Nepal’s political turmoil not expected to have major impact on relations with China

By Vanessa Caiin Shanghai China’s swift recognition of Nepal’s interim government reflects Beijing’s interest in regional stability, according to analysts who said that the political transition was unlikely to have a significant impact on relations between the two countries. Former chief justice Sushila Karki was sworn in as the country’s interim leader on Friday after […]

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North Korea threatens ‘unfavourable consequences’ over US-led drills

By Park Chan-kyong North Korea has threatened military retaliation in response to joint drills by South Korea, the United States and Japan, with the powerful sister of ruler Kim Jong-un and a top military official issuing parallel statements. Both denounced the ongoing drills and signalled that Pyongyang was prepared to answer with its own show […]

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Chinese military holds ‘routine’ South China Sea patrol, warns the Philippines on tensions

By Vanessa Caiin Shanghai The Chinese military has carried out a “routine patrol” in the disputed South China Sea, the second such operation in less than two weeks, while cautioning the Philippines against stirring up tensions. Conducted over Friday and Saturday, the latest patrol came just days after Beijing announced plans to establish a national […]

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Laos embraces China, Russia-led SCO amid frustration with Asean

By Maria Siow In a move analysts see as both a survival strategy and a calculated signal of dissatisfaction with Asean, Laos has joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a dialogue partner. The decision was confirmed on September 1 during the SCO summit in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin, where Laotian President Thongloun […]

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Trump calls on all NATO countries to stop buying Russian oil, threatens 50 percent to 100 percent tariffs on China

BASKING RIDGE: President Donald Trump said Saturday he believes the Russia-Ukraine war would end if all NATO countries stopped buying oil from Russia and placed tariffs on China of 50 percent to 100 percent for its purchases of Russian petroleum. Trump posted on his social media site that NATO’S commitment to winning the war “has […]

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The end of IMEC? US-backed answer to China’s belt and road falters amid Mideast strife

By Tom Hussain Two years ago, it was unveiled with much fanfare as a grand riposte to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Today, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor is being steadily eclipsed by regional hostilities and global disinterest. The architects of the US-backed IMEC, envisaged as a bridge linking India to Europe via the Gulf […]

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China’s newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, sails through Taiwan Strait

BEIING: China said on Friday that its third and newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, recently sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait to carry out “scientific research trials and training missions” in the South China Sea. Beijing has ploughed billions of dollars into modernizing its military in recent years, a trend that has unnerved some governments […]

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Japan ends long-running Russia outreach as war, Western pressure and suspicions take toll

By Julian Ryall Tokyo will close all six of its government-funded Japan Centre offices in Russia – long tasked with promoting trade, language education and business ties – citing major changes in bilateral relations and the view that their mission has run its course. While Japanese officials framed the move as a functional decision, analysts […]

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