5 h. ago China’s VP has ‘constructive’ call with Trump officials Bessent and Greer

Beijing and Washington held a call on Friday to discuss bilateral trade and economic ties, as a variety of practical issues – from soybean orders to computer chips – remain problematic despite the trade truce in October. Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng’s video call with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer was part of a bilateral negotiation mechanism started this year to address issues between the world’s two largest economies. The two sides had...

Politics

20 h. ago Japan moves to ease tensions; China’s reusable rocket: SCMP’s weekly roundup

We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Japan’s Sanae Takaichi moves to ease weeks of tensions with China over the Taiwan Strait After weeks of turmoil in relations with China, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has sought to dial down tensions with Beijing over a...

Events

20 h. ago Chinese boy lost after US detention, helper’s last call in fire: weekly roundup

We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Japan’s Sanae Takaichi moves to ease weeks of tensions with China over the Taiwan Strait After weeks of turmoil in relations with China, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has sought to dial down tensions with Beijing over a...

Events

38 h. ago France’s Macron and Xi Jinping meet in Beijing to discuss Ukraine and trade

France’s Macron and Xi Jinping meet in Beijing to discuss Ukraine and trade  France 24

Politics

44 h. ago Watch Xi and Macron Meet in Beijing to Discuss Trade Tensions and Taiwan

Watch Xi and Macron Meet in Beijing to Discuss Trade Tensions and Taiwan  Bloomberg.com

Politics

46 h. ago Macron and Xi meet in Beijing to discuss trade tensions and Taiwan

Macron and Xi meet in Beijing to discuss trade tensions and Taiwan  The Japan Times

Politics

61 h. ago Japan’s Sanae Takaichi moves to ease weeks of tensions with China over the Taiwan Strait

After weeks of turmoil in relations with China, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has sought to dial down tensions with Beijing over a hypothetical conflict in the Taiwan Strait. Responding to a lawmaker’s question on Wednesday, Takaichi told the Japanese parliament that Tokyo’s position on the island remained unchanged and referred to a 1972 commitment that led to the normalisation of ties between Beijing and Tokyo. “The Japanese government’s basic position regarding Taiwan remains as...

Events

4 d. ago From immigration to investments: China’s middle class is unwinding bets on Japan

Some of China’s affluent middle class is unwinding bets on Japan, cashing out in real estate and shelving migration plans as a diplomatic stand-off invites a wait-and-see mood on the once-hot destination for capital and talent. The reversal follows escalating tensions sparked by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan last month. Intermediaries report a surge in profit-taking on property and rising pessimism over immigration, with the chill extending to business visits and...

Politics

4 d. ago Debate and backlash in China after Japanese singer halted mid

A Japanese singer was forced to stop performing on stage in Shanghai over the weekend, triggering accusations of excessive restriction amid the downward spiral in tensions between Beijing and Tokyo over a Taiwan contingency. On Saturday, Japanese singer Maki Otsuki was abruptly silenced while singing at an anime event in Shanghai and told by staff to halt her performance. Otsuki, known for singing the theme song of the popular anime One Piece, has “returned home safely”, according to a statement...

Politics

5 d. ago 3 ways China and Japan could trigger WW3 as tensions explode over Taiwan

3 ways China and Japan could trigger WW3 as tensions explode over Taiwan  The US Sun

Events

9 d. ago Beijing warns Tokyo after PM Takaichi’s Taiwan salvo raises tensions

Beijing warns Tokyo after PM Takaichi’s Taiwan salvo raises tensions  irishsun.com

Events

1 week ago Xi and Trump discuss Taiwan, bilateral ties in rare call, Xinhua reports

Chinese President Xi Jinping and the US President Donald Trump had a phone conversation on Taiwan and Ukraine issues on Monday, according to the official Chinese news agency Xinhua. The phone call came after a series of fast-changing geopolitics in recent weeks. China has seen an escalating row with Japan over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan, and the US has announced a 28-point peace proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine war, which started in February 2022. Xi clarified Beijing’s...

Politics

1 week ago Trump to visit China in April after ‘very good’ call with Xi

US President Donald Trump said on Monday he will visit China in April at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping following a phone conversation between the two leaders that also covered Taiwan, Ukraine and bilateral relations. “Our relationship with China is extremely strong!” Trump said on social media following the Monday morning call, a follow-up to their “highly successful” meeting in South Korea on October 30. “Since then, there has been significant progress on both sides in keeping...

Politics

1 week ago Beijing says US initiated ‘positive, friendly and constructive’ Trump

Washington initiated the phone call between President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Monday, Beijing has clarified, describing the conversation as “positive”. “According to my understanding, the call was initiated by the US side, and the atmosphere of the conversation was positive, friendly and constructive,” Mao Ning, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman, told a regular press conference on Tuesday. Communication between the two heads of state on issues of shared concern...

Politics

2 w. ago China to suspend seafood imports from Japan amid tensions over Taiwan

China to suspend seafood imports from Japan amid tensions over Taiwan  Anadolu Ajansı

Events

2 w. ago Trader’s Guide to Navigating Tensions Between Japan and China over Taiwan

Trader’s Guide to Navigating Tensions Between Japan and China over Taiwan  Bloomberg.com

Events

2 w. ago US pulls missile system from Japan, EV fires fan fears: 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. US pulls missile system from Japan as Beijing-Tokyo row over Taiwan deepens A US missile system that could strike Beijing has been withdrawn from Japan, Japanese media reported on Monday, amid sharply escalating tensions triggered by the Japanese prime minister’s recent remarks on Taiwan. 2. China’s dominance shrinks US remote sensing share from 88% to...

Events

2 w. ago Japan–China Tensions Rise as Beijing Issues Travel Advisory After Takaichi’s Taiwan Warning

Japan–China Tensions Rise as Beijing Issues Travel Advisory After Takaichi’s Taiwan Warning  WION

Events

2 w. ago Japanese yen weakens to 9‑month low, hits 155 to US dollar amid uncertainties

The Japanese yen slid to a nine-month low against the US dollar, breaching a closely watched threshold of 155 amid domestic policy uncertainties, fading expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut in December, and amplified China-Japan tensions over Taiwan. The yen’s exchange rate briefly weakened beyond 155.3 to the dollar on Tuesday before improving slightly, while broader markets also came under pressure. Stocks slumped, bonds were sold off, and long-term yields jumped to multi-decade highs,...

Events

2 w. ago Japanese in China warned to be wary as row over Takaichi’s comments continues

Japan has urged its citizens in mainland China to take safety precautions as diplomatic tensions sparked by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan continue to escalate. In a message on its website, the Japanese embassy in China said it reiterated “safety measures in light of recent local media coverage concerning Japan-China relations”. “When going out, please remain vigilant of your surroundings, such as the approach of suspicious individuals, and endeavour to ensure your safety as...

Events