3 d. ago ‘Don’t kill your successful DNA’: Hong Kong’s John Lee on tariffs, trade war

Hong Kong will not destroy its “successful DNA” and jeopardise its free-port status by retaliating with counter-tariffs on the US even if geopolitical tensions with China escalate further, the city’s leader has promised. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said his administration had made “contingency plans for the worst” and would increase support for local businesses in finding “blue oceans” in new markets. In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with the Post to mark the third anniversary of his...

Events

4 d. ago Trump, Hegseth, Rubio: a triple threat to global stability – and Asia

The Indo-Pacific cannot afford to become collateral damage in America’s descent from diplomacy into dysfunction – a decline embodied by Defence Secretary Peter Hegseth’s sabre-rattling and Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio’s overreach. At the recent Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth stunned Asia’s defence and diplomatic elite by demanding that Indo-Pacific countries raise defence spending to 5 per cent of gross domestic product to “counter China”. The proposal...

Politics

4 d. ago Trump reluctant to confront China over support for Russia's war against Ukraine, Bloomberg reports

Trump reluctant to confront China over support for Russia's war against Ukraine, Bloomberg reports  The Kyiv Independent

Politics

5 d. ago Philippines aims to counter China’s drone swarm capacity, learn from Ukraine war

The Philippine military is ramping up efforts to enhance its drone offensive capabilities and countermeasures amid growing concerns over China potentially using waves of such unmanned aircraft to assert its claims in contested waters. As part of this push, Philippine and US forces recently tested high-powered microwave weapons during the Balikatan 2025 exercises, designed to neutralise so-called drone swarms. The Philippine military has also begun using Israeli-made intelligence, surveillance...

Events

5 d. ago US Senate panel passes Taiwan, mainland China overseas military growth measures

The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a slate of China-focused measures on Thursday, including bipartisan bills to counter Beijing’s overseas military expansion and bolster Taiwan’s role in global finance while advancing the nomination of a former ambassador to lead US diplomacy in East Asia. The Counter Act of 2025, co-authored by Senators Chris Coons, Democrat of Delaware, and Pete Ricketts, Republican of Nebraska, calls on the US government to develop a strategy to respond to the...

Events

6 d. ago China helps Russia pull ahead in lethal drone war race with Ukraine

China helps Russia pull ahead in lethal drone war race with Ukraine  politico.eu

Events

9 d. ago Why Germany’s leader called China’s over Ukraine – and why it matters

In an era when diplomacy often postures as virtue signalling and foreign policy has grown allergic to nuance, Germany’s new Chancellor Friedrich Merz has executed a move of startling clarity and daring. He called President Xi Jinping, not to lecture him on human rights or wave the banner of Western liberalism but to propose a deal: help end the war in Ukraine. Merz’s appeal, couched in the anodyne language of international cooperation, was anything but soft. He told Xi that Russia’s war of...

Politics

9 d. ago ‘Not mere pawns’ in big power rivalry: Asean asserts agency at Shangri

Asean defence chiefs emphasised individual agency at the Shangri-La Dialogue, after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth called on Indo-Pacific allies to boost military spending and cooperation to counter what he called the “real” threat posed by China. Among them was Philippine Secretary of National Defence Gilberto Teodoro Jnr, who asserted that his country, a US treaty ally, was not a mere pawn with “no strategic agency”. Despite China’s pursuit of being a superpower, “we must not overemphasise...

Politics

1 week ago Macron to China: Keep North Korea out of Ukraine war or risk NATO coming to Asia

Macron to China: Keep North Korea out of Ukraine war or risk NATO coming to Asia  politico.eu

Events

1 week ago Dong Jun to skip Singapore forum – and a chance to meet US, Asian defence chiefs

China will downgrade its representation at the Shangri-La Dialogue this year and, in doing so, skip an opportunity for Defence Minister Dong Jun to meet counterparts from the United States and across Asia. In the past, Asia’s premier defence forum has offered a chance for China’s defence minister to make a speech to counter Washington’s narrative in the region and meet other defence chiefs directly. China’s defence ministry said on Thursday that China would send a delegation from the National...

Politics

2 w. ago OPINION | To counter China, Quad members should work closer in maritime surveillance

OPINION | To counter China, Quad members should work closer in maritime surveillance  Baird Maritime

Politics

2 w. ago Trump ‘not happy’ after Russia pummels Ukraine with biggest ever drone attack

The US president has been trying to get both sides to agree to a ceasefire in the three-year-old war in Ukraine.

Events

2 w. ago Trump calls Putin ‘absolutely crazy’, warns of Russia’s ‘downfall’ over Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump sharply criticised escalating Russian attacks on Ukraine, threatening further sanctions.

Events

2 w. ago Russia kills at least 12 in Ukraine war’s largest air attack

Ukraine’s air force said Russia had launched 298 drones and 69 missiles, although it said it was able to down 266 drones and 45 missiles.

Events

2 w. ago Ukraine and Russia each free first 390 prisoners in start of war’s biggest swap

Russia’s foreign minister says Moscow will present its peace terms to Kyiv when the POW exchange is completed.

Events

2 w. ago World’s seven wealthiest countries agree to counter China’s trade practices

World’s seven wealthiest countries agree to counter China’s trade practices  The Guardian

Politics

3 w. ago Ukraine war: Putin’s visit to Kursk highlights Russia’s efforts to regain control

It was the Russian leader’s first visit to the region, since Moscow said it drove out Ukrainian forces last month, a claim Kyiv has denied.

Politics

3 w. ago Trump picks US$175 billion Golden Dome missile shield to counter China, Russia

US Space Force general will lead the ambitious missile shield programme involving a network of satellites.

Events

3 w. ago Trump picks ‘Golden Dome’ missile shield to counter China, Russia

Trump picks ‘Golden Dome’ missile shield to counter China, Russia  South China Morning Post

Events

3 w. ago Ukraine war: EU and UK hit Russia with new sanctions without waiting for Trump

The measures come after the US president’s call with Putin did not yield any promise of a ceasefire.

Events