By Meredith Chen As US air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities call into question the anti-war stance of US President Donald Trump, they may also reinforce Beijing’s assumptions about the unpredictability of the US administration, according to diplomatic observers. The attacks could bolster belief in Beijing that Washington might intervene in regional conflicts, prompting stronger […]
Read MoreA South Korean vice industry minister expressed concern on Monday over the potential impact on the country’s trade from recent US strikes on Iran. “As the Middle East situation enters a new phase due to the US airstrike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, there are concerns about the impact on our exports and imports,” first vice […]
Read MoreJapan has canceled a regular high-level meeting with its key ally the United States after the Trump administration demanded it spend more on defense, the Financial Times reported on Friday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had been expected to meet Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani in […]
Read MoreBy Amber Wangin Beijing Manoeuvres around Taiwan by the People’s Liberation Army have become a routine affair, but their tempo and intensity have steadily increased in recent years. What were occasional sorties before 2020 have evolved into a well-coordinated campaign designed not only for combat training but also for strategic signalling. But not all PLA […]
Read MoreSouth Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon-hee has reportedly been hospitalised in Seoul with severe depression as pressure mounts from a sweeping special counsel inquiry into scandals linked to her alleged misconduct – including stock manipulation, bribery and election interference – during her husband’s presidency. Kim, wife of impeached former president Yoon Suk-yeol, was admitted […]
Read MoreBy Kawala Xie China is likely to remain cautious about intervening in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict even if the US engages militarily, a prospect that would bring mixed results for Beijing, according to observers. Speculation over US intervention has grown since last Friday, following Israel’s most intense strikes on Iran in decades. Washington has since […]
Read MoreChina and Central Asian countries are willing to improve road and railway connectivity, and will look to open more direct flights to and from China as they agreed to enhance exchanges, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. China will look at simplifying visa procedures with the five Central Asian countries while […]
Read MoreBy Xiaofei Xu in Paris and Ralph Jennings in Hong Kong China’s chief civilian aircraft maker has secured deals to buy Western-made parts for its first widebody jet – expected to resemble the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 series – despite ongoing turbulence in trade and supply chains. The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) […]
Read MoreSEOUL: A top Russian security official traveled to Pyongyang for the second time this month for another meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Russian state media reported Tuesday, the latest display of the countries’ deepening ties amid President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine. Russia’s Tass news agency said Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey […]
Read MoreBy Holly Chik Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for de-escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict to avoid further tensions, while emphasising that Beijing is prepared to “play a constructive role” in restoring peace, according to state news agency Xinhua. “All parties should work to de-escalate the conflict as soon as possible and avoid further escalation […]
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