3 d. ago China backs Mekong pollution probe after reports point finger at mining firms

China’s embassy in Thailand said it was “closely monitoring” the situation after claims that heavy metal pollution in northern Thai rivers was linked to suspected Chinese mining activities in neighbouring Myanmar. A post on the embassy’s official social media account acknowledged recent comments by the Thai government on the matter. “China is closely monitoring reports about the heavy metal pollution incident in a tributary of the Mekong River in Thailand. We have taken note of the recent test...

Politics

5 d. ago EU pushes for ‘independence’ from China and US – but can it achieve it?

For more than four months, Europe has been one of US President Donald Trump’s favourite punchbags, absorbing bruising blows on trade, security and social issues. Over the same period, the European Union has held out an olive branch to Beijing, seeking concessions on economic matters in exchange for better political ties. The consensus now in Brussels is that China has chosen not to grab it. Sandwiched between two uncompromising superpowers, a growing number of European leaders are pushing for...

Politics

5 d. ago EU pushes for ‘independence’ from China and US – but can it get there?

For more than four months, Europe has been one of US President Donald Trump’s favourite punchbags, absorbing bruising blows on trade, security and social issues. Over the same period, the European Union has held out an olive branch to Beijing, seeking concessions on economic matters in exchange for better political ties. The consensus now in Brussels is that China has chosen not to grab it. Sandwiched between two uncompromising superpowers, a growing number of European leaders are pushing for...

Politics

6 d. ago Trump’s top economic officials to meet with China counterparts in London next week

US President Donald Trump’s top economic officials will meet with their Chinese counterparts on Monday. “I am pleased to announce that Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer, will be meeting in London on Monday, June 9, 2025, with Representatives of China, with reference to the Trade Deal,” Trump said on social media. “The meeting should go very well. Thank you for your attention to this...

Politics

8 d. ago Trump social media post casts uncertainty on possible call with Xi Jinping

US President Donald Trump said that his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping was “extremely hard to make a deal with”, casting uncertainty over a possible phone call between the two leaders that the White House has said was expected this week. “I like President Xi of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform at around 2.17am local time on Wednesday. When asked about Trump’s comments, Chinese foreign...

Politics

1 week ago US efforts to coerce China into trade concessions ‘will not work’, analysts say

US President Donald Trump’s attempts to force Beijing back to the negotiating table by piling “extreme pressure” on the Chinese economy through a barrage of export controls are doomed to fail, analysts said. Washington has unveiled new curbs on the sale of jet engine and chip design technologies to China in recent days, as Trump insisted in a social media post that he would no longer be “Mr Nice Guy” on trade. But Beijing responded with a stinging rebuke on Monday, with the Ministry of Commerce...

Politics

1 week ago China flight turns back after smoke found coming from camera battery, power bank

A China Southern Airlines flight from Hangzhou to Shenzhen was forced to return to the airport 15 minutes after take-off on Saturday after the crew found smoke coming from a passenger’s camera battery and power bank. According to a social media post by the airline, the camera batteries and power bank of a passenger on board flight CZ6850 started to produce smoke soon after taking off. “The crew handled it properly and quickly eliminated the safety risk. To ensure safety, the flight immediately...

Events

2 w. ago US to pause student visa interviews ahead of new social media vetting: reports

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed America’s embassies worldwide to stop scheduling student visa interviews as US President Donald Trump’s administration considers more expansive vetting of the social media profiles of applicants, US media has reported. The order, laid out in a diplomatic cable on Tuesday, is the latest effort by the administration to restrict international students’ entry to the US over claims that they might promote antisemitism or otherwise threaten national...

Politics

2 w. ago China’s spy agency warns of foreigners posing as scholars, tourists, ‘insincere lovers’

‘Don’t be fooled by sweet talk,’ ministry says in social media post highlighting deceptive identities used by foreign spies.

Events

2 w. ago China’s spy agency warns of foreigners posing as scholars, tourists or ‘insincere lovers’

‘Don’t be fooled by sweet talk,’ ministry says in social media post highlighting deceptive identities used by foreign spies.

Events

2 w. ago Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post scoops 4 prizes at Global Media Awards

Post’s #852stories series secures third place in best new video or feature category during ceremony in New York.

Events