18 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

41 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

5 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

6 d. ago China’s Xi meets Panchen Lama, urges continued ‘sinicisation of religion’

Chinese President Xi Jinping met the Panchen Lama on Friday and called for continued efforts to promote the “sinicisation of religion”, state media reports said. The call from Xi comes exactly one month before the exiled Dalai Lama’s critical 90th birthday, when the Tibetan spiritual leader has indicated he may reveal his preferred method for choosing a successor. According to state news agency Xinhua, Xi received a visit from the Panchen Lama in Beijing and expressed hopes that he would “work...

Politics

8 d. ago Chinese President Xi Jinping and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko meet in Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko meet in Beijing  Colorado Springs Gazette

Politics

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

2 w. ago Thai river turns orange as dangerous toxins from Myanmar mines flush downstream

Dangerous levels of arsenic in a northern Thai river contaminated by chemicals used in mines across the border in Myanmar risk unleashing an unprecedented ecological disaster on the kingdom’s waterways, environmentalists have warned, as images of the orange-yellow waters go viral. Bangkok is seeking renewed talks with Myanmar’s junta to stop the toxic sediment flowing downstream into the Kok River, which runs from Shan State, in Myanmar through Thailand’s border province of Chiang Rai. But the...

Politics

2 w. ago ‘Concerned’ Asean leaders fail to issue fresh condemnation of Myanmar’s junta

Southeast Asian leaders have said they are “deeply concerned” about the violence and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Myanmar, in a statement at the end of the Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur, but significantly held back from further action against a junta which continues to kill civilians four years after it seized power. The junta has continued deadly air strikes against civilian areas held by ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy forces, in the weeks following a devastating earthquake in...

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

3 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 Ukraine war: Putin’s visit to Kursk highlights Russia’s efforts to regain control

It was the Russian leader’s first visit to the region, since Moscow said it drove out Ukrainian forces last month, a claim Kyiv has denied.

Politics

3 w. ago Myanmar junta’s drones from China, Russia tilt balance of war against resistance forces

Analysts say the use of advanced drones from China and Russia has resulted in more casualties and slowed down opposition offensives.

Events

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 after call with Putin says Russia and Ukraine to negotiate ceasefire ‘immediately’

US president also says conversation with Russian leader yielded agreement that Washington and Moscow pursue large-scale trade once war ends.

Politics

3 w. ago After Putin call, Trump says Russia and Ukraine to negotiate ceasefire ‘immediately’

US president also says conversation with Russian leader yielded agreement that Washington and Moscow pursue large-scale trade once war ends.

Politics