2 h. ago Philippines’ Marcos softens stance amid economic pressures but will China bite?

President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s recent call to Filipino-Chinese businessmen to boost Manila’s bilateral ties with Beijing has raised the possibility that the Philippine leader is softening his stance on China. However, while the president’s sudden pivot could signal a recalibration of his approach, observers say the move is unlikely to yield any results in the near term because of his earlier hardline policy, including a statement earlier this month by his defence chief at a major security...

Economics

24 h. ago From AI to chips: China courts private tech firms to help drive next 5

China has signalled growing support for the private sector, as the head of the government department that oversees economic reform sat down with representatives of the tech industry to gather input ahead of Beijing’s next five-year development blueprint, analysts said. Zheng Shanjie, chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), met leaders from five private enterprises to “gather opinions and suggestions for the scientific formulation of the ‘15th Five-Year Plan’, with a...

Economics

4 d. ago China signals readiness on rare earth talks, approves more exports

China has approved some qualified rare earth export applications and is ready to deepen dialogue with nations over export controls, the Ministry of Commerce said as the strategic resource continued to take centre stage in Beijing’s trade negotiations with the United States. “We’ve observed growing global demand for medium and heavy rare earths in civilian sectors such as robotics and new energy vehicles, as these industries continue to expand,” the ministry said in a statement posted on its...

Politics

4 d. ago North Korean spy drama in China may signal Beijing’s unease over growing Pyongyang

North Korean spy drama in China may signal Beijing’s unease over growing Pyongyang-Moscow ties  Yahoo

Events

9 d. ago How China’s Baloch outreach signals Beijing’s loss of trust in Pakistan

How China’s Baloch outreach signals Beijing’s loss of trust in Pakistan  Firstpost

Politics

1 week ago China’s overtures a ‘pointed signal’ to stabilise ties with Japan: analysts

China has made a string of subtle yet telling overtures towards Japan in recent weeks – from removing controversial maritime buoys to easing a politically charged seafood import ban – in what observers see as a tactical recalibration rather than a true reset in bilateral ties. On Thursday, Japan’s government confirmed that China had dismantled the second of two oceanographic buoys it had installed without Tokyo’s consent within Japan’s exclusive economic zone near Okinawa. The following day, it...

Politics

1 week ago Trump signals fresh trade tensions with China, accusing Beijing of violating a deal

Trump signals fresh trade tensions with China, accusing Beijing of violating a deal  Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Politics

1 week ago ‘US troops critical’: South Korean presidential candidate signals turn on China

US troops in South Korea could be “critical” for containing China, and might potentially benefit Seoul’s outreach to the Arctic, according to the front runner for the coming presidential election who has signalled a possible change in his position on China. During an exclusive interview with Time Magazine published on Thursday, the Democratic Party of Korea’s (DPK) presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung said US Forces Korea (USFK) could play a “critical role for the United States policy of...

Politics

1 week ago South Korean presidential candidate sorry for misogynistic remark at TV debate

A South Korean presidential candidate has apologised for a sexually explicit comment made during a recent televised debate, in which he asked if sticking chopsticks in women’s genitals was misogyny. Lee Jun-seok, who leads the minor Reform Party, drew widespread backlash from the public and across the political spectrum for the controversial remark on Tuesday. The 40-year-old initially doubled down on his remark on Facebook early on Wednesday, before issuing an apology later in the day while...

Politics

2 w. ago China Sends a Perfect Submarine Signal Across 600 km—and Straight Toward U.S. Interests

China Sends a Perfect Submarine Signal Across 600 km—and Straight Toward U.S. Interests  Indian Defence Review

Events

2 w. ago U.S., China hold first call since tariff pause, signaling progress in bilateral talks

U.S., China hold first call since tariff pause, signaling progress in bilateral talks  CNBC

Politics

3 w. ago ‘WHO Is a Cheap Date,’ Expert Says of China’s $500 Million Pledge

‘WHO Is a Cheap Date,’ Expert Says of China’s $500 Million Pledge  The Daily Signal

Economics

3 w. ago Oil prices ease on geopolitical uncertainty, weak China demand signals

Oil prices ease on geopolitical uncertainty, weak China demand signals  Reuters

Politics

3 w. ago Trump’s Deals Cast China Both As Foe And Prize, Blurring Signals

Trump’s Deals Cast China Both As Foe And Prize, Blurring Signals  Bloomberg.com

Politics

3 w. ago Xi Jinping’s meeting with Myanmar’s junta leader in Moscow signals China’s backing of regime

Xi’s meeting highlights China’s increasing support for Myanmar’s isolated regime and indicates a strategic alignment with Russia, analysts say.

Politics

4 w. ago China’s Investors Signal Trade Truce Is No Panacea for Markets

China’s Investors Signal Trade Truce Is No Panacea for Markets  Bloomberg.com

Economics

4 w. ago North Korean Spy Arrest in China May Signal Beijing’s Unease over Growing Pyongyang

North Korean Spy Arrest in China May Signal Beijing’s Unease over Growing Pyongyang-Moscow Ties  The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific Current Affairs Magazine

Events