The BRICS group wrapped up its two-day leaders’ summit in Rio de Janeiro on Monday. The summit’s final communique is a 16,000-word doorstop that covers numerous issues from economics to education.
The communique avoids any direct mention of the United States, and references to “unilateralism” and other coded criticism are also relatively scarce. Rather, the communique keeps the focus on the BRICS’ vision of the strengthening and reform of the global multilateral system ...
Category: Conflict
Iran’s Isolation Highlights China’s Calculated Restraint
By Razan Shawamreh The recent Iran-Israel war has underscored a sobering reality for Tehran: When push comes to shove, China is far more likely to adapt to Iran’s decline or collapse than bear the costs of coming to its aid.
Analysis from Cobus van Staden
Diminishing U.S. Influence? Chinese Official Positions and Expert Debate on the Israel-Iran Conflict
By Miriam Verzellino and Andrea Ghiselli On June 13, Israel launched a series of air and missile strikes against Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, military installations, air defense systems, as well as prominent military leaders, politicians and nuclear scientists. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin ...
Russia’s Lavrov Visits Beijing to Discuss Ukraine
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met Sunday in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart to discuss Ukraine and relations with the United States. Russia's top diplomat arrived in China following a visit to North Korea, where he received assurances of support in ...
China Threatens Myanmar Militias on Rare Earths
China has reportedly threatened to stop buying rare earth minerals from areas in Myanmar held by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) an ethnic militia battling Myanmar’s ruling military junta. The threat comes as KIA and junta forces have been fighting for control of the town of Bhamo, ...
China Says German Plane Laser Claim ‘Inconsistent With Facts’
Beijing dismissed on Wednesday claims by Berlin that the Chinese military had directed a laser at a German aircraft over the Red Sea as "completely inconsistent with the facts". The foreign ministry in Berlin said on Tuesday that a German aircraft ...
Why Iran May Be Forced to Kneel: Chinese Commentator Analyzes the Post-war Power Play
A recent commentary from the WeChat public account “战略观察家 (Strategic Observer)” argues that despite Ayatollah Khamenei’s fiery speeches declaring victory and pledging never to surrender, Tehran could soon agree to major concessions under mounting American and Israeli pressure, including giving up its enriched uranium stockpile and ...
Israel May Strike Iran Again With Trump’s Backing, Driven by Politics Not Just Nuclear Weapons, Chinese Commentators Say
A Chinese military commentary argues that a renewed Israeli military strike on Iran is highly likely, especially in light of recent U.S. media reports. The piece suggests that Israel’s push toward conflict reflects not just strategic concerns over Iran’s nuclear program but also deep-rooted political troubles at ...
Berlin Says China Targeted German Plane With Laser Over Red Sea
Berlin on Tuesday said the Chinese military had targeted a laser at a German aircraft participating in an EU-led mission to protect marine traffic in the Red Sea. "Endangering German personnel and disrupting the operation is entirely unacceptable," the foreign ministry ...
Pakistani Army Chief Rejects China Allegations
The head of Pakistan's army, Field Marshal Asim Munir, rejected comments by a senior Indian defense official that Pakistan received active support from China in its recent conflict with India. On Friday, the deputy chief of the Indian army, Lieutenant ...
Fiji PM Says Chinese Base Is Not Welcome
Fiji opposes the idea of a Chinese military base in the Pacific Islands, Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said on Wednesday. He told the National Press Club in Sydney that the island countries are navigating Chinese power and that Beijing knows he would lobby other countries in ...
China Sanctions Philippine Senator Who Crafted South China Sea Claim
The Chinese announced sanctions against Francis Tolentino, the former Senate majority leader of the Philippines. The move bars Tolentino, whose term ended on Monday, from traveling to the Chinese mainland, Macau, and Hong Kong. Tolentino was the main author of the
Fake War Footage Clouds Israel-Iran Conflict, Say Chinese Fact-Checkers
A recent investigation by Mingcha (明查)—the fact-checking and fake news verification desk under The Paper, a major Shanghai-based digital news outlet—has revealed how an avalanche of AI-generated images, video game footage, and recycled clips have flooded social media during the recent Israel-Iran conflict. ...
China’s Internet Shines a Light on the Hidden Struggles of Construction Workers in Israel
As the Israel-Iran conflict drags on, a typically overlooked workforce has suddenly entered the public eye: Chinese construction laborers in Israel. Despite its image as a high-tech nation, Israel relies heavily on foreign manual labor—especially in construction. Chinese workers, in particular, dominate skilled trades like tiling, carpentry, ...