U.S. Reaffirms Defense of Philippines in Event of ‘Armed Attack’ by Beijing in Ever-Escalating South China Sea Confrontations

The U.S. reiterated a warning Monday that it would defend the Philippines in the event of an armed attack after Chinese ships collided with two Filipino vessels off a contested area of the South China Sea. Washington's increasingly vocal support for Manila ...

Thai Land Bridge Project (Possibly) Gets Chinese Interest

Thai officials say the Chinese construction giant China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC) expressed interest in a project touted by the Thai government that would build double deep-sea ports in Chumphong and Ranong, linked by road, rail, and pipelines to connect the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. ...

Mexico and China In Talks to Curb Fentanyl Trade

Mexico and China are reportedly discussing how to control the flow of ingredients used to make fentanyl. The deadly opioid is about fifty times stronger than heroin and causes numerous overdoses in the United States per year. Despite Mexico and China denying ...

U.S., China Both Operating Carrier Strike Groups in the South China Sea

The tensions that were stoked Sunday when Philippine and Chinese vessels collided in the South China Sea come at a time when China and the U.S. have numerous warships deployed in relatively close proximity. The U.S. Navy’s current South China Sea-focused ...

China Comes to Philippines Confrontation With Cameras Ready

In previous confrontations between China and the Philippines at sea, the Chinese were slow to release video and to rebut Philippine allegations of what transpired. Not this time. Chinese state media and influencers were quick ...

China-Philippines at-Sea Collisions Prompt Mutual Recriminations and Questions Why This Happened Now

The Philippines and China are trading accusations of “provocative” actions after their vessels in the South China Sea collided twice on Sunday — raising already white-hot tensions after multiple aggressive encounters in the region recently. The run-ins occurred near the disputed Second ...

China Limits Exports of Graphite to Counter U.S. Technology Restrictions

The Chinese government announced it will soon restrict the export of three grades of graphite, a key ingredient in EV batteries and nuclear power plants, in retaliation for U.S.-led restrictions on technology sales to Chinese companies. China's Ministry of Commerce ...

Pentagon Report Shows Not Much Has Changed in Chinese Military Engagement in the Global South

The Pentagon has issued its annual report on China’s military capability. While it notes an increase in China’s overall military strength, especially how fast it’s building up its nuclear arsenal, not much has seemingly changed in terms of China’s military expansion in the Global South.

Can’t Be Ambiguous and Mediate: The Limits of China’s Involvement in Israel-Palestine

By Felix Brender 王哲謙 and Lukas Fiala Invigorated by having kicked the Saudi-Iranian deal over the finish line earlier this year, China had initially tried to appear neutral and present itself as a potential mediator in the most recent escalation in violence between Israelis ...

Belt and Road Forum Concludes as Geopolitical Clouds Gather

The Belt and Road Forum has wrapped up with an eye-watering list of new initiatives and events, and commitments. Some of these are strikingly vague and/or abstract and working out exactly what they entail will take a while. What is notable ...

Wang Yi to Challenges Western BRI-Rivals: Bring it On

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a press conference following the closing ceremony of this week’s Belt and Road Forum that summed up the sprawling event as an example of a confident China’s openness to working with the world (and especially the Global South) to boost mutual development.

Vietnam’s “Multi-Alignment” Strategy: Friend to All, Ally to None

Most developing countries around the world have stated repeatedly and emphatically that they do not want to be drawn into a new Cold War between the United States and China -- few, though, have moved with as much determination as Vietnam to ensure that never happens.
Page 43 of 1631424344163