5 h. ago US officer urges closer South Korea, Japan defence ties amid North threat

America’s highest-ranking military officer has called for closer trilateral defence ties with South Korea and Japan in response to what he described as an “unprecedented” military build-up by North Korea and China. The remarks by General Dan Caine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, come amid growing pressure on Seoul to shoulder more of the cost of hosting 28,500 US troops and to support their expanded role beyond the Korean peninsula – a move that could test South Korea’s willingness to...

Events

14 h. ago University of Tennessee, six others, urged to cut ties with China

University of Tennessee, six others, urged to cut ties with China-backed scholarship program  Chattanooga Times Free Press

Politics

16 h. ago Partners in Deterrence: China and Russia’s Deepening Military

Partners in Deterrence: China and Russia’s Deepening Military-Technical Ties  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine

Events

28 h. ago Malaysia’s fighter jet deal to ‘quietly’ boost South China Sea defences

The United States’ approval of Malaysia’s purchase of dozens of fighter jets is set to bolster the Southeast Asian country’s air capabilities – especially in the South China Sea – as part of a strategy to “quietly” build deterrence while also preserving cordial ties with China. Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief General Tan Sri Asghar Khan Goriman Khan confirmed during a June 17 briefing that Washington had approved Malaysia’s request to acquire up to 33 used F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter jets...

Politics

35 h. ago Brazil plans retaliation to Trump tariffs as analysts warn of growing China ties

Brazil scrambled to craft a measured but strong response to US President Donald Trump’s surprise tariff hike on Thursday in hopes of shielding key industries, while analysts predicted the tariffs would drive the country closer to China. Trump sent a letter to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Wednesday confirming that Brazilian exports would face 50 per cent duty starting August 1. He claimed the measure would punish what he called “unfair trade barriers” and political “persecution” of...

Events

35 h. ago Brazil plans retaliation to Trump tariffs as analysts predict growing China ties

Brazil scrambled to craft a measured but strong response to US President Donald Trump’s surprise tariff hike on Thursday in hopes of shielding key industries, while analysts predicted the tariffs would drive the country closer to China. Trump sent a letter to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Wednesday confirming that Brazilian exports would face 50 per cent duty starting August 1. He claimed the measure would punish what he called “unfair trade barriers” and political “persecution” of...

Politics

2 d. ago China handles US ties based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, win

China handles US ties based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, win-win cooperation, FM on Trump's remarks claiming 'ties with Beijing have improved'  Global Times

Politics

3 d. ago Exclusive: US lawmakers renew concerns about GenScript's ties to China

Exclusive: US lawmakers renew concerns about GenScript's ties to China  Reuters

Politics

3 d. ago Trump's trade advisor slams Apple's China ties — but Wall Street says it can't afford to leave

Trump's trade advisor slams Apple's China ties — but Wall Street says it can't afford to leave  Business Insider

Politics

4 d. ago Vietnam, China agree to boost trade ties as Trump tariffs hit

Vietnam, China agree to boost trade ties as Trump tariffs hit  Reuters

Politics

4 d. ago With US tariffs looming, China’s panda diplomacy returns as Japan seeks new loan

Panda diplomacy is back in play as Japan seeks to charm visiting Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng with hopes of securing one or two of the endangered bears on loan. The gesture could help soothe bilateral ties and signal regional unity amid growing unease over US trade policy under President Donald Trump, analysts have said. He, a close adviser to President Xi Jinping, is scheduled to attend the World Expo in Osaka for “national pavilion day” at the Chinese pavilion on Friday. The Yomiuri...

Politics

4 d. ago Trump trade admin calls Apple's China ties a 'Silicon Valley soap opera'

Trump trade admin calls Apple's China ties a 'Silicon Valley soap opera'  AppleInsider

Politics

4 d. ago Did China Help Pakistan During Op Sindoor? Beijing Cites ‘Normal Defence Ties’, Adds Caveat

Did China Help Pakistan During Op Sindoor? Beijing Cites ‘Normal Defence Ties’, Adds Caveat  News18

Politics

4 d. ago How Harvard’s Ties to China Helped Make It a White House Target

How Harvard’s Ties to China Helped Make It a White House Target  The New York Times

Events

5 d. ago Inside China and Tanzania’s ‘very special’ ties – found nowhere else in Africa

Over the past two decades, China has considerably broadened its military and security diplomacy throughout Africa, establishing ties with 53 countries, excluding eSwatini. Observers say that of those countries, Tanzania stands out as an exceptionally strong and enduring military partner for Beijing, with more than 90 per cent of its military arms from China. According to a study released last month by the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies, Tanzania has “a very special relationship” with the...

Politics

7 d. ago Opinion | Some suggestions for EU if it sincerely wants to reset China ties

Opinion | Some suggestions for EU if it sincerely wants to reset China ties  South China Morning Post

Politics

7 d. ago As China, EU eye warm ties, Brussels aims to protect its manufacturing base

Hopes for a long-awaited recovery of factory activity in Europe’s manufacturing powerhouse were uplifted this week as a key indicator of the sector’s health surged to a 34-month high in Germany. But the fact that the country’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index for June still remained at 49.0 – when a reading below 50 suggests a contraction in the sector – underscores the uphill challenge that Germany is facing in trying to regain growth and past glory in its manufacturing activities. The...

Politics

8 d. ago US House passes Trump bill, which heads to White House for president’s signature

The US House of Representatives passed a massive tax-and-spending bill on Thursday that President Donald Trump has sought since returning to the White House, an initiative that fundamentally revamps government spending and jeopardises dozens of planned clean energy projects with ties to China. Passing in a 218 to 214 vote, the sprawling One Big Beautiful Bill Act – which would lock in Trump’s priorities on border and defence financing, and make permanent tax cuts that Congress passed at Trump’s...

Politics

8 d. ago Armenia seeks deeper Chinese ties, Apple’s China story: 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. Has Apple been trapped by China? Not so fast, analysts say A new book contending that Apple went too far in consolidating its operations in China is prompting debate among analysts of the country – some of whom say the company may have had no realistic alternatives. 2. Armenia looks to deepen ties with China for foreign policy beyond Russia The Armenian...

Politics

8 d. ago Climate action with China aligns with Australia’s security needs

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s coming visit to China later this summer presents a timely chance to reframe Australia–China relations through an increasingly vital lens: climate cooperation. With bilateral ties having largely stabilised since 2022 and a joint Australia–Pacific bid for the 2026 UN climate summit under way, climate action offers a promising platform for stronger engagement. The rationale for cooperation is clear. Australia possesses vast reserves of critical minerals...

Events