When it was announced in 2023 that the African Union would become a full member of the G20, I darkly joked on a podcast that the AU’s entry into the body could very well mark the moment the G20 lost its status as one of the most important global coordination forums. Mark my words, I said, soon The Economist will be like “Uhhh, the G20 is OVER – it’s the ...
Category: Borders
Taliban Announces Arrests Following Attack on Chinese Nationals in Tajikistan
Afghanistan’s Taliban government announced that two suspects have been arrested in connection with an attack on China Road and Bridge Corporation personnel on 30 November. Two people were killed, and two were injured in the attack. Authorities in Tajikistan reportedly ...
Backgrounder: A Chinese Security Crisis on the Afghan-Tajik Border?
A total of five Chinese workers have been killed and a further five injured in successive attacks on the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan. The Chinese embassy in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe advised Chinese nationals and firms to leave the area.
China, Japan in Fresh Incident Around Disputed Islands
Japanese and Chinese vessels engaged in a fresh standoff around disputed islands on Tuesday, the two countries' coast guards said. Relations have been strained since Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested last month that her country could intervene militarily in ...
China Urges Evacuation After Attack on Tajikistan-Afghanistan Border
China’s embassy in Tajikistan called on its nationals to leave the country’s border zone with Afghanistan, after an attack killed three Chinese people and wounded one. The victims worked for the mining company LLC Shohin SM. Tajik authorities said ...
China Amasses 30 Ships in South China Sea Near the Philippines
China amassed 30 naval and coast guard ships around several Philippine-claimed features in the South China Sea, the Philippine Navy said Tuesday. Manila says it’s one of the heaviest Chinese shows of force in waters the Philippines considers its ...
Malaysia Steps Up South China Sea Patrols Amid China Tensions
Malaysia has stepped up patrols in the South China Sea and lodged diplomatic protests over China’s island-building activities, taking firmer steps to protect its maritime claims while trying not to spark unintended incidents, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Wednesday.
Manila to Push South China Sea Code in 2026 ASEAN Chair Role
China and Southeast Asian governments are preparing for another round of talks on a South China Sea Code of Conduct, and the Philippines says it hopes to complete the document when it chairs ASEAN next year. The South China ...
Myanmar Junta Recaptures Town on China Trade Rout
Myanmar's ruling junta said Saturday that it had recaptured a town on a trade highway to China from an ethnic armed group in the country's war-wracked north. Following a 16-day operation, "on 16 October, Tatmadaw reoccupied Hsipaw completely," the state-run Global ...
Afghanistan, Pakistan and (the Limitations of) China’s Neighborhood Engagement
By Lukas Fiala and Saniya Kulkarni The recent escalation between Afghanistan and Pakistan has demonstrated once more the potential for instability in China’s neighborhood. With both sides reaching an initial truce on Wednesday after a series of strikes, Beijing is ...
China-India Relations Remain Fragile Despite Warming Ties
It wasn't that long ago when the leaders from India and China couldn't even look at each other when they were in the same room. Today, the situation is very different. Ties between the two Asian powers have improved dramatically from ...
Disputes Over Gaza, Iran, and Taiwan Sour China-Israeli Ties
In the nearly two years since the October 7th terrorist attack by Hamas against Israel, China's ties with the Jewish state have been tense but largely stable. Clearly, the Israeli government has not been happy over China's outspoken support for its enemies in the Palestinian territories and ...
Chinese and Philippine Ships Collide Near Shoal, Tensions Flare
China’s coast guard used water cannons against Philippine ships and accused Manila of ramming, days after declaring a nature reserve. The Philippines said its vessel was heavily damaged and a crew member was injured during the confrontation. China’s Coast ...