Philippines, Canada Sign Visiting Troops Deal

The Philippines signed a visiting forces agreement with Canada on Sunday, the latest in a series of pacts aimed at countering Beijing's assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea. The Philippines and China have engaged in frequent clashes in the crucial ...

Japan-U.S. Ties Key to Deterring China ‘Aggression’: Pentagon

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said Wednesday the Japan-U.S. alliance was "critical to deterring Chinese military aggression", as his Japanese counterpart confirmed plans to accelerate a defense spending target. The comments came in the wake of the first face-to-face meeting Tuesday between ...

Pentagon Chief Hegseth Set for Multi-Country Asia Tour

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will visit four Asian countries in the coming days, the Pentagon announced Sunday, his second tour of the "priority" region where Washington is urging increased spending by allies to counter China. The Pentagon said in a ...

North Korea’s Kim Hails ‘Cooperative’ Ties With China at State Celebration

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Thursday, praising the two countries' "friendly and cooperative relations", as Kim oversaw celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party, state media reported. Li's visit ...

Taiwan Leader Vows Stronger Air Defenses to Counter ‘Enemy Threats’

By Amber Wang Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te vowed Friday to speed up construction of a multi-layered air defense system as part of efforts to counter "enemy threats." Lai's government has been under U.S. pressure to ...

Analysis from Cobus van Staden

How to Lure Chinese Financing Back to the Global South: Report

Global South countries face increasing financing pressure, endangering their ability to keep developing while also implementing measures to deal with a growing climate crisis. The disruption of global trade is coupled with a larger megatrend: flows of international capital to the developing world have turned negative. This means that countries are now routinely paying more to service loans than they receive in disbursements.

The vast majority of Global South borrowers ...

China–Kenya Security Talks Take on Weight Amid U.S. Concerns

China's envoy to Kenya, Guo Haiyan, paid a courtesy call to Kenya's Interior Ministry on Monday, where she met with Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for talks focused on enhancing cooperation in law enforcement, security, and border management. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Normally, ...

Chinese Commentary Says New Saudi-Pakistan Pact Could Lead to an “Islamic NATO”

After Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed their joint defense pact, global attention surged, largely due to Pakistan being the sole nuclear-armed Muslim nation. A detailed commentary published on the popular nationalist news site Guancha analyzes the recent Saudi-Pakistan mutual ...

China to Donate Over $400,000 in Police Gear to Vanuatu: Minister

Vanuatu's interior minister has said China will donate hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of police equipment to the Pacific island nation, local media reported Tuesday, as Beijing deepens its influence in the region. Internal Affairs Minister Andrew Solomon Napuat said ...

China Warns Papua New Guinea Over Australian Defense Deal

China cautioned Papua New Guinea against "undermining" its interests and sovereignty in signing a mutual defense pact with Australia widely seen as a counter to Beijing's growing influence in the Pacific. Australia and Papua New Guinea this week agreed on the ...

China’s Defense Minister Lays Out Security Priorities

China’s Defense Minister Dong Jun laid out the country’s defense priorities in his opening speech at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum. About 1,800 representatives from more than 100 countries attended the annual defense gathering. Dong met with defense heads from Malaysia, Cambodia, ...

China Defense Minister Slams ‘Hegemonic Logic’ at Beijing Forum

By Ludovic Ehret Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun denounced "hegemonic logic and acts of bullying" during remarks Thursday at a Beijing forum that were full of thinly veiled references to the United States. Organisers say ...

Australia, Papua New Guinea Delay Mutual Defense Treaty

Australia and Papua New Guinea will not sign a long-awaited mutual defense treaty as expected on Wednesday, the two countries said. The deal was set to see the two nations commit to defending each other from armed attacks as they face ...
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