91 m. ago How an SCO development bank could shift the global financial order

At the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin this week, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged member states to accelerate the creation of an SCO development bank, a proposal that could mark a turning point in Asia’s financial landscape. While headlines focused on the high-profile presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Xi’s proposal points to the SCO’s evolution from a security bloc into a financial actor. Xi also pledged US$1.4...

Economics

3 h. 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

3 h. 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

10 h. 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

11 h. ago Paraded mainland China weaponry shows Beijing’s focus on Taiwan: analysts

The latest weapons systems featured in China’s Victory Day parade have shown Beijing’s sharp focus on safeguarding its sovereign integrity over Taiwan and its capability to defend against any attempt to break away, analysts observed. Although Taiwan was not directly mentioned in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s keynote address on Wednesday, it is often used by military observers as a yardstick to measure the People’s Liberation Army’s capabilities and progress. The cutting-edge weapons showcased...

Events

11 h. ago Venezuelan president shows off phone from China’s Xi Jinping

Venezuelan president shows off phone from China’s Xi Jinping  CNN

Politics

11 h. ago Malaysia’s Anwar signals support for China’s global vision during 4

Following two days in Tianjin for a regional bloc summit and another day of meetings with top Chinese leaders, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stood on the rostrum at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to witness a spectacular military parade. His appearance underscored Malaysia’s alignment with China’s push for a multipolar global order. Over the past week, China has showcased its growing diplomatic clout and military strength, culminating in Wednesday’s parade, which followed the two-day annual...

Events

12 h. ago UK’s Deputy PM considers resigning over tax error on US$1 million flat

Angela Rayner, the deputy British prime minister, admitted on Wednesday that she did not pay enough tax on a home purchase and that she has considered resigning. Following weeks of press speculation regarding the tax paid on her purchase of a flat in Hove, on England’s south coast, Rayner told Sky News that she has referred herself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards. A clearly emotional Rayner said she had received inaccurate tax advice on the £800,000 purchase (US$1 million)...

Economics

12 h. ago UK’s Deputy PM faces calls to resign over tax error on US$1 million home

Angela Rayner, the deputy British prime minister, faced calls to resign on Wednesday after she admitted to not paying enough tax on a home purchase. Following weeks of press speculation regarding the tax paid on her purchase of a flat in Hove, on England’s south coast, Rayner said she has referred herself to the independent adviser on ministerial standards and that she has considered resigning. Prime Minister Keir Starmer offered his support to Rayner as opposition lawmakers demanded that she...

Economics

20 h. ago Thailand acting leader moves to dissolve parliament to block rival’s PM bid

Thailand’s acting prime minister has moved to dissolve parliament, his party said on Wednesday, after the largest opposition party backed a rival candidate for prime minister. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was ousted last week by the Constitutional Court, leaving a power vacuum in the kingdom’s top office. Her Pheu Thai party – still governing in a caretaker capacity – was jostling for support from the largest opposition bloc, the People’s Party, to confirm a new candidate for prime...

Politics

20 h. ago Thailand’s acting leader moves to dissolve parliament to block rival’s PM bid

Thailand’s acting prime minister has moved to dissolve parliament, his party said on Wednesday, after the largest opposition party backed a rival candidate to lead the country. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was ousted last week by the Constitutional Court over her handling of a border row with Cambodia, leaving a power vacuum in the kingdom’s top office as rival factions jostled to replace her. Her Pheu Thai party – still governing in a caretaker capacity – was jostling for support from...

Politics

20 h. ago China parade as it happened: Xi Jinping presides over show of military might attended by Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un

China parade as it happened: Xi Jinping presides over show of military might attended by Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un  Financial Times

Events

23 h. ago Chinese, Algerian presidents hail successful launch of communications satellite

President Xi Jinping and his Algerian counterpart Abdelaziz Bouteflika exchanged congratulatory messages on the successful launch of Alcomsat-1 in the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China's southwestern province of Sichuan early Monday.

Politics

23 h. ago Putin, Kim accompany Xi to Tiananmen Gate for Victory Day military parade

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing with a special discount during our summer sale, available for a limited time and to new subscribers only. Today, China will host a massive military parade along Changan Avenue in central Beijing, showcasing the country’s latest and most advanced weapons to commemorate the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan in World War II. President Xi Jinping...

Events

23 h. ago New ICBM, ‘loyal wingman’ drone, China’s Himars, latest tanks on show at parade

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing with a special discount during our summer sale, available for a limited time and to new subscribers only. Today, China will host a massive military parade along Changan Avenue in central Beijing, showcasing the country’s latest and most advanced weapons to commemorate the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan in World War II. President Xi Jinping...

Events

23 h. ago China’s advanced weapons roll through Beijing in ‘credible’ show of deterrence

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing with a special discount during our summer sale, available for a limited time and to new subscribers only. China has hosted a massive military parade along Changan Avenue in central Beijing, showcasing the country’s latest and most advanced weapons to commemorate the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan in World War II. President Xi Jinping delivered...

Events

23 h. ago China parades new weapons in show of ‘strategic ace’ deterrence – as it happened

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing with a special discount during our summer sale, available for a limited time and to new subscribers only. China has hosted a massive military parade along Changan Avenue in central Beijing, showcasing the country’s latest and most advanced weapons to commemorate the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan in World War II. President Xi Jinping delivered...

Events

23 h. ago China’s military parade, as it happened: new weapons debut in show of deterrence

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing with a special discount during our summer sale, available for a limited time and to new subscribers only. China has hosted a massive military parade along Changan Avenue in central Beijing, showcasing the country’s latest and most advanced weapons to commemorate the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan in World War II. President Xi Jinping...

Events

30 h. ago Indonesia’s Prabowo visits China after initially cancelling trip over protests

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will visit China for a military parade commemorating 80 years since the end of World War II on Wednesday, a minister said, after earlier cancelling his trip over deadly protests last week stoked by the death of a young delivery driver. “Tonight, President Prabowo Subianto departed for Beijing, China, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. He monitored the situation and received reports from all relevant officials that public life was gradually returning...

Events

32 h. ago Xi reiterates support for Iran nuclear programme amid Western pressure

Chinese President Xi Jinping doubled down on his support for Iran to “safeguard its national sovereignty” and vowed to promote a widely accepted solution to the Iranian nuclear issue as Tehran faces mounting Western pressures over its nuclear programme. “China attaches importance to Iran’s repeated affirmation that it does not seek to develop nuclear weapons, respects Iran’s right to peaceful use of nuclear energy,” Xi told his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, according to state-owned...

Events