China vs Taiwan
2202 articles
The problem with Japan’s bid to strengthen energy security, supply chains
What is in effect Japan’s version of the Belt and Road Initiative is being rolled out at an accelerating pace. But unlike China’s global infrastructure initiative, which mainly takes the form of highways, railways and sea lanes, Japan’s project is all about energy networks and supply chains. It pose
PLA says it will stay on ‘high alert’ after Dutch warship crosses Taiwan Strait
The People’s Liberation Army said on Friday that it had tracked and monitored a Dutch warship during its passage through the Taiwan Strait, days after using electronic interference during a confrontation with the same vessel in the South China Sea. The PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command said on social me
China bans 11 online activities under tighter rules to curb rumours, cyberbullies
China’s top internet watchdog has banned 11 specific online activities under strict new rules for multiplatform content creators taking effect later this year. Rolling out the new regulations last week, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said they aimed to prevent the spread of rumours and
Does Pete Hegseth’s volte-face on China reflect an America in decline?
Listening to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth at the recently concluded Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, I thought of the iconic Sichuan opera act of face-changing, where performers switch masks in an instant. Last year, Hegseth’s speech at the event was filled with blatant attacks on China. This
Indonesian police in the market for hi-tech Chinese equipment
Indonesia is considering buying hi-tech policing equipment from China, setting out a shopping list for technology ranging from drones to tactical armoured vehicles at a police equipment trade show in Beijing. The Indonesian National Police is particularly interested in counterterrorism equipment, in
Energy now a focus of US-China contest of the century
Given that control over energy reinforces superpower status, the contest of the century has morphed into an intense rivalry between China, a rising “electrostate”, and the United States, the world’s hydrocarbon hegemon safeguarding its position. China recognises that electricity drives its economy.
KMT leader says Taiwan can preserve peace by avoiding ‘de jure independence’
Taiwan’s main opposition leader said cross-strait peace can be maintained as long as Taipei did not move towards “de jure independence”, during her trip in the United States. Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Kuomintang (KMT), attended a closed-door seminar at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy Scho
Everest guide survived six-day ordeal by eating chocolate and 'chewing ice'
Dawa Sherpa was spotted alive by a cleaning crew as he slid slowly down the world's tallest mountain and spoke to the BBC from hospital.
Oh Se-hoon Becomes Seoul’s Mayor for the 5th Time
Why Seoul picked the PPP incumbent yet again, and what it means for the city.
How Chinese drink chains are testing the limits of soft power in the US
Makeda George steps out of a Mixue store in downtown Brooklyn, New York, clutching a bubble tea as she weaves through a crowd of teenagers. The local resident says she had been eager to try the brand after noticing a surge of new outlets opening in recent months. “I decided to try the bubble tea. It
Uzbekistan, Russia Celebrate Start of Nuclear Power Plant Construction… Again
Tashkent and Moscow celebrated the start of construction on the plant – two months after the companies involved celebrated the same thing.
Bolivia’s Troubled Path With China
Chinese activities in Bolivia have deteriorated remarkably from their heyday under the populist leftist governments of Evo Morales and Luis Arce.
The Bipolar Trap: The Real Danger in the Trump-Xi Era
The challenge is not just preventing war between China and the U.S. It’s how to prevent their rivalry from becoming the sole organizing principle of international politics.
Why Did Nepali PM Balendra Shah Call on UK to ‘Take an Interest’ in an India-Nepal Dispute?
The controversial comment was made on the eve of ruling party chief Ravi Lamichhane’s visit to India.
Xi Jinping’s ‘chief of staff’ Cai Qi takes Central Party School helm
Cai Qi, the fifth-ranked member in the Communist Party’s hierarchy, has been picked to head the Central Party School, the top training ground for cadres. Cai, 70, sits on the elite Politburo Standing Committee and is secretary of the party’s secretariat as well as director of the party’s general off
India’s Eye in the Sky: The Rise of a State-Deep Tech Startup Space Partnership
India’s deep tech space startups are transforming the country’s space ambitions, as the state increasingly supports private innovation to strengthen India’s strategic and economic position in the global space race.
Summer most likely window for US attack on Cuba, Chinese defence tech firm says
Any US military attack on Cuba would most likely take place this summer, according to a Chinese defence technology company closely tracking US military movements around the island. The assessment by Jingan Technology, a civilian start-up founded in 2021 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, said that if t
Pacific Nations Adopt First Regional Climate Relocation Framework
Pacific governments have launched the world's first regional framework for planned climate relocation, creating new guidance for communities facing displacement from rising seas, coastal erosion, and intensifying storms.
Pete Hegseth’s Missed Chance to Reassure – and Deter – on Taiwan
The U.S. defense secretary failed to mention Taiwan once during his closely-watched speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue.
Could a Democratic Mid-Term Win Upset the China-US Detente?
If Democrats ride a “blue wave” to reclaim the House in November’s mid-term elections – a distinct possibility – U.S. China policy will become dangerously volatile.
Why China Weaponized the Thucydides Trap
It is no surprise that Beijing is now embracing this construct, hoping to shift the responsibility for stability and avoiding escalation onto Washington.
Xi Jinping to meet Kim Jong Un in rare visit to North Korea
It is taking place weeks after Xi met the leaders of the US and Russia - two countries that loom large over North Korea's foreign policy.
China cracks down on soft porn, violence and materialism in viral micro dramas
Micro dramas have surged in popularity, but drawn criticism for often sensationalist content.
China unveils world’s first superfast quantum memory, paving way for practical computing
Chinese scientists have created the world’s first superfast memory for quantum computers, solving a critical data-reading bottleneck and paving the way for big-data challenges such as drug discovery and detecting fraudulent financial activities. While quantum computers are expected to solve complex
Trump urged Xi to help end Ukraine war; China’s tech sanctions list: SCMP’s 7 highlights
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. Trump ‘personally called for China
Bear opens window in factory escape, Japanese police say
The bear had earlier attacked four people in an industrial part of Fukushima, in Japan's north-east.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping visit to North Korea confirmed for next week
Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit North Korea on Monday and Tuesday in a show of the two countries’ strong ties. At the invitation of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Xi will pay a state visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea from June 8 to 9, state news agency Xinhua reported on F
Giant hissing cockroaches among $200,000 worth of illegal insects seized in Australia
Authorities say the roaches, some as big as the palm of a hand, were likely sold as food for pet reptiles.
China proposes nuclear-powered floating island to reshape global shipping
A Chinese shipbuilder has unveiled a blueprint for a massive, nuclear-powered floating island that will serve as a container transfer terminal and a charging station for vessels. The floating terminal will be powered by advanced molten salt reactors that use liquefied salt as both a fuel and coolant
US citizen and journalist charged with acting as Chinese agent
A US citizen who lived and worked for state media in China for several years pleaded guilty on Thursday to acting as a foreign agent for Beijing after allegedly collecting US$100,000 in return for collecting intelligence in the US on “American targets” and American politicians. According to court do
Mangrove forests are healing after decades of human destruction
Swampy mangrove forests are staging a surprise comeback - which is good news for coastal communities and the climate.
Tough cookies: How pop group Le Sserafim overcame band tensions and internet trolls
The K-pop band say accepting their flaws and embracing humour took them to a new level of success.
Chinese satellite company releases images of Nvidia, Apple HQs
After it was sanctioned by the US government for allegedly helping Iran, a Chinese satellite company has released high-definition images of the Nvidia and Apple headquarters in California’s Silicon Valley. They were among photos posted on social media on Monday by Changguang Satellite based in Chang
China says US ‘invented’ terrorism charges to justify Cuba blockade
China accused the United States of using “invented allegations” to justify its terrorism case against Cuba, after Secretary of State Marco Rubio told senators he needed no new evidence to tie the island to violent leftist groups across the western hemisphere. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning sa
US farm chief says reliance on China threatens American ‘freedom’
US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told lawmakers on Thursday that American dependence on China for food, fertiliser and other agricultural inputs poses an “existential” threat, framing food security as a national security issue while defending the White House’s reduced fiscal 2027 budget reque
Rising Security Risks Are Changing China’s Belt and Road Strategy
Beijing is becoming more selective about where and what it builds overseas. That transition was already underway but it has been hastened by the Iran-U.S. war.
Did China Overestimate the Geopolitical Returns of Its Latin America Strategy?
The assumption that economic leverage leads to political influence has underpinned China analysis for decades. Developments in Latin America are calling that into question.
What Shangri-La 2026 Revealed About the Future Regional Order
Like the CPTPP after the U.S. exit from TPP, the next phase of regional security may be shaped by what U.S. allies and partners build when Washington moves one step back.
What India’s Latest Press Freedom Ranking Reveals About Its Democratic Trajectory
The RSF’s score for India is significant not for the number itself, but for what that ranking reflects about deeper structural trends affecting journalism, media ownership, and democratic accountability.
Trilateral Dynamics: China’s Strategy to Test US Restraint of Japan
Takaichi’s overwhelming victory during the February election suggests China’s coercive approach might be counterproductive. But Beijing’s tactics are not aimed only at the bilateral relationship.
Are Japan-Philippines talks a maritime red line for China’s blue-water ambitions?
Beijing’s strong opposition to maritime boundary talks between Manila and Tokyo reflects growing wariness over a shifting balance of power in the western Pacific. And, experts warn, these talks – part of a highly calculated geopolitical effort by US allies – could reinforce the so-called first islan
China, India, and the Emerging Green Divide
Clean technology has become embedded within a wider geopolitical contest over industrial leadership, technological sovereignty, and influence in the world, especially in the Global South.
Quetta Train Bombing Points to Escalating Insurgent Violence in Balochistan
The attack, which coincided with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China, was aimed at sending China a message that its investments in Balochistan are not safe.
Russia’s Dual Afghan Strategy and Pakistan’s Shrinking Room for Maneuver
Moscow's deepening relations with the Taliban hint at growing doubts about Pakistan as a counterterrorism partner.
China’s futuristic stealth sub to boost ‘hunt-and-kill’ capabilities: experts
China is aiming to boost its “hunt-and-kill” capabilities with a new submarine that boasts futuristic features, according to Chinese analysts. A submarine that appeared to lack a traditional fin was being built at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, France-based Naval News reported on Wednesday, citi
Bondi Beach shooting hero charged with assault
Ahmed al Ahmed disarmed one of the alleged shooters during the deadly attack at a Jewish event.
Miracle on Everest: Guide believed dead spotted crawling down ice
Cleaners found Dawa Sherpa crawling towards Base Camp six days after he went missing at a higher altitude.
Tibetology is key to China shaping global views on the region, top official says
Chinese academics specialising in Tibet must find more creative ways to shape the global conversation about the region while remaining strictly aligned with the Communist Party’s ideology. That was the message Li Ganjie, head of the Communist Party’s United Front Work Department, had for researchers
Journalism and Fighting for Indigenous Rights in Myanmar
Scott Johnson talks about drones and meeting Nerdah Bo Mya in Kawthoolei.
Chinese robot helps children with nerve disorder stand up for the first time
Some people living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) have never been able to stand on their own. SMA is a genetic disorder that causes the nerves that connect the brain and muscles to deteriorate over time, making it challenging or even impossible for those affected to contract their muscles. Over