9 h. ago How US actions in Venezuela and beyond could spell opportunity for China

America’s military action in Venezuela and President Donald Trump’s talk of owning Greenland are stoking concerns that the United States is dismantling the rules-based global order. But this could also be a diplomatic opening for China as it tries to portray itself, in contrast, as a more responsible and stabilising power. Analysts said while this aligned with Beijing’s push to strengthen ties with its neighbours – a strategic move as its rivalry with Washington has intensified – concrete...

Politics

4 d. ago Is India fuelling an arms race in Asia or closing a deterrence gap?

In 2025, India approved a number of major defence packages, together worth US$30 billion. Such rapid procurement approvals are relatively rare by Indian standards. However, what they signal to the region will depend less on such announcements and more on actual outcomes. To some observers, especially after India’s four-day clash with Pakistan during what the former called “Operation Sindoor” last May, the surge appears to mark the start of a regional arms race. That interpretation is...

Politics

4 d. ago Malaysian petrol station operators fume as foreign fuel abusers go unpunished

Two cases within a week involving foreign-registered cars receiving subsidised RON95 fuel have led to calls for Malaysia’s government to go after the vehicle owners as well rather than just the petrol station operators. The common view was that it was unfair for the operators to be the only party penalised while the vehicle owners were let off the hook. “Since there are no penalties, these culprits will try their luck,” said a cashier at a petrol station, who only wanted to be known as Lee. He...

Events

4 d. ago Hong Kong stocks climb as yuan hits strongest level in nearly 3 years

Hong Kong stocks opened higher on Tuesday as global investors broadened their focus beyond US markets, fuelling gains across Asian equities, while the yuan advanced to its strongest level against the US dollar since May 2023. The Hang Seng Index surged 1.8 per cent to 27,074.42 as of 9.45am, the Hang Seng Tech Index rallied 1.6 per cent. On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index edged up 0.3 per cent and the Shanghai Composite Index slipped 0.1 per cent. Chinese pharmaceutical and healthcare shares...

Events

4 d. ago Hong Kong stocks climb as yuan strengthens and investors broaden focus beyond US

Hong Kong stocks rose on Tuesday as global investors broadened their focus beyond US markets, fuelling gains across Asian equities, while the yuan advanced to its strongest level against the US dollar since May 2023. The Hang Seng Index closed 0.9 per cent up at 26,848.47, after earlier gaining more than 2 per cent to 27,143 – its highest since last November. The Hang Seng Tech Index was little changed after advancing more than 2.4 per cent in the morning. On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index and...

Economics

5 d. ago US action in Venezuela fuels Asia’s fears of collapsing rules

America’s capture of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro in a special operation sent shock waves across the world. With characteristically bombastic rhetoric, US President Donald Trump hailed Operation Absolute Resolve as “an assault like people have not seen since World War II” and “one of the most stunning, effective and powerful displays of American military might” in history. His deputies were quick to add that the operation also showed the long arm of the US justice system by accusing...

Politics

5 d. ago U.S. Action Against Venezuela Spurs Blunt Debate Among Chinese Scholars

U.S. Action Against Venezuela Spurs Blunt Debate Among Chinese Scholars  The China-Global South Project

Politics

8 d. ago Taiwan decision lies with Xi, Venezuela action sets no precedent: Trump

Taiwan decision lies with Xi, Venezuela action sets no precedent: Trump  India Today

Politics

9 d. ago How China’s Carbon Market Is Fueling Asia’s Biggest Climate Finance Opportunity

How China’s Carbon Market Is Fueling Asia’s Biggest Climate Finance Opportunity  CarbonCredits.com

Economics

9 d. ago Donald Trump’s Venezuela action raises threat for China’s oil supplies

Donald Trump’s Venezuela action raises threat for China’s oil supplies  Financial Times

Politics

1 week ago Trump team praises US media for keeping its Venezuela raid plan secret

In the wake of last weekend’s US military action in Venezuela, the US news media got something it has seldom heard from the Trump administration: a “thank you”. Secretary of State Marco Rubio credited news organisations that had learned in advance about last Saturday’s strike that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with not putting the mission in jeopardy by publicly reporting on it before it happened. Rubio’s acknowledgement was particularly noteworthy because US Defence...

Politics

1 week ago China condemns US military action against Venezuela at UN Security Council

China condemns US military action against Venezuela at UN Security Council  chinadailyasia.com

Events

1 week ago China says US action on Venezuela violates international law

China says US action on Venezuela violates international law  Upstream Online

Society

1 week ago China decries U.S. action in Venezuela — even as it guards billions at stake

China decries U.S. action in Venezuela — even as it guards billions at stake  CNBC

Politics

1 week ago How uneven borders fuel Myanmar’s vast and resilient scam economy

Southeast Asia has become “ground zero” for the global online scamming industry, according to the UN, costing victims billions of US dollars each year. Scam operations are run by Chinese crime syndicates from fortified compounds in countries like Myanmar, which has been embroiled in a nationwide armed conflict since 2021. The size of the scam industry has led to sustained security crackdowns in recent years. This has included a number of joint operations involving police forces from multiple...

Politics

3 w. ago US to grant South Korea exception on nuclear submarine fuel supply

South Korea and the US have agreed to pursue a separate agreement to formalise Seoul’s right to build nuclear-powered submarines, and working-level talks will begin early next year, the Asian country’s national security adviser said on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters after visiting Washington, Wi Sung-lac said he discussed the issue and other security arrangements with senior US officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. His trip was aimed at...

Events

3 w. ago India’s new law to fuel energy needs, drive nuclear power growth

India has taken a decisive step to open its tightly controlled nuclear power sector to private and foreign capital, signalling a shift in how the country plans to meet soaring electricity demand while cutting emissions. Parliament earlier this month approved the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (Shanti) Bill, one of the most consequential overhauls of India’s civilian nuclear framework in decades, ending years of near-exclusive state control. Under...

Events

3 w. ago Southeast Asian floods set to threaten more wildlife due to climate change

As climate change fuels more frequent floods and storms across Southeast Asia, forests and wildlife are being pushed to their breaking point, with conservationists and scientists warning of a worsening impact on ecosystems due to a lack of oversight and countermeasures. In late November, cyclone-driven rains battered Indonesia’s Sumatra island, triggering floods and landslides that killed more than 1,000 people, left hundreds missing and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes, according...

Events