 h. ago Mainland digital yuan partner signs deal to develop stablecoin tech in Hong Kong

A Beijing-based fintech services provider, which has provided billing systems for China’s digital yuan, has signed a strategic partnership with a Hong Kong firm to tap stablecoin and virtual asset business opportunities, in the latest sign of mainland interest in the city’s recent moves to license cryptocurrency issuers. Shenzhen-listed North King Information Technology said on Wednesday that it had struck a deal with Hong Kong-listed GoFintech Quantum Innovation to develop infrastructure to...

Politics

5 h. ago Mainland Chinese digital yuan partner to develop stablecoin tech in Hong Kong

A Beijing-based fintech services provider, which has provided billing systems for China’s digital yuan, has signed a strategic partnership with a Hong Kong firm to tap stablecoin and virtual asset business opportunities, in the latest sign of mainland interest in the city’s recent moves to license cryptocurrency issuers. Shenzhen-listed North King Information Technology said on Wednesday that it had struck a deal with Hong Kong-listed GoFintech Quantum Innovation to develop infrastructure to...

Politics

6 h. ago Trump has a US$30 billion plan to match China at shipbuilding. Can he win?

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 last of a three-part series on how US budget tensions will affect efforts to deter China, we look at Trump’s massive funding request aimed at turbocharging naval construction. Read the rest of the series here. US President Donald Trump aims to invest tens of billions of dollars to revitalise American shipbuilding, as China’s rapidly...

Politics

7 h. ago Questions loom at Brics Rio summit about group’s effectiveness

Brics country leaders are meeting for the bloc’s annual summit in Rio de Janeiro this week, as questions loom about the group’s effectiveness as a voice of the Global South and counterweight to the Washington-led coalition of developed economies. Against the backdrop of relentless tension that US President Donald Trump has injected into America’s trade policy, this year’s gathering on July 6 and 7 will test whether the bloc can present a unified front capable of countering Trump’s efforts to...

Politics

11 h. ago Dalai Lama lays out succession plan, pledging reincarnation as China eyes interference

Dalai Lama lays out succession plan, pledging reincarnation as China eyes interference  Fox News

Politics

15 h. ago Why President Xi is turning to the ocean for China’s growth – and who benefits?

President Xi Jinping has stressed the need to advance the “high-quality development” of China’s marine economy, highlighting its growing strategic importance during a high-level economic meeting on Tuesday. He also called for stronger policy support to accelerate the sector’s growth. In this explainer, the Post examines why the marine economy matters to the country's overall economic strategy, where government policy is heading, and which sectors stand to benefit. Why does the marine economy...

Politics

15 h. ago Why is Xi turning to the ocean for China’s growth – and who benefits?

President Xi Jinping has stressed the need to advance the “high-quality development” of China’s marine economy, highlighting its growing strategic importance during a high-level economic meeting on Tuesday. He also called for stronger policy support to accelerate the sector’s growth. In this explainer, the Post examines why the marine economy matters to the country's overall economic strategy, where government policy is heading, and which sectors stand to benefit. Why does the marine economy...

Politics

16 h. ago Hong Kong’s South Lantau ecotourism plan may harm environment: green groups

Hong Kong’s ecotourism plans for South Lantau could be reduced to a property project that threatens the environment if authorities fail to set clear guidelines, green groups and academics have warned, as a deadline for developers to express their interest approaches on Wednesday. Greenpeace, along with the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society and eight other groups and academics, also said on Wednesday that the government’s approach, which includes allowing developers to propose ecotourism projects...

Politics

16 h. ago Hong Kong’s South Lantau ecotourism plans could harm environment: green groups

Hong Kong’s South Lantau ecotourism plans could be reduced to property projects that threaten the environment if authorities fail to set clear guidelines, green groups and academics have warned ahead of Wednesday’s deadline for developers to express their interest. Greenpeace, the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, seven other groups and an academic also said on Wednesday that the government’s approach, which includes allowing developers to propose ecotourism projects with residential...

Politics

17 h. ago China’s real consumption ‘far from as low as it seems’, think tank argues

China’s actual consumption power may have already surpassed that of Mexico and reached 40 to 50 per cent of the levels seen in developed nations such as Japan and Germany, a Beijing-based think tank contends. That conclusion, put forth by China Finance 40 Forum, which comprises senior Chinese regulators and financial executives, runs contrary to the market consensus that China’s consumption is underdeveloped, while providing a new perspective from which to assess the consumer potential of the...

Events

17 h. ago Beijing says Dalai Lama’s succession plan breaks tradition, tensions set to rise

Beijing said the succession of the Dalai Lama should be in accordance with tradition and Chinese law, in a swift rejection of a plan announced by the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader. The comment was made hours later after the 14th Dalai Lama said his office – the Gaden Phodrang Trust – held the sole authority to recognise the next Dalai Lama. On Wednesday, four days ahead of his 90th birthday, he posted a statement to X discussing the future of the Tibetan spiritual leadership, particularly his...

Events

18 h. ago Indonesia and Malaysia set model for dispute resolution with Ambalat pact

The decision by Indonesia and Malaysia to jointly develop the resource-rich Ambalat sea block signals a pragmatic step towards defusing a decades-old territorial stand-off, even as legal uncertainties over sovereignty remain unresolved. The agreement was announced last week during Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Indonesia, where he met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to discuss maritime and land border disputes, investment, and regional conflicts, among...

Politics

18 h. ago Dalai Lama lays out succession plan, denying Chinese efforts at control

Dalai Lama lays out succession plan, denying Chinese efforts at control  The Washington Post

Politics

19 h. ago Solar Industry Says Senate Plan Would Cede Production to China

Solar Industry Says Senate Plan Would Cede Production to China  The New York Times

Politics

20 h. ago China Fumes As Dalai Lama Rejects Beijing's Role In Succession Plan: 'Successor Must Be Approved By...'

China Fumes As Dalai Lama Rejects Beijing's Role In Succession Plan: 'Successor Must Be Approved By...'  thedailyjagran.com

Politics

20 h. ago Dalai Lama announces succession plan; ‘Beijing’s approval must,’ says China

Dalai Lama announces succession plan; ‘Beijing’s approval must,’ says China  The Federal

Politics