China
COP30: China holds back on Brazil forest fund
China has decided not to provide funding at this stage to Brazil’s new rainforest protection mechanism, citing the principle that wealthier nations should take the lead in climate finance.
COP30: Climate negotiators forge ahead despite loss of US delegation
Brazilian President Lula has urged nations to step up efforts as Trump withdrew from the Paris Agreement for the second time, leaving 195 countries to tackle climate change.
COMMENT: Japan and Europe come together in support of Taiwan
Over the past week, two moves in East Asia and Europe clearly signal that the handling of the Taiwan question is entering a new phase - one in which neither Tokyo nor Brussels is prepared to abide by a Beijing-centric diplomatic equilibrium.
China’s green capital powers Indonesia’s 100-GW solar ambition
Indonesia’s vision to build 100 GW of solar energy is gathering real momentum, fuelled by growing Chinese investment under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Georgian prime minister deepens ties with China as relations with West worsen
Political and economic ties have expanded rapidly since 2023, reflecting the ruling Georgian Dream party's growing pivot toward Beijing.
COP30: Brazil's $125bn forest initiative draws support from dozens of nations
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has unveiled a global facility to protect tropical forests, securing commitments worth several billion dollars from both wealthy and developing nations at the COP30 climate summit.
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World leaders gather in Brazil for climate summit amid waning political will
COP30 opens in Belém with Trump's absence looming large and UN chief warning of 'moral failure' on 1.5°C target
South Korean lawmaker sparks outcry over country insult bill
The plan responds to a rise in public demonstrations and online posts containing derogatory language aimed at certain countries, particularly China.
Will Trump’s Central Asia summit in Washington help break the Chinese chokehold on rare earths?
“Rare earths”. As Donald Trump on November 6 hosts Central Asia’s five presidents in Washington, DC, observers can forgive themselves if they quickly lose count of the number of times these buzzwords are uttered.
Indonesia faces fiscal dilemma over $7.27bn high-speed rail debt
The operator, PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia - China, now faces mounting pressure to service both principal and interest payments.
Emerging Asia overtakes the UK per-capita benchmark
For the first time since the Industrial Revolution, the major emerging economies including China, India and Indonesia have seen GDP as a percentage of the UK’s GDP increase as the leading BRICS countries start to overtake the Developed Markets.
The US now sees China as an equal - it is time for Western media to wake up and do the same
China was long filed under “too foreign, too dangerous, too different” in many Western newsrooms. Not anymore. Beijing is now impossible to ignore as American leaders have realised. Western media outlets need to wake up to this reality too.
COMMENT: China’s latest economic conquest – Central Asia
For the five Central Asian republics - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - China has in recent years emerged not only as a dominant trading partner, but increasingly as the only partner nearby that can actually deliver.
APEC meeting closes in South Korea, WTO dead and buried
This was not a summit. It was a eulogy for the WTO, and APEC just lowered the flag to half-mast.
US prepares attack on Venezuela as Maduro begs Putin for aid
The Trump administration has reportedly drawn up a list of potential military targets within Venezuela as part of its intensifying pressure on President Nicolás Maduro, who has turned to Moscow seeking urgent military assistance.
COMMENT: For Asia, dealing with Europe isn’t about achieving success; it’s about concealing failure
To be taken seriously in Asia, Europe must rediscover the courage to deliver, not merely declare. Asia has moved on to execution. Europe is still editing its initial policy draft.
US–China soybean sales restart
According to Scott Bessent, US Treasury Secretary, the agreement marks a significant step towards restoring normalcy for American farmers.
Presidents Lee and Xi begin diplomatic chapter at APEC summit
President Lee, who is chairing the first session of the summit at the Hwabaek International Convention Centre, stood at the entrance to personally welcome participants. President Xi reached the venue at approximately 10:02.
South Korea opens APEC summit focusing on connectivity and growth
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung chaired the opening session of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meeting on the morning of October 31 in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.
Global leaders gather in Gyeongju to shape APEC cooperation
Global leaders are arriving in Gyeongju, the cultural hub of North Gyeongsang Province, as South Korea hosts the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Delegates from 21 member economies are expected to discuss trade, technology and security.