Author: Agence France-Presse
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China Calls for Ceasefire, Diplomacy to End Middle East Conflict
China called Monday for a ceasefire and diplomatic talks to end the conflict in the Middle East, as it stretched into a third day. Israel and the United States have been conducting strikes on Iran and Lebanon, with the conflict extending ...
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Shanghai Stocks Close at 10-Year High as Iran Conflict Boosts Energy and Gold Shares; HK Drops
Shanghai stocks closed at a 10-year high on Monday, bucking regional weakness in the wake of the Iran conflict as investors snapped up energy, gold and defense shares. Mainland sentiment was supported by expectations that Beijing may step in to steady markets ahead of a ...
China’s COSCO Orders Gulf-Bound Ships to ‘Safe Waters’
Chinese shipping giant China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO) ordered ships in or bound for the Gulf to seek "safe waters," as traffic in the vital waterway is impeded in the aftermath of U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. The state-owned, Shanghai-based firm is ...
China Says ‘Strongly Condemns’ Khamenei Killing
China said Sunday it "strongly condemns" the United States and Israel's killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling again for a halt to military actions. The killing was "a serious violation of Iran's sovereignty and security, a trampling on ...
China Urges Citizens to Evacuate From Iran ‘as Soon as Possible’
China told its citizens on Friday to evacuate from Iran "as soon as possible", and those in Israel to strengthen preparedness, citing a significant rise in security risks in the Middle East. "Chinese nationals currently in Iran are advised to strengthen safety ...
China Calls for Afghanistan-Pakistan Ceasefire
China called on Friday for a ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan, adding it was talking to both sides to try to end violent clashes that had left Beijing "deeply concerned." Pakistan is one of China's closest partners in the region, but ...
Post-Uprising Polls Won’t Shake Nepal’s Delicate India-China Balance
By Aishwarya Kumar Nepal votes next week for the first time since deadly anti-corruption protests toppled the government, but analysts say any winner will likely maintain the delicate diplomatic balance between its two giant neighbors, India and China. ...
WTO to Examine Chinese Complaint Over India Batteries, E-Vehicles
The World Trade Organization said Tuesday it would establish an expert panel to examine a Chinese complaint over Indian incentive schemes in the automotive and renewable energy sectors. The WTO said in a statement that its Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) had ...
Japan to Deploy Missile Systems on Island Near Taiwan by 2031: Defence Minister
Japan's government plans to deploy surface-to-air missiles on one of its remote western islands near Taiwan by March 2031, the country's defence minister said on Tuesday. It is the first time Japan has specified the timing of the deployment.
Panama Wrests Control of Canal Ports From Hong Kong Group
Panamanian authorities took control Monday of two ports on the Panama Canal from CK Hutchison after the Hong Kong-based conglomerate's concession was annulled amid a row between the United States and China. "The Panama Maritime Authority has taken possession of its ...
Philippine Senator Calls out China in Visit to Disputed Island
By Jam Sta Rosa A Philippine senator called for deepening defense relationships and "continuous" pushback against China's claims in the South China Sea while visiting one of Manila's tiny possessions in the disputed waterway on Saturday.
India and Brazil Strike Rare Earths Deal as Nations Seek Alternatives to China
By Abhaya Srivastava India and Brazil agreed to boost cooperation on critical minerals and rare earths on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after talks in New Delhi with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
China Slowdown Hits Rio Tinto Earnings Despite Revenue Gains
Mining giant Rio Tinto's net profit fell in 2025 as costs climbed and it took a hit from a slump in the Chinese economy, company results showed Thursday. The British-Australian firm said the results "demonstrate clear progress as we embed our ...
Japan Seizes Chinese Fishing Vessel, Arrests Captain
By Hiroshi Hiyama Japanese authorities seized a Chinese fishing boat and arrested its skipper, authorities said Friday, in a move likely to further heighten tensions with Beijing. In November, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi enraged China ...
Taiwan Leader Warns Countries in Region ‘Next’ in Case of China Attack: AFP Interview
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te warned that countries in the region would be China's next targets should Beijing seize the democratic island, as he insisted that Taiwan must dramatically shore up its defences. Speaking to AFP in his first interview with a ...
Bolivia Wants Closer U.S. Ties, Without Alienating China: Minister
By José Arturo Cárdenas Bolivia's new government plans to restore full diplomatic ties with Washington "as soon as possible," after a nearly two-decade rupture, Foreign Minister Fernando Aramayo told AFP. Relations between Washington and the ...
Philippines Aims to Wrap up Talks on South China Sea Code This Year
The Philippines said on Friday it will seek to accelerate long‑running talks on a South China Sea code of conduct to a conclusion this year as chair of the ASEAN regional bloc. Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro told a forum in Singapore ...
Anger Mounts in Senegal Over Chinese Firm’s Sanitary Pad Scandal
Anger is mounting in Senegal over the alleged use of expired materials in sanitary pads and diapers by a leading Chinese firm, which denies any wrongdoing or bribery. The West African country's pharmaceutical regulator late last year accused Softcare of possessing ...
CK Hutchison Begins Arbitration Against Panama Over Annulled Canal Contract
Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison said in a statement Tuesday it has initiated international arbitration against Panama, after a ruling by the country's top court annulled a concession allowing it to operate ports at the Panama Canal. Panama's Supreme Court last ...
China’s BYD Designing New Model for India: Senior Official
China's BYD, the world's top electric carmaker, is preparing a new model for India as it looks to continue its rapid overseas growth, executive vice president Stella Li told AFP on Tuesday. Engineers at BYD's headquarters in Shenzhen, southern China, are ...
China Tells Russia’s Shoigu Relations Could ‘Break New Ground’
China's top diplomat told Russia's security chief that bilateral relations could "break new ground" this year as the two officials met in Beijing on Sunday, according to an official government statement. Beijing and Moscow have ramped up economic cooperation and diplomatic ...
Trump Says He Welcomes Chinese Investment in Venezuelan Oil
U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday he would "welcome" Chinese investment in Venezuela's oil industry as the South American country seeks to revive its battered economy following the ouster of leader Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela sits on the world's largest proven oil ...
Japan PM Says U.S. Alliance Would Collapse if Tokyo Ignored Taiwan Crisis
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the alliance between Tokyo and Washington would collapse if Japan failed to act in the event of an attack on the U.S. military during a conflict in Taiwan. Detailing the Japanese response to a hypothetical ...
Xi Says China Seeks to Uphold UN-Based World Order
President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that China seeks to uphold the UN-based world order, in remarks as he met Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Beijing. His comments come after Donald Trump unveiled plans for his new "Board of Peace" this ...
Migration, China Ties Dominate as Trump Ally Prepares to Lead Honduras
By Joan Suazo Conservative businessman Nasry "Tito" Asfura will be sworn in Tuesday as president of Honduras, two months after being helped to election victory by U.S. President Donald Trump. Asfura was declared the winner ...
China Warns Citizens Against Japan Travel During Lunar New Year
China warned its citizens on Monday against travelling to Japan during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, citing deteriorating public security, with Tokyo and Beijing locked in a diplomatic spat. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's suggestion in November that Tokyo could ...
U.S. Warship Makes First Call at Cambodia’s Chinese-Renovated Naval Base
By Suy Se A U.S. warship on Saturday made a port call at a Cambodian naval base for the first time since Chinese renovations that have raised concerns in Washington, AFP journalists saw. The United ...
U.S. Military to Prioritize Homeland and Curbing China, Limit Support for Allies
The U.S. military will prioritize protecting the homeland and deterring China while providing "more limited" support to allies in Europe and elsewhere, a Pentagon strategy document released on Friday said. The 2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS) marks a significant departure from ...
Beijing Urges Afghanistan to Protect Chinese Citizens After Bombing
Beijing demanded on Tuesday that Afghanistan protect Chinese citizens after a bombing at a restaurant in Kabul killed at least seven people, including a Chinese man. China, which shares a rugged 76-kilometer border with Afghanistan, has close ties with the Taliban ...
Chinese Victim of Kabul Restaurant Bombing Laid to Rest
By Qubad Wali and Bais Yusufi Mourners gathered Tuesday for the funeral of a Chinese man killed in a restaurant bombing in central Kabul, where Afghans were picking up the pieces of their shattered shops. ...
Vietnam Leader Seeks China-Style Powers at Party Conclave
By Ty McCormick Vietnam's top leader To Lam is expected to address a twice-a-decade congress of the Communist Party on Tuesday, where he is seeking expanded powers similar to China's political structure. The Southeast Asian ...
China Tells Cambodia Scam Hub Disappearances Threaten Ties
China's embassy in Cambodia said on Saturday that a recent spate of disappearances of Chinese nationals into cyberfraud compounds poses a "serious obstacle" to the allies' ties. Ambassador Wang Wenbin urged Phnom Penh to strengthen a crackdown on the illicit industry ...
China Protests Over Philippine Coast Guard’s Xi Images
The Chinese Embassy in Manila said Friday it has filed a diplomatic protest against a Philippine Coast Guard spokesman over a social media post that included cartoonish images of President Xi Jinping. Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela and an embassy official ...
China Offers Extensive Free-Trade Deal to Kenya
Kenya has secured zero-duty access for almost all its exports to China in a preliminary deal, its trade minister said Thursday, as Nairobi seeks to offset the impact of higher U.S. tariffs. The Kenya-China deal aims to diversify the East African ...
China Offers Leniency if Cronies of Accused Scam Boss Surrender
China called on Thursday for the criminal associates of accused scam boss Chen Zhi to voluntarily surrender in exchange for lighter sentences, after their alleged ringleader was extradited from Cambodia. Chen has been indicted by the United States on fraud and ...
Russia, China Unlikely to Back Iran Against U.S. Military Threats
By Fabien Zamora with Ludovic Ehret in Beijing While Russia and China are ready to back protest-rocked Iran under threat by U.S. President Donald Trump, that support would diminish in the face of U.S. military action, experts told AFP.
U.S. Backs Major Naval Expansion in Peru, as China Deepens Its Port Presence
The United States said Thursday it had approved a $1.5 billion deal for the expansion of a naval base in Peru, where China has funded a separate mega-port. The State Department said Peru requested $1.5 billion in equipment and services to ...
Thailand Train Accident Kills 28 at China-Backed Project
By Montira Rungjirajittranon and Pasika Khernamnuoy A crane at a China-backed high-speed rail project in Thailand collapsed onto a passenger train on Wednesday and caused it to derail, killing at least 28 people and injuring dozens more, authorities said.
China’s Trade Surplus Hit Record $1.2 Trillion in 2025
China reported strong trade numbers for 2025 on Wednesday, as its surplus rose year-on-year to a record $1.2 trillion despite a slump in exports to the United States after President Donald Trump hiked tariffs. Last year's bruising trade war between Washington ...
Cambodia Suspends Sales at Properties Owned by Accused Cyberscam Front
Cambodia has frozen sales of luxury properties by a U.S.-sanctioned conglomerate after its founder was extradited to China and charged by Washington for allegedly running multibillion-dollar transnational cyberscams. Prince Group founder and chairman Chen Zhi was extradited to China from Cambodia ...
China Says Will ‘Safeguard’ Interests After Trump Tariff Threat Over Iran
China said on Tuesday it would protect its rights and interests after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on any country doing business with Iran. "We have always believed that there are no winners in a tariff war, ...
U.S. Moves to Enlist India in AI Supply Chain Push to Counter China
India will be invited next month to join a new U.S.-led initiative aimed at securing AI supply chains, the new U.S. ambassador to New Delhi said Monday. Ties between the allies have plummeted after U.S. President Donald Trump slapped 50 percent ...
Sri Lanka Seeks Chinese Aid to Rebuild After Deadly Cyclone
Sri Lanka asked China to help rebuild key infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, which killed at least 641 people and caused extensive damage, the island's foreign minister said on Monday. Vijitha Herath said he made the request during talks with his ...
South Africa Defends Naval Drills With China, Iran, and Russia as ‘Essential’
South Africa on Saturday began naval drills with Russia, Iran, and China, describing the maneuvers off its coast as not merely a show of force but a vital response to rising maritime tensions. The week‑long 'Will for Peace 2026' exercises come ...
China Opposes Foreign Interference in Tanzania: Ministry
China's top diplomat on Saturday warned against foreign interference in Tanzania as he concluded a visit during which he made no mention of the political violence that has soured the East African country's relations with the West. Wang Yi is the ...
Russia Joins Chinese, Iran Warships for Drills off South Africa
A Russian warship arrived off South Africa's main naval base on Friday to join Chinese and Iranian vessels in military exercises that risk further damaging Pretoria's relations with Washington. The exercises draw together several nations feuding with the US administration and ...
China FM Skips Historic Somalia Visit, Lands in Tanzania
China's top diplomat Wang Yi skipped what would have been a historic visit to Somalia on Friday, instead proceeding straight to Tanzania on his tour of African countries. The visit would have been the first by a Chinese foreign minister to ...
Japan to Test Deep Sea Rare Earth Mining to Cut China Reliance
Japan embarks Sunday on what it says is the world's first bid to tap deep sea rare earths at a depth of 6,000 metres -- greater than the height of Mount Fuji -- to curb dependence on China. A Japanese deep-sea ...
China: The Indispensable Partner of Maduro’s Venezuela
By Peter Catterall China was the dominant buyer of Venezuelan oil under deposed president Nicolas Maduro, the fulcrum of a symbiotic partnership that propped up the South American economy and gave Beijing regional influence. But ...
Fresh From China, South Korea President to Visit Japan
South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung will travel to Japan next week for talks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Seoul said Friday, days after meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. The visit to Takaichi's picturesque hometown of Nara on Tuesday ...
Chinese, Iranian Warships in South Africa for Exercises
Chinese and Iranian warships were docked off South Africa's main navy base Thursday ahead of exercises that officials said were also meant to involve Russia. The January 9-16 "Will for Peace" drill hosted by South Africa risks further straining its ties ...
African Union Reaffirms ‘One China’ Policy in FM visit
The African Union reaffirmed its commitment to the "One China" policy, denying Taiwan's independence, during a visit by China's top diplomat Wang Yi to its headquarters in Ethiopia on Thursday. Wang was at the start of a visit to several east ...
China Confirms Extradition of Accused Scam Boss Chen Zhi as Cambodia Liquidates His Bank
Accused scam boss Chen Zhi has been extradited to China from Cambodia, Beijing confirmed on Thursday, after he was indicted by the United States over alleged multibillion-dollar fraud. Video released by China's Ministry of Public Security on Thursday showed Chen in ...
Cambodia Liquidates Prince Bank With Scam Kingpin Chen Zhi Arrest Exposing Global Fraud Network
A Cambodian bank founded by accused scam boss Chen Zhi, who has been indicted by the United States over multibillion-dollar fraud and extradited to China, was ordered liquidated Thursday, Cambodia's central bank said. Prince Bank "has been placed under liquidation in ...
South Korea’s Lee Says Urged Xi to Help Curb North’s Nukes
By Agatha Cantrill with Kang Jin-kyu in Seoul South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday he had urged Chinese leader Xi Jinping to help him curb Pyongyang's nuclear programme and suggested a freeze in its development of weapons of mass ...
South Korea’s Lee Snaps Xi Selfie With Chinese ‘Backdoor’ Phone
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung snapped a selfie with Xi Jinping using a smartphone gifted to him by the Chinese leader, who had joked at their last meeting that the device might be capable of spying. Lee posted three selfies ...
South Korea’s Lee to Meet Xi With Trade, Pyongyang on the Agenda
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will meet Monday with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing, with closer economic ties as well as the recalcitrant North on the agenda. Lee is the first South Korean leader to visit Beijing in six ...
China’s Xi Congratulates Guinea Junta Chief on Election Win
Chinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated Guinea's junta chief on his presidential election victory, state media reported Monday, a day after the African country's supreme court validated his landslide result. Mamady Doumbouya was credited with 86.72 percent of votes cast in ...
China Calls on U.S. to ‘Immediately Release’ Venezuela’s Maduro
China called on the United States on Sunday to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after Washington carried out a strike on Caracas and captured the leader. "China calls on the U.S. to ensure the personal safety of President Nicolas Maduro ...
After Venezuela, China Is Watching How Washington Defines Its Sphere of Influence
By Shaun Tandon With a major attack to arrest Venezuela's leader, President Donald Trump is showing that the United States will impose its will in its neighborhood -- and the lesson may not be lost on Russia and China.
S. Korean President Heads to China, Hoping to Sidestep Taiwan Tensions
By Hieun Shin South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung heads to China on Sunday, eager to boost economic ties with Seoul's largest trading partner while keeping a lid on potentially explosive issues such as Taiwan. ...
China’s Factory Activity Edges up, Snapping 8-Month Slide
China's factory activity ticked up slightly in December, official data showed Wednesday, an unexpected silver lining to cap an otherwise lacklustre end to the year for the world's second-largest economy. A key measure of industrial health, the manufacturing purchasing managers' index ...
China Launches Military Drills Simulating Blockade of Taiwan Ports
By Peter Catterall with Joy Chiang in Taipei China launched live-fire drills around Taiwan on Monday that it said would simulate a blockade of the self-ruled island's key ports, prompting Taipei to condemn Beijing's "military intimidation."
Monument Honoring China’s Contribution to Panama Canal Torn Down
Near the entrance to the Panama Canal, a monument to China's contributions to the interoceanic waterway was torn down Saturday night by order of local authorities. The move comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has made threats in recent months to ...
At UN, Russia and China Criticize U.S. Conduct Toward Venezuela
Russia and China on Tuesday criticized the United States for its military and economic pressure on Venezuela, telling the UN Security Council it was "cowboy behavior" and "intimidation." Venezuela, which requested the emergency council meeting with the backing of Moscow and ...
Kuwait Signs $4.1 Billion Deal With China to Build Port
Kuwait has signed a $4.1 billion deal with China to complete construction of a major port, as the oil-rich country seeks to diversify its economy and play a larger role in global trade. The State Audit Bureau, a government oversight body ...
China Launches WTO Complaint Over India Solar, IT Trade Measures
China launched a complaint with the World Trade Organization over Indian measures on trade of solar cells and modules as well as information technology goods, the global trade body said Tuesday. The WTO said that Beijing had requested that it initiate ...
Disputed Myanmar Election Wins China’s Vote of Confidence
Myanmar's military-run elections are being pilloried abroad and shunned at home, but neighboring China has emerged as an enthusiastic backer of the pariah poll. International monitors have dismissed the vote starting Sunday as a charade to rebrand Myanmar's military rule since ...
Cambodia Says Chinese National Wounded by Thai Military Shelling
A Chinese national was wounded by Thai military shelling into Cambodia on Monday, Phnom Penh's interior ministry said, as the Southeast Asian neighbors waged deadly border clashes. Thai forces fired "artillery shells into civilian areas" of Cambodia's border province of Battambang, ...
China’s Rare Earths El Dorado Gives Strategic Edge
By Peter Catterall Buried in the reddish soil of southern China lies latent power: one of the largest clusters of critical rare earths is mined around the clock by a secretive, heavily guarded industry. The ...
Japan Targets Central Asia’s Critical Minerals in Bid to Reduce Reliance on China
Japan unveiled a five-year goal on Saturday for business projects totalling $19 billion in Central Asia as Tokyo vies for influence in the resource-rich region. The announcement came after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hosted an inaugural summit with the leaders of ...
China, Ukraine Diplomats Discuss Russia Invasion in Beijing Talks
A senior Ukrainian diplomat held talks with a Chinese official in Beijing on Thursday, both sides said, including on resolving the nearly four-year conflict in Ukraine triggered by Russia's invasion. The visit represented a rare meeting between officials from Kyiv and ...
U.S. Grants Loan for Strategic Angola Rail Line
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) said it has agreed a loan for the refurbishment of a rail link in Angola strategic for the transport of minerals which are in high demand at American firms. In an announcement Wednesday, the ...
U.S. Approves $11 Billion in Arms Sales to Taiwan: Taipei
Washington has approved $11 billion-worth of arms to Taiwan, Taipei said Thursday, announcing one of the largest weapons packages for the island as it seeks to deter a potential Chinese invasion. While Washington is traditionally Taiwan's biggest arms supplier, remarks by ...
Taiwan Eyes Fresh Diplomatic Ties With Honduras
By Allison Jackson and Amber Wang with Joan Suazo in Tegucigalpa Taiwanese seafood trader Jay Yen used to import 2,000 tonnes of shrimp a year from Honduras before the Central American country cut diplomatic ties with the democratic island in 2023. ...
PM Takaichi Says Japan ‘Always Open’ to Dialogue With China
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Wednesday she is "always open" to dialogue with China despite a diplomatic row between Tokyo and Beijing over comments she made about Taiwan. "China is an important neighbour for Japan, and we need to ...
Japan’s Only Two Pandas to Be Sent Back to China: Reports
Two pandas at a Tokyo zoo will be returned to China in January, Japanese media said on Monday, potentially leaving Japan without the beloved animals for the first time in half a century. Loaned out as part of China's "panda diplomacy" ...
Philippines Says Fishermen Injured in China Coast Guard Encounter
Three Filipino fishermen were injured when China Coast Guard vessels sprayed their boats with water cannons and cut their anchor lines in a disputed area of the South China Sea, Philippine authorities said Saturday. Beijing said Friday it had taken "necessary ...
U.S., Japan Defense Chiefs Say China Harming Regional Peace
By Hiroshi Hiyama Beijing's actions are "not conducive to regional peace", Japan's defense minister and U.S. counterpart Pete Hegseth agreed during a call after Chinese aircraft locked radar on Japanese jets near Taiwan, Tokyo said Friday.
China’s Top Diplomat to Visit Middle East This Week
China's top diplomat Wang Yi will begin a tour of the Middle East on Friday for bilateral talks in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, Beijing said Thursday. Wang will visit from 12 to 16 December for talks with ...
U.S., Japan Hold Joint Air Exercise After China-Russia Patrols
Japan said Thursday it held a joint air exercise with the United States in a show of force, days after Chinese-Russian patrols in the region and following weeks of diplomatic feuding between Tokyo and Beijing. The Japanese joint chiefs of staff ...
Japan, NATO Share ‘Grave Concern’ Over China, Russia Flights: Tokyo
NATO chief Mark Rutte and Japan's defence minister shared their "grave concerns" about recent joint patrols by Chinese and Russian aircraft, Tokyo said. The incident on Tuesday came as Japan-China relations worsen after comments by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about Taiwan ...
Mexico Approves Measure Raising Tariffs on Chinese Imports
Mexican lawmakers on Wednesday backed a measure to raise tariffs on goods from China and other countries that do not have trade agreements with Mexico, despite strong pushback from Beijing. The move, spearheaded by President Claudia Sheinbaum and approved by the ...
As China Cracks Down on Ivory, Japan’s Open Market Becomes a Backdoor for Traffickers
At his store in Tokyo's ritzy Ginza district, Hajime Sasaki displays a disparate array of wares, from chopsticks to Buddha statues -- including many made of ivory. International trade in elephant ivory is illegal, but Japan hosts one of the world's ...
South Korea Scrambles Jets After Russian, Chinese Planes Approach
South Korea said it had sent up fighter jets on Tuesday after seven Russian and two Chinese military aircraft entered its air defense zone. The Russian and Chinese aircraft entered the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) around 10 am local ...
China’s Trade Surplus Tops $1 Trillion Despite Plunge in US-Bound Exports
By Peter Catterall China's towering annual trade surplus surpassed $1 trillion for the first time last month, data showed Monday, as a sharp drop in shipments to the United States was offset by surging exports to other major markets.
Macron Threatens China With Tariffs Over Trade Surplus
French President Emmanuel Macron said he has threatened China with tariffs if Beijing fails to take steps to reduce its massive trade surplus with the EU, in remarks published Sunday. "I told them that if they don't react, we Europeans will ...
Tokyo Says Chinese Jets Locked Radar Onto Japan Fighters
By Kyoko Hasegawa Chinese military aircraft locked radar onto Japanese fighter jets southeast of Okinawa's main island, Japan's defence ministry said on Sunday. Relations between Tokyo and Beijing have soured following remarks by new Japanese ...
German Foreign Minister to Visit China for Economic Talks
Germany's foreign minister heads to China this weekend for talks focused on tense economic ties between Europe and Beijing, particularly in the area of rare earths, Berlin said Friday. Johann Wadephul was originally supposed to pay his first visit to China ...
In Congo’s Cobalt Belt, a Chinese Miner’s Waste Leaves Villages Poisoned and Furious
By Camille Lafont Carrying her sore-pocked daughter across her decaying field, Helene Mvubu says she is one of thousands to have fallen victim to the toxic waste defiling the Democratic Republic of Congo's mining capital. ...
After Review, Pentagon Confirms Submarine Sales to Australia
The Pentagon said Thursday it has endorsed the tripartite AUKUS security pact with the United Kingdom and Australia, which would involve Canberra's acquisition of at least three Virginia-class nuclear submarines within 15 years. The administration of Donald Trump said earlier this ...
Macron Tells Xi China, France Must Overcome ‘Differences’
French President Emmanuel Macron told Xi Jinping that France and China must overcome their "differences" during their meeting in Beijing on Thursday. "Sometimes there are differences, but it is our responsibility to overcome them for the greater good," Macron told Xi ...
Malaysia Says Search for Long-Missing Flight MH370 to Resume
By Isabelle Leong The search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 will resume at the end of December, Malaysia said on Wednesday, more than a decade after the plane disappeared. The nation's Transport Minister, Anthony ...
Tajikistan Says Two Chinese Citizens Killed in Latest Attacks on Afghan Border
Tajikistan on Monday said two more Chinese citizens died in new attacks on the border with Afghanistan last week, as it urged Kabul to ensure security in the region. The former Soviet republic shares a lengthy mountainous border with Afghanistan and ...
Amid a Global Arms Boom, China Confronts Delays, Scrutiny, and a Rare Drop in Defense Sales
Sales by the world's top 100 arms makers reached a record $679 billion last year, as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza boosted demand, researchers said Monday, but production issues hampered deliveries. The figure was 5.9 percent higher than the year before, ...
China’s Top Diplomat to Visit Russia for Security Talks
China's top diplomat Wang Yi will visit Russia next week to attend security talks, Beijing's foreign ministry announced Friday, as the United States renews its push to end the war in Ukraine. Wang will travel to Russia for a routine China-Russia ...
Kenya Launches $1.5 Billion Road Project With Chinese Firms
Kenya on Friday launched a $1.5 billion road expansion project financed by Chinese firms, including a state-owned company. Beijing is among Kenya's top five development lenders, with Nairobi owing China some $4.7 billion, according to official 2025 data. ...
Japan Denies Report That Trump Told PM Not to Provoke China on Taiwan
Japan denied on Thursday a Wall Street Journal report that said U.S. President Donald Trump had advised Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi not to provoke China over Taiwan's sovereignty. The row between Asia's two biggest economies began after Takaichi suggested this month ...
Three Chinese Citizens Killed in Tajik-Afghan Border Clash
Three Chinese workers in Tajikistan were killed in an attack launched from Afghanistan near the border, Tajik authorities said Thursday. Tajikistan has strained relations with the Taliban in Afghanistan and several border clashes have broken out in recent months.
India Launches $815 Million Plan to Cut Reliance on China for Rare Earth Magnets
India has approved a more than $800 million plan to boost production of rare earth magnets in an effort to secure supplies and cut its dependence on imports from countries like China. Rare earth permanent magnets (REPMs), some of the strongest ...
Ren Hanjun, a visiting professor at Peking University, posted a commentary on WeChat that was shared tens of thousands times entitled "Wars are easy to start, difficult to end."
The following is a transcript of a commentary posted on WeChat by Ren Hanjun, a visiting professor at a Peking University think tank who also posts video commentaries on international affairs on his WeChat channel 老任财富故事会 (Lao Ren’s Wealth Stories). This particular post about the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran went viral ...
China Calls for Ceasefire, Diplomacy to End Middle East Conflict
China called Monday for a ceasefire and diplomatic talks to end the conflict in the Middle East, as it stretched into a third day. Israel and the United States have been conducting strikes on Iran and Lebanon, with the conflict extending ...
Shanghai Stocks Close at 10-Year High as Iran Conflict Boosts Energy and Gold Shares; HK Drops
Shanghai stocks closed at a 10-year high on Monday, bucking regional weakness in the wake of the Iran conflict as investors snapped up energy, gold and defense shares. Mainland sentiment was supported by expectations that Beijing may step in to steady markets ahead of a ...
China’s COSCO Orders Gulf-Bound Ships to ‘Safe Waters’
Chinese shipping giant China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO) ordered ships in or bound for the Gulf to seek "safe waters," as traffic in the vital waterway is impeded in the aftermath of U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. The state-owned, Shanghai-based firm is ...
China Says ‘Strongly Condemns’ Khamenei Killing
China said Sunday it "strongly condemns" the United States and Israel's killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling again for a halt to military actions. The killing was "a serious violation of Iran's sovereignty and security, a trampling on ...
China Urges Citizens to Evacuate From Iran ‘as Soon as Possible’
China told its citizens on Friday to evacuate from Iran "as soon as possible", and those in Israel to strengthen preparedness, citing a significant rise in security risks in the Middle East. "Chinese nationals currently in Iran are advised to strengthen safety ...
China Calls for Afghanistan-Pakistan Ceasefire
China called on Friday for a ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan, adding it was talking to both sides to try to end violent clashes that had left Beijing "deeply concerned." Pakistan is one of China's closest partners in the region, but ...
Post-Uprising Polls Won’t Shake Nepal’s Delicate India-China Balance
By Aishwarya Kumar Nepal votes next week for the first time since deadly anti-corruption protests toppled the government, but analysts say any winner will likely maintain the delicate diplomatic balance between its two giant neighbors, India and China. ...
WTO to Examine Chinese Complaint Over India Batteries, E-Vehicles
The World Trade Organization said Tuesday it would establish an expert panel to examine a Chinese complaint over Indian incentive schemes in the automotive and renewable energy sectors. The WTO said in a statement that its Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) had ...
Japan to Deploy Missile Systems on Island Near Taiwan by 2031: Defence Minister
Japan's government plans to deploy surface-to-air missiles on one of its remote western islands near Taiwan by March 2031, the country's defence minister said on Tuesday. It is the first time Japan has specified the timing of the deployment.
Panama Wrests Control of Canal Ports From Hong Kong Group
Panamanian authorities took control Monday of two ports on the Panama Canal from CK Hutchison after the Hong Kong-based conglomerate's concession was annulled amid a row between the United States and China. "The Panama Maritime Authority has taken possession of its ...
Philippine Senator Calls out China in Visit to Disputed Island
By Jam Sta Rosa A Philippine senator called for deepening defense relationships and "continuous" pushback against China's claims in the South China Sea while visiting one of Manila's tiny possessions in the disputed waterway on Saturday.
India and Brazil Strike Rare Earths Deal as Nations Seek Alternatives to China
By Abhaya Srivastava India and Brazil agreed to boost cooperation on critical minerals and rare earths on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after talks in New Delhi with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.