8 h. ago For EU and China, Beijing parade was a missed chance to build bridges

The recent military parade in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of victory against the Japanese invasion was a stunning display of precision and power. Rows of soldiers moved with robotic synchrony and new weapons systems – hypersonic missiles, stealth aircraft and autonomous drones – rolled past Tiananmen Square, signalling China’s arrival as a military peer to the United States. The presence of leaders from across the Global South, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean...

Politics

9 h. ago North Korean herb smugglers struggle as China tightens quality controls

North Korean herb smugglers struggle as China tightens quality controls  DailyNK

Politics

20 h. ago China’s Zinc Smelters Tighten Grip as Global Rivals Struggle

China’s Zinc Smelters Tighten Grip as Global Rivals Struggle  Bloomberg.com

Politics

40 h. ago How North Korea’s missile breakthrough could make it world’s ‘fourth ICBM power’

A new era in North Korea’s missile programme may be dawning, as analysts warn of an imminent test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads to the US mainland. Fresh from his appearance at China’s Victory Day parade in Beijing last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un personally oversaw the trial of a lighter, more robust solid-fuel ICBM engine, state media reported on Tuesday, touting the achievement as a “strategic” breakthrough. Reportedly built...

Events

58 h. ago China’s Xi reaffirms pledge for closer North Korea ties after Kim visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed a pledge to strengthen strategic coordination with North Korea in a congratulatory message to leader Kim Jong-un on Tuesday. The greetings marked the 77th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the official name of the country. The message was delivered only days after a historic trip by Kim to Beijing, when the North Korean leader – for the first time – stood together with Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin...

Politics

3 d. ago American Allies in Northeast Asia Face Uncertainty as China Hosts Russian and North Korean Leaders at Beijing

American Allies in Northeast Asia Face Uncertainty as China Hosts Russian and North Korean Leaders at Beijing  The New York Sun

Politics

4 d. ago ‘Even if I was shot, I was fine with that’: a North Korean’s journey to freedom

A man whose early life in North Korea was so bleak that he was prepared to be shot in the back while making a break for freedom across the Chinese border has told his story after defecting to Japan in 2017. The man is one of many to have become involved with an Osaka-based charity that addresses North Korean human rights issues. The organisation provides speaking opportunities for North Korean defectors on podcasts and other platforms, allowing them to share information about the realities of...

Politics

6 d. ago Navy Seals killed North Korean civilians in botched 2019 mission: US report

US Navy Seals shot and killed a number of North Korean civilians during a botched covert mission to plant a listening device in the nuclear-armed country during high-stakes diplomatic negotiations in 2019, The New York Times reported on Friday. Citing unidentified sources, including current and former military officials with knowledge of the still-classified details, the newspaper said US President Donald Trump approved the operation during his first administration, as he was involved in...

Events

6 d. ago Absence of North Korean leader's daughter at Beijing events tempers speculation

Absence of North Korean leader's daughter at Beijing events tempers speculation  Korea JoongAng Daily

Politics

7 d. ago How Chinese view US rivalry, Beijing’s deterrence muscle: SCMP daily highlights

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. What do ordinary Chinese think of US rivalry and Russian, North Korean allies? Americans tend to believe that China wants to create a new world order to knock the United States off its perch, but the results of a survey released this week suggest Chinese people are far more nuanced and flexible in this view, providing avenues to reduce US-China tension,...

Politics

7 d. ago North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping  ABC News

Politics

7 d. ago Chinese leader Xi holds talks with North Korea’s Kim in Beijing

President Xi Jinping is holding talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Beijing, state media reported, in their first sit-down in six years. Thursday’s meeting came a day after Kim appeared with Xi, alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin, in Tiananmen Square for a Victory Day military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. It was the first time that the three leaders had gathered in the same place, in what was viewed as a rare show of unity against the West and...

Politics

7 d. ago China stands firm on strategic ties with North Korea, Xi tells Kim

Beijing is willing to deepen strategic coordination with Pyongyang in regional and international affairs to safeguard “mutual interests”, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday in his first sit-down with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in six years. “The Chinese Communist Party and government attach great importance to the traditional friendship between China and North Korea and are willing to maintain, consolidate, and develop China-North Korea relations,” he said, according to state...

Politics

7 d. ago Chinese hold nuanced views of US rivalry and Russia, North Korea friendships

Americans tend to believe that China wants to create a new world order to knock the United States off its perch, but the results of a survey released this week suggest Chinese people are far more nuanced and flexible in this view, providing avenues to reduce US-China tension, experts said on Wednesday. The survey of ordinary Chinese, by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and The Carter Centre, depicts a public that is optimistic about their nation’s future, economy, military and culture. They...

Politics

7 d. ago What do ordinary Chinese think of US rivalry and Russian, North Korean allies?

Americans tend to believe that China wants to create a new world order to knock the United States off its perch, but the results of a survey released this week suggest Chinese people are far more nuanced and flexible in this view, providing avenues to reduce US-China tension, experts said on Wednesday. The survey of ordinary Chinese, by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and The Carter Centre, depicts a public that is optimistic about their nation’s future, economy, military and culture. They...

Politics

8 d. 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

8 d. 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

8 d. ago China parades statecraft and hardware as world faces ‘critical’ choices

China crowned a busy week of grand diplomacy with a spectacular military parade on Wednesday, sending a message to the world that it has the determination and strength to champion a multipolar global order as geopolitical challenges rise. Flanked by Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and leaders from 26 countries, President Xi Jinping gave a keynote speech on top of the Gate of Heavenly Peace in Beijing to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the war against...

Events

8 d. ago Kim Jong Un has brought his daughter to Beijing: who is the possible North Korean heir?

Kim Jong Un has brought his daughter to Beijing: who is the possible North Korean heir?  Stuff

Politics

8 d. ago North Korea's Kim and South Korean parliament speaker shake hands in Beijing

North Korea's Kim and South Korean parliament speaker shake hands in Beijing  Reuters

Politics