5 d. ago Is the US pushing South Korea to the fore in deterring a war over Taiwan?

Mounting US pressure on allies to bolster the first island chain’s defence in the western Pacific Ocean is raising concerns about South Korea’s possible but reluctant involvement in a conflict over Taiwan, analysts have said. In its recently released National Security Strategy (NSS), US President Donald Trump’s administration highlighted the importance of a “favourable conventional military balance” as an “essential component of strategic competition”, focusing on deterring conflict over Taiwan...

Events

7 d. ago New South China Sea clashes erupt as Beijing pushes for better Philippine ties

China and the Philippines have been involved in further stand-offs in the South China Sea, potentially undercutting efforts to put their relationship back on an even keel. China’s military said on Friday it had expelled several small Philippine aircraft from the waters over Scarborough Shoal, one of the main flashpoints between the two countries. The South China Sea reef, known as Huangyan Island in China and Panatag Shoal in the Philippines, is controlled by Beijing but also claimed by...

Politics

9 d. ago First China ore shipment rewards Guinea leader’s push for Simandou alliance

First China ore shipment rewards Guinea leader’s push for Simandou alliance  South China Morning Post

Politics

1 week ago Exclusive | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job

Exclusive | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’  South China Morning Post

Politics

1 week ago Open Questions | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job

Open Questions | Economist Huang Yiping on why China’s AI push must be ‘job-oriented’  South China Morning Post

Politics

2 w. ago Deloitte say Hong Kong primed as treasury hub for China’s go

Deloitte say Hong Kong primed as treasury hub for China’s go-global push  South China Morning Post

Politics

2 w. ago South Korean lawmakers push for special court as distrust of judiciary grows

A year after former president Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is pushing ahead with a bill to create a separate court dedicated to handling cases linked to the decree, in response to widespread public distrust of what critics describe as a “biased” judiciary. President Lee Jae-myung warned on social media ahead of the December 3 anniversary of the decree: “If we leave hidden acts of insurrection as they are, insurrection will certainly...

Events

2 w. ago South Korea proposes special court to address ‘mockery of judicial process’

A year after former president Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is pushing ahead with a bill to create a separate court dedicated to handling cases linked to the decree, in response to widespread public distrust of what critics describe as a “biased” judiciary. President Lee Jae-myung warned on social media ahead of the December 3 anniversary of the decree: “If we leave hidden acts of insurrection as they are, insurrection will certainly...

Events

2 w. ago North Korean air force to gain ‘strategic assets’ amid heightened tensions

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced the country’s air force would be equipped with “new strategic military assets”, state media said on Sunday. Kim made the announcement at an event marking the 80th anniversary of the North Korean air force on Friday, accompanied by his daughter Ju-ae, who is understood to be his recognised successor. The country’s expectations for the air force, which “will play a role in the exercise of the nuclear war deterrent”, are truly “great”, state media KCNA...

Events

3 w. ago China pushes multilateralism, solidarity and free trade at G20 amid US’ absence

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has taken Beijing’s push for multilateralism to the Group of 20 summit in South Africa, calling for solidarity and free trade at an event boycotted by the world’s biggest economy. Addressing the gathering of leaders in Johannesburg on Saturday, Li pointed to challenges faced by various international institutions. “We have to advance with time and take the lead to uphold multilateralism” in the face of difficulties of governance, he said, according to state news agency...

Politics

3 w. ago At G20, China pushes multilateralism, solidarity and free trade amid US boycott

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has taken Beijing’s push for multilateralism to the Group of 20 summit in South Africa, calling for solidarity and free trade at an event boycotted by the world’s biggest economy. Addressing the gathering of leaders in Johannesburg on Saturday, Li pointed to challenges faced by various international institutions. “We have to advance with time and take the lead to uphold multilateralism” in the face of difficulties of governance, he said, according to state news agency...

Politics

4 w. ago Trump administration warns South Africa not to issue G20 statement

The US formally warned South Africa against pushing for a joint statement at this weekend’s Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg that the Trump administration is boycotting, according to a document seen by Bloomberg. The diplomatic stand-off is particularly awkward given it’s the first time the continent is hosting a G20 and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is passing the baton to US President Donald Trump at the end of this year. Tensions between the two men came to a head at an Oval...

Events