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WEEK IN REVIEW: Trump and Xi Could Meet After Fresh U.S.–China Diplomatic Push

Top U.S. and Chinese officials had a series of meetings, leading to predictions of a possible summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun that the U.S. doesn’t want conflict between the superpowers. ...

Chinese Surveillance Ship Intercepted by Philippines in Disputed Waters

The Philippine Coast Guard intercepted what appears to be a Chinese intelligence vessel on Saturday that was accompanied by a pair of PLA Navy escort ships that were operating within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone. The presence of the Chinese spy ship 

Philippine Defense Chief in Testy Exchange at Shangri-La Dialogue

Gilberto Teodoro, the Defense Secretary of the Philippines, got into a tense back-and-forth with Chinese officials at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Sunday. During a plenary session, two People’s Liberation Army officers asked him if Manila would adopt a friendlier attitude to China or serve as a U.S. ...

WEEK IN REVIEW: Wang Yi Meets Over 50 African Envoys on Africa Day

Brazilian prosecutors announced they are suing the Chinese carmaker BYD and two of its contractors for slave-like labor conditions. Prosecutors in Bahia state are seeking about $50 million in damages from BYD, China JinJiang Construction Brazil, and Tecmonta Equipamentos Inteligentes. The suit follows a complaint last year that ...

Japan and Philippines Deepen Defense Partnership Amid Rising Tensions with China

Japan and the Philippines are set to bolster their defense ties. This latest development, announced during a high-profile meeting in Manila on Monday, signals a clear response to mounting regional challenges. On Monday, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said that ...

Analysis from Cobus van Staden

The G20 Summit and the Half-Life of a Joke

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 ...

Philippines Ratifies Key Defense Pact With Japan

The Philippines ratified on Monday a key defense pact with Japan, which allows them to deploy troops on each other's soil as they boost ties to bolster against China's growing pressure. Both countries are longtime allies of the United States, which has ...

WEEK IN REVIEW: India, China Patrol Disputed Areas Post-Deal

China firmly rejected the Philippines' maritime claims in the South China Sea on Sunday, posting new territorial boundaries that include the contested Scarborough Shoal. The Foreign Ministry's announcement came two days after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. signed two laws demarcating Manila's maritime claims. (REUTERS)

Philippines Defense Chief Says Military Must Evolve Fast

The Philippine military must evolve fast because of threats to a "free and open" Asia-Pacific region, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said Friday at the end of annual exercises with the United States. Teodoro, whose comments were made amid a festering maritime ...